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[Burn On] Persona / 3: FES / SMT discussion | Journeying for the Answer
cj iwakura
The Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
The Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
Not to upstage the festival, but new Persona 4 details are out.
Now with new hotness.
Persona 4 Opening
Abound with so much information.
Imagery/info c/o Imran, Famitsu/Atlus, and NeoGAF.
With new images(c/o Error @ GAF, I think):
If there was ever another game Atlus needs to aim for a simultaneous global release with, this'd be it.
The sequel/expansion to the third game in the Persona series, FES, is officially out.
It's not like Liberty City's going anywhere.
I know this is sad news for the PAL folk, but Koei UK seem like good people; I'm optimistic you won't be waiting long.
Despite the clinical look, the US silhouette standard boxart looks kind of neat up close, so I'm cool with it.
Especially since the instruction book covers are decked out in the following hotness:
The first was the original cover for the full game (which we're getting); the second was the original for the 'Append' edition(required the original P3 to run, which Atlus USA wisely skipped over).
Both are still awesome, and apparently they knew it.
Not sure if the new one actually catches the eye of the average person, but if it works, it works.
That said, just what does FES have to offer?
They put it best, or at least more to-the-point:
FES includes the full original game of Persona 3 and all the fun/madness that goes with it: attending a full school year, maintaining friendships and/or relationships, killing countless demonic shadows, and braving randomly generated dungeons by nightfall.
What makes the expanded version special(known as Episode Yourself originally, here referred to as the more meaningful The Journey) is that there's extra content added along the way.
Not that the main selling point will be customizing the other party members' appearances, but it's arguably up there.
There'll also be new events in class, expanded relationships(for those who might've been upset when a certain special someone magically stopped caring after a certain point), and other events taking place both during the day hours, and the night hours.
A lot of which pertains to everyone's favorite Velvet Room assistant/mascot, Elizabeth.
Not only are there more of her sadistic quests to undertake, but if your protagonist is feeling particularly frisky, you can even date her.
Ask Igor's permission first; I figure he's protective, if not homicidal.
Long story short, The Journey half of FES offers everything the original game did and more; shy of the original package's artbook and soundtrack.
It's a small loss for a $20 discount.
Still, as FES is quick to mention, the story doesn't end there.
After the events of P3, the SEES members not only have to recover from the events of P3 and get their lives back together, but contend with several new threats to the dormitory lifestyle.
Caught in an endless day and unable to leave Iwatodai for reasons unknown, the situation is further complicated by the appearance of yet another marketable robotic character.
Not taking a page from another popular trilogy's book, not at all.
Well, at least she's fashionable.
And Aigis is dressed to kill.
Much of FES takes place from the perspective of (almost) everyone's favorite Shadow-hunting cyborg, newly equipped with the ability to use various Persona(and the Velvet room).
Unlike P3's Main, she won't have the Compendium at her disposal, so the player'll be required to contend with the threats of FES and the accompanying dungeons with extra caution.
Hopefully she can take a hit better than Minato could.
Insta protagonist-based game overs are never any fun.
Where is the lady killer in question, anyway?
He's bound to have some role or another...
Promises to keep, social links to maintain, and way too many girls to string along.
It never was easy being an exchange student.
Here's some info on the earlier games in the series, for those interested in knowing where the series got started.
'Revelations' Series: Persona /
Megami Ibunroku Persona: Be Your True Mind [ PS1 ]
/ 
Persona 2: Innocent Sin [ PS1 ]
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment [ PS1 ]
/ 
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.
And last, but hardly least, the fourth game in the series is, somehow, still headed to the PS2.
Persona 4 [PS2] (7/10/08 JP)
Due for release in Japan mid-summer. No word on a US release here, but Atlus like money, so I'm wagering it won't be long before we get some kind of information on when we can expect it.
Much like Persona 3, P4 seems to follow a similar layout; a school atmosphere, summoing Persona through unconventional means(glasses instead of the pistol-like evokers), slaying Shadows by nightfall.
