Zen United: Mesh of Persona 3 and 4 characters in Arena "feels perfectly natural"

The coming together of Persona 3 characters alongside the cast of Persona 4 in Arena is a move that, according to Zen United, is "natural".

Arena's story takes place two years after The Answer in the FES version of Persona 3. In Persona 4's timeline, it's two months after the events of the game.

Alongside Persona 4's well-known group, Arena will feature P3 characters Aigis, Mitsuru Kirijo and Akihiko Sanada, all three of which have aged a bit since to match the game's timeline.

Zen United director Geraint Evans reckons the inclusion of P3 into the world of P4 and Arena will be an interesting one.

"Persona 3 and Persona 4 have very distinctive art direction, so it's been interesting to see how the two combine," Evans told VG247 after Arena's European announcement at MCM last weekend.

"The Persona 3 characters have undergone some changes in appearance. It's been two years since Persona 3 in terms of the Persona Universe, and these changes, as well as their past history, are explained within the substantial story mode of the game."

Evans added: "When you have Atlus' designers and scenario writers combining with Arc [System Works'] skill in 2D artwork and fighting you have a considerable pool of exceptional talent to draw on, and it really shows in Persona Arena.

"Having both P3 and P4 characters in the same story and mixing in the same game feels perfectly natural."

Zen's currently gathering fan feedback towards on what it would like included in a potential collector's edition of the game in the UK. You can give your opinion on it here.

Persona 4: The Arena launches later this year in Europe for PS3 and 360.