- 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 12th 2008 3:35PM Tye El Czar said
Maybe that's because people such as you watch anime dubs all the freakin' time. And no, it's not. The majority of Japanese dubs = unspeakably dumb. Compare Persona 3 & 4 to something like Half-Life, the original System Shock, Baldur's Gate, and yes, Final Fantasy.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 9:19PM (Unverified) said
As unnecessarily condescending as is your tone, I would have to agree - for the most part. I've heard much praise of the English V.O. in games like GrimGrimoire and FFXII, but when held in comparison to games with actual English-language voice actors, like BioShock or even Kingdom Hearts, the quality is unbearable.
But I won't generalize that to apply to Persona 4, as I haven't played it. Perhaps the V.O. is good, I'm sure it's happened in some JRPG out there.
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But I won't generalize that to apply to Persona 4, as I haven't played it. Perhaps the V.O. is good, I'm sure it's happened in some JRPG out there.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 3:28PM pranaferox said
FFXII didn't use actual English-language voice actors? What, did they write out the entire English script phonetically and have the Japanese actors do it?
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Posted: Dec 15th 2008 3:41PM Tye El Czar said
I somewhat agree with your thoughts, Yourself, except that I like the dub quality of Final Fantasy titles. Despite not being up to high US standards, it's somewhat close. Therefore it's the exception to the rule.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:26PM (Unverified) said
I don't care what the reviews say..it's still a jrpg so I will proceed with extreme caution. I'll either rent it or pull some strings with some people I know at gamestop to get it to me for free or at a huge discount.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:32PM AbsoluteZero said
Gonna wait for other review sources, I've heard of 1up and Gamepro, but not the other 2, so I'm not sure how credible it is.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:33PM TacoHell said
God damn it, another game I have to get. Why the hell did publishers release so much stuff in 2 months?!
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:34PM KOSMOS1 said
Without spoilers, gametrailers.com needs to consider a "megaten retrospective" of sorts; I loved SMT:NOCTURNE and sort of liked the DIGITAL DEVIL SAGA games but it's hard to keep track on which game belongs to which series. I mean, not everyone is going to know that PERSONA is a series following Megaten themes and I for one could use a primer on which game belongs to what.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 9:45AM (Unverified) said
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:35PM Alexisonfire said
Cannot wait for my Amazon order to get here. I've had this game ordered for months.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:42PM (Unverified) said
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the result of Japanophilia.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 12:00AM Supermanisdead said
Have you ever said anything nice in your life? Or do you live to troll everything?
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:43PM moominsean said
and what the eff is up with pre-ordering games from amazon? i usually just go buy my games at a store, but i figured i wanted the freebies... i preordered this thing like ages ago when it was first offered. the site says "in stock" but my pre-order says it won't ship until the 15th? lame.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 3:42PM pranaferox said
Did you get the free "SuperSaver" shipping? I think if you pick that option, they take a couple extra days to ship. They basically move your order to the lowest priority. Luckily I have so many games to play right now, that I don't mind waiting an extra week.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 8:57PM (Unverified) said
Does this surprise anyone?
Persona is one of the best series ever make.
Persona is one of the best series ever make.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 9:13PM (Unverified) said
Wow, high scores all around.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 9:24PM Monkeydog said
It's interesting to note what Famitsu gave this game earlier this year when it was released in JAPAN.
33/40.
Yep.
I wasn't that impressed by Persona 3, it felt very bland after a while of playing it, and the unique things it did have going for it, wore off for me far to quickly. I'm likely not going to play Persona 4, since I no longer have a PS2, but I would give it a chance if I had the game...but...I think Persona 4 has just been released at a very lucky time in terms of JRPG releases and PS2 releases.
33/40.
Yep.
I wasn't that impressed by Persona 3, it felt very bland after a while of playing it, and the unique things it did have going for it, wore off for me far to quickly. I'm likely not going to play Persona 4, since I no longer have a PS2, but I would give it a chance if I had the game...but...I think Persona 4 has just been released at a very lucky time in terms of JRPG releases and PS2 releases.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 9:27PM Mr Khan said
My my
Atlus sure can make 'em
Atlus sure can make 'em
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 9:32PM Turles said
... Good scores. :< I've never played a Persona game before, though. Would I need to play 1-3 to enjoy/understand 4?
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 9:33PM (Unverified) said
Nah. They're self-contained, like Final Fantasy games.
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Posted: Dec 9th 2008 9:51PM (Unverified) said
No, the only thing you need is to enjoy being a awkward kid in high school again and wondering whether you and your friends in the game are supposed to be male or female.
Sorry, I played the original persona waaaay back when, and it got glowing reviews as well. I turned it off after I realized I had no interest in being in High School again. Go ahead, vote me down. I've tried it and that's my opinion.
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Sorry, I played the original persona waaaay back when, and it got glowing reviews as well. I turned it off after I realized I had no interest in being in High School again. Go ahead, vote me down. I've tried it and that's my opinion.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 10:39PM Nier said
Atlus has always been a niche company. There's no reason to down vote you for not fitting into their target zone. Their games are made for certain gamers who enjoy playing these types of games, and the SMT series is even more niche than Atlus itself.
