Game review: Persona 4

Atlus is a relatively small RPG developer compare to the likes of Square Enix and Sega in terms of games that are released outside of Japan. Their main franchise Shin Megmi Tensai (SMT) is therefore a very niche franchise compare to Square's famed Final Fantasy series. SMT has many spin off series such as Digital Devil Saga, Devil Summoner, Nocture, and Persona, each having their own cult followings and Persona series being the most popular here in the States. Like other SMT titles Persona series is filled with heavy Japanese culture and lack in flashy presetation compare to other Japanese RPG titles that are released outside of Japan, but that's what is so refreshing about this series. Persona 4 is my first SMT game but I have long heard of the popular franchise from Atlus, too bad I never got the chance to play one until now.

-Story

Persona 4 like other Persona games puts you in the shoes of a Japanese highschool student who recently transferred from Tokyo to a little town, and strange things started to happen in the town as you try to make new friends, balance school work, find a part time job and trying to solve the mystery. I think thats about all I can say without actually spoiling anything, but overall the story is nothing like any Japanese RPG or any RPG period. Stories are told in some texts and conversations you will have with your friends and rarely cutscenes are ever used which is also different compare to other JRPGs.

-Presentation

The few cutscenes in the game that I have encountered are all animated as are rest of the game graphics. It fits the tone of the game perfectly as the game feels and plays like it was taken straight out of an anime series with modern Japanese look and some outrageous styles fit for an anime. The tone of the game is very lighthearted with some funny yet cheezy moments, and this is unlike the previous Persona games where the theme is much darker.

-Game Play

On the surface the unconventional game play is like a social simulation, taken the course of entire school year. Therefore you have to go through everyday on the calendar day by day as you go to class, make friends, get a part time job...oh and kill some demons at night.

As you go through you normal daily routine you will gradually increase your personal stats in knowledge, courage, dilligence, understanding and expression, depending what you are doing at the time. For example actually paying attention in class and answering questions right will increase knowledge and practice with your basketball team will increase dilligence. These stats are needed at points to unlock game events or simply have enough courage to talk shit to the teacher. One bad thing about some of these events is time will simply pass by where you do nothing, I would like maybe a mini game for the basketball practice or drama practice but you cant ask for everything.

As for the RPG part of the game you will go through different dungeons to save your friends and this is where it gets interesting. All the dungeons are formed differently based on that character's inner self, for example one of the girl we had to save scretely wanted to be a stripper so the dungeon was a strip club. All the dungeons are randomatized and you will have 2 weeks to progress through them. The fights are not random as you can pick wether to engage or not, and in the fights you can do your regular physical attack or summon your Persona to do magic damages. The main Charactor is the only one that can create different types of Persona and as all Personas come on a card it sort of reminded me Pokemon cards. The relationship you develop with others will determine how strong a particular school of persona you create and how good your friends perform in combat so social aspect is quite important in the games so you need to spend time and hangout with each friend.

-Sound

the background music are mostly J-pop which surprisingly doesn't get boring and fits the mood of the game well. The voice acting are top of the line as well and you can't say that with all J-RPGs out there.

-Conclusion

Atlus is one of the few companies that still releases their flagship franchise on the aging Playstation 2, but this game is definitely a good reason to turn on your PS2 again. With its refreshing formula and enjoyable story filled with down-to-earth memorible cast it is one of the best JRPG I have played in years.