Thirty years ago, Atlus released a Shin Megami Tensei spin-off that would eventually eclipse its parent series in popularity. Revelations: Persona was indeed the very first entry in the Persona saga, laying the groundwork for everything to come: the ragtag crew of high schoolers, the Persona summoning system, and the contemporary urban setting. Today, Atlus celebrates the game that started it all by bringing the Revelations: Persona score to all major streaming platforms.
Even though the franchise (and its music) only broke into the Western mainstream with 2017's Persona 5, Atlus Sound Team had already been honing their craft for two decades. Among the credited composers on Revelations: Persona, you'll spot a certain Shoji Meguro… ring a bell? The credits also feature Hidehito Aoki (who tragically passed away in 2002), Kenichi Tsuchiya, and Misaki Okibe—all of whom would go on to shape the sonic identity of the series and its numerous spin-offs.
By modern standards, the Revelations: Persona OST can sound a little dated. Some tracks are undeniably rough around the edges, while the slice-of-life cues carry an unabashedly goofy, '90s infomercial vibe. Don't get me wrong: I love it, especially when set in stark contrast to the acid jazz and Shibuya pop the series embraces today.
It will be fascinating to see what else Atlus has in store for the rest of Persona's milestone year. For starters, the publisher is set to kick off 2027 with the highly anticipated Persona 4 Revival—a full-fledged remake of the 2008 classic. A handful of teaser tracks are already streaming on all platforms. And yes, Meguro-san is back at the helm.
Speaking of Meguro, did you know he recently contributed a track to the fantastic Denshattack! soundtrack? The veteran composer is one of the brightest highlights in the star-studded lineup assembled by Kid Katana Records for the gonzo roller-skating commuter sim. Last week, Pitchfork even awarded the album an 8.1—a rare badge of honor for any video game OST.
Find all listening links for Revelations: Persona (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK) by Ken'Ichi Tsuchiya, Oki Hen Misa Ki, Shouji Meguro, Hideto Aoki on its dedicated page:
→ https://nwpl.ing/revelations-persona