Hell, despite the fact that I LOVED PERSONA 3 SO FUCKING MUCH, it still took me about 4 months to finish it since it took a while between story elements and running around with 3 girlfriends.
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Hell, despite the fact that I LOVED PERSONA 3 SO FUCKING MUCH, it still took me about 4 months to finish it since it took a while between story elements and running around with 3 girlfriends.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 9:51PM Special Agent Steve said
Bravo! PS2. Still got some life in your old veins (not literally of course).
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 10:32PM Nier said
Just got the game today from Amazon, along with that Atlus pre-order super special awesome package that came in a ridiculously large box. However, my friend is still in England and she specifically told me that she would kill me if I even opened the game before she came back home.
Sigh.
Sigh.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 10:52PM (Unverified) said
grow a pair!
her anger will wear off when you let her play the game.
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her anger will wear off when you let her play the game.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 10:48PM Erdie said
Wow, that thing is tearing up the charts. Treat yourselves to a cookie, Atlus.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 11:05PM Seven Weasels Running on a Keybo said
I love Atlus.
I have spent the past couple years mooching off of my younger siblings' PS3, Wii, and 360 with only a PS2 and a DS to my name.
And then they go and give me this. What have I done to deserve this great bounty? Not a damn thing, that's what, but Merry Xmas to me all the same!
I have spent the past couple years mooching off of my younger siblings' PS3, Wii, and 360 with only a PS2 and a DS to my name.
And then they go and give me this. What have I done to deserve this great bounty? Not a damn thing, that's what, but Merry Xmas to me all the same!
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 11:19PM Mr Slayer said
Brought the game today. So far, the game is awesome just like I expected. Having said that, this is my last game purchase for a long time. My wallet can't possibly take much more abuse.
Posted: Dec 9th 2008 11:28PM erh said
The telling part is that it was released for the PS2 instead of the PS3. The PSOne and PS2 had more definitive Japanese RPGs, fighters, and visual novels than I could count, but I can count the number of Japanesey PS3 games on my fingers! The PS3 just isn't getting games. In fact, if anything is the successor of the PS2, it's the Wii, with non-waggle games like Tatsunoko vs. Capcom skipping the PS3 and going directly to the Wii.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 1:09AM efeez1986 said
It's funny how you guys question high review scores for Playstation games but don't have a problem when overrated games like Halo 3 and Gears get high scores.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 3:06AM (Unverified) said
Oh joy. Another JRPG that's not coming to Oz.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 4:21AM oboreruhito said
$40 for a PS2 game that can't be played on new consoles?
Are they trying to make it a critically acclaimed failure?
Are they trying to make it a critically acclaimed failure?
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 6:06PM (Unverified) said
40$ is a steal for a game that truly deserves to be priced more competitively. It's one of the very few games of this season that merits it, due to its incredible value.
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Posted: Dec 10th 2008 7:48AM (Unverified) said
My hatred of anime-emo is absolute. If I can get over it and enjoy Persona 3, then anything is possible.
No, seriously, Persona 3 really was good enough for you to ignore the main character looking like that guy from My Chemical Romance.
No, seriously, Persona 3 really was good enough for you to ignore the main character looking like that guy from My Chemical Romance.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 7:53AM (Unverified) said
I hate all this "the PS2 is dead" stuff I've been hearing. The guy at EB scoffs every time I pre-order a PS2 game (which was....twice in the past few months. Both Atlus games).
The PS2 has an absurd amount of games. And best yet, you can buy really good stuff for 5, 10, 20$ used at EB. I just picked up Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 for 2.99$ each. Jade Cocoon 2 for 9$. Star Ocean 3 for 15$. I'll be so busy with my PS2 that I'll start playing current-gen consoles when all their games are 5$ each. Long live the PS2, I say.
The PS2 has an absurd amount of games. And best yet, you can buy really good stuff for 5, 10, 20$ used at EB. I just picked up Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 for 2.99$ each. Jade Cocoon 2 for 9$. Star Ocean 3 for 15$. I'll be so busy with my PS2 that I'll start playing current-gen consoles when all their games are 5$ each. Long live the PS2, I say.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 6:17PM (Unverified) said
YES, ABSOLUTELY!
PS2 is still strong and has some terrific games. Who cares if it is on an older console? Why does that matter? I still regularly play my PS1 games on my PS3. Why? Because they are great games! Period.
And I would be proud if an EB employee scoffed at my choice of game, especially if it were an Atlus title. Just goes to show how little they appreciate a solid game that does not have a huge advertising budget.
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PS2 is still strong and has some terrific games. Who cares if it is on an older console? Why does that matter? I still regularly play my PS1 games on my PS3. Why? Because they are great games! Period.
And I would be proud if an EB employee scoffed at my choice of game, especially if it were an Atlus title. Just goes to show how little they appreciate a solid game that does not have a huge advertising budget.
Posted: Dec 10th 2008 7:49PM btan said
Is it my imagination or the picture on this post is actually from Persona 3?








