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[GraveHorizon]

I'm aware that Persona 4 is good, and P4G is an awesome port, but I originally never played any of the the Persona games. My friend played it in PS2, and was excited about both the anime and Golden coming out for the Vita, but wasn't sure whether he could wait for Golden. We ended up watching the anime, though before we did I read about someone kawaii on the Persona wiki, so I wasn't shocked when

Spoiler

she died

, but

Spoiler

I somehow missed the part where they save her

. That part was a weird experience in terms of expectations of story and media awareness.

Anyway, the anime was my first real exposure to the series, but my friend kept going on about how awesome the characters were and all their friendship shit, which I could somewhat see in the show but wasn't really feeling on a personal level. He had the first hand experience of playing the original game, along with all the nostalgia of doing it years ago. He couldn't stop raving about how great it all was and how cool everything about Persona is

Spoiler

(which he does often for things he loves; it tends to spoil my experience of things when someone won't shut up about how great they are)

. After the anime, he started playing Persona music all the time. I don't have the same feelings for Persona, so I don't find everything about it definitively cool. When I see Yu Narukami's glasses face, I see a smug jerk saying "I'm so cool, bitch!"

Maybe I'll play P4G someday.

 

[Manbig]

I'm aware that Persona 4 is good, and P4G is an awesome port, but I originally never played any of the the Persona games. My friend played it in PS2, and was excited about both the anime and Golden coming out for the Vita, but wasn't sure whether he could wait for Golden. We ended up watching the anime, though before we did I read about someone kawaii on the Persona wiki, so I wasn't shocked when

Spoiler

she died

, but

Spoiler

I somehow missed the part where they save her

. That part was a weird experience in terms of expectations of story and media awareness.

Anyway, the anime was my first real exposure to the series, but my friend kept going on about how awesome the characters were and all their friendship shit, which I could somewhat see in the show but wasn't really feeling on a personal level. He had the first hand experience of playing the original game, along with all the nostalgia of doing it years ago. He couldn't stop raving about how great it all was and how cool everything about Persona is

Spoiler

(which he does often for things he loves; it tends to spoil my experience of things when someone won't shut up about how great they are)

. After the anime, he started playing Persona music all the time. I don't have the same feelings for Persona, so I don't find everything about it definitively cool. When I see Yu Narukami's glasses face, I see a smug jerk saying "I'm so cool, bitch!"

Maybe I'll play P4G someday.

I can sort of understand that sentiment and it is a very unfortunate way to be introduced to anything. Maybe just wait out part 5 and go for that one so you can at least go in with a fresh experience.

 

[flatearthpandas]

While that review is obviously troll bait, a common theme among a certain segment of SMT fans is to shit on Persona 3 and 4 for going in a different direction and becoming way more popular for it. God forbid they made the SMT combat require less buffing to win most of it's fights. WHERE IS MY DEPTH?!

Is this like a meta response?

Deep.

 

[Fbh]

Persona 4 is a good game and P4 "Golden" is just the best version of that game.

The game has above average writing, a great cast of characters and like most of the persona franchise it just feels unique compared to other RPG's. Most of the game is set in the present day and there are a lot of mechanics that would feel at home in a "life simulator" type of game. There is a main story that is allways present involving mysterious murders and you will spend times in dungeons fighting monsters and leveling up and all that, but you will also spend a lot of time going to school and hanging out with your friends.
To me what stands out about the persona franchise is that in a genre so dominated by "epic" save the world stories and medieval fantasy it's just refreshing to feel something that is so different.

Now while I enjoyed the game I don't thinks it's THAT good. It's a good game but not a masterpiece or one of the best rpg's of all time like some people like to call it.
I personally enjoy the main SMT games more. I think they have a better combat system, better dungeons and I enjoy the focus on fighting and exploring. So personally I enjoyed SMT IV far more than Persona 4.

