Review: Persona 4 (PS2)

Persona 4 is perhaps one of the greatest RPGs of this year, decade and maybe of all time. Its only real competition is its predecessor Persona 3: FES.

Persona 4 takes the core concepts of Persona 3: FES and really redefines them to the point where the system is starting to feel a bit more stronger. The one thing that is more prevelant in 4 is the huge amount of comedy thrown into the whole story. This is such a refreshing change for RPGs which are usually far more concerned about whatever plot is ending the world. Persona 4 never misses a beat in the comedy realms. If there is ever a part of dialogue going on that leaves one wondering what in the blue hell, the characters will pick this up and run with it with a most comedic of ways.

The one true defining feature of this game is the characters. Can’t think of any of them that seemed out of place or flat out annoying. Yeah Teddie and Rise can get a bit over bearing at the time but that is just who they are. The game revolves around the player moving to a small town for a year to live with his Uncle and Cousin whilst moving school and having to make friends with the other cast members Chie, Yosuke, Yukiko, Kanji, Rise, Teddie and a few others in between. The main plot in the game is a fog hangs over the town and everytime it does someone is murdered. After a classmate goes missing the Investigation Team is go and they soon set off by entering TVs to the dungeon parts of the games.

The battle system is much improved over Persona 3 for the one main fact of being fully able to control every team member which is pretty huge. The main problem with Persona 3 is the other team members all casting magic that is totally useless and never getting the job done.
The battles are all very run of the mill turn based elemental affairs like lightining beats wind etc.

When not traversing the TV world the player has to make social links with the people of the town to help boost the power of the Personas they collect which you use in battle as your main powers. Think like Pokemon. The Social Link aspect of the game is totally addiciting. To the point where I would try and get the dungeon done in one go just so that I could go and do more Social Linking. The interactions in these scenes are always interesting. With a few of the ladies you can max the social link and be their boyfriend which really serves no purpose in all honesty.

All in all there is a lot to do in Persona 4. With numerous dungeons that can be gone through again and again. Huge cast of characters to Social Link with, not all you will get done with in one play through and just an awesomely written story with amazing characters. Persona 4 is clearly the best there is, was and ever will be(Although matched by Persona 3: FES)
Also the music in this game is really good.
Everyone go out of your way to purchase Persona 4!

Rating: EXCELLENT. EDITORS CHOICE. GAME OF THE YEAR 2009.