Meanwhile, We Await Persona 5 in the West as Hype Levels Rise
2016 comes to a close and, of course, gamers wonder what next year has in store. We have exclusives such as our Zero Dawns and our Scalebounds, then yet mysterious names like Destiny 2. But Japanese game developers lauded one particular game this year. In an annual poll by 4gamer, 140 developers came together to decide their Game of the Year. That title was none other than Atlus’s Persona 5.
Of course, Persona 5 hasn’t yet been released in North America.  But this poll is like a weird look into its future success(coming from one humble North American perspective). 4Gamer’s list was filled to the brim with titles that did well this year, but only the top three received double digits. Following Persona 5 are Pokemon GO immediately after, and Final Fantasy XV:
- Persona 5 (PS4/PS3): 21
- Pokémon GO (Android/iOS): 20
- Final Fantasy XV (PS4/Xbox One): 17
- The Last Guardian (PS4): 8
- Inside (PS4/Xbox One/PC): 7
- Overwatch (PC/PS4/Xbox One): 5
- Summer Lesson (PS4): 4
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4): 3
- Dragon Quest Builders (PS4/PS3/PSVita): 3
- Shadowverse (iOS/Android): 3
- Pokémon Sun & Moon (3DS): 3
- Clash Royale (iOS/Android): 3
- PlayStation VR (PS4): 3
- Coven and Labyrinth of Refrain (PS Vita): 2
- Broforce (PS4/PC): 2
- Battlefield 1 (PC/PS4/Xbox One): 2
- Life is Strange (PC/PS4/PS3/Xbox One/Xbox 360): 2
- Titanfall 2 (PC/PS4/Xbox One): 2
- Zero Time Dilemma (3DS/PS Vita/PC): 2
- REZ: Infinite (PS4): 2
- Monster Super League (Andoid/iOS): 1
- Buried Town (Android/iOS): 1
- The Tomorrow Children (PS4): 1
- Senkan Teikoku (Andoid/iOS): 1
- Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 (PS4/PS Vita): 1
- Five Nights at Freddy’s (PC/Android/iOS): 1
- League of Legends (PC): 1
- Seven Knights (iOS/Android): 1
- Yo-kai Watch 3 (3DS): 1
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links (iOS/Android): 1
- The Crew: Ultimate Edition (PC/PS4/Xbox One): 1
- Line Wobbler (iOS/Android): 1
- Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 (PC): 1
- Blossom Blast (iOS/Android): 1
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (PS4): 1
- Megami Meguri (3DS): 1
- The Idolmaster: Cinderella Girls – Starlight Stage (iOS/Android): 1
- Tales of Berseria (PS4/PS3): 1
- Kitchen (PS4): 1
- Undertale (PC): 1
- Neo ATLAS 1469 (PS Vita): 1
- Reigns (PC/iOS/Android): 1
- Nintendo NES Mini: 1
- Pavilion (PS4/PS Vita/PC): 1
- Quantum Break (Xbox One/PC): 1
- Arcade Archives: Darius (PS4): 1
- The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match Online (Android): 1
- Berserk and the Band of the Hawk (PS4/PS3/PS Vita): 1
- Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse (3DS): 1
- BlazBlue: Central Fiction (PS4/PS3): 1
- Shovel Knight (PC/PS4/Xbox One/Wii U/PS Vita/PS3/Xbox 360): 1
Now obviously this list relies on a select and relative few opinions. But being at the top of a list with this many great names brings good tidings from Japan. It is probably safe to say that Persona 5 will be one of 2017’s best games, once it actually hits North American shelves. Expect to see it by April 4, 2017. Whether or not it will truly be better than Pokemon GO or games like Final Fantasy XV will be up to the players. Until then, keep updated with COGconnected. Happy New Years!