Fans have always been at each other’s throats because of the vast difference between the light hearted themes of the Persona series (Particularly Persona 5), and the heavier stakes that define the Shin Megami Tensei series, but we honestly think it’s not about weather one is better than the other, It’s about the direction and execution of each theme, and we think The Caligula Effect series have achieved the right balance between both extremes.
Caligula is not only similar in concept to ATLUS’s main selling franchises, but it also has a narrative written by Tadashi Satomi, the scenario writer responsible for the earlier persona games. Back then, the writer tried to incorporate many elements of psychology into a real life modern setting, and it has been a great success, despite the many technical constraints and outdated designs reminiscent of that old era.
Nowadays, the writer heads his own series, which is available on most modern platforms (the sequel has also just been released not too long ago), and after having an experience with what we presume to be the spiritual successor of these early days, we feel like we should bring this series into attention, because of how it handles interpersonal relationships in a very unique manner, that reflects some of the challenges of living in modern-day japan.
The Artificial Fantasy
The duology of Caligula games each has the same basic setting, which involves a Japanese Idol trying to create a fake digital reality through her fame and impactful songs, and begins to attract people from from the real world to her promised utopia by giving them the chance to get rid of all their problems and annoyances, and be reincarnated in a new world of never ending illusions, without worries or pain.
Not all of those who are trapped inside actually wants this false heaven to keep going, as some of them begin to remember their past and true identity, and seek together to shatter the illusion through their renewed consciousness and convictions. This approach puts them at odds with others who may not want to confront their problems, or unable to live in the real world as the people they truly are, due to various circumstances.
The main story explores many realistic themes that are related in one way or another to the oscillating nature of the human mind. How people entrust their hearts to virtual entities and vague forms of salvation, and their aversion to the true nature of happiness, as something that is very hard to grasp, and sometimes nearly impossible to be blessed with, simply because even if the human heart is powerful, reality is not the most kind.
A World of Lies
From the earlier points, you can deduce that the identities of the main characters (and their outside shapes) does not necessarily have to corelate with their real life counterparts. In fact, they join your side while you are in full awareness that everything about them is a façade, a carefully crafted lie born from their insecurity and vulnerability. Having a common goal also doesn’t mean you know everything about them, or that their issues will be entirely resolved.
Nothing in Caligula is real, and you need not be tricked by the outside covers or art. Despite the straightforward dungeon design and narrative structure, how each character is written and integrated into the story carries many hints about their true character and agenda. They might be younger or older than they look, or have a different gender, or even on their death bed while living their last moments and dreams by your side.
Once you get to know them through a system similar to Persona’s Confidents, you will begin to realize the true weight everyone is bearing. Some party members who just met may be connected in real life but are hiding that fact, and prolonged delving into their personal lives may not necessarily lead to positive outcomes. On the contrary, some characters may end up breaking up with you and leaving your team forever, and all of this carries an impact on the main story as well, not just the side events.
The True Reality
Even though The Caligula Effect might appear at first to be a joyful and outgoing experience, diving deeper into the character identities will reveal many aspects of their suffering such as suicide, theft, poverty, physical and psychological harm, among many other things. Your perception of the game could entirely change upon knowing what each of them truly hides, and what they truly wanted for the price of losing their real selves.
Also simply because each game involves a lot of infighting between people who harbor the same issues, the writing will allow you to visit the villains of the story and listen to their problems, and you might even end up siding with them against the heroes in one of the game’s endings. Things are never one sided in real life, and the game reflects that, even the characters can interact differently with you depending on the starting gender you choose.
In that regard, I think Caligula has succeeded in utilizing the original structure of the persona games, but in a much more refined and believable manner, and without shifting to the other extreme of making the entire story revolve around non-human entities and deities like Shin Megami Tensei. The new narrative structure kept making us surprised and engrossed until the last moment, and nothing was ever superficial as the main setting might imply.
We know that the main writer has studied psychology to be able to understand people, and we can assure that he applied what he have learned wonderfully in all the story beats. We were able to emphasize with many characters and see different and more complicated aspects to each problem they are facing. Every character in both games has something important to say and their words always felt reverberant and resonant with our modern lives, and that’s why we think its one of the most important sleeper hits of this generation.