Incredibly Diverse in Spite of the Last-Gen Restriction

User Rating: 10 | Persona 3 PS2
By dangeranger_957 | Review Date:
When I first plugged into this game I was pleasantly suprised. I have played many video games in my time and was taken aback by this game. I use the term Plugged into mostly due to how radically addictive the game actually was. Not since Final Fantasy Seven have I stayed up all night playing video games on a "school night." I found that much like the aforementioned game, I was more concerned with the humanity of the characters than the combat. I used every waking hour, of both mine as well as the characters', trying to find ways to increase my social status and rankings. The depth of the game is incredible, from going to eat at "Wild Duck Burger", to singing Karaoke at the club in the mall, for courage.

I would say that it is very easy to get lost in the community and neglect your combat skills, however when you struggle through the nearly impassable bosses when you do this your experience is more than adequate. I came to realize very quickly to stop making costly fusion mistakes, as money is limited. Also, I found that it is worth the struggle to get through tartarus in spite of its seemingly purgatory-like depth. Graphics: In terms of graphics, it did an excellent job in spite of it's limitations on the PS2. I also really enjoyed the Anime Cutscenes in place of more CG-ed scenes. I actually think it fit the game more. Considering the competition of visually stunning games like Blue Dragon for the 360 I can't give this game a 10 for graphics. 9/10

Story:
Normally I burn games with no main character. If he has no name the other characters are usually rather bland. That is opposite the case in this game. With the infinite direction you can move in, save for time restraint. I found myself caring for these characters as if I were the character. I think this has been attempted many times and usually I find it quite abbhorent. The inclusion of Tarot (which seems to be a staple of the Shin Megami Tensei Series) and the beautifully twisted introduction was excellent. 10/10

Gameplay:
I suggest if you are not cofortable to the gameplay and are new to the series, play it on easy to get a hang of everything. Also to get through what is really this games saving grace, the story and anime cutscenes. The game is so intricate that I found that it took me a few weeks just to really uncover the best strategy for the game. Most to the fact I hate strategy guides, I found if devoted a player, the reward greatly outweighs the time it takes. I find it very innovative 10/10

Controls:
How hard can turn-based RPG controls be? They are fairly basic to the point of cookie-cutter. Of course if you play other RPG's on the same sysem, it pisses me off if one of five has a different cancel and action buttons. So in the sense of convention I weigh in on the side of monotonous controls. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 10/10 Overall:
What else can I say but "GET THIS GAME, PLAY THIS GAME." Then tell your friends the same. Im sure you will see very little of them for the next 50 hours or so. 10/10

On a sour not I found the lack of numberous save-points a little aggravating on long runs into tartarus and during multi-dayed events leading to full moons. It seemed that this alone was the risk on journeying too far into tartarus until a safe level to confront that "zone boss" which guards the new levels. Save often and prepare to die. I usually wouldn't re-equip until I was getting ready to exit tartarus for the night. I strongly suggest this game, so get it, play it, love it.

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