Persona 3

HaphazardJoy · 09-02-2007, 09:16 AM

I think I've pimped the Shin Megami Tensei series here before, but in case not, let's bring it up again with their latest installment. Persona is a MegaTen spin-off, one of the first MegaTen game we actually got in America was Persona (then again, in Megami Tensei 2 for the SNES, the final boss is God... turns out that wouldn't sell great in America).

For people who are fans of RPGs and who have any interest in Japanese culture, Persona 3 is where it's at. It's mostly a fairly difficult eastern RPG, but then it also includes a very lightweight sim of the life of a Japanese high school student. The high school student part plays into the RPG pretty well though, since, in this game, the social contacts you make and grow upon help you better connect with the demon-like spirits that you summon to cast spells for you. Likewise, the character growth on a day-to-day basis revolving around your academic, charm, and courage makes sense since you need those traits to meet new social links and expand upon them.

Anyone familiar with MegaTen knows what to expect, but for RPG fans of the Final Fantasy type with no experience, you may have your ass kicked many times before you get a hang for it... and that's okay! MegaTen favors the conservative style of older rpgs where saving constantly is a good thing. In this title, the game is over when your lead character dies, and when random enemies can cast spells to kill you in one hit... it's going to happen... but THAT'S OKAY! Like most RPGs, there are many different element based attacks and defenses, but each enemy and each spirit your main character can equip has different balances. It's a system that highly favors constant change and customization so you can exploit the enemies' weakness while defending yourself.

While not as hard as SMT: Nocturne, this game is still easily more difficult than your typical RPG, but more rewarding for it. Like with all MegaTen games though, don't be surprised when you realize that a 'mysterious character' turns out to be Lucifer, and he actually wants to help you.

**Mwynn** · 09-02-2007, 11:04 AM

I really liked Persona. Except for the mazes in the school.

jakebilbao · 09-02-2007, 12:22 PM

my brother has been playing this game for about a week now and everytime i get a glimpse or watch him play it, i still feel there is something sick about this game. he has explained why these teenage characters are running around shooting themselves in the head but i still don't get it. maybe i'm getting old and not be able to follow today's younger culture but, dude it's all fun and games until some kid really does blow his head off.

HaphazardJoy · 09-02-2007, 03:57 PM

Hahahah, but that's one of the best parts!

To summon their personas, the characters use a gun-like tool that busts the guardian spirits out of your soul and into battle.

Penny Arcade says it all:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/08/06

Moonrider · 09-03-2007, 06:43 AM

Is this game available in English version or still in Japanese?

HaphazardJoy · 09-04-2007, 07:24 AM

English, full release in North America complete with included soundtrack and art book and also a DoubleJump strategy guide for sale. Before this, for US we only got Persona 2 from this spin-off series of MegaTen, and even the Persona 2 we got was actually one of two interlinking games... we never got the other. It doesn't look like we'll ever get the Persona 3: Fes expansion either, even though the Japanese already got a version of the game with the original and Fes included.

09-02-2007, 09:16 AM	#1
HaphazardJoy BANGARANG! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Worcester, Massachusetts Posts: 5,878	Persona 3 I think I've pimped the Shin Megami Tensei series here before, but in case not, let's bring it up again with their latest installment. Persona is a MegaTen spin-off, one of the first MegaTen game we actually got in America was Persona (then again, in Megami Tensei 2 for the SNES, the final boss is God... turns out that wouldn't sell great in America). For people who are fans of RPGs and who have any interest in Japanese culture, Persona 3 is where it's at. It's mostly a fairly difficult eastern RPG, but then it also includes a very lightweight sim of the life of a Japanese high school student. The high school student part plays into the RPG pretty well though, since, in this game, the social contacts you make and grow upon help you better connect with the demon-like spirits that you summon to cast spells for you. Likewise, the character growth on a day-to-day basis revolving around your academic, charm, and courage makes sense since you need those traits to meet new social links and expand upon them. Anyone familiar with MegaTen knows what to expect, but for RPG fans of the Final Fantasy type with no experience, you may have your ass kicked many times before you get a hang for it... and that's okay! MegaTen favors the conservative style of older rpgs where saving constantly is a good thing. In this title, the game is over when your lead character dies, and when random enemies can cast spells to kill you in one hit... it's going to happen... but THAT'S OKAY! Like most RPGs, there are many different element based attacks and defenses, but each enemy and each spirit your main character can equip has different balances. It's a system that highly favors constant change and customization so you can exploit the enemies' weakness while defending yourself. While not as hard as SMT: Nocturne, this game is still easily more difficult than your typical RPG, but more rewarding for it. Like with all MegaTen games though, don't be surprised when you realize that a 'mysterious character' turns out to be Lucifer, and he actually wants to help you.

09-02-2007, 11:04 AM	#2
Mwynn On THE EDGE Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Haven Posts: 23,240	I really liked Persona. Except for the mazes in the school. __________________ www.goldengoatstudios.com Buy Digital Webbing Comics. Or Bucho will foreclose on the orphanage. The Edge issue one Diamond code : NOV121048 The Edge Online The Edge Facebook

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09-02-2007, 12:22 PM	#3
jakebilbao MattWaterman in progress! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pilipinas kong Mahal Posts: 1,734	my brother has been playing this game for about a week now and everytime i get a glimpse or watch him play it, i still feel there is something sick about this game. he has explained why these teenage characters are running around shooting themselves in the head but i still don't get it. maybe i'm getting old and not be able to follow today's younger culture but, dude it's all fun and games until some kid really does blow his head off.

09-02-2007, 03:57 PM	#4
HaphazardJoy BANGARANG! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Worcester, Massachusetts Posts: 5,878	Hahahah, but that's one of the best parts! To summon their personas, the characters use a gun-like tool that busts the guardian spirits out of your soul and into battle. Penny Arcade says it all: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/08/06

09-03-2007, 06:43 AM	#5
Moonrider Registered Abuser Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Indonesia Posts: 6,938	Is this game available in English version or still in Japanese?

09-04-2007, 07:24 AM	#6
HaphazardJoy BANGARANG! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Worcester, Massachusetts Posts: 5,878	English, full release in North America complete with included soundtrack and art book and also a DoubleJump strategy guide for sale. Before this, for US we only got Persona 2 from this spin-off series of MegaTen, and even the Persona 2 we got was actually one of two interlinking games... we never got the other. It doesn't look like we'll ever get the Persona 3: Fes expansion either, even though the Japanese already got a version of the game with the original and Fes included.