A wealth of new content and gameplay additions make a modern role-playing classic better than ever in Persona 4 Golden.
A top-tier role-playing game is generally a finely crafted concoction of several ingredients: an interesting setting, an engaging story, enjoyable characters and interactions, and gameplay that makes your interaction with all of the aforementioned elements feel meaningful and worthwhile. When all of these individual factors are developed to high standards, the result is an RPG of exceptional quality--and that is exactly what Persona 4 Golden is.
This re-release of 2008's excellent PlayStation 2 game takes place in modern-day Japan. The protagonist is a high school student from a big city whose parents have been sent away on business. They send him to live for a year with his uncle--a police investigator--and his young cousin in a small countryside town. Almost immediately upon the hero's arrival, strange things begin to happen in this otherwise dull little hamlet: a string of people turn up dead, and rumor spreads of a supernatural television broadcast that shows bizarre programming. The hero and a crew of his newfound classmates soon discover a horrible secret: there's a separate world within the televisions that twists human desires and hidden feelings in potentially lethal ways, and it's somehow tied to the serial killings. It's up to the group of friends to harness the supernatural power of personas, put a stop to the sinister killing spree, and decipher the secrets behind the TV world.
The contemporary, real-world-inspired setting of Persona 4 is already an excellent conceit in the heavily fantasy- and sci-fi-driven world of RPGs. But it's far from the only element that sets the game apart from the crop. Unlike most RPGs, Persona 4 operates on something of a time limit. From the day you arrive in the country village of Inaba until the day the school year ends, you advance through the game on a calendar. Dates and deadlines are very important; not only do you have important events in school and in your personal life to deal with, but you also discover that the serial killings follow a specific time pattern. You need to explore and rescue potential victims from the TV world before they are killed--a task that usually takes several days to complete.
It would be easy if you could just spend all your days fighting, but Persona 4 also puts heavy emphasis on interacting with other characters in the game. Every day presents many opportunities for various noncombative activities, be it school clubs, hobbies at home, working part-time jobs for extra spending money, or just hanging out with pals needing friendly support. Spending time on these activities benefits you in various ways: some boost your abilities, some earn you items and money, and still others increase your connections with other characters.
Some choices can even offer multiple benefits. By far the most lucrative are the connections with non-player characters, called "social links." By forming friendships and support networks with various characters, you create powerful personas to use during combat. (Some social links, such as those with your party members, also offer additional combat benefits and skills.) Thus, choosing how to spend your limited time each day becomes an additional challenge with its own risks and rewards. If you feel indecisive, an in-game feature lets you connect to an online database to see how other players chose to spend that day.
Though social links pose an engaging puzzle, they woudn't be nearly as interesting if the NPCs involved weren't engaging, memorable characters. This is one of the ways Persona 4 shines, since interacting with the game's cast is enjoyable and rewarding in itself. The characters you meet over the course of the game are relatable and believable, as are the struggles they go through. The bonds you wind up forming with characters make the various interludes scattered throughout the game (such as class trips and group vacations) even more enjoyable as breaks from a sometimes very heavy story. The quality of the game's writing and localization is an additional triumph, skillfully delivering both laugh-out-loud moments and heart-wrenching plot twists.
The story and socialization elements are only one portion of the game, however. You spend a lot of time exploring the TV world, as well. As the game progresses, the TV world expands to include numerous dungeons and monsters created from the dark, repressed thoughts of potential victims that have been cast inside. As the leader of your school friends' makeshift "investigation team," you and your pals explore these randomly generated dungeons, scouring them for treasures and occasionally solving puzzles while searching for the abducted victims. Combat is traditional turn-based RPG fighting with a twist: both you and your foes can earn extra turns by exploiting each other's elemental weakness, a mechanic that fuels some devious strategies and devastating attacks. (It's worth noting that Persona 4 Golden is slightly easier than the original game, so veterans looking for a challenge may want to pick a harder difficulty setting when starting a new game.)
Just picked this up on the digital store, was same price as retail, would have gone retail but it is nice to be able to keep my other game "soul sacrifice" + this on the system at the same time aswell as Stardust Delta :D, could do with a new SD card, currently have a 4GB, but I'm just getting started with such a great bit of kit.
Didn't think i would like this style of game but I'm really enjoying it, viva la vita, should keep me going for a while till some more killer games come out :)
I disliked turn based RPGs before this game, but I've come around now. So much fun. At first it's easy to get lost in the insane amount of things to do but you get a handle on it pretty quick and can't stop playing.
I have been playing games for a while now, but this was my first JRPG. I got it mostly because there was not much to play on the Vita that I had interest in, and this game got good reviews. Took a bit of time to take off, but it was a lot of fun. Absolutely amazing game. I could not put it down. Definitely a good reason to get the Vita if you are on the fence. Luckily, game allows for multiple saves, so I was able to replay from key moments to see all the 4 endings. From what I have read the additions to the Vita version are worth playing the game again. Highly recommended.
I have just purchased this game. Still on my desk in the shrink wrap. I have no played this series before. But this is supposed to be one of the PSvita's gems. I like RPG's And have become an Atlus fan. I played Baroque on the PS2. Loved it. Catherine on the PS3 which I really enjoyed. When I saw Persona 4 Golden is made by Atlus I bought it. Plus Gamestop had it for $29.99 which is 10 less then usual. I have to finish Gow J first. Then I shall play this.
this game should be definetly be on more platforms, its a very unique game, never thought I would enjoy this game so much its a shame its only on Vita
Still enjoying the hell out of this game, this game is a true gem, persona 4 was a bit overlooked in america back in the 08 but i think is getting the attention it deserves, i hope atlus can bring more persona games with high quality as always.