 

[skLaFarebear]

Its an SMT game and

Spoiler

most

SMT games are amazing.

Persona 4:Golden is one of the weaker entries though, gameplay and story wise. Its sequel is way better though.

 

[Fbh]

Its an SMT game and

Spoiler

most

SMT games are amazing.

Persona 4:Golden is one of the weaker entries though, gameplay and story wise. Its sequel is way better though.

Wouldn't the sequel to persona 4 be persona 5?
A game we haven't even seen?

 

[skLaFarebear]

Wouldn't the sequel to persona 4 be persona 5?
A game we haven't even seen?

You're forgetting about Persona 4 Arena, which canonically, is a sequel.

 

[BumRush]

Persona 4 Golden is essentially an anime.
Not a universally acclaimed anime, but a widely watched anime loved by its fans. Think Bleach. Not narratively, but in quality and appeal.

If that sounds good, you'll probably really like it. If things like that never appealed to you or no longer do, there is a decent battle system. There is a good time management system. Apart from terrible dungeons, it is a solid actual game, so there is still plenty to enjoy even if you're not enamored with the characters and story. You'll likely find yourself in the camp who simply like it. It is the anime sensibilities that make it "so good" though.

Haha thank you, i don't understand how other posters are saying P4G is nothing like anime.

 

[skLaFarebear]

Haha thank you, i don't understand how other posters are saying P4G is nothing like anime.

Yeah Persona 4: Golden is so non anime that it only got TWO anime adaptations.

 

[Robert at Zeboyd Games]

It's a good RPG combined with a good visual novel and since the two are mixed together, it's hard to get bored of either.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

It got me back into JRPGs and made me buy a Vita. That speaks highly for it. The cast is pretty likable, there's almost always stuff to do, and while the enemies and combat aren't always that unique, there's enough change (aesthetic of dungeon, new personas fused, etc) to keep the game from being a slog fest.

 

[Kain]

Kanji and Yosuke are the real bros and Chie and Rise are the best waifus. What else do you want? Oh yeah, a fucking giant Teddy Bear who shoots missiles!

Yeah, I've beaten this game in PS2 and Vita so many times it's not funny anymore.

Spoiler

Wrong, it is.

Although the winter part is completely forgettable sans a couple of highlights. It just drags the game for too long.

 

[Jisgsaw]

Do you even dungeon crawl tho?

Not much, but a bit yeah.
The dungeons of Persona 4 (and 3 for that matter) are just plain bad.

 

[gngf123]

Do you even dungeon crawl tho?

...Rog? That you?

 

[Aiustis]

I actually didn't like P4. Didn't finish it just felt like an visual novel and the actual dungeon crawling was a little too late. Also I need good dungeons to wade through the other stuff. Felt like everything I can't stand about anime. It almost turned me off of SMT since it was the first one I played since Persona 2.

 

[a916]

How does P3 on the Vita play after playing P4G?

Would I be disappointed realizing some of the missing elements that P4G has?

 

[imBask]

How does P3 on the Vita play after playing P4G?

Would I be disappointed realizing some of the missing elements that P4G has?

I hated everything about P3 and enjoyed everything about P4G

If you enjoy the colorful story and characters, don't play P3

 

[Lilo_D]

Everything is nearly perfect except that boring to death dungeon.
Those dungeon almost kill this game for me, but thanks to other part I can keep playing

 

[Kain]

How does P3 on the Vita play after playing P4G?

Would I be disappointed realizing some of the missing elements that P4G has?

It has fully manual combat, that's enough to be worthy in my opinion.

And you get to play with the female MC, which essentially makes for another different game.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

The gameplay is fun and addictive for sure. But the thing that made P4G over the top amazing for me were the characters and story. I just enjoyed every single second hanging out and laughing with them and when the game was over it was genuinely sad. Like saying goodbye to great friends and great times.

