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Be Your True Mind: A Persona Retrospective

cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
edited June 2007 in Games and Technology
With little over a month left until P3's release, it's high time for me to do something I've been meaning to do for the past few years: finish the first games in the series.

Persona is a special game for me. It was the first Atlus title I ever played, and it also spurned my interest in Megami Tensei.

I vaguely remember playing the first game in the series some time after finishing Final Fantasy VII. I came across the game at a used CD shop, and it stood out.

When I actually started playing it and saw students wielding swords and firearms against demons who could be dealt with instead of just killed outright, I knew I was playing something different.

So for those who are as psyched about Persona 3's release as I am, but aren't familiar with the titles that lead up to it, here's some history on a series focused around the fine art of demonic possesion and coersion.


'Revelations' Series: Persona /
Megami Ibunroku Persona: Be Your True Mind


personabox2.jpg / personaj2.jpg


To my knowledge, this was Atlus' first attempt at bringing its long-running flagship series, Shin Megami Tensei, stateside.

Persona isn't part of the main SMT series, but shares many similar elements to the SMT games: reoccuring monsters, conversating with demons, and gameplay elements such as the phases of the moon(which reflects the strength and mood of demons, determining how open to bargaining a monster is).

Also, much like SMT, the first Persona featured a nameless protagonist.

Though beyond that, there's also many predefined characters along for the ride.

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'Revelations Persona' takes place in 'St. Hermelin High' in Lunarvale.

I never noticed back then, but the localization went to pains to hide the fact that Persona takes place in Japan.
(I'm pretty sure it's in fact Seven Sisters High based on the later games, but that's open to conjecture and is also another story.)

This was before Atlus were what you could call 'true to source material'. The first Persona's localization had changed character portraits, story elements, the works.

Still, the game made it here, and for that, I'm still thankful. And they made up for it in spades later on.


Persona starts off with the protagonist,
persona-hero.png,

and his classmates about to play 'Persona', and attempt to summon a demon.

They succeed, and as the saying goes, all hell breaks loose.

Demons cross over from the other world to theirs, and both the school and their town alike becomes infested with them.

Fortunately, the protagonist and his classmates aren't alone in fighting off the evils that they bring about.

persona2is-10.png
(not from P1, but he appears in it as well)

Philemon, one of the few recurring characters in the Persona series, awakens within the cast to summon Persona; guardian spirits junctioned to each member of the group.

persona-4.png

In battle the characters can use their Persona, to use magic, boost their abilities, and alter their strengths/weaknesses.

Another mainstay of the Persona series, the Velvet Room, is where cards can be created and combined to summon new Personas for the party to use.

persona2ep-5.png

Igor keeps the Velvet Room in check, oversees the summoning of Personas, and there's every indication that he is the only character to appear in every Persona game.
(The Velvet Room's pianist/singer/artist trio don't appear to have made it past the second game.)

persona-7.png

Beyond the story elements and unique battle system that set it apart from the rest when I first played it, Persona 1 is, like most PS1 games, pretty dated by today's standards.

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The first person movement system was done away with later in the series(though it persists in other SMT games).

Still, the heart of what makes Persona interesting is the battle system.

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Each member of the group has his/her own way of conversating with demons, be it talking, dancing, or who knows what else. (Persona 2 later takes the options of demonic persuasion to ridiculous heights.)

I've never finished it, but from the looks of rewatching the opening dialogue as I type ("Your stupid!"), the dated localization will take getting reused to.

Persona has an eclectic cast amidst the insanity, enough that I remember most of the unique elements that kept my interest, so I think that keeps it worth playing along with the battle system.

But the later games in the series were where the story began to really shine.



Persona 2: Innocent Sin
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A dark chapter in Persona history. One of many great games that never got localized, despite efforts to the contrary.

To their credit, Atlus reportedly tried, only to get turned down by Sony.

Maybe it wasn't entirely surprising. Innocent Sin is a pretty controversial game, and compared to the (surprisingly) 'Kids to Adults' rated Persona 1, it's downright dark.

A serial killer known as the Joker comes when summoned through a phone call, and is leaving numerous deaths in his wake.

persona2-tatsuya1.png

The hero, Tatsuya Suou, leads his friends on a quest to unravel the Joker curse, at great costs.

