Don't have much drive to write at the moment but I decided if I'm ever going to find the time to poop out a support blog, it better be for this game. There are a lot of reasons to love Persona 4, though very much like Fire Emblem: Awakening, it's P4's amazing affect to the Persona series on a whole, that makes me truly tip my hat. It's what I believe to be the best game ever made by Atlus. (So far.) And helps to justify the purchase of Sony's struggling handheld.
The Persona franchise after 3 has seen re-release after re-release. First it was P3, then P3:FES, then P3P, then P4, now P4G. Every time they release a new one, they become that much closer to perfecting their gameplay formula. There's a true polish and attention to detail that makes me believe that it is one of the best games ever. It's a high school simulator, a murder mystery, and a hardcore dungeon crawler. Weirdness that completely works to it's advantage.
The gameplay itself is phenomenal and the social interactions in day by day scenerios are very engaging. There's so much imagination and depth put into the story that I believe it's practically a godsend for the average, JRPG-er. Really and truly I am so impressed in the translation and conversion of Japanese culture to the English speaking player, it's topnotch in it's bridge between Eastern and Western pop culture, hip, modernisque vibe. And truly, keeping to the Japanese honorifics within the series shouldn't bother anyone.
It's got both an anime derived from it and two fighting games that has incorperated it's characters. And another point right there, the characters! They truly as so relateable despite their quirks and awkward moments. There's the perfect tones of hilarity and seriousness that I love. My adoration for Persona 4 is less about escapism and more about the positive messages it enforces. Acceptance, courage, friendship, selflessness; all those important things and more that are encouraged. I also think Chie and Yukiko are extremely positive representations of ordinary teenage girls. People complain they might be "cliché," but that's exactly the point. It takes those stereotypes and familiarity and completely dissects them in a complex way.
Persona 4's memorable characters, excellent story, and brilliant battle system are all perfectly complimented by its amazing soundtrack. The best battle music never gets old, and great music is the stamp of an amazing RPG experience.
Persona 4 is an amazing thing to experience, period.
Also can't wait for P5! <3 Woot! Woot! But *cough* yeah Persona 4. <3333
Mary Ann, lives for no one. The Empress of Vector, Lady of the Canadian Hockey and all things Japanglish. Just keep cruisin' AND keep it sexy, everyone!