 

[a916]

I hated everything about P3 and enjoyed everything about P4G

If you enjoy the colorful story and characters, don't play P3

Hmm, are you saying (without getting into too much spoiler area for P3), it's a dark tale that takes itself seriously?

 

[LX_Theo]

How does P3 on the Vita play after playing P4G?

Would I be disappointed realizing some of the missing elements that P4G has?

Different tone (darker, theme is about death instead of truth). P3P, being for the PSP, is also missing the 3D model cutscenes and overworld outside of dungeons and combat. It also has the ability to play as a female protagonist with different social links.

Its a very similar game otherwise, for sure, and is one hundred percent worth a try if you enjoyed P4G. That guy who said he hated it and loved P4G is a bit of an oddity in how much his opinion of each differed. Some prefer P3, some prefer P4. The reasons differing between the two are generally taste based.

Its an SMT game and

Spoiler

most

SMT games are amazing.

Persona 4:Golden is one of the weaker entries though, gameplay and story wise. Its sequel is way better though.

... Arena right? Arena is better... How? Completely different gameplay, and the story is more fanservice with the returning characters being submitted to pretty bad writing across the board (since apparently they didn't feel like giving them actual character archs, just the trope associated with them this time around). Not a bad story, it just does't have the depth to it and the characters P4 has.

compared to p4g, it's TLoU-level of seriousness

Hyperboles for the win.

 

[imBask]

Hmm, are you saying (without getting into too much spoiler area for P3), it's a dark tale that takes itself seriously?

compared to p4g, it's TLoU-level of seriousness

 

[Weltall Zero]

There are two other JRPG's I have put significant time in since FF7. Blue Dragon, and Star Ocean on the 360. But didn't really enjoy them at all.

Um, I haven't played BD or SO360, precisely because they have abysmal reputations. Seriously, that's like playing Duke Nukem Forever and deciding you don't like FPS's.

If you liked FF7 you definitely have it in you to love RPGs. you just need to play GOOD ones. P4G is definitely an amazing way to start. It has memorable, likable characters that feel more "real" or "close" than in most other games. They feel less like heroes saving the world and more like a bunch of friends that could be your gang in a paralel world. It has also tons of great moments and the voice acting is top-notch. And I personally loved the gameplay, but to each their own.

 

[Taruranto]

Overall an ok RPG (6-7) but a weak entry in the SMT franchise. Dungeons still awful and the battle system is still dumped down and easy compared SMT/DDS. Story is mediocre and characters go to ok to meh.

Mostly relies on pandering and making the player character feeling super-special and awesome. Also it was the first SMT for many, so many players didn't have much to compare it with.

 

[Flandy]

Spoiler

You better understand why I'm avatar quoting you

 

[Gillian Seed]

We need Suikoden II on the PSN ASAP! Then people can enjoy a Masterpiece JPRPG in every aspect.

 

[Cha]

I think I have a "casual" addiction with this game. Have to pick my Vita up and play a little bit every alternate day or so. It is strangely relaxing.

I didn't trust all the praise that this game gets, and was skeptical at first. But after playing it for a few months now, I gotta say it really is a fantastic game. It's not a "gamey" game, but for whatever it is, it's damn fiiine. I'm not entirely sure why I like it, but I think the absurd plot and engaging characters are the main elements that sucked me in. The UI (seriously, dat UI!) and music is really good too. Can't help but feel happy when playing - and who doesn't like feeling happy? The dungeons and fights could have been pretty bland, but the characters are always talking and keeping you entertained with special moves which keeps things exciting. Voice acting is superb. I'm playing either on Easy, or Normal (can't remember), and feel like the pacing and difficulty ramp is nice and smooth. I can however see this game being less fun to play on harder difficulties (where grinding may screw up the pacing and leave players frustrated or burnt out).

With all that said, the only other explanation as to why many find P4G so good, may be because the psychedelic animated intro movie (on DAT OLED) has hypnotized the weak minded masses into believing that they are playing an amazing game. (Just look at it)

Currently just finished mid-terms and received

Spoiler

a letter from the culprit.