The main differences seem to be the more rural setting, Igor moving up in budget to acquire a Velvet Limo(don't ask) and a new assistant(bad move), and a more murder mystery-esque storyline, probably inspired by the Persona anime, Trinity Soul(which takes place 10 years after P3).
Supposedly it involves a weather forecast system, and there's heavy focus on television for interacting with the new dungeons and Shadows.
I guess we'll learn more as the date approaches; to be updated as necessary.
Discussion on the other Megami Tensei / Persona games is, as always, welcome, but FES/P3 discussion will probably be dominate for a few weeks or so.
I'll be posting info on the core series and its side stories(Digital Devil Saga, Devil Summoner, DemiKids, etc.) in the second post, since I doubt this one'll have room for it all.
Now with new hotness.
Persona 4 Opening
Abound with so much information.
Imagery/info c/o Imran, Famitsu/Atlus, and NeoGAF.
Konishi the protagonist’s Senpai (senior) is found murdered one day. The tragedy is announced at Yasogami High when the MC and his friends remember seeing someone that looked like her appearing on Mayonaka TV the night before. They start to become suspicious about whether the programme really does show who your other half is or not.
In an effort to find the murderer, the three friends do some investigating of their own and end up opening the gateway to another world, discovering they can actually put part of their body through the TV when the programme is on. After deciding this was the key to solving the murders, the friends decide to find a bigger LCD TV at a shop so that they can go right through.
After Konishi’s murder, the MC’s classmate Yukiko Amagi also appears to go missing for some time. When the MC and his friends find her on the programme too they begin to worry that she will be the next victim.
In an attempt to solve this mystery the gang returns inside Mayonaka TV where they find a giant castle before them, “Princess Yukiko’s Castle”.
With new images(c/o Error @ GAF, I think):
If there was ever another game Atlus needs to aim for a simultaneous global release with, this'd be it.
The sequel/expansion to the third game in the Persona series, FES, is officially out.
Atlus wrote:This is fantastic news for gamers, as it means they'll have something to play during the otherwise boring and uneventful week of April 29th.
It's not like Liberty City's going anywhere.
I know this is sad news for the PAL folk, but Koei UK seem like good people; I'm optimistic you won't be waiting long.
Despite the clinical look, the US silhouette standard boxart looks kind of neat up close, so I'm cool with it.
Especially since the instruction book covers are decked out in the following hotness:
The first was the original cover for the full game (which we're getting); the second was the original for the 'Append' edition(required the original P3 to run, which Atlus USA wisely skipped over).
Both are still awesome, and apparently they knew it.
Not sure if the new one actually catches the eye of the average person, but if it works, it works.
That said, just what does FES have to offer?
They put it best, or at least more to-the-point:
Experience the definitive cut of 2007s award-winning Persona 3, which
garnered tons of critical acclaim and the adulation of a devoted fanbase.
Packaged together with a brand new episode, the set provides 120-plus hours
of gameplay at a suggested retail price of $29.99.
Lead a group of high school students with a dangerous extracurricular
activity: exploring the mysterious tower Tartarus and fighting the sinister
Shadows during the Dark Hour, a frozen span of time imperceptible to all but
a select few. And the end of their quest is no longer the end of the
story--witness for the first time the aftermath of the final battle and the
students struggle to find meaning in their new lives.
FES includes the full original game of Persona 3 and all the fun/madness that goes with it: attending a full school year, maintaining friendships and/or relationships, killing countless demonic shadows, and braving randomly generated dungeons by nightfall.
What makes the expanded version special(known as Episode Yourself originally, here referred to as the more meaningful The Journey) is that there's extra content added along the way.
Not that the main selling point will be customizing the other party members' appearances, but it's arguably up there.
There'll also be new events in class, expanded relationships(for those who might've been upset when a certain special someone magically stopped caring after a certain point), and other events taking place both during the day hours, and the night hours.
A lot of which pertains to everyone's favorite Velvet Room assistant/mascot, Elizabeth.
Not only are there more of her sadistic quests to undertake, but if your protagonist is feeling particularly frisky, you can even date her.
