Persona 3

[EsquE]

Loved this game...can't wait to play FES. And Persona 4 may be my most anticipated game in a long time. More than I've ever wanted a new Final Fantasy or Grand Theft Auto.

The Persona series is one of my favorite RPG game series ever, right up there with Final Fantasy and Shining Force. The first Persona blew my mind in spite of it's glaring flaws and omissions in the US release. The story, style and gameplay were so fresh and unique and had a maturity and intelligence I hadn't encountered before.

Persona 2 took that to another level, in spite of it's even more glaring omission of the entire first game. I did read the entire translation of Innocent Sin, but I doubt I have the patience to play it. I understand why it wasn't brought over here...why certain content was way too touchy at the time, but at the same time it's nothing you don't see every day on tv in the US. And really, who can mix Japanese culture, Lovecraft, and Jung and not make a mess of it other than these guys? You don't want to know what I'd do for the people at Atlus if they'd re-release a complete translated compilation, or joy of joys a graphically updated remake of all three PS1 games.

Persona 3 caught me by surprise. The previews I saw gave me mixed feelings...it just didn't seem like a Persona game. Silly me. Change is often times for the better. That maturity and intelligence had just been moved slightly from a focus on the plot to a focus on character. I've rarely connected to my avatar in a game or the supporting character like I did in Persona 3. No details about the story in case anyone didn't play it yet, but it really got me (especially the ending) and it got me just like the other games in the series did. And it got me the same way...so in the end, it really felt like a Persona game even though it had been altered greatly from the previous formula.

And I got completely hooked on the gameplay as well. I hate random dungeon crawlers...with a passion...but the urgency of the calendar system combined with the absolutely awesome persona creation system made me love crawling up those random floors. I was obsessed. Obsessed with moving up a floor, obsessed with getting new cards, obsessed with creating a perfect balance of Persona's, obsessed with completing every task set for me in the Velvet Room. Very few RPG's have stolen my soul like that...

Then the social link system...loved it. It was fun and it was important to the gameplay as well. It never felt tacky like other "dating sim" type games or just tacked on. There was care put into it to make you want to connect to each of these people and hear their stories. My favorites were the little girl you play with in the park and the dying man. Just got to me. Great dialogue and storytelling.

I'm sure there were bad things about the game. I'm sure some people didn't enjoy it. It got me though. Atlus and Shin Megami Tensei games always do. They are on another level, really. Just wish we could get more of them translated over here. I'll trade in all my Capcom, Konami, Midway, SNK, etc. collections for a complete and uncensored MegaTen one.

So I'll be buying FES and waiting impatiently for 4 to get translated and released here. If it doesn't, well, it would make no sense to put out FES and not 4. It better, or there will be a temper tantrum thrown of epic proportions.

[M'k'n'zy]

I am playing FES right now, and I played P3 to death as well. They did defidently do an excelent job with it. I will go ahead and say, if you are this big of a fan of the Shin Megami Tensei:Persona series, you should check out the other games that they have put out for the series. Shin Megami Tensei III:Nocturne is amazing, as are the two parts of Shin Megami Tensei:Digital Devil Saga. and then they also brought over Shin Megami Tensei:Devil Summoner, which is another spin off series of SMT. All great games, and all available here in the states on PS2. You can also find translated roms of Shin Megami Tensei I and II for SNES on the web. The same group who did those two translations are working on Soul Hackers and the original NES Megami Tensei games that were the dawn of the series.

[EsquE]

Still working on tracking down all the PS2 MegaTen games. I just got Devil Summoner (haven't played it yet) but still looking for Nocturne and the Digital Devil Saga games. I'm sure I'll have them all eventually.

[M'k'n'zy]

Nocturne is fairly rare now, I think its one of those used games that Gamestop sells for 50 bucks or so. The Digital Devil Saga games are rare as well. All great games though, and worth the money. I got lucky, I got all my copies the days they came out ^_^

[Chris]

I can get nocturne tonight for I think it was either 30 or 35.....but if you are up for sending me the money and shipping I'll grab her for ya esque

[EsquE]

Actually I just ordered a copy of Nocturne for just a lil more than that...but I appreciate the offer. If you happen to find the Digital Devil Saga games for a decent price, let me know. Can't seem to find them for under $90 used.

[RentCavalier]

I'm still looking for DDS Vol. 1 after my copy vanished when I moved. Unfortunately, it's so expensive...

[Chris]

Actually I just ordered a copy of Nocturne for just a lil more than that...but I appreciate the offer. If you happen to find the Digital Devil Saga games for a decent price, let me know. Can't seem to find them for under $90 used.

they had em here a while back...I'll put em on my list again. I got t as a box set at the local place for $50. I'll keep an eye out for both of you guys....see if I cna't come u with anything....

[Zeus]

Actually I just ordered a copy of Nocturne for just a lil more than that...but I appreciate the offer. If you happen to find the Digital Devil Saga games for a decent price, let me know. Can't seem to find them for under $90 used.

I'll take a look as well. There's a very slight chance my local store gets it. If they do, likely in the $60 range for both combined

[SineSwiper]

You know, I really liked DDS1, and I started playing DDS2, but I guess enough of that pattern of gameplay just got me bored. It's great that it's a hard RPG, but the same pattern over and over again of redoing your ability slots until you get it right for that area eventually got annoying, especially when you do get it right, and all you're doing is massacring everything that comes your way.

[EsquE]

You know, I really liked DDS1, and I started playing DDS2, but I guess enough of that pattern of gameplay just got me bored. It's great that it's a hard RPG, but the same pattern over and over again of redoing your ability slots until you get it right for that area eventually got annoying, especially when you do get it right, and all you're doing is massacring everything that comes your way.

You just gave me a hard-on.

And btw, only need DDS 2 now. If you're looking for DDS1, EB games might still have a few in their online store. 40 bucks.

[RentCavalier]

You know, I really liked DDS1, and I started playing DDS2, but I guess enough of that pattern of gameplay just got me bored. It's great that it's a hard RPG, but the same pattern over and over again of redoing your ability slots until you get it right for that area eventually got annoying, especially when you do get it right, and all you're doing is massacring everything that comes your way.

Really, they're games meant to be played consecutively. DDS1 is a lot of answers, a lot of build-up. You learn all the basic skills to survive in DDS1, so that then, come DDS2, you are wiser and smarter, and you'll be able to create powerful, diverse teams without much problem.

I'm replaying DDS2 right now (because I'm bored and desire FES) and it's hella fun.

I think, though, I prefer DDS1 out of the two because, despite how AMAZING the cutscenes are in DDS2, it's a very, very cramped adventure, adhering strictly to a single code of dungeon after dungeon after dungeon. It's a dungeon grind and it can be a bit exhausting.