Marie is best. Stop lying to yourselves.

 

[Iva Demilcol]

It isn't, it is decent but nothing more. There are many better MegaTen games. If you have a Vita it is worth playing though.

Bad dungeon design and pacing, but very good characters and a decent battle system.

THIS.

I mean, even if you count only the Persona series, 4 is the worst imo.

 

[a916]

Different tone (darker, theme is about death instead of truth). P3P, being for the PSP, is also missing the 3D model cutscenes and overworld outside of dungeons and combat. It also has the ability to play as a female protagonist with different social links.

Its a very similar game otherwise, for sure, and is one hundred percent worth a try if you enjoyed P4G. That guy who said he hated it and loved P4G is a bit of an oddity in how much his opinion of each differed. Some prefer P3, some prefer P4. The reasons differing between the two are generally taste based.

To be honest, the biggest reason I'm holding back, and it'll be for nothing too, is the long shot hope they eventually do a Vita version much like P4G. I might just bite the bullet and get the PSP version.

 

[hongcha]

The randomized dungeons and crappy battle system ruined this game for me. There is a good visual novel in there, but there are plenty of better visual novels that don't waste your time with poorly-made, extremely boring randomized dungeons, so it's better to just play one of those.

 

[Dunan]

I went in cold to this game and the entire Megami Tensei / Persona series, and bought the game solely because of its reputation on GAF.

And I had an amazing time and loved every minute of it.

I had been an exchange student in a mid-size Japanese city as a college undergraduate, and boy did this game bring back some good memories. It was like stepping back in time. So much fun.

Loved the characters, loved the amazing and natural-sounding translation (one of the translators, Mai Namba, also did the "...so that the world might be mended" line from Demon's Souls, so you know it's going to be good), the music is great (well, the melodies are great; the singer's English enunciation is terrible, and not in a so-bad-it's-good way).

When I finally reached the best ending, I had a big smile on my face. What a great world to spend time in. I'm going to let some time pass before taking on NG+, and really savor that.

 

[Sodding_Gamer]

Um, I haven't played BD or SO360, precisely because they have abysmal reputations. Seriously, that's like playing Duke Nukem Forever and deciding you don't like FPS's.

If you liked FF7 you definitely have it in you to love RPGs. you just need to play GOOD ones. P4G is definitely an amazing way to start. It has memorable, likable characters that feel more "real" or "close" than in most other games. They feel less like heroes saving the world and more like a bunch of friends that could be your gang in a paralel world. It has also tons of great moments and the voice acting is top-notch. And I personally loved the gameplay, but to each their own.

Yeah I was just unfortunate to pick up two godawful jrpgs and I didn't know any better at the time. In hindsight after looking them up online I realise how bad they were but I've never dabbled in them since because of how much a snorefest those two games were. Anyways I'm excited at giving this a go!

 

[Meia]

THIS.

I mean, even if you count only the Persona series, 4 is the worst imo.

Something every SMT really needs to understand is everyone plays games for different reasons, and this includes RPGs.


For RPGs, to me, characters are king, second to the story. If the game is sparse on both counts, a strong gameplay system isn't enough to sustain me, as I will put the game down 99 times out of 100.

To date, SMT1 remains the only SMT I've been able to get through for much this reason. I have no issue with the Persona series, any installment. Make of that what you will. /shrug

 

[LX_Theo]

To be honest, the biggest reason I'm holding back, and it'll be for nothing too, is the long shot hope they eventually do a Vita version much like P4G. I might just bite the bullet and get the PSP version.

At $5 I'd just buy both. Shoot, even if you don't have a PS3, $2.50 for FES is a really good price, too.

 

[Curufinwe]

The randomized dungeons and crappy battle system ruined this game for me. There is a good visual novel in there, but there are plenty of better visual novels that don't waste your time with poorly-made, extremely boring randomized dungeons, so it's better to just play one of those.