Ask Igor's permission first; I figure he's protective, if not homicidal.
Long story short, The Journey half of FES offers everything the original game did and more; shy of the original package's artbook and soundtrack.
It's a small loss for a $20 discount.
Still, as FES is quick to mention, the story doesn't end there.
After the events of P3, the SEES members not only have to recover from the events of P3 and get their lives back together, but contend with several new threats to the dormitory lifestyle.
Caught in an endless day and unable to leave Iwatodai for reasons unknown, the situation is further complicated by the appearance of yet another marketable robotic character.
Not taking a page from another popular trilogy's book, not at all.
Well, at least she's fashionable.
And Aigis is dressed to kill.
Much of FES takes place from the perspective of (almost) everyone's favorite Shadow-hunting cyborg, newly equipped with the ability to use various Persona(and the Velvet room).
Unlike P3's Main, she won't have the Compendium at her disposal, so the player'll be required to contend with the threats of FES and the accompanying dungeons with extra caution.
Hopefully she can take a hit better than Minato could.
Insta protagonist-based game overs are never any fun.
Where is the lady killer in question, anyway?
He's bound to have some role or another...
Promises to keep, social links to maintain, and way too many girls to string along.
It never was easy being an exchange student.
Here's some info on the earlier games in the series, for those interested in knowing where the series got started.
'Revelations' Series: Persona /
Megami Ibunroku Persona: Be Your True Mind [ PS1 ]
/ 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.
'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,
,
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.
(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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.)
The dated localization can take getting used to("I'm Super Guido!").
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(despite its absurd difficulty at times, and some extremely frustrating dungeons).
But the later games in the series were where the story began to really shine.
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.
'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,
,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.
(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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.)
The dated localization can take getting used to("I'm Super Guido!").
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(despite its absurd difficulty at times, and some extremely frustrating dungeons).
But the later games in the series were where the story began to really shine.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin [ PS1 ]
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 mysterious figure known as the Joker appears when summoned through a phone call, supposedly having the ability to grant the wishes of those who call him.
The hero, Tatsuya Suou, leads his friends on a quest to unravel the Joker curse, at great costs.
When summoned by one of Tatsuya's classmates, the Joker accuses the protagonist of committing a 'sin' which needs to be atoned for, though neither Tatsuya nor his friends have no memory of it.
Innocent Sin, like P1, also has a cast that goes all over the place.
I've only played a little of Innocent Sin, and I might never get to appreciate it since it never got localized.
Since it's almost exactly like the second half of Persona 2 that we actually did get, I'm sure it's amazing.
On the bright side, there's a translation patch in the works for the PS1 version, as well as an online script available if you want to try to use that to play through IS the old-fashioned way.
I'll update as it comes along, but it'll probably take a while.
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 mysterious figure known as the Joker appears when summoned through a phone call, supposedly having the ability to grant the wishes of those who call him.
The hero, Tatsuya Suou, leads his friends on a quest to unravel the Joker curse, at great costs.
When summoned by one of Tatsuya's classmates, the Joker accuses the protagonist of committing a 'sin' which needs to be atoned for, though neither Tatsuya nor his friends have no memory of it.
Innocent Sin, like P1, also has a cast that goes all over the place.
I've only played a little of Innocent Sin, and I might never get to appreciate it since it never got localized.
Since it's almost exactly like the second half of Persona 2 that we actually did get, I'm sure it's amazing.
On the bright side, there's a translation patch in the works for the PS1 version, as well as an online script available if you want to try to use that to play through IS the old-fashioned way.
I'll update as it comes along, but it'll probably take a while.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment [ PS1 ]
/ 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.
But some ghosts don't stay dead.
Eternal Punishment takes place in an alternate universe, but with the same cast as Innocent Sin.
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.
Everything Maya encounters gives her a strange feeling of deja vu, especially the arrival of a boy she should know, but can't remember.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
But some ghosts don't stay dead.
Eternal Punishment takes place in an alternate universe, but with the same cast as Innocent Sin.
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.