I knew pretty much nothing about this game (read reviews but it was still vague) before picking it up today and all I can say is I'm glad I picked it up. Still in the beginning part, but I'm liking the characters, background music, and it's nice to have an RPG not set in a fantasy world.
Never played/seen this game but since I own a Vita and everybody says this is golden (see what I did there?) I might pick this up.
Didnt quite understand this review though. All I read was when your Persona does a persona then persona fuses to get some persona skills.
I was really hyped for the Vita at start now I'm totally disappointed in the high price for the system, memory cards and games and the bad gamelibrary. But THIS one game made me want a Vita again, this has to be a systemseller.
I would so get a PSVita just for this game... That said I wish they would put work into a brand new game instead of just revamping the old titles, I don't think there's been a full console based Shin Megami Tensei game since the PS2 :(
I started playing P4 for PS2 but, before clearing it, I bought a PS3. I gor all excited about the new system and never finished it, which is a shame, cause this game is one of the RPGs I loved most playing. =[
I wish so badly (no hopes, though) they would publish a PS3 port, cause I don't see myself getting a PSVita in the near future. =[
I didn't mind the slow start. It helps you get a taste of how important social links and time management are. Though its kind of depressing the best vita games are HD remakes (MGS was great) I'm looking forward to the Final Fantasy's, Kingdom Hearts, and other great series that I could play on the go and in HD.
Does anyone else remember when Atlus said there wouldn't be a "Fez" edition of Persona 4 (http://www.1up.com/news/atlus-persona-4-fes) ? Yeah...well that wasn't exactly true. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for developers standing behind their games and continuing to publish content for existing ones; I just wish they would have just released P4 on the Vita(not that I own one) and then offered a DLC with all of the new content. I'd LOVE to sink my teeth into Persona 4's new content...but not enough to buy a Vita.
3 Like When I first read about this game and saw the screenshots, I was like: "Not for me". A few days ago I was at my local gameshop (called The Gameshop :-) in The Hague, The Netherlands) I figured "what the hell" and picked it up anyway. What a great decision. The story makes you want to keep playing, although it's tough to keep going at first, because the first few hours, you're not really playing, but more watching an interactive cartoon. Then when the game does 'start' it's impossible to put down. Best Vita game of 2012.
I'm on my 3rd play through. It's fun to try to complete all the social links you couldn't on the first 2.
I had never played this game before but since I recently got a Vita and I heard about some positive reviews I decided to give it a go having never played a Persona game before... incredible game, I am about 15 hours in so far and I just can't get enough! Truly my favorite game for the Vita yet
@Lord_Python1049 the original for the PS2 is still out there.... so we'll have to settle for that. Not a huge loss really.
1 Like @Lord_Python1049 Not sure if worth getting vita just for this game, way to expensive, and there is no alternative ie; PS3 compatible or *cough* emu...*cough*
1 Like I'm nearly done with my first playthrough. I played the PS2 version, too, and there are a lot of additional features here in P4G and it's really worth it. The first Persona game I ever played was P3P, and ever since, I got hooked on the series. Now, all that's left is to wait for the release of P5. Persona Series all the way!
Just got it a couple of days ago. The only thing I don't like is the time constraints that you must abide to. I like playing at my own pace and not being forced to do a mission. But all in all it is a good game and there is no denying that.
2 Like @Heelflipit I can see your point but I think from a storyline standpoint, It gives that sense of urgency (imagine a ticking time bomb). It's close to impossible to complete all the secondary social links within the (less than) 1 academic year. But all in all, it's what entices you to go back and make different decisions on the next play through.
Just got it a couple of days ago. The only thing I don't like is the time constraints that you must abide to. I like playing at my own pace and not being forced to do a mission. But all in all it is a good game and there is no denying that.
always heard good things about the series and now i see why.
only one thing to say
- just play it -
Man I want this game but I don't have a Vita. I remember getting into the Persona series because of P3P, and that was an impulse purchase (one of the best I ever made). I hate to admit it, but the fact that it was a JRPG that was rated M was what got me curious.
1 Like Reading this review, I really get that "but wait! There's more!" feeling. every paragraph is a new suprise.
finals are just over for me, will be getting this tomorrow. my 1st Persona game though.sorry for being off-topic a little, but do you guys recommend Zero's Escape as well? I tried the demo, disappointed by the graphics but is the story/gameplay good enough to make up for it?
@zeifel If you like puzzle games then yes. It's amazing. Plus the game forces you to make decisions that will affect the ending (26 in all). Another game that entices you to go back and play differently from your first.
@zeifel Zero's Escape: VLR is a fantastic game and really worth getting. Note the EU version doesn't have the incredible English voice acting the US version has. I imported my version because of this. Can't put this game down. It pays to play the DS game 999 before if you haven't already seeing as VLR is a direct sequel.
I'm 23 hours into VLR and still haven't reached the correct ending. Once I finish it I'm going to pick this up for sure.
3 Like Recently got a vita and picked this game up. I actually never played the series before but fell in love with it instantly, have a hard time putting it down.
Hope Persona 5 will be released here alongside the Ps3/Ps4
According to them... it's not the same style of gameplay :)
3 Like Not a game for me... felt really bored trying to keep playing... but it does have a nice presentation and lots of gameplay. Not one for me however, and no im not saying its bad Just that you should try it before you buy it.
3 Like I bought a Vita just for this game, and now I have a growing collection of Vita games. Let it be put to rest the false notion that Vita has no games! The games have cometh! GJ Sony and Atlus.
Choose specific skills to inherit? Holy god, YES! That's a fantastic addition for building powerhouses like Yoshi+sune and Helel.
I don't have a Vita but all of this new content has me very tempted.
This is definitely the best Persona game I have ever played in my whole entire life and it's worth owning this game!
