Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

 3DS
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 81
  3. Negative: 17 out of 81
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  1. dash383535
    Jun 23, 2020
    7
    #DashReview

    Persona Q2 is the turn-based RPG with first-person dungeon crawler and mapmaking. This latest installment crossover character with Persona 3, 4 and 5. Being one of the last games 3DS and being from the critically acclaimed series, will Persona Q2 live up to the legacy of the series or has this franchise had too many installments in the past few years? The Phantom Thieves    #DashReview

    Persona Q2 is the turn-based RPG with first-person dungeon crawler and mapmaking. This latest installment crossover character with Persona 3, 4 and 5. Being one of the last games 3DS and being from the critically acclaimed series, will Persona Q2 live up to the legacy of the series or has this franchise had too many installments in the past few years?

    The Phantom Thieves from Persona 5, go on a mission to Mementos which takes a turn for the worst as they soon find out they are stuck in a mysterious movie theater with no way out. While trying to escape by going into different movies and changing them, they also run into other persona users trying to escape. (From Persona 3 and 4). It’s a pretty simple story that severs its purpose of being fan service for anyone that has played all 3 of the current mainline games. Some characters are stripped of their personality for the sake of a joke sometimes like in Persona Q1 but these moments are few and far between and don’t bog down the script like in the previous game. The script is serviceable but I felt that the pacing, especially in the latter half of this 80-hour game, dragged on and it became boring in parts. There a lot to like about the story in this game regardless if you played all 3 games or not but sticking through the whole affair might be hard for some.

    Turn-based combat is something that most games just can’t make interesting but the Persona series continues to keep players engaged with multiple ways to tackle situations by switching Personas or through the cast of 28 characters. The visuals of things like all-out attacks and union attacks also help to make for some fun moment due to certain attacks like a character cross-dressing for an all-girl attack or someone getting stuck at the wheel of a car and running over an enemy. In-between combat, you’ll explore labyrinth that you have to map out on the touch screen which adds some strategy to the game. There’s also fun side missions where you see more character interactions outside of the main story. While all of this is great, there not much to do outside of this combat and it did get a bit stale in the latter half. The first half is the best part of this game but just like the story, it drags on due to artificial game lengthier that are added to the 3rd and 4th parts of the game. The 3rd part having bullet sponge robots that makes the part a bit longer then it needed to be. Most levels follow the formula of having 4 acts followed by a boss but the 4th part has 6 acts and 2 boss floors. This stops the story right in its tracks and due to the length, you end up fighting the same enemies over and over for 10 to 15 hours of the run time. I thought the 4th part was the end of the game but there is a 5th and final part that was normal length again, so I don’t understand why the 4th part was so long. If you’re willing to get past the overly long 4th part, the other parts are pretty good. Gameplay severs its purpose for a Persona game but filler hurts the experience.

    The game looks great and union attacks steal the show when it comes to what you can graphically pull off on the 3DS. The soundtrack is amazing. New and old tracks are great. Nothing forgettable at all about this OST. A few framerate slowdowns but only in graphically intense scenes, nothing that takes away from the game.

    Persona Q2 is a good RPG for fans of the series and a great 3DS sendoff but newcomers might want to start somewhere else. The slow pace and the abundance of Persona references will put off some people. Even fans of the series might need to be a bit patient with a dull 4th part and bullet sponges in the 3rd part. Underneath the problems this game has, there is still some fun to be had with the multiple characters of this series and the excellently executed first half and finale of the game.