Everything Maya encounters gives her a strange feeling of deja vu, especially the arrival of a boy she should know, but can't remember.
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.
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.
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.
And last, but hardly least, the fourth game in the series is, somehow, still headed to the PS2.
Persona 4 [PS2] (7/10/08 JP)
Due for release in Japan mid-summer. No word on a US release here, but Atlus like money, so I'm wagering it won't be long before we get some kind of information on when we can expect it.
Much like Persona 3, P4 seems to follow a similar layout; a school atmosphere, summoing Persona through unconventional means(glasses instead of the pistol-like evokers), slaying Shadows by nightfall.
The main differences seem to be the more rural setting, Igor moving up in budget to acquire a Velvet Limo(don't ask) and a new assistant(bad move), and a more murder mystery-esque storyline, probably inspired by the Persona anime, Trinity Soul(which takes place 10 years after P3).
Supposedly it involves a weather forecast system, and there's heavy focus on television for interacting with the new dungeons and Shadows.
I guess we'll learn more as the date approaches; to be updated as necessary.
Discussion on the other Megami Tensei / Persona games is, as always, welcome, but FES/P3 discussion will probably be dominate for a few weeks or so.
I'll be posting info on the core series and its side stories(Digital Devil Saga, Devil Summoner, DemiKids, etc.) in the second post, since I doubt this one'll have room for it all.
cj iwakura on
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Persona, Digital Devil Saga, DemiKids, etc., are all side stories of the main games in the series: the Shin Megami Tensei games.
Only the third made it to the US, the newest incarnation of a long running saga.
The very first games in the series, known simply as Megami Tensei, weren't even developed by Atlus, but Namco, based on a novel called 'Digital Devil Story' about a student who inadvertently summons demons via a computer.
The gameplay was simple, but it laid the groundwork for the later Atlus titles(mostly in the series tradition of having phases of the moon play a role in gameplay, from what I can tell).
Not long after the MT games, Atlus took over, and this is where the Shin('New') Megami Tensei games came into play.
The first game in the series I played was Persona, which immediately stood out to me because you could talk to the monsters instead of killing them outright.
Shin Megami Tensei appears to have been the game that started this trend off.
If you don't want to fight a monster, you can talk it out with them for items, an early end to the battle, recruitment, or for purposes of fusing them with other monsters to make better ones.
Also, the SMT games have themes of choosing your own path, which determines the future of the world as well as one of several endings.
This carries over into a few of the side story titles as well, though not necessarily all of them.
I've played it briefly, though I never did get very far. The dungeons are reminiscent of Persona 1's; first person, and large.
Before long, SMT got a sequel, regarded as one of the best in the series by most MegaTenists.
Shin Megami Tensei II, taking place thirty years after the original, where law-abiding Mesians and chaos-following Gaians are at war, and devastated much of Japan in the process.
Much like the original, there's multiple paths to follow based on your preference, and demons to recruit.
Also, they were remade for the PSX, with much nicer artwork(by series mainstay designer Kazuma Kaneko):
The symbol in the background is the original version of the SMT logo.
Several years later, the core series hit the PS2, and Atlus USA decided it was time we got a taste of the real experience.
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
(aka Lucifer's Call in the UK)
Even though it was roughly the sixth Megami Tensei game to reach US shores, this was the first time Atlus USA brought over a game from the main series, so it's the one I recommend to anyone wanting their first taste of SMT.
After meeting his friends at a hospital to visit his teacher, the world's population is wiped out by a global
catastrophy called the Conception.
Only a handful of humans survive, and the rest of the world is taken over by demons.
Upon awakening, the protagonist is changed into a half-human/half-demon known as a Demi-Fiend, and is given the burden of knowing he, and he alone, has the strength to remake the world however he chooses, by siding with one of several Reasons that appear in the wake of the world's demise.
Additionally, the mysterious old man that transforms the main character into the Demi-Fiend tells him to seek out the Candelabrum, to learn the truth about the world's end.
However, there are several other creatures after the Candelabrum as well, and the protagonist has to fight them off, as well as the countless demons infesting the world.
