Summary
- Guns Undarkness is a stealth-focused JRPG combining elements of MGS and Persona.
- The game is set in a dystopian cyberpunk world with tactical, turn-based combat, social relationship mechanics, and stealth elements.
- Created by Shoji Meguro, Guns Undarkness is planning a release in Steam Early Access first, with console versions to follow.
Metal Gear Solid and Persona typically aren't two franchises that are associated with each other. It's not surprising that's the case, considering the fact that the former of the two is a series of tactical espionage games with stealth-action gameplay, while the latter is a turn-based JRPG franchise that mostly centers around high school students with magical abilities. Given the drastic differences in genres and settings, it's likely that there isn't much of an overlap between the audiences that Metal Gear Solid and Persona target, so the chances of a hypothetical crossover between the two series are very slim.
While gamers may never get the opportunity to sneak around as Solid Snake in Persona 5 or defeat enemies as Joker in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, there is at least one upcoming game that could provide a similar experience. The title in question is called Guns Undarkness, and it's a stealth-focused JRPG that takes heavy inspiration from MGS and Persona from both a gameplay and story perspective. The thought of such an unorthodox genre mash-up may not have crossed most people's minds, but this title could end up being the game that fans of Persona and Metal Gear Solid didn't know they needed.
Guns Undarkness Seems Like the Perfect Game for Those That Love Persona and Metal Gear Solid
Guns Undarkness Has a Lot of Talent Behind It
Guns Undarkness is a tactical turn-based role-playing game that's being helmed by Shoji Meguro, the composer behind the widely acclaimed soundtracks for the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona games. This title serves as the debut project for the developer, following his departure from Atlus in October 2021. While most aspects of the game are being created by Meguro himself, Guns Undarkness is a collaborative effort between him, character designer Ilya Kuvshinov, and rapper Lotus Juice. Kuvshinov is perhaps best known for his work on the Netflix TV series Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 and the animated Cyberpunk: Edgerunners music video, "Let You Down." Lotus Juice, meanwhile, is most recognized for his contributions to the OSTs of several Persona games, including recent titles like Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5 Tactica.
Guns Undarkness is a Dystopian JRPG With Stealth Elements
Set on a dystopian cyberpunk Earth that's on the brink of societal collapse, Guns Undarkness follows the adventures of an unnamed rookie protagonist and his eclectic group of companions, all of whom are members of a private military organization simply known as the BTI. With this team of four by their side, players are tasked with handling the issues of the troubled world they find themselves in and determining whether humanity is able to save itself from complete annihilation.
As previously mentioned, the gameplay loop of Guns Undarkness is not unlike that of the Persona games. The upcoming JRPG not only features tactical, turn-based combat encounters, but it also includes a relationship system somewhat similar to the social links found in titles like Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royal. That's not all, though, because the game features a heavy emphasis on stealth, too. If players manage to defeat enemies while remaining entirely hidden, then they'll receive attack buffs that will help them deal significant amounts of damage to opponents prior to entering turn-based battles. Stealth may not be as essential as in Metal Gear Solid, but it still plays a big role in Guns Undarkness.
Shoji Meguro's Upcoming JRPG Could Be One of 2025's Hidden Gems
Guns Undarkness is currently slated to release on Windows PC via Steam, with ports to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles planned thereafter. The title was initially meant to come out in 2024, but Shoji Meguro recently announced a delay for the upcoming role-playing game on the project's Kickstarter page. Now, Guns Undarkness is set to launch in Steam Early Access in the first half of 2025 and receive a full release either later that year or early 2026.
Judging by what's been shared of it so far, Guns Undarkness looks like it has the soul of an experimental, PS2-era JRPG. The title's interesting gameplay mechanics and its emphasis on stealth seems like it'll help it stand apart from its contemporaries. If the game lives up to expectations, then it could end up being a sleeper hit in 2025, one that Persona and Metal Gear Solid fans likely won't want to skip.
Persona 3 Reload
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- February 2, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17 / Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- P-Studio
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour "hidden" between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.
Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.
Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI.
Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes, character interactions, and additional voiceover.
Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters.
Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
- Franchise
- Persona
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy
- How Long To Beat
- 65 hours
