First Impressions: Persona 4 (Ps2)

Persona 4 - another digit-stacking addition to an already aging franchise, was released in the UK last Friday (13/03). How does the latest Atlus RPG contribution fare on its arguably outdated platform?

After my PS3 in all its next-gen glory spat the disc out in violent disgust, I was forced to retrieve my dated PS2 from the depths of the Console Purgatory that is my attic. Like Frankensteins monster I re-assembled the various components, following closely the advice written in the scriptures. Ok Ok, the game...

The first thing that struck me about Persona 4 was the setting, I had for one reason or another neglected the previous Shin Megami Tensai titles in the series, and I'm beginning to wish that I hadn't.

Persona 4 paints Japan with a degree of style, authenticity and attention to detail that is rarely seen in other J-RPG's. On top of that, the characterisation and art style grants the game a charm which makes it instantly engrossing. Interlaced throughout the *LENGTHY* introductory game period (The player has little or no affect on the proceedings of the game for about 2 hours of play-time) are high quality anime sequences with surprisingly decent dubbing.

The plot is fairly generic, fans of Shounen Anime will be instantly at home, for outsiders, the premise is this: You are an enigmatic, blank slate-esque kid with a secret power un-beknown even to you. You are staying with a relative in a new town and your about to have some adventures, so you may as well look forward to them.

The crux of the game is to solve a mysterious serial murder case that is dominating the local town of Inaba, you have one year, on a calender. Each day is broken down into periods in which various activities will be available to you and it is up to you to manage your time in the most productive way possible.

I realise this sounds incredibly boring ala "Lifestyle Manager 2009" but honestly, you will become immersed in the protagonists life quickly, planning activities days ahead of time. All things factor into what unfolds in your scenario, the weather is of crucial importance to the mystery as are the friends and duties you establish throughout your day-to-day life.

Combat in Persona 4 is fun and quite challenging at times, encounters are not strictly random but are infinite for those that like a grind, while being easily avoidable for those that don't. Character, or rather Persona customisation is deep and rewarding, and there are various difficulty modes.

Without a doubt the most engrossing aspect of the game so far (5 hours in) is the setting and plot line, but a highly developed battle system combined with a fantastic calender based time-scale makes for a driven and immersive game, watch this space.