    Pros:
    +Fun Crossover Story
    +Amazing Presentation
    +Great Soundtrack
    +Almost Flawless First Half

    Cons:
    -Too Much Game Padding in Later Half
    -Needs More to Do Outside Of Combat    … Expand
  2. Cafe_8bits
    Nov 14, 2019
    5
    The last big game on the 3DS, Persona Q2 sadly did not improve upon the first one´s formula. The game still have dungeon crawling issues, too much focus on fan service, and simplifies the persona fusion and usage formula too much.
    I really would like to see a Persona Q with a original cast and original story, because the fan service is really annoying in this game.
  3. JocarLixo
    Jun 4, 2019
    10
    Persona Q2 is a fantastic 3DS game, and a surprisingly good persona experience.
    A solid improvement from Persona Q1 in every single mechanic
  4. QuacksonjaMeme
    Jun 4, 2019
    9
    God I love Persona. This is probably the last amazing game on the 3DS. I havent finished the whole story yet but im enjoying the game soo much. Atlus did an amazing job as always. My favorite 3DS game.

    9/10
  5. TOFU_BNG
    Jun 10, 2019
    3
    As a huge fan of the SMT franchise and the Persona spinoff games I always look foward to the newest release ATLUS has to offer in fact SMT IV, Nocturne and Persona 3 + 5 are some of my favorite JRPGS of all time.
    My feelings towards Persona Q in general is very mixed and I cant really say I am a fan of these games. The first game completely butchered the cast of Persona 3 giving them a    As a huge fan of the SMT franchise and the Persona spinoff games I always look foward to the newest release ATLUS has to offer in fact SMT IV, Nocturne and Persona 3 + 5 are some of my favorite JRPGS of all time.
    My feelings towards Persona Q in general is very mixed and I cant really say I am a fan of these games. The first game completely butchered the cast of Persona 3 giving them a Persona 4 makeover and was overall too cheery something I hoped the second game would resolve but I was wrong on so many levels.
    Persona Q2 is a shallow mess of a game that is both not fun to play and or watch, firstly the character development is thrown out the window especially for the Persona 5 cast who combined with the cast of 4 are literally walking breathing JoJo references with no style or substance. The story itself is so far up it's own ass to even take seriously I say that and I'm a Metal Gear Solid fan which is one of the most bombastic series in gaming.
    Gameplay is even worse as it still retains the absolutely abhorrent Etrian Odyessy gameplay which drags battles out for ages and is probably the worst turn based system I have seen in an ATLUS game, drawing maps seems like a fun concept on paper but ultimately got me lost more times than I could count to the point I had to put the game down for hours on end to start another playthrough of Bloodborne which I did in one sitting and didn't get bored once.
    The improvements are far and in between from the first game but I would say its alot less frustrating than it's predecessor just by a tiny bit for example the map system is slightly better and from my knowledge they removed the system that allowed for players to share Level 99 Persona's at Level 1 that completely ruined game balance.
    But the major positive I can give the game is it's fantastic soundtrack which I have had on repeat for the last week. The original also had a good soundtrack but was more or less remix's of Persona 3 and 4 tracks and whilst there are less of them in Q2 that is for the better as the original score more than makes up for it.
    The soundtrack is ultimately what saves this game from getting a 1 rating but other than that I would urge SMT fans and OG Persona fans to stay away from this game as it is nothing more than shoddily written and developed fan fiction.    … Expand
  6. BambiRue
    Mar 31, 2020
    3
    A sequal to the spin off nobody asked for.

    Just like PQ, the gameplay isn't for everyone and is grating if you were looking for the more streamlined playstyle of the other modern persona games. It isn't bad, but is clunky and takes getting used too. The plot is nothing special and you can see the ending coming a mile away. The characters are dumbed down flanderizations that get old    A sequal to the spin off nobody asked for.

    Just like PQ, the gameplay isn't for everyone and is grating if you were looking for the more streamlined playstyle of the other modern persona games. It isn't bad, but is clunky and takes getting used too.

    The plot is nothing special and you can see the ending coming a mile away. The characters are dumbed down flanderizations that get old fast and are crammed in since there are so many of them between persona 3, persona 4, persona 5, and the new cast members.

