AlthoughShin Megami Tenseiand its other spin-offs likePersonaandSoul Hackershave received a huge boost in attention in recent years,Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Armyis a missing puzzle piece that finally allows modern audiences to experience theDevil Summonerclassic from the PS2 in a new way.Raidou Remasteredmay feel mechanically very different from whatPersonaorShin Megami Tenseifans may be used to, given its action-based RPG combat. However, there are still some familiar elements that will draw these fans in.
Raidou Remasteredfeatures many of the same demons thatPersonaandShin Megami Tenseifans are used to summoning, and the breakdown of its skill system will look familiar as well. This remaster also adds comprehensive voice acting featuring some voicesPersonafans may have heard before, such as Dawn M. Bennett and Lucien Dodge, who voicedAigis and Akinari inPersona 3 Reload, respectively.Persona 5fans will likely connect with Raidou’s companion Gouto-Douji almost immediately because this talking cat shares a lot of similarities withPersona 5’s own vocal feline, Morgana.
Raidou Remastered’s Black Cat Gouto Was the Model for Persona 5’s Morgana 10 Years Earlier
Gouto and Morgana Share Similar Personality Traits
Despite Morgana becoming an iconic video game character thanks to his role inPersona 5, it was Gouto who paved the way for Morgana’s character nearly 10 years earlier when the originalDevil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Armywas originally released on the PlayStation 2. Looking at both of these characters side by side, it’s clear that there are several personality overlaps. Both of these feline companions carry a degree of snark, with Morgana often teasing otherPhantom Thieves members like Ryuji, and Gouto lending Raidou money when he needs it, only to then steal it back whenever the player earns enough to pay their debt.
Underneath the sassy black cat trope, both Gouto and Morgana clearly care for their companions. Just as Morgana acts as a mentor for Joker as he navigates theMetaverse inPersona 5, Gouto similarly guides Raidou as he grows into his role as a Devil Summoner. The balance between sass and genuine care for their partner highlights the stereotypical cat behavior and establishes both Gouto and Morgana as signature Atlus felines.
Gouto also appears in sequelRaidoutitles, as well as inShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne RemasteredandDevil Summoner: Soul Hackerson the 3DS alongside Raidou.
Gouto Fulfills a Similar Gameplay Role as Morgana
The most important role Gouto and Morgana play in their respective games is that of the voice of a silent protagonist. Although only Raidou himself can hear him, Gouto acts as a narrator for Raidou’s inner monologue, conveying to the player commentary on the events happening from Raidou’s perspective. Morgana fulfills a similar role forPersona 5’s protagonist Joker, although the rest of the Phantom Thieves can hear what Morgana is saying as well. Not only does this style of commentary help the player get a grasp of what the protagonist is feeling, but it also fleshes out the relationship they have with their feline companion.
Other than providing commentary on the game’s events, both Gouto and Morgana act as guides for players in the early game hours ofRaidou RemasteredandPersona 5. Morgana helpsguide players through Kamoshida’s castleas their first Palace infiltration inPersona 5, and Gouto provides insight to help Raidou with his detective work throughout the game. It’s clear that Atlus has a penchant for cats as both mascots and guides, with Gouto and Morgana taking turns in the spotlight over the years.
Gouto and Morgana’s connections are actively acknowledged by Atlus inPersona 5’s Raidou Kuzunoha cosmetic DLC, which featured a Gouto skin for Morgana.