The battle system is excellent, as is the Persona collecting and fusing. The fact that the VN part of the game directly affects the battle and Persona systems is one of the best things about the game.

 

[Thoraxes]

I'd say it's because the newer Persona games are much more casual friendly and not that difficult.

 

[ohlawd]

Not much, but a bit yeah.
The dungeons of Persona 4 (and 3 for that matter) are just plain bad.

Fully agreed.

...Rog? That you?

I'd rather hold Lucifer's hand than Chie's.

Actually, it'd be great if I could claim the world in Lucifer's glory AND hold his hand too!

 

[Jisgsaw]

To be honest, the biggest reason I'm holding back, and it'll be for nothing too, is the long shot hope they eventually do a Vita version much like P4G. I might just bite the bullet and get the PSP version.

If you have time to play it on a home console, take the FES PS2 version on the PSN for the PS3.
Yeah, P3P has the femal protagonist and enhanced combat, but imho you lose to much with the 3D scenes transformed in VN style.

Persona3&4 are all about character interactions, the school/dungeon life and the cutscenes, it's a bit of a shame to lose all that in the portable port.

 

[PK Gaming]

How does P3 on the Vita play after playing P4G?

Would I be disappointed realizing some of the missing elements that P4G has?

It's a noticeable step back in terms of presentation, gameplay and polish, but it's still worth playing since it's an entirely different experience from Persona 4. There's a female protagonist route too. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoyed P4G.

THIS.

I mean, even if you count only the Persona series, 4 is the worst imo.

You're kidding. Worse than 2? You're kidding.

 

[Vlade]

I feel like it's getting lost in the criticisms, but I really think this game is absolutely top tier in relating emotion to the player. In that regard it's up there with the best of the best. The game has some shortcomings, but when deciding if the game is worth the playthrough; it is for that reason.
I'm normally a gameplay is king kinda person, but I don't think I can overstate how well P4G does the things it does well. The rest does not get in the way of that.

 

[abrack08]

I know the dungeons are unpopular, but I didn't know so many people didn't like the battle system. I think, as far as turn-based RPGs go, it's damn good.

 

[P90]

It just is. The Zen of P4.

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

While that review is obviously troll bait, a common theme among a certain segment of SMT fans is to shit on Persona 3 and 4 for going in a different direction and becoming way more popular for it. God forbid they made the SMT combat require less buffing to win most of it's fights. WHERE IS MY DEPTH?!

Persona is one of those games where the sum of parts greatly exceeds what one would expect it you looked at each aspect separately. It only really hits you once you've played those games.

The characters, social links, length, music, art, battle system all join to make one of the best jrpg series in gaming.

 

[gngf123]

I know the dungeons are unpopular, but I didn't know so many people didn't like the battle system. I think, as far as turn-based RPGs go, it's damn good.

I think it depends on what games you have played before. If you are already familiar with press turn and the like, P4's system is going to feel like a step down. If all you have played are average stereotypical JRPG's, it's going to feel like a massive step up.

I personally don't have as many problems with it as I did P3's system. It's the least of the games problems.

 

[flohen95]

I feel like it's getting lost in the criticisms, but I really think this game is absolutely top tier in relating emotion to the player. In that regard it's up there with the best of the best. The game has some shortcomings, but when deciding if the game is worth the playthrough; it is for that reason.
I'm normally a gameplay is king kinda person, but I don't think I can overstate how well P4G does the things it does well. The rest does not get in the way of that.

