Review: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (PSP)

When the first game in the Persona series was released in 1996, western video-game fans had just begun accepting the basic tenants of the JRPG, and it was for this reason that the game was such a shock to the system. It flouted most of the conventions so present in the genre, and as such was both embraced by those seeking a change of pace, and dismissed by others too befuddled by the changes it made to the classic JRPG formula. Now, 13 years later, the game presents an experience that is as unique now as it was on its release.

The game, like the rest in the series, places the player in control of a group of friends with the ability to summon demons known as “personas” to aid them in their battle against evil. Without looking to spoil anything, I will merely say that the game still presents one of the most interesting and adult stories found in a video game. The story is told through the dialogue between the characters as they make their way through dungeons, as well as a set of newly-created, animated cut-scenes reminiscent of those found in Persona 3 and 4. However, where this game differs from its successors is its lack of the “social link” system that made the last two games in the series so popular. Instead, the player is given the opportunity to “contact” the enemies they face, and convince them to leave the player-party be, or even, if you manage to say the right thing, to allow you to combine them with other captured enemies into new personas that may be summoned.

What the lack of social-links means is that Persona is a much more combat-oriented RPG than Persona 3 and 4. While the story unfolds just as fluidly, this means that most of your time will be spent fighting battles, rather than listening to humorously voiced dialogue. Battles are entirely random encounters, outside of boss battles that is. In fact, one of my primary frustrations with the game is the very high frequency with which random-encounters occur. As you make your way through the game’s numerous dungeons, which is done in first-person, you will undoubtedly become lost, since the dungeons often feel more like mazes than a set of two or three branching corridors; for every wrong turn you make, your are almost assured to encounter a random battle. While the battle system is fun and deep, it can become infuriating when you fight the same group of enemies for the fifth straight time, simply because you took a wrong turn.

This issue is one of the places where the game shows its age. In fact, despite how much it does differently, the game certainly feels like a relic in places. This is particularly clear in battles, and when making your way through the game’s dungeons. The textures are flat, ugly, and boring, and the battle animations are stiff and jerky. While we could not have expected Atlus to re-do all of the game, the juxtaposition of the boring-looking dungeons and battle sequences with the wonderfully re-created music and the beautiful animated cut-scenes is jarring.

In the end, Persona PSP is an experience that is as unique now as it was when it was first released 13 years ago. The intriguing story-line and deep battle system will most likely be enough to propel you through the 30-40 hour story. Even better is the fact that this epic adventure can go with you where ever your travels take you. However, the game shows its age with the high-frequency of random encounters, the flat, ugly textures, and a sometimes clunky interface. As such, I want to end with a word of caution to those who entered the series in its 3rd or 4th iteration. Much has changed since 1996 in the Persona franchise, and I would warn against going into the game expecting the same level of quirky dialogue and social interactions, of which Persona PSP is utterly devoid. It’s still a game that is worth visiting, but it serves far better as an artifact for those interested in the roots of one of the most popular RPG franchises of all time, than it does for those simply looking for a new game to dive into.

Tags: jrpg Persona PSP review rpg shin megami tensei