9 Video Game Plotlines You Didn't Realise Were Based On True Stories

The game: For a game that embraces abstract, unmistakably fictitious concepts like supernatural realms populated by physical manifestations of mankind's subconscious desires, Persona 5 should come dead last in consideration of borrowing real-world scenarios as inspiration.

But then, despite its highly-stylized art design and oddities like speech-capable cats, Atlus isn't afraid to make its group of Phantom Thieves tackle some maliciously dark subject matter. In fact, the first task the player's protagonist is posed with after visiting the Velvet Room is to put an end to their new school's emotionally and physically abusive volleyball coach, Suguru Kamoshida.

The inspiration: True to the claim made by its interactive opening disclaimer, Persona 5 is a complete work of fiction, but Kamoshida's case bears a stark resemblance to several similar incidents that have become increasingly prevalent in Japan's school system.

The real-life case of abuse detailed here, coupled with producer Katsura Hashino's decision to shift the game's worldwide setting to a domestic one paint the picture of a game not ashamed to provide its own commentary on issues affecting Japanese society.