- Game|Life (100/100): "The truly stunning thing about Persona 4 is that it just doesn't have any glaring flaws. Even though it doesn't stand up to the graphics of the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, the clever art style makes up for that. Those who despise reading large blocks of text in games will be pleasantly surprised by the solid voice-over work applied to almost every conversation."
- 1UP (A+): "What really sets Persona 4 apart, though, is its endearing, relatable cast. "
- GamePro (100/100): "I can't recommend this innovative experience highly enough, and from first time visitors to the Velvet Room to jaded MegaTen fanatics, Persona 4 is an absolute must buy."
- WorthPlaying (95/100): "Everything – from the story to the combat system to the dungeon crawling and Social Links – has been improved. Considering that Persona 3 was already an excellent game, Persona 4 is a true standout.
Metareview -- Persona 4 (PS2)
90
You might look at this metareview's title and think we've made a mistake. No one makes PS2 games anymore. Not so, and as any RPG player worth their elixir knows, Atlus has been prepping the latest in its acclaimed Persona series for release on the last-gen system. Now it's here, and the reviews – praising everything from its characters to its gameplay and voice acting as best-of-breed – are absolutely glowing. (In the sense that they're really good, not "turn off your monitor and back away slowly.")
Reader Comments (90)
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:06PM (Unverified) said
Like most, I wish all PS3 systems could play PS2 titles. Maybe Sony will one day rethink via the realization of how much bigger their latest systems game library would be.
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Posted: Dec 10th 2008 12:10AM deddyluger said
Playing this game right now. I think it is boring as all hell. Definitely not a perfect game. Or fun for that matter. People are smoking crack.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 7:39PM (Unverified) said
I also have a 60 gig. Snooze, you lose.
Figured this game would be awesome, since Persona 3 was... well, the perfect drug.
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Figured this game would be awesome, since Persona 3 was... well, the perfect drug.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 7:40PM JoshMilewski said
That screen is Persona 3.
And the Metacritic score of Persona 4 is 97 right now. Highest score of any PS2 game, only tied with two others.
:) :) :)
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And the Metacritic score of Persona 4 is 97 right now. Highest score of any PS2 game, only tied with two others.
:) :) :)
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:30PM (Unverified) said
Meh, a 97 metascore with only 11 reviews. If it gets up to the standard 30-50 reviews and stays at 97, then I'll be impressed.
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Posted: Dec 10th 2008 10:15AM Pipp said
The thing is, this is a really improved Persona game. The dungeons are no longer one long tower. They are separate now, and a whole host of other good changes that were annoying in P3.
The thing is, P3 was almost the perfect JRPG. When they find a way to make it even better, what else can you do other than give it 100s across the board?
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The thing is, P3 was almost the perfect JRPG. When they find a way to make it even better, what else can you do other than give it 100s across the board?
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 7:43PM (Unverified) said
My PS3 won't play this and I'm not playing a PS2 on my 52" TV with composite cables, eww. Hopefully this pushes Sony to get a software emulator for PS2 games... y'know... like you had in Europe but someone took away that feature too.
Maybe when they make a profit again they will put a PS2 b/c chip in. Or they could at least do a PS3 port...................
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Maybe when they make a profit again they will put a PS2 b/c chip in. Or they could at least do a PS3 port...................
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 12:09AM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said
It doesn't matter if games are fun, as long as they look pretty, right?
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Posted: Dec 10th 2008 12:32AM SoCoolCurt said
i agree that games being fun is the most important part but you have to admit, ugly games hinder the experience. i have a 60GB PS3 and i've bought a few PS2 games to play on it but they look so terrible i just stopped playing them. FFXII was the last PS2 game i bought and played on my PS3, although i may try this one because it seems to be a fantastic game.
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Posted: Dec 10th 2008 8:01AM (Unverified) said
No, you see that doesn't work on me. I don't care about graphics at all. I still play classic GB games and my most played console this gen is the Wii so get off your mother truckin high horse.
I just can't play games on my big posh amazing TV with the PAL PS2 video cables (I say that because both the Cube and Xbox had component cables in the US but not in Europe). Edges have strange diagonal line bits, the colour is rubbish and the terrible blurring gives me a headache. If I had some cheaper, smaller TV it would be a different story.
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I just can't play games on my big posh amazing TV with the PAL PS2 video cables (I say that because both the Cube and Xbox had component cables in the US but not in Europe). Edges have strange diagonal line bits, the colour is rubbish and the terrible blurring gives me a headache. If I had some cheaper, smaller TV it would be a different story.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 10:19AM Pipp said
I played P3 on my MGS4 PS3 and it looked great on my 50" plasma. So did SMT Nocturne. Most PS2 games I've played on it looked great upscaled with the PS3 options.
