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I’m a huge Atlus fan. I’ve played through countless games from the legendary Japanese developer, from the oddball sheep-infused puzzler Catherine: Full Body to my favorite Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) ever made, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne, which I recently replayed on the PlayStation Portal.

But although I’d typically lean towards the moodier vibe of SMT, I can’t deny that the Persona series is what Atlus is best known for now — and for good reason. Of course, Persona 5 and its refined Royal follow-up saw the series absolutely explode in the West, and these releases sold millions of copies worldwide. But even Persona 3 and Persona 4 (across their numerous versions) are critically acclaimed, beloved releases that really laid the groundwork for P5 to blossom into the politically-charged, mysterious, and vibrant success that it became.

And now, after years of waiting, we finally have a new series entry on the way in Persona 6. The title, which was confirmed at the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase, is set on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC. Although we only got a brief teaser for the game, it actually made me feel very hopeful for the future of the series. But why? And what am I expecting the new game to bring? I’ll reveal all in due course.

A more mature take?

Persona 3 and its various editions especially succeeded with their dark tone and setting, mature themes, and use of internal struggle to progress character arcs. (Image credit: Future / Sega)

Allow me to lay my cards on the table. I think that Persona 5 was a very good game. The Palaces felt a lot more varied than the dungeons of previous entries, the overhauled user interface was a joy to behold, the life sim elements felt a lot more fleshed out, and that soundtrack? It’s simply iconic. But out of Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5, the latter is unfortunately my least favorite.

Why? Well, it’s largely personal. Of course, I shared the frustrations others had with the hand-holding nature of Morgana in the early game; I understood people’s distaste for the Okumura boss fight, and I also agree with many fans’ critiques of the narrative — which is brilliant in moments, but a little aimless in others.

For me, though, it comes down to something deeper.

See, Persona 3’s cast had to navigate experiences of grief while investigating the chilling Dark Hour. And although it's a bit brighter than P3, Persona 4’s cast is forced to face up to their true selves — even the ugliest parts — and solve a gripping murder mystery case. P5, however, takes a more holistic, societal approach — both in terms of its narrative focus and in the way it explores its cast. And while this is largely executed well, I personally preferred the way previous games centered around internal struggle as well as their generally darker feel.

This was even reflected in the games’ environments. For instance, the stylish urban style of the setting was undoubtedly eye-catching, but the isolating nature of P4’s Inaba and the almost unsettling Tatsumi Port Island in P3 helped the darker, more mature themes bloom. There’s no denying that Persona 5 touches on some mature topics itself — the early portion of the game in particular comes to mind — but it doesn’t have that same feeling of dread that previous games conjured up.

And that brings me to Persona 6. In the teaser, we instantly get a taste of something that leans into the more unsettling roots of the Shin Megami Tensei — and in turn — Persona series.

In a short horror-themed video, we see a green-colored sky, some eerie-looking trees, and a chilling graveyard setting. We also see a headless statue, a distorted collage face, and some creepy extended hands. This is all overlaid with pouring rain, radio static, and some ambient, chilling music. Now that’s how to set the tone.

It’s very clear, then, that Persona 6 is going to lean into a more mature direction. Even the game’s Steam listing describes it as a “pulse-pounding, supernatural adventure,” and while previous entries haven’t been quite as focused on these horror elements, I’m still delighted to see the series getting darker again — it already feels like a step in the right direction.

Of course, you can still expect some light-hearted moments in the life-sim segments, and the brilliant aspects of P5 — including its slick UI and varied dungeon design — will likely return. But I’m already hopeful that Atlus will blend all of these innovations with the moodier tone of previous Persona games — hopefully resulting in a ‘best of both worlds’ experience.

What can I say, even though we don’t have a release date yet, I’m already pretty hyped.

But what are your thoughts? Are you encouraged by the Persona 6 teaser? What do you want to see from the upcoming entry? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

U.S. tariff pressure is pushing Europe and Brazil closer—opening new global doors for everything from aircraft parts to Brazil's cachaça, the base of the caipirinha.

(Image credit: Alan Diaz)

The deaths occurred as crews battled multiple blazes across a parched region. Two other firefighters were also injured.

(Image credit: Ty ONeil)

Commentary: Phone cameras are amazing, but as a professional photographer, I need more from my camera.

The $350 lower-cost phone gets a punch-hole front-facing camera and a new processor over last year's model.

I just wanted to store my files safely. I ended up opening a Pandora's box of complications.

Commentary: The boom in artificial intelligence is causing a memory chip shortage. Apple decided to make us pay for it.