Even though the Demi-Fiend is one of the few humans that survive, he's not completely alone.
As with the earlier games, every demon you run into, from the very first pixie to the strongest of the reaper-esque Fiend bosses, can be recruited into your party, or fused at the Cathedral of Shadows.
Every battle's as simple or as difficult as your customized demon posse makes it.
Though it helps to have good conversation skills and a lot of cash, because demons can ask some stupid questions(some of which even help determine your Path), and even the silent ones are greedy monsters.
Eventually, as the sides whittle down, the player has to choose between the primary Reasons:
-Yosuga ('Might Makes Right': the weak perish so the strong may live)
-Musibi ('Individualism': surviving only for one's self)
-Shijima ('Order')
Or, siding with none of them, resulting in a 'bad' ending, or two other possibilities that involve the Demi-Fiend finding his own answer to the world's destruction(foremost among which is the True Demon path, obtained only after gathering all the Candelabrum).
Of course, that also involves dealing with this guy:
Since Capcom and Atlus have close ties, also shown in Kazuma Kaneko contributing art designs to Zone of the Enders 2, Devil May Cry's Dante makes an appearance, who is in Nocturne's world to hunt demons.
Though, like every other Fiend, he'll join if the cards are right.
Nocturne's among the most difficult of the SMT games, but it's also the most rewarding if you live through the madness.
Nocturne evidently did good enough for Atlus to bring over more of the SMT series' side projects, which they did(all of which getting the SMT banner, since they all share demons and art design from the main series, even if they're categorized separately in Japan).
Side Stories
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner [ PS2 ]
Very similar in style and appearance to Nocturne, though the gameplay has nothing to do with recruiting or even making nice with demons:
you just eat them alive.
The characters in Digital Devil Saga have alternate demonic forms, and they gain new abilities by devouring their opponents.
Also, the story(fully voice acted) is arguably the biggest appeal of Digital Devil Saga, spanning two games, focusing on a tribe that must devour the other warring clans to survive the wasteland called the Junkyard, and ascend to Nirvana.
Very difficult, gruesome, and like the SMT games proper, one-of-a-kind.
Devil Summoner
The original, Soul Hackers, and Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Super Demon(aka Soulless) Army.
While Raidou Kuzunoha was the only one to make it stateside(also the fourth SMT PS2 game after Nocturne and the two DDS titles), Atlus reportedly had planned to bring over Soul Hackers, only to get turned down by Sony(likely because of controversial content), much like Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
Though the first two Devil Summoner games were traditional RPGs, Raidou Kuzunoha is an action RPG, making it much easier than any other SMT game(monsters are easy to escape from, and avoid).
Yet, monster conversation is also important, as you get demons to not only fight aside you, but to be mediators in your conversation with the townsfolk of 1930's Japan.
It's a simpler, fun title, but it also didn't sell too well, so you can probably get this for cheaper than any other SMT title shy of DemiKids.
Shin Megami Tensei: Demi Kids / Devil Children
(Dark Version) / ( Light Version)
This was.
In Japan, this was Atlus' answer to Pokemon's lighter fare.
You play as either Jin(Light) or Akira(Dark), students drawn into a world of demons after reading books in their library they were better off not messing with.
Instead of playing as them, you use the demons they summon, and gather more based on conversation tactics(using single-word coercion options, a la Persona), and their reactions(shown with emoticon-esque facial expressions).
Even for a light SMT game, DemiKids is far from kiddy. Characters die, Lucifer himself joins you, and there's even a few cameos from the Persona cast(including everyone's favorite serial killer, Joker).
This is basically the closest thing to Megami Tensei portable you'll find in America.
Fun, difficult, and the games I bought a GBA for.
Didn't regret the purchases one bit. They're both amazing(though Dark is harder, and as such, more satisfying).
And Lucifer only joins you in Dark. What kind of SMT player would you be if you didn't recruit Lucifer?
Unfortunately, there are several more Devil Children games that we never got, most of which that I'm after is Messiah Raisers, involving the same cast.
It'll never come out here, sadly. I guess I'll import it one day.