Innocent Sin, like P1, also has a cast that goes all over the place.

persona2-lisa.pngpersona2-eikichi.pngpersona2-maya1.pngpersona2-jun.png

I've never played Innocent Sin, and I might never get to appreciate it since it never got localized.

But if it's anything like the second half of Persona 2 that we actually did get, I'm sure it's amazing.



Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

persona2ep-us2.jpgpersona2ep-jp2.jpg

It took me a while to finally play this game. It was hard to find from the getgo, and it wasn't until months after its release that I actually got a copy.

Right from the start, I knew P2 was worlds apart from Atlus' first localization of the series.

Opening

Things didn't end well for the cast of Innocent Sin.

The Joker was defeated, but at a great cost. And with the granting of a wish, a lost soul was reborn, and life began anew.

persona2-joker2.png

But some ghosts don't stay dead.

Eternal Punishment takes place in an alternate universe, but with the same cast as Innocent Sin.

persona2-maya2.png

Maya Amano, once a side character to Tatsuya, is now the main character(and is more or less rendered silent thanks to this, even though she's characterized as enthusiastic and a constant talker).


Maya is an editor for the popular teen magazine 'Coolest', and is given the task of reporting on the mysterious Joker killings rumored to be plaguing the area.

persona2ep-1.png

Everything Maya encounters gives her a strange feeling of deja vu, especially the arrival of a boy she should know, but can't remember.

persona2-ulala.pngpersona2-katsuya.pngpersona2-baofu.pngpersona2-tatsuya2.png

With the exception of one familiar face and Maya, Eternal Punishment has a brand new group, each with their own ways of making nice with the demons.

persona2ep-4.png

The conversation system in Eternal Punishment is the most fun in the entire game, and is arguably the most interesting demon dealing mechanic Megami Tensei has ever had.

You can either bargain with demons with a single character, or use 'group' tactics: such as Ulala blackmailing a demon while Katsuya interrogates it, with Baofu providing tape recordings proving the demon's guilt. The possibilities are almost endless, and the demon's reactions are generally priceless.

persona2ep-6.png

Also, Persona 2 finally brought one of the most infamous traits of the Megami Tensei series stateside.

It's extremely difficult. Without the right Persona and proper preparation, Eternal Punishment's vicious bosses will tear your party apart. (As a nice bonus, the cutscenes leading up to a boss fight are always completely voice acted.)

Like Innocent Sin before it, Eternal Punishment also has several cameos from the first Persona, since they take place in the same universe(more or less).

Eternal Punishment is the second half of a whole, but it stands up perfectly well on its own, and Atlus USA provided a localization that finally did the series justice.


Neither of the first Persona games are exactly common, but the first isn't very sought after, and the second was reprinted, so they're hardly impossible to come across.
(As an interesting side note, the DemiKids/Devil Children games for GBA also have Persona cameos in the optional network battles, sort of. Joker, Maya, and several others show up as opponents(despite being shown only in outlines).)

So until July 24th, I'm dead set on replaying the first Persona from the ground up(I still have my first save file, but it is years old: continuing would be nuts), and then finally, somehow, finishing Eternal Punishment.

Better late than never, I guess. If there's any vets fortunate enough to have actually beaten those games and maybe Innocent Sin, help is welcome. :P

For anyone else, I hope you find the time to track down either of the predecessors to P3 before next month. It'll help kill the time, at least.

persona3a.jpg

Though that's worth waiting for.
igora.jpg
And he'll be waiting...

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cj iwakura on

Posts

  • DangerousDangerous Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Great OP :^: Persona is one series I have tried so hard to like, but I just can't get into it :( . I love the character designs and the whole style of the games (Same with SMT) but something about them just makes it impossible for me to get into them.

    I started with the second when it was released here. I was immediately drawn to the awesome art style. At first I thought it was really quirky and fun. Making deals with monsters? Awesome! Using rumors to make a restaurant sell guns? Hell yes. But something about it just turned me off. I'm not sure if it was the localization or what. I had a hard time caring about any of the characters and getting a grip on the story in general. Plus the dungeons were boring and the battle system got old quickly.