Microwave or air fryer? Grill or slow cooker? An investigation into how to cook hot dogs for the most flavor and the most joy.

(Image credit: Ayesha Rascoe)

Trinity Moravian Church, a politically diverse congregation in Winston-Salem, N. C., has been raising money to retire medical debt in the surrounding community.

(Image credit: Allison Lee Isley)

Communities around the U.S. are putting on epic fireworks shows for America's 250th birthday — but that spells trouble for dogs and cats. Here's a guide to help the animals in your life.

(Image credit: Joseph Prezioso)

These are the best indoor TV antennas for watching sports and live events in 2026.

This year's fireworks display in Washington, D.C., is scheduled toWhat to know about the massive July 4 firework show for America's 250th

(Image credit: Mohammad Reza Mousavi/Middle East Images)

Around the time the United States was founded, Americans' diets included Parmesan ice cream and terrapin. But what you ate depended on your social status.

(Image credit: Anna Rose Layden for NPR)

The idea that there's a connection between federal student loans and what colleges charge dates back almost four decades. But it's unclear that link can lead to lower costs.

(Image credit: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

In Venezuela, rescue teams are racing against time after twin earthquakes killed more than 1,400 people and left tens of thousands unaccounted for.

(Image credit: Miguel Medina)

The anxieties before the World Cup were many. But with the knockout round set to begin Sunday, it's fair to say: The North American World Cup has been a thrill.

(Image credit: Patrick T. Fallon)

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 28.

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 28, No. 643.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, June 27 (game #1112).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1113) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• PICK
• CHESS
• START
• SELECT
• CHOICE
• GO
• SLIDE
• CORPORATION
• BEGIN
• PRIME
• SURFER
• STRAP
• CAPO
• DARTS
• NOW
• FINE

NYT Connections today (game #1113) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: The best available
• GREEN: Ready, set…
• BLUE: A musician’s tools
• PURPLE: Something flat and dull in common

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1113) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: HIGH-QUALITY
• GREEN: SIGNALS TO COMMENCE
• BLUE: ACCESSORIES FOR A GUITARIST
• PURPLE: THEY HAVE BOARDS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1113) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1113, are…

• YELLOW: HIGH-QUALITY CHOICE, FINE, PRIME, SELECT
• GREEN: SIGNALS TO COMMENCE BEGIN, GO, NOW, START
• BLUE: ACCESSORIES FOR A GUITARIST CAPO, PICK, SLIDE, STRAP
• PURPLE: THEY HAVE BOARDS CHESS, CORPORATION, DARTS, SURFER

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I very nearly collected the games GO, CHESS and DARTS together, but the absence of a fourth stopped me. 

I was a long way from seeing the connection THEY HAVE BOARDS between CHESS and DARTS; congratulations if you linked those with CORPORATION and SURFER.

When it came down to eight tiles left I went with the obvious — although I did think the thread between them was words supermarkets use when they want to charge you more for something slightly better.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, June 27, game #1112)

• YELLOW: MONOPOLY SQUARES BOARDWALK, INCOME TAX, SHORT LINE, WATER WORKS
• GREEN: COMPONENTS OF A FASHION SHOW CATWALK, COLLECTION, DESIGNER, MODEL
• PURPLE: ENDING IN HORSE GAITS DECANTER, ENVELOPE, FIREWALK, FOXTROT
• BLUE: COMMONLY STRIPED THINGS BARBER POLE, BILLIARD BALL, CREDIT CARD, CROSSWALK

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, June 27 (game #846).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #847) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… March in June

NYT Strands today (game #847) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• MADE
• DOGS
• BRAT
• PRONE
• MINDER
• WIDEN

NYT Strands today (game #847) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #847) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 1st row

Last side: right, 5th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #847) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #847, are…

• PARADE
• RAINBOW
• DRAG
• RALLY
• FLAGS
• CELEBRATION
• SPANGRAM: PRIDEMONTH

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

March in June initially threw me, as I was thinking of the month of March, then I realized that the March in question must be a parade and, of course June has become synonymous with Pride, so PRIDEMONTH and PARADE appeared as if by magic.

I got RAINBOW next, a little tricky as it involved reading backwards, before slowly making my way around the board.

Pride marches began in 1970 to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York, but it was another 20 years before Bill Clinton declared June “gay and lesbian month”. 36 years on, it feels more important than ever.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, June 27, game #846)

• PENTHOUSE
• STUDIO
• LOFT
• FLAT
• CONDO
• EFFICIENCY
• SPANGRAM: APARTMENTS

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.