Persona 5 is just around the corner and Whatoplay brings you a look back to ATLUS' critically
acclaimed series.
We do a quick rundown to one of the finest JRPG's to hit the western market.
Main titles only!
(Social links are sold separately.)
We start off with Shin Megami Tensei: Persona
Originally called Revelations: Persona, this PSP remaster of the 1996 game signifies the
rebirth of the series.
The story starts off as something simple, play as a group of high schoolers trapped
in a world where reality is not as they seem.
Weird supernatural elements have occurred and then suddenly they found out they could
summon Personas, a physical manifestation of the characters' personality.
It comes in different shapes and sizes.
They go around their school hallways, crowded streets and creepy temples to take down vicious
Demons with Personas at their side.
It's basically like Pokemon, but they're your other self and they're a tad bit mythical.
Since this is a Shin Megami Tensei game, players can also interact with monsters during turn-based
sequences.
It's delightful when you make them dance, sing or worse… get agitated.
No harm in talking to them.
Jam through the game's upbeat soundtrack all thanks to Shoji Meguro's talented crescendos.
The only gripe this game delivered was the insane amount of random encounters.
Of course this game has no PlayScore since it existed waaaay before our PlayScore System
was even created.
Then there's Persona 2
Although it's not related to the first game's story, this sequel to the already popular
series is divided into two parts: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment.
Both are Remasters for the PlayStation Portable but the latter didn't make it to Western
shores.
Innocent Sin tells a story centered around Tatsuya Suou and his group of friends.
As usual, a reality-bending incident makes Demons hunger for power and have wandered
around our world.
The gameplay remains the same like its original, but the addition of a Rumor System enables
the player to gather information by listening to rumors from around the game's world.
The soundtrack remains incredibly FIRE now that Lotus Juice is taking the mic.
And did you know that Hitler is in this game?
Persona 2 received positive reviews despite its age, and even until now, fans are longing
for a Western release of Eternal Punishment.
And unfortunately, no PlayScore is present.
But here comes Persona 3 Portable
The 3rd main entry of the Persona series was like witnessing the Renaissance.
It feels as if the series has found its path.
It feels like a whole new Persona game.
This was a portable version of the PlayStation 2 game way back 2006.
It excluded their epilogue "FES" and adds more content to the mix including a female
protagonist and a sweet new soundtrack!
Like always, you are a silent protagonist new to the city.
Follow a group of High Schoolers as they solve a lingering mystery about a "Dark Hour"
that stalks regular people during the night.
(Also your school is a huge demonic skyscraper in disguise.)
Cool, huh.
Just like in any Persona game, you are the chosen one.
You can control up to multiple Personas and travel to the game's eerie Velvet Room to
meet the one and only Igor.
This 'revitalized' Persona game removed the ability to talk to Demons during combat,
but it adds a new feature called Social Links.
It's a semi-social simulation feature that grants the player a challenge to balance two
lives given to them: Be a regular student and interact with people during daytime, or
go slay Shadows inside a huge tower with your dorm-mates during nighttime.
These social links power up your collected Personas while also adding a powerful bond
between your party members and their respective Personas.
The turn-based RPG remains the same, but the addition of a Persona Compendium and the ability
to "craft" new Persona's make everything so much fun.
Aside from its improved combat and RPG mechanics, the story is by far one of the best of the
series.
Giving a good sense of teenage friendship despite it's edgy "Death" theme.
These aspects are what makes Persona 3 a success.
It's a shame FES didn't make it to the PlayStation Portable.
As for PlayScores, nuh-uh.
Persona 4 Golden
Also coming from its PlayStation 2 roots, this PlayStation Vita exclusive proved that
Atlus can really make a good portable version of their beloved series.
Golden is a remastered version of Persona 4.
The gameplay and RPG elements remain the same but the improved Social Link feature and a
deep harrowing story is enough to grab your attention.