    Talking to the demons was just an exercise in randomly picking options till you figure out which ones work best for that kind of enemy. None of the options really made any sense. The difficulty was really inconsistent as well, it went from incredibly easy to impossibly hard in some parts. In short, I love the concept of these games but I think the execution could use some work :P

    Dangerous on
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  • LockeColeLockeCole Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I used to have a copy of Persona 2: EP, but I could never beat it, and I have no fucking clue where it is now D:. This makes me sad.

    LockeCole on
  • GilderGilder Aw snap Macaroni PartyRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Why...... why.... WHY DO I SUCK SO BAD AT PERSONA 2?! I want to love it. I want to cherish it. I want to finish it. But I can't. I am just so BAD. Hopefully I won't be so horribly bad at the battle system in 3.

    Gilder on
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I suck just as bad at it. I can beat Nocturne. I can beat Digital Devil Saga. But I can't beat Persona 2.

    I'm hoping beating those and coming back to the Persona games will help, but the endgame boss in P2 is downright terrifying.
    And of course, it's the Innocent Sin trio. Figures.

    cj iwakura on
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  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I take pleasure in announcing that I am a GOD at Eternal Punishment.

    I beat the game using only the starter Persona*. (It was really fucking hard)

    *Well, and Maia Custom. BUT I THINK THAT COUNTS.

    Blackjack on
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    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • MordrackMordrack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    persona2ptcp8.jpg
    I love Persona, 2 more so than 1, but I still like 1 plenty.

    Mordrack on
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  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    That is the most adorable thing I have ever seen.

    Persona 2 is my favorite game ever ever, but Persona 1 is still pretty sweet, especially given the absolute hack job done to the translation.

    Blackjack on
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    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    That's awesome. Stop making me want to play Innocent Sin.

    I'm so tempted to import it, but I don't want to miss out on what I know's a great story.

    And I never minded the hack job when I first played it, but playing through the opening now... D:

    Eternal Punishment's localization has me spoiled.

    I could continue from my old save(and it's literally years old), but I'd be completely lost. I think I'm better off starting from scratch.

    EP though, I'm continuing right from where I left off(when/if I finish P1). The trio will fall, somehow.

    cj iwakura on
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  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Innocent Sin is supposed to be even better than Eternal Punishment. Just for the record. :P

    I would love it just for the fact that Yuki is playable for the first half of the game. Plus Lisa is one of the most hilariously awesome character concepts ever.

    Blackjack on
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    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • LoveIsUnityLoveIsUnity Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I'm really excited about this game. I haven't been able to get my hands on any of the other SMT titles (despite looking around for months), so this will be my first foray in to this particular series. I know the DDS games are available on eBay, but I'm not ready to drop that kind of money yet. I know that Persona 3 is a stand alone title, but, realistically, how much stuff am I going to miss having never played any of the previous titles? I also hope that EBStop doesn't stiff me on any of the preorder goodies.

    LoveIsUnity on
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  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    You should miss exactly nothing. The only throwback to the old Persona games (as far as I've heard) is that the character themes play if you watch TV on their birthdays.

    Blackjack on
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    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • LoveIsUnityLoveIsUnity Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Awesome. My girlfriend will probably do nothing but play this as soon as I get it, and I will come home from work to find five new party members fighting it out with something badass. This happens a lot. I've read a bit about Nocturne and DDS and find the story/philosophical underpinnings highly interesting.

    Also, the general consensus seems to be that I should play Nocturne and then the DDS games in that order. Is this accurate? I only ask because the DDS games seem to go for less than Nocturne.

    LoveIsUnity on
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  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I'll be surprised if Philemon isn't at least referenced.

    And I found my current copy of Persona 1 at a flea market. I really don't think that game's very sought after at all.

    DDS and Nocturne have vaguely similar gameplay, but the story is completely different.

    Nocturne has a customizable protagonist and countless demons you can summon into battle with him, and DDS has a set party, but you can customize their skills however you want.

    Nocturne's difficulty depends on how well you prepare your group, but as straight challenge goes, DDS is far, far harder.

    I'd say play Nocturne first to get a feel for the system, then try DDS once you're used to it.

    cj iwakura on
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  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I think it's good advice for the simple reason that the combat in DDS and DDS2 is a more refined version of the combat in Nocturne, so going from DDS to Nocturne can be a bit more jarring (and difficult) than the other way around.