    I really don't know why anyone thought this game needed to be made.    … Expand
  7. IReviewGames101
    Aug 30, 2019
    9
    This is really one the best on 3ds, however this really just doesn’t feel like persona, like the characters ,it’s complexity and much more. However I still recommend this title
  8. GreenGamerGure
    Oct 18, 2019
    10
    First, let me begin by saying that I was truly disappointed by the fact that the audio was in japanese, I was really hoping to get english audio for this game. Nevertheless, the game was fantastic and I really loved every single aspect of it. I did played the previous game, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, but it didn't have quite the appeal at all. Persona Q2 has a better story, whichFirst, let me begin by saying that I was truly disappointed by the fact that the audio was in japanese, I was really hoping to get english audio for this game. Nevertheless, the game was fantastic and I really loved every single aspect of it. I did played the previous game, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, but it didn't have quite the appeal at all. Persona Q2 has a better story, which you can relate to in some aspect of your life. The dialogues and interactions between the characters are lively and funny, they don't fell like they have been forced at all. The idea of the dungeons is very well built and creative. The dungeon navigation is more entertaining and less of a hassle. The boss battles are unique and hard just enough to enjoy them. Overall, if you did play PQ and liked it or didn't like it at all, I highly recommend playing PQ2, since it's an enhanced version of it. You'll love it!… Expand
  9. Trey82
    Apr 11, 2020
    2
    GOOD LORD THIS IS TERRIBLE!
    Its even less redeeming than the first one. AND I HATE THAT ONE, TOO!
    Alright, first things first.. the difficulty is all over the place. It makes no sense. You truly cant change up your tactics at all. Every battle becomes a weakness exploit-fest. There are the usual.. and altogether FAR too usual SMT style enemies that 2-shot you once you reach the next    GOOD LORD THIS IS TERRIBLE!
    Its even less redeeming than the first one. AND I HATE THAT ONE, TOO!
    Alright, first things first.. the difficulty is all over the place. It makes no sense. You truly cant change up your tactics at all. Every battle becomes a weakness exploit-fest. There are the usual.. and altogether FAR too usual SMT style enemies that 2-shot you once you reach the next floor, if you dont babysit your party.
    Even after leveling and gear up as well as you can, it becomes a 3 shot affair. There isnt much relaxation or room for different tactics, and its a shame.

    Story is just as one dimensional as the first one, although they feel a bit off, in this one. Like .. Q1 was stereotypical, and you didnt get to hear as much as the persona games, a'course. But the team, as nice as it is to see 'em again, doesnt feel 'like home'. You'll know if you play it. It isnt persona. It isnt persona!

    I cant.. stress how much I dont MIND grinding. Done properly, its mindless and feels like youre making your party overpowered.
    Then there are times when youre already scraping the bottom of the barrel for xp and if you JUST had 5 more levels, your strategy would fall into place. Thats the boss tier fights, in q2.
    I know what it is, its the DLC microtransactions that atlus puts into everything, for the last few years.
    Slow the xp gain and charge another 2 bucks for the cheat dlc or an overpowered persona. *sigh*

    Its reasons like that .. that I cant recommend any of these last years of games from atlus. They're still fine, its just that they arent like the earlier games that felt balanced and natural. There are plenty of atlus games, in general.. that are still TOUGH but balanced. You grind it out for an hour and youre back to being on fair footing. Or OP at best.
    *sigh* Back to strange journey.. or maybe Etrian3.
    I love you, but I hate you Atlus.    … Expand
  10. tenforten
    May 1, 2020
    3
    How I rate games:
    Game-play, Music/Sound, Graphics & Visuals, Story/World-building, and Characters each get 0-2 points adding up to a score /10. 0 is non-existent or bad, 1 is average or N/A, and 2 is better than average.
    Game-play: 1 Not unplayable, but needlessly complicated for a spin-off, just like the first PQ Music/Sound: 1 The music is great with many good new tracks and    How I rate games:
    Game-play, Music/Sound, Graphics & Visuals