May be edited in the future, but for now, there's much, much more info on several of the import titles(like the Xbox exclusive 'NINE' and the Fire Emblem-esque Majin Tensei games) at the HG101 Article, which is also to thank for most of the images and info found here.
猿も木から落ちる
And you should really include the Let's Positive Thinking poster.
I (deliberately?!) missed out on the original release of Persona 3, so I hope my introduction to the series with P3:FES is a fun one. From all the information surrounding it, I shouldn't be let down.
As in can't pay bills.
I guess I can trudge through tomorrow night if need be.
Do tell.
And I'm wondering if Aerith's actually going to leave a message that says "just to let you know that Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3: FES will be arri-" *beep*.
According to Atlus, incomplete saves can be ported over to FES also.
It doesn't carry over everything, though.
with
I find the idea of Jack Frost shooting himself in the head with a big grin on his face to be a delightful image.
Why is there a T-elos
I mean, christ I want more Xenosaga, but who's idea was this, eh?
XBL: Torn Hoodie
@hoodiethirteen
That's really not true. With the exception of Maya and Tatsuya, the cast is completely different from IS.
Edit: Nevermind, I saw that you corrected yourself later... but that line just makes it seem kinda contradictory :P
I need a PAL release announcement for FES so I can stop being tempted to buy it on import against the day when I have something that can run it.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
Keep it in my collection with all the other games I buy. It's not like I'd sell it back or anything.
Cool.
Frankly I feel that maxing out those three stats is a dumb waste of time and money and the game is a lot more fun when you don't have to do that while making sure you're not wasting time in your S. Link building.
I guess there won't be a new Doublejump guide, huh?
Not that I've seen. They don't have it listed on their site and I haven't seen a listing elsewhere.
What?
http://www.doublejumpbooks.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=5290.0
And here's a P3:FES thread where DJPubba (the founder of the company) is being silly about it:
http://www.doublejumpbooks.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=5232.0
And my thread about P3:FES, before it was announced:
http://www.doublejumpbooks.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=5000.0
When the countdown started, DJPubba:
So, I think they'd want to, but I donno if they have the resources to do so. Who knows if a re-release/expansion for a PS2 game will sell in the US?
If someone is translating Persona 2 Innocent Sin, does that means someone's going to go back and fix Persona 2 Eternal Punishment?
... Didn't they butcher the holy living hell out of P2:EP for the US? Or am I thinking of another SMT game?
Gamestop.com, btw. Anyone else order through them? I fucking preordered, I think they owe me free shipping at this point, IIRC?
Erm, that doesn't mean you aren't getting it. If you preordered you are probably still getting it. Gamestop.com is weird with their stock updates, especially on the day of preorders. It may have gone from "preorder" to "backordered" for some weird reason.
Call them.
Also, who is translating Innocent Sin?
A person who goes by the name Gemini
http://tsumi.wordpress.com/
You'd think I'd be used to it by now. Not like I have time to play anything seriously for the next month anyway, but still. Whine moan complain. :P
You know, if all my games disappeared except for the ones published by Atlus USA, I'd probably still be fairly happy.
You'd think I'd be used to it by now. Not like I have time to play anything seriously for the next month anyway, but still. Whine moan complain. :P
You know, if all my games disappeared except for the ones published by Atlus USA, I'd probably still be fairly happy.
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire,
When is this getting sent out? I am broke and need government funds to feed my gaming cravings.
It's already been translated:
http://www.chthonian.net/persona/oracle/script/index.html
Maybe we should start a gifting thread to spread the goodness of Persona 3 like they did when The Orange Box came out.
According to TurboTax, it depends on a number of factors. (a) When you submitted your return, (b) whether you are getting your return refund sent by mail or by direct deposit, and (c) what the last two digits of your social security number is:
(Actually I couldn't find the info at TurboTax just now...this is from Columbus Metro, but it's the same thing I read at TurboTax.)
The above assumes you've filed by or on April 15th (i.e. on time). http://www.colsmetrofcu.org/taxhelp.html - the site I got the info from.