'Persona 5' release date rumor: Game to come out in May?

From left to right: Ryuji, the Protagonist, AnnAtlus

While Atlus has already confirmed that its upcoming franchise installment, "Persona 5," will definitely come out this year, the developer has yet to announce a specific release date for the title. But recent speculations suggest that the game will be coming out sooner than fans think, even possibly as early as May.

According to Yibada, a Reddit user claimed that "Persona 5" will come out in May, and other observers say that this is entirely plausible. Atlus has already stated that the game is scheduled for a summer 2016 release. Some fans say that since summer starts in May in Japan – Atlus's homebase – the developer may be preparing to launch "Persona 5" for an early 2016 release.

The industry follower added that while it seems coincidental, previous leaks suggest that "Persona 5" is coming out soon. Reportedly, some game retailers in Japan have already put up "Persona"-related merchandise at their stores, apparently to prepare for the game's release.

Although the release date for "Persona 5" has yet to be confirmed, Atlus is already giving out some general details on what the game will be. According to Crossmap, there will be at least two new modes in the game, namely Cooperation and Sneak.

In Cooperation, players will have a two-fold quest in-game. Aside from completing the missions in the story, the players must also build up Social Links with various in-game characters to unlock benefits.

Meanwhile, Sneak gives a twist on the franchise-veteran All-Out Attack mode of gameplay, as players must avoid as may fights as possible while trying to navigate the dungeons in "Persona 5."

Developer Atlus has also given out details on the game's main protagonists. Part of the Phantom Thieves group, there will be four main characters in the game. Aside from the as-yet-unnamed main character, the group will have Ryuji Sakamoto, Anne Takamaki, and Morgana as group members.