Unlike Persona 3 Portable, players can only play one protagonist, but the game delivers
new characters, new soundtrack, improved visuals and an incredibly hard boss fight.
Just like its original, solve a murder mystery happening around your town with the help of
your newfound friends.
Overcome the Shadows and unleash the Persona given unto you.
The game's theme revolves around the "media" so players are required to travel into a trans-dimensional
TV world.
It's a crazy plot, but that's why Persona excels among the other JRPGs.
The twists, the turns, the jazzy music makes this game worthy with a PlayScore of 8.91
on our database.
It even took the number one spot on most of our PS Vita videos!
Runners-Up
Aside from the main titles, the Persona series has quite a number of spin-offs.
It doesn't heavily impact each of the game's story, but the fan service it delivers is
a love letter for the fans.
It's first spin-off, Persona 4 Arena, pits the cast from two of the iconic Persona games.
Meet your favorite characters from Persona 3 and 4 and let them clash in a whirlwind
of side-scrolling skirmish.
It has a PlayScore of 8.15 on the Xbox 360 and 8.64 on the PlayStation 3.
It's 2nd spin-off is Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
It's a sequel to their critically acclaimed fighting game.
This time, it's heavily story-driven and it's divided by two Episodes.
Upon completion, it unlocks the True Ending.
There's also a special Episode dedicated about a certain character.
It receives a PlayScore of 8.16 on the Xbox 360 and 8.68 on the PlayStation 3.
The third spin-off centers around the series' dungeon-crawling mechanics.
Persona Q: Shadow Of The Labyrinth features new characters to the fray while adding a
story that fits the Persona canon.
Once again, meet the iconic cast of characters from 3 and 4... all in chibified form!
They team up and go on an adventure to restore Rei and Zen's memories.
It's a 3DS exclusive and it showcases the same gameplay style from Etrian Odyssey and
Persona.
The game is a success and it receives a PlayScore of 8.75.
It's latest spin-off comes out as a Rhythm Game.
Atlus never runs out of ideas, huh.
Persona 4: Dancing All Night turns the dark and demonic atmosphere from their previous
franchises into a vibrant and sensational concert.
What's not to love when your favorite Persona 4 characters are strutting their best moves?
Although it's not the best Persona spin-off compared to the others, this PSVita exclusive
still received an average PlayScore of 7.73
After a series of deep Jungian archetypes, the battle between the Persona and Shadow,
catchy tunes, 4 main titles and 4 spin-offs, ATLUS' 5th main entry to this franchise
is on its way.
We can't even contain our own excitements!
Persona 5 is one of the most anticipated games this 2017.
After delays and delays, April 4 can't come soon enough!
Strap yourself in for another ride of your life with memorable characters, upbeat music
and a story to keep you at the edge of your seats.
It sucks that this game was already released in Japan, and mind you, the reviews are good!
Early Japanese impressions said that the game is a masterpiece, but it's up to us to find
out!
The game revolves around a silent protagonist caught in a spiral of crime-related events.
We can't give much details about the plot since we have idea what it is, but the theme
about "prisoners" makes a huge impression to the game.
Just like its predecessors, Social Links, High School life and dungeon-crawling makes
a return!
Igor also makes a comeback, bringing more stuff into the table.
This time, join your band of masked characters called The Phantom Thieves and restore civilization
to its most honest form.
Ironically, this is the first Persona game that character's are actually using masks.
The addition of a stealth mechanic makes dungeon-crawling advantageous, which gives you a pre-emptive
strike to each Shadow you face.
These are but the new additions to the game, who knows what other surprises are in store
for us?
Early reviews from Gamespot's Lucy James gave this game a 9 out of 10, calling it a
hallmark of the Persona franchise due to its vibrant world and captivating story.
Making it a Gold Standard of JRPG's.
The same words also goes to IGN's Andrew Goldfarb which gave this game a 9.7!
I smell Game of the Year Material.
But that's all we know so far!
What do you think this game's PlayScore is?
Comment below
and let's talk Persona!
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