Persona 2 is one of those games that stand the test of time. The chapter never told overseas finally arrives.
It is a sequal to Shin Megami Tensei Persona (PSP Remake) Persona Revalations (Playstation). While it is not required to play Persona 1, it makes some events talked about in to make much more sense. Those of you who have played Persona 1 will instantly recognize the character Yukino from Persona 1. Persona 2 takes some elements from Persona has well as some of its own.
The thing that of course stands out he most is its story. Persona has always strived to bring great stories in modern day, and they always succeed brilliantly. Persona 2 has you once again playing highschool students, you take the control of Tatsuya, a motorcyle youth, who gets tossed the story. You start off meeting up with your friend Lisa Silverman, who tells you about a student that has been kidnaped and taken by the oposing highschool students. Upon arrival you meet up with Eikichi, whom joins your party as he is a Persona user as well. They play a game that makes the Joker appear, The Joker grants you a wish but turns others into shadows of there former self to grant it. Not only that but rumors start to spread like wildfires, The students of Seven Sisters High now find these rumors coming true. Now Tatsuya must chase down the principal and The Joker to stop the rumors once and for all. I've never seen a story like this in all my years of playing games. It story still stands out today.
The gameplay outside of battle, is different from Persona as Persona 2 is the first Shin Megami game to do away with the first view, its a change I gladly accepted. While you do run around the city and talk to people as well as visit shops, Persona 2 most interesting concept outside of battle is rumors. You simply talk to somebody who has a rumor to tell and go to the police station to have the cheif spread it. Your wondering why this matters, the first rumor you spread is as follows. "The ramen shop owner is an ex spy. She sails weapons." This newely spread rumor becomes true and now allows you to buy weapons at the ramen shop. Rumors play a role into what becomes available in the game and it benefits you to spread them.
The battle is alot like that of Persona, you still contact demons and try to persaude them to join you or give you there cards so you can make stronger Personas. The battle system does not have certain squares that your allowed to attack like Persona, but it allows you to attack certain enemeis. your spells that attack multiple enemeis only attack enemy groups so basically its only worth it if you have more than one demon of the same type.
As a Persona game its story is simply amazing, keep in mind that it does not have the social links 3 and 4 do, so if thats your thing you might be dissapointed. As a fan of Persona, the game is a sure pleaser and as an RPG i could not ask for a better game. Finally being able to play this game is like a dream come true. The characters are very unique and are a well liked cast and I love its story. 9/10