Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3

• Release Date: August 14, 2007
• Genre: Role-Playing
• Style: Third-Person 3D RPG
• Similar Games: Shadow Hearts: Covenant (PlayStation 2), Grandia III (PlayStation 2), Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm (PlayStation 2)

Game Description

The occult-themed Persona series makes its PlayStation 2 debut with a distinctive visual style that closely mirrors Japanese anime. Once again the setting is high school, where a group of special teenagers band together to fight enemies after hours by tapping into the demon personas lurking within. Parties of up to four characters can freely explore their 3D environment, but only one, the lead protagonist, is controllable during combat. Battles are initiated by approaching the onscreen enemies, with turn-based attacks involving swords, bows, and personas available to eliminate the opposition.

Each enemy type has a particular weakness against certain elements, and players will be able to outfit their character with more powerful weapons and persona types by collecting cards at the end of each battle. Persona 3 features a day-night cycle that has players focusing on building relationships with fellow classmates and tending to schedules or hobbies during the day, while exploring an alternate dimension at night. Each visit to this dimensional portal offers hundreds of randomly generated floors, but players have a limited amount of time to explore them before having to return to their academic studies.

Review: Overall

The drama and pressures of high school can be trying enough for any teenager, let alone a new student, especially when said school is home to a demonic dimensional portal. As if homework weren't enough of a bother -- Persona 3 is a refreshing change of pace from the typical fantasy or sci-fi role-playing game. While it could use a refresher course in the finer points of combat, the game's modern-day school setting and student interaction easily make the grade.

The main aspect of Persona 3's appeal is its calendar-driven structure, with players following, more or less, the months in a Japanese school year. Days do not unfold in real-time, thankfully, but players will attend certain classes, participate in pop quizzes, and even listen to portions of lectures during the week. Conversations with classmates often lead to several interesting dialogue choices, and the decisions you make will help shape your character's skills in academics, charm, and courage. Romantic relationships can also develop, if you play your cards right.

The lead protagonist is a sullen 17-year-old whose special "gift" is the ability to manifest his inner psyche into powerful creatures called personas. He is not alone in this ability, though he is the most powerful, since he's the only character who can summon multiple personas. The Scooby Gang of students and instructors must use their talents against a dark threat emerging each night at the stroke of midnight. To put a stop to the evil, the group agrees to enter the tower-like realm of Tartarus for some extracurricular excitement.

These nighttime activities are where the traditional RPG aspects come into play, and sadly, they are Persona 3's greatest weakness. Tartarus is essentially one large dungeon, with over 250 randomly generated floors filled with creatures roaming the desolate, blood-spattered hallways. The maze-like levels all look the same after a few visits, which is perhaps why the developers created a time limit for the party to fight and find the exit. Stay too long and your characters become tired and ineffective.

The combat itself is nothing new to those versed in Japanese role-playing games. Contact with a wandering creature automatically triggers a 3D view of the area, with characters forming a circle around the monsters and alternating turns. Personas are equivalent to Final Fantasy's summons, although the manner in which they are brought forth is worth mentioning. To summon a persona, each character pulls out a pistol and fires it at his or her head (!). Surprisingly the act isn't as violent as it sounds -- there's no blood and the "gun" functions more like a prop than a loaded firearm. It's a curious and potentially controversial design decision, nonetheless.

More vexing is the inability to directly control the party in combat, as only the lead protagonist is under your control. While party members can be given global commands to heal or to focus on a specific target, the AI isn't always particularly bright. The combat is otherwise predictable and lacks strategy. Players can decide to strike a creature with a melee attack, use an item, or summon a persona, with summoning representing the bulk of the "decisions." Each enemy has a weakness to certain attacks, which allows certain personas to shine in combat, stunning a vulnerable enemy with fire, ice, and similar elemental-based attacks.

While the combat is ultimately disappointing due to the repetitive environment and basic attack options, many players will find the daily routine surprisingly addictive. It also helps that nearly everything about the game exudes style, with the snazzy menu screens, eclectic soundtrack, dramatic battle animations, well-acted voice-overs, and the anime-quality cut-scenes. The structure also helps, with each day generally bringing something different, from in-school lessons to new opportunities to woo or befriend a particular classmate. Persona 3 is not perfect, but its moody atmosphere and social-building aspects make it something of an "after-school special" amidst a sea of familiar programming.

Review: Enjoyment

The daily structure can be a turn-off at times, since you're often restricted in what you can and cannot do. Combat is also too simplistic. Yet the level of character interaction is a plus, and it's a hard game to put down once you start.

Review: Graphics

Persona 3 is an often beautiful game, with well-animated characters and large, detailed portraits, but the realm of Tartarus is repetitive looking.

Review: Sound

The game features some great voice acting and a catchy soundtrack filled with an odd mix of music genres and styles.

Review: Replay Value

Players can revisit the game to establish new social links with characters, but {*Persona 3} is not exactly a short title -- expect to invest a good 80-plus hours the first time through.

Review: Documentation

The manual is well detailed, but players can learn everything they need through the game's lengthy introduction/tutorial phase.

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