Not too long ago, I was anticipating September 17th, the day GTA V came out. I was thinking that it would be the game that would show how every other game couldn't even compare to it. Yet, I was wrong. While amazing, it didn't blow my mind away. What really did it for me was me getting a Vita a few months ago. I had some free PS+ games to occupy me for the time, but I decided I would have to get Persona 4 Golden seeing as how it was heralded as being the best game on the Vita. I wholeheartedly back up this sentiment, but I also think that this game is not only the best game on the vita but as well just being the greatest game ever made.
The game begins with you, a high school student who is going to be staying at Inaba with your uncle and his daughter for a whole year. Coincidentally, right when you come into town a series of murders happen. You find yourself in the midst of all this and you are determined to find out all the mysteries behind these murders. This is truly a mystery as there are so many twists and turns to follow the story. As long as you choose the right ending...
The story is amazing, but the people that fill up the story, your friends and family, is what really makes the game shine. Throughout the game you build social links with the people you meet. Once you initially start the social link, you can keep on hanging out with the person to achieve the maximum level. Hanging out with your friends shows their flaws, values, fears; and you try and help them overcome and understand them. This aspect of the game truly took a hold of me with all the friends who truly seem as if they are real, interesting people. I could forget about the combat of the game just so I could bond more with all my friends.
Now I really won't focus on combat too much, seeing as there's a lot to explain, but I really enjoyed it for what it was. What's remarkable about me playing this game though is the fact that I haven't really played an RPG in quite a long time. The last one I really remember falling in love with was Final Fantasy X or even Dragon Quest VII--though not as much as FFX. This being said, I really had lost a lot of love in the RPG genre--the latest FF's have disappointed and broken my heart. So playing this game is one of the most revitalizing experiences I've ever had with a game. It gives me some hope in a genre that I really haven't shown an interest in like I use to when I was growing up.
Persona 4 Golden is truly a spectacle to be seen. Combing RPG element with a high school simulator may sound ridiculous, but it's probably one of the best experiences I've ever had with a game. It contains better RPG elements than most and it has better simulator elements than the Sims games. There's just so much heart, humor, and fun hidden throughout this game that this game would make the PS Vita worthy to be owned even if this game was the only one in its library.