An entertaining and fun sequel that cleverly ties together Persona 3 and 4.
Unfamiliar with Arc System works games and poor at fighting games, I was tempted to steer clear of this game, but I'm glad I didn't. This game is very easy for beginners to pick up on. I've yet to play a fighting game where I was able to pull off difficult combos so quickly and easily. In addition, this game has a number of useful tutorials to teach you the basics and numerous other challenges such as Score Attack mode and Challenge Mode when you've become adept at the game.
The art and presentation are both gorgeous, as you would expect from an Atlus game. It retains the bright and cheery coloring from Persona 4. The characters look better than ever and the voice acting is top notch, just as it was in the previous two games (although Chie and Teddie's new voice actors take some getting used to). The music borrows some of the best tracks from Persona 3 and 4, but Arena also has new themes for each of the characters.
Now on to Story Mode. For a fighter, story mode is LOOOONG. Each character has a unique story, overlapping with several other characters. Story mode is great, but is not without its few flaws. There is so much text to read that its a little off putting at times. Story mode is only occasionally broken up with a battle, but there are few in far. Even as someone who could still enjoy Persona 4 despite having the same imbalance of gameplay and story, AND as someone who enjoys long novels, I found the mounds of texts kind of irritating and unnecessary at times. I feel like the dialogue and internal monologues could have been condensed quite a bit and still be every bit as enjoyable, or at least be broken up by more of the beautiful animated cutscenes or more battles.
Nevertheless, the story is an entertaining and adequate sequel to tie together the two games. It takes place 3 years after Persona 3 and a few months after Persona 4. The exchanges between the two game's characters were the best part of the game in my opinion. The story has its tender and serious moments, but nothing that's going to turn on the waterworks. In fact, this game's story mode is very light hearted at times, and filled with humor (hands down, all the funniest scenes involve either Kanji or Akihiko. Or both). The story mode is one big treat to Persona fans, and you'll love every minute of it.
Persona 4 Arena is a great sequel for those curious about what becomes of the characters from the previous two games. As usual, Atlus does not disappoint and its clear that both companies have come together to make a game that is c'est magnifique. Its addictive and welcoming gameplay as well as its lengthy story mode is great fanservice to keep the fanbase busy until Persona 5 comes out.