Before I got my PS3, they DID look like crap on my PS2 with component cables. The difference is pretty huge.
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Before I got my PS3, they DID look like crap on my PS2 with component cables. The difference is pretty huge.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 5:50PM (Unverified) said
I do agree about the PS2 w/ composite cables.
For those with PS3s who say their PS2 games look like crap, try upscaling it to Full Screen and then changing the picture size of your TV to 4:3. You preserve the original aspect ratio and the game should look really sharp. Smoothing is an option that people have different opinions on, so see for yourself.
I have a 60GB with the Emotion Engine, but I can't imagine the 80GB's emulator works differently.
Oh, and my copy of P4 is late, but does anyone know if they made it 16:9 or added progressive scan?
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For those with PS3s who say their PS2 games look like crap, try upscaling it to Full Screen and then changing the picture size of your TV to 4:3. You preserve the original aspect ratio and the game should look really sharp. Smoothing is an option that people have different opinions on, so see for yourself.
I have a 60GB with the Emotion Engine, but I can't imagine the 80GB's emulator works differently.
Oh, and my copy of P4 is late, but does anyone know if they made it 16:9 or added progressive scan?
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 7:44PM Mike Knew said
And people said that Prince of Persia was going to be the last big game of the year. So far this has a meta-critic score only beaten by GTA IV this year.
This is when I wonder why anyone has even thought about giving game of the year awards out, because you never know what might turn out to be great. I definitely didn't expect this to get so highly praised, and I think I'm going to have to pick it up.
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This is when I wonder why anyone has even thought about giving game of the year awards out, because you never know what might turn out to be great. I definitely didn't expect this to get so highly praised, and I think I'm going to have to pick it up.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 7:45PM Vegeta has a ps3 said
Huh. A Jrpg getting 100s across the board? Hmm maybe I'll give this game a rent to see what the big deal is with this series.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 11:19PM (Unverified) said
If you're a fan of JRPGs, you'll probably like it. If not, you most likely won't. It's not like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest at all though. It's half random dungeon crawler with a turn-based battle system and half relationship simulator. It is almost 2 totally different games, but they are mixed together very well.
I haven't played this yet, but I can't imagine it getting a 95%+ average. From what I've read, it basically the same as Persona 3 with a new story. Persona 3 is fun, but I have had it for well over a year and haven't beat it. When I am playing it, I have fun and it can keep me hooked, but when I am not playing it, I have no desire to turn it on and play it.
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I haven't played this yet, but I can't imagine it getting a 95%+ average. From what I've read, it basically the same as Persona 3 with a new story. Persona 3 is fun, but I have had it for well over a year and haven't beat it. When I am playing it, I have fun and it can keep me hooked, but when I am not playing it, I have no desire to turn it on and play it.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 7:46PM Hostile said
It's like the perfect time for a PlayStation 2 Japanese role-playing game to get a high review score on Metacritic. Game websites that don't have JRPG fans and are all about the current generation won't pay attention to it. Game websites that do have fans of the genre will review it and probably like it a lot. It probably also helps when the JRPG is probably a pretty good game.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 7:52PM (Unverified) said
I think I'll pass on this one, I never play the others so I guess I'll jump into the Persona bandwagon when they make a new one for this Gen.
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Posted: Dec 10th 2008 1:27AM (Unverified) said
Come back to it next week and see if it has changed. 11 scores don't mean a thing in the long run, but if every review out there is positive then it just may be.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:06PM AwesomeTown said
Damn, I haven't played any Persona games, but these reviews are really interesting. I might have to take a look. Good thing I have my PS2 still hooked up because I can't play it on my PS3. :(
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:13PM (Unverified) said
does it work on the MGS4 bundle 80GB PS3 (Software emulation)?
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:28PM 343 Guilty Fart said
I second this man's question. Inquiring minds want to know.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:45PM (Unverified) said
I tested it myself, and have zero issues so far.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:17PM xThePunisherx said
In case anyone was wondering, the game is amazing. I played the first hours of P3 and didn't liek it too much, but like Fallout to Oblivion, i'm going to give it another chance after its improved sequel is finished ;)
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:20PM (Unverified) said
ITS OVER NINE THOUSAND!!
Huh wierd I might have to check this out (Then again Gamepro reviews are somehow,well what's the word oh yeah...WROOOOOOONG)
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Huh wierd I might have to check this out (Then again Gamepro reviews are somehow,well what's the word oh yeah...WROOOOOOONG)
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:23PM Tye El Czar said
"praising...voice acting"
It's dub quality. Dubs = sucky acting. BangZoom should stop getting people who were kicked out of drama/acting class. No joke.
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It's dub quality. Dubs = sucky acting. BangZoom should stop getting people who were kicked out of drama/acting class. No joke.
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