    Blackjack on
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    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • Daisuke SpoonDaisuke Spoon Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Gah, July 24th? Seems like forever.

    I'm a huge fan of the SMT series, but sadly never got a chance to play any of the personas. But P3 looks awesome and I can't wait to get it when it's released.

    The artist that has done the art for Nocturne, DDS, and Devil Summoner on the PS2 seems to be absent in Persona 3 though. That kind of dissapoints me.

    Daisuke Spoon on
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  • MordrackMordrack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I love the dialog of the NA translation of 2.
    persona20xm.th.jpg

    Mordrack on
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  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Yeah, but the artist for P3 (I can't remember his name right now) did all the in-game art for Persona 2, so he's not exactly unfamiliar with the series, at least.

    Blackjack on
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    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I knew I forgot someone! <3 Trish.

    Best healer ever. She just has to be in P3.

    Go back to school and die!
    The artist that has done the art for Nocturne, DDS, and Devil Summoner on the PS2 seems to be absent in Persona 3 though. That kind of dissapoints me.

    You're thinking of Kazuma Kaneko, but I like Shigenori Soejima's art just as much. The stuff he did for Stella Deus was beautiful.

    I think P3's in good hands.

    cj iwakura on
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  • hughtronhughtron __BANNED USERS regular
    edited June 2007
    Man I am so stoked for Persona 3, I even pre-ordered it.

    hughtron on
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  • Atlus ParkerAtlus Parker Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    hughtron wrote: »
    Man I am so stoked for Persona 3, I even pre-ordered it.

    But not from a place that took your money offering no benefits in return?

    Atlus Parker on
  • Radikal_DreamerRadikal_Dreamer Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I have Persona 3 preordered. Right now I'm playing through DDS2. I'm quite near the end, and I know I want to continue on the SMT high, so I thought I may as well preorder, since Atlus doesn't print many games. I haven't played any other games in the series except DDS 1&2.

    Radikal_Dreamer on
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  • JouleJoule Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Seeing that there is still awhile to go until P3, I've decided to start up Persona 1 that I've put on the back burner for awhile. I just finished up the police station and am moving on to the factory. A question for those who've played it, while in dungeon mode are dead ends pretty much just dead ends with nothing in them at all? After SMT1 I'm used to hoping for some random box with loot, hopefully a mystical box with loot to be opened during full moon.

    Hoping to beat this before P3 hits but Odin Sphere is calling, always calling. Not that it's a bad thing. :lol:

    And this thread has reminded me I should preorder P3.

    Joule on
  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Dead ends are generally just dead ends, if I'm remembering correctly. Treasures are almost always in side rooms, where you go to the third person view.

    Also, if you're worried about the length of the game...
    You could always just force yourself to get the bad ending. Which...pretty much a big chunk out of the game, length-wise

    Blackjack on
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    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • DondumsDondums Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Awesome OP.

    I never played a Persona (or SMT, for that matter) game, but I remember seeing ads for Persona (1 or 2, I can't remember) in gaming magazines I always would read while my parents shopped at Wal-Mart or other places. I always wanted to try them, but never got around to it.

    Dondums on
    internet
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I just finished the Sebec Building, and now I'm in the 'other world'(six months back or something).

    I don't think I got this far before, but I can't find my older data anyway, so I guess its irrelevant.

    P1's harder than I remember, since one lucky surprise attack can still wipe out my entire group, but I have a Persona with Cure All, so I think I'm set for a while.

    I know the Velvet Room in P2 has far more options than P1's... no artist, but then, I don't need to have a huge amount of blank cards to summon Personas, either.

    Question on the end of the Sebec Building:
    Does the red or blue button make any difference? I'm a sucker for doing what Mary wants, so I hit the red one[saving the doctor], but it looked like it had the same outcome either way.

    cj iwakura on
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  • JouleJoule Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Blackjack wrote: »
    Dead ends are generally just dead ends, if I'm remembering correctly. Treasures are almost always in side rooms, where you go to the third person view.

    Also, if you're worried about the length of the game...
    You could always just force yourself to get the bad ending. Which...pretty much a big chunk out of the game, length-wise

    Thanks for the info. I'm not worried about length although it'd be good to finish prior to P3. I mean I took around 90-100 hours with Nocturne the first time around.

