Reach out for the truth
Oh god, it's been a while since I've posted in here. And even longer since I did a game review.
So, Persona 4...
God, this game is addicting. This post is coming from a night where I stayed up till 5am playing it. And while it's probably not *that* addicting and is kind of niche on whether you like it or not, well, I like the Persona system. I'm about 3/4ths of the way through it right now I'm pretty sure.
Short review is: If you liked Persona 3, this is one of those games that actually shows that sequels *can* be better than their predecessor. There's probably no real spoilers under the long version but...
Alright, so if you're getting P4, you've probably played P3 and know about the characterization, storyline, combat system. It had a pretty good mechanic going for it. Well somehow they improved it. I didn't think I'd like direct command over my characters, but having that option has come in *real* handy. But that's a minor change...
My beefs with P4 are slight but I wanted to put it out there. First is the voice acting. Bit voice parts in the middle of text *never* has grabbed me. It's actually grating to have a long string of text and have the character I'm talking to say "I'm Shintaro Harushina" or "I'm sorry" and absolutely *nothing* else though the text goes on for 10 more boxes. And the text in that single box goes on a whole other sentence some times. Either go all the way or half-way. Halfway inbetween is...nngh. And some of the voices take a little getting used to. Chie's especially for me. She sounds way too old to be in high school.
S. Links...If I'd typed this up earlier, I would have said they're not as "fun" as P3s. The main party links are good but the others seem a bit...lacking. Now, I'm not sure what to think. P3's were all disturbing in their own way, but in some ways were pretty...light when you think about it. As in each individual step didn't always do all that much. P4's seem to go a little deeper. And the storylines are less out there, seeing the residents of Inaba as real people. It's really the last that changed my mind.
Music...don't get me wrong, the music is good. But some of it seems drastically...how should I put this? Out of place? The creepy music that's I always associate with the fog, Midnight Channel, etc. is used for "emergency situations." P4 had the "emergency/drastic action" music too and it wasn't as *good* of music, but it definitely fit the situation. It made it sound like everything was in a panic. Creepy music doesn't set a panic mood.
Now the good. God, everything got improved. I don't know *how* but it did. Varied dungeons, better music, more likeable party members. Don't get me wrong, I liked P3's party members plenty, but P4...well, I like *everyone*. Yosuke's no Junpei but he does come close to being as cool at times. Chie and Yukiko all have different, human, sides to them. AND NO ONE IS A ROBOT WHO JUST WANTS TO BE HUMAN.
The town of Inaba is just more...alive than the tri-island area. People hear everything. Other social links come when you're out with your social links. There's side interaction. That makes for a game world that pulls you in. Plus there's just so much choice in what to *do* during the day and during the evening. And Hanako and Dojima, your resident family, have their own personalities as well.
Storyline is pretty top notch. Mature, definitely. And over the top in some points. But I seriously changed my mind 3 times of what was actually going on. And have a theory right now that I'm even *still* not sure is right.
Overall, I'm really pleased with the depth of it. If you liked P3, it's a game to get. If you've never played P3, it's *still* a game to get. Now I can go back to playing it. Ha.
So, Persona 4...
God, this game is addicting. This post is coming from a night where I stayed up till 5am playing it. And while it's probably not *that* addicting and is kind of niche on whether you like it or not, well, I like the Persona system. I'm about 3/4ths of the way through it right now I'm pretty sure.
Short review is: If you liked Persona 3, this is one of those games that actually shows that sequels *can* be better than their predecessor. There's probably no real spoilers under the long version but...
Alright, so if you're getting P4, you've probably played P3 and know about the characterization, storyline, combat system. It had a pretty good mechanic going for it. Well somehow they improved it. I didn't think I'd like direct command over my characters, but having that option has come in *real* handy. But that's a minor change...
My beefs with P4 are slight but I wanted to put it out there. First is the voice acting. Bit voice parts in the middle of text *never* has grabbed me. It's actually grating to have a long string of text and have the character I'm talking to say "I'm Shintaro Harushina" or "I'm sorry" and absolutely *nothing* else though the text goes on for 10 more boxes. And the text in that single box goes on a whole other sentence some times. Either go all the way or half-way. Halfway inbetween is...nngh. And some of the voices take a little getting used to. Chie's especially for me. She sounds way too old to be in high school.
S. Links...If I'd typed this up earlier, I would have said they're not as "fun" as P3s. The main party links are good but the others seem a bit...lacking. Now, I'm not sure what to think. P3's were all disturbing in their own way, but in some ways were pretty...light when you think about it. As in each individual step didn't always do all that much. P4's seem to go a little deeper. And the storylines are less out there, seeing the residents of Inaba as real people. It's really the last that changed my mind.
Music...don't get me wrong, the music is good. But some of it seems drastically...how should I put this? Out of place? The creepy music that's I always associate with the fog, Midnight Channel, etc. is used for "emergency situations." P4 had the "emergency/drastic action" music too and it wasn't as *good* of music, but it definitely fit the situation. It made it sound like everything was in a panic. Creepy music doesn't set a panic mood.
Now the good. God, everything got improved. I don't know *how* but it did. Varied dungeons, better music, more likeable party members. Don't get me wrong, I liked P3's party members plenty, but P4...well, I like *everyone*. Yosuke's no Junpei but he does come close to being as cool at times. Chie and Yukiko all have different, human, sides to them. AND NO ONE IS A ROBOT WHO JUST WANTS TO BE HUMAN.
The town of Inaba is just more...alive than the tri-island area. People hear everything. Other social links come when you're out with your social links. There's side interaction. That makes for a game world that pulls you in. Plus there's just so much choice in what to *do* during the day and during the evening. And Hanako and Dojima, your resident family, have their own personalities as well.
Storyline is pretty top notch. Mature, definitely. And over the top in some points. But I seriously changed my mind 3 times of what was actually going on. And have a theory right now that I'm even *still* not sure is right.
Overall, I'm really pleased with the depth of it. If you liked P3, it's a game to get. If you've never played P3, it's *still* a game to get. Now I can go back to playing it. Ha.