I have said this before, but I'll post once more since this perfectly sums up how I feel about the game. It's a perfect visual novel-type game, not too out there yet interesting story, fantastic characters. I played the game without knowing anything about it beforehand, and finishing the game filled me with a mix of emotions that almost no other game did before. I was glad I finished it, I felt like I played something that will change what types of games I play going forward (and it did), but on the other hand I was sad to see it go, which is why I absolutely ate up the anime (despite generally disliking anime) and P4 Arena and am more hyped for Persona Q and P4D than I am for P5.
It is one of those games that I consider one of my personal gaming history's milestones in that it pushed me in a new direction as a "gamer". Part of that milestone list are only few other games (Pokémon Sapphire, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (my favourite game of all time), Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones and Valkyria Chronicles) which also happen to make up most of my favourite game list. I've described the magical feeling that playing through Fire Emblem 8 for the first time was in the Fire Emblem community thread here on GAF, and Persona 4 gave me the same kind of feeling playing it (even though the Fire Emblem series will remain my favourite gaming series for now and probably the far future).
Persona 4 broadened my gaming tastes. Even if you don't think you'll like character and plot-heavy games or visual novel-style experiences (which applied to me), or if you usually don't like anime (which, again, applies to me) or if you are turned down by the negative comments many people have made about the dungeons here (myself included), I encourage you: play the game. Everyone should at least give it a try. Or try Persona 3 FES or Portable, which, even though I think they're inferior, have a lot of stuff going for them.

Spoiler

And one day I will be able to put my thoughts into words the first time I post. Goddamn.

 

[HeeHo]

I enjoyed P4 a lot on PS2 and it along with P3 seem like the best thing ever for maybe...20 hours. Then you might start to sense the immense repetition that is only broken through a really good social link. I could already tell after 20 hours (give or take) that I would probably never replay P4 a second time. It's just too damn long to finish again, and after knowing the story already, I don't think I would go through the dungeons again just to suffer through slowly revealed story bits animated only through portraits and weak 3D models that move their hands every now and then. I honestly didn't care who the culprit was at the end.

However, I think the real icing on the cake is, and something I don't see mentioned too much, is that after playing for about 60 hours, near the end, you can make an irreversible decision and end up permanently getting the bad ending. It almost happened to me during my first playthrough where I was intentionally avoiding the internet but got somewhat paranoid once I had to answer some big questions. At that point I was already getting tired of the game's routine and would've raged so hard if I had to do it all over to get the real ending.

It might sound like I didn't enjoy it but I have mad love if for only the Giantbomb endurance run. I just think it's waaay overrated but that's okay. JRPGs don't get enough love anyway. I also think they should bring back the post battle tarot system they had in P3. Getting bonus exp and money after battle was so rewarding after successfully completing them.

 

[warheat]

How does P3 on the Vita play after playing P4G?

Would I be disappointed realizing some of the missing elements that P4G has?

No, but get the FES version if possible. Let's see :
Gameplay : P4G >> P3:FES
Story : P3:FES >>> P4G
Music : P3:FES = P4G
Dungeon : P4G > P3:FES
Pacing : P4G >> P3:FES
Character : P3:FES >>>>> P4G
Ending : P3:FES >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P4G

 

[Canon]

It's too good. It made my life better for the time I played it and now that I'm done it sucks even worse now.

I didn't like Persona 3 though. It's really different (in a bad way).

 

[Jisgsaw]

You're kidding. Worse than 2? You're kidding.

P2 was pretty good imo.

However, I think the real icing on the cake is, and something I don't see mentioned too much, is that after playing for about 60 hours, near the end, you can make an irreversible decision and end up permanently getting the bad ending. It almost happened to me during my first playthrough where I was intentionally avoiding the internet but got somewhat paranoid once I had to answer some big questions. At that point I was already getting tired of the game's routine and would've raged so hard if I had to do it all over to get the real ending.

Getting bonus exp and money after battle was so rewarding after successfully completing them.

You really have to try hard to get yourself locked in the bad ending.
The game explicitely tells you you're making a major decision.
Now, getting something other than the normal ending without a walkthrough, yeah, that's hard.

The Tarot system is present in a somewhat similar way, at least in Golden (don't remember if it was there for the vanilla game though).