    Joule on
  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    cj iwakura wrote: »
    P1's harder than I remember, since one lucky surprise attack can still wipe out my entire group, but I have a Persona with Cure All, so I think I'm set for a while.

    There was a Persona with Cure All that was immune to magic/weak to physical that was my best friend for the entire game. I just slap it on Mary and shove her in the very back row and am basically immortal.

    Blackjack on
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    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Blackjack wrote: »
    cj iwakura wrote: »
    P1's harder than I remember, since one lucky surprise attack can still wipe out my entire group, but I have a Persona with Cure All, so I think I'm set for a while.

    There was a Persona with Cure All that was immune to magic/weak to physical that was my best friend for the entire game. I just slap it on Mary and shove her in the very back row and am basically immortal.

    I wound up giving it to Nate, since Mary's using one with Cure on its own, and Nate's starter Persona was worthless.

    The formation gets on my nerves. Mary's only any good if there's enemies in the back row, and I don't want to move the Protagonist/Nate/Brad trio around to make room for her up there.

    I sure don't miss that part of the battle system.

    And I hope I didn't miss a chance to get Yuki. T.J. said she was at the school somewhere before I went through the hole in the wall, and I couldn't find her anywhere.

    cj iwakura on
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  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    If you put Mary in the middle of the last row, she can hit pretty much everything.


    Also, the only way to get Yuki is if you skip on the actual game and do the Snow Queen Quest (which was removed from the US version) instead.

    Blackjack on
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    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • Daisuke SpoonDaisuke Spoon Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    since Atlus doesn't print many games.

    A little off topic, but I didn't realize how little atlus actually printed its games until I tried to find a copy of jewel summoner for the PSP. I have never seen a copy of it anywhere in my life. Pretty much every EB/GS told me thats its been long out of print.

    Daisuke Spoon on
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  • DragkoniasDragkonias That Guy Who Does Stuff You Know, There. Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Well, at least now that they've managed to make a decent enough name for themselves in the US ever since Nocturne came out finding their games isn't as futile as it used to be(groin-grabbingly futile).

    Dragkonias on
  • Frosted ButtsFrosted Butts Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    since Atlus doesn't print many games.

    A little off topic, but I didn't realize how little atlus actually printed its games until I tried to find a copy of jewel summoner for the PSP. I have never seen a copy of it anywhere in my life. Pretty much every EB/GS told me thats its been long out of print.

    Damn, my GS has a few copies of this game sitting on the shelf. I always want to pick it up because it's an Altus joint, but I never do.

    Frosted Butts on
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  • endlosnullendlosnull Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    cj iwakura wrote: »
    Question on the end of the Sebec Building:
    Does the red or blue button make any difference? I'm a sucker for doing what Mary wants, so I hit the red one[saving the doctor], but it looked like it had the same outcome either way.
    The choice for the button is for the ultimate persona items. The correct choice is the red button. Many arbitrary choices effect if you get the ultimate persona items or not.

    I really want Persona 3 to be good. It better be.

    endlosnull on
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  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Judging from IGN's hands-on, it looks like everything I expect and more.

    Avoidable random battles, optional clubs, variable relationships, and Persona summoning/creating madness on top of it all. What's not to like?

    The only thing I'm curious about is if it uses the monster contact system, but from what I've seen, I don't think it does.

    Also, it's no longer the Special Extracurricular Execute Sector(or whatever it was); their group's been renamed the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad for the US version.

    Catchy.

    cj iwakura on
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  • KiplingKipling Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I thought the shadow Innoncent Sin people weren't the end of EP. Is the city floating yet? The main reason I loved Persona 2 was the map guy who required the entire map to be walked over, just because it was such an obsessive-compulsive thing to require for bonus cards. Also Old Maid.

    The demon talking does have a pattern, at least in Eternal Punishment. Wise demons are interested if you interrogate them and fools are interested tarot reading.

    Kipling on
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  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    cj iwakura wrote: »
    The only thing I'm curious about is if it uses the monster contact system, but from what I've seen, I don't think it does.
    Nope, no contact system. After you beat an enemy, it has a chance of dropping one or more things, including extra money, items, free healing, and new Personae. The way it works is the items/persona/whatever is shown on a card, and then they flip them all over and shuffle them up and you pick the card you want.

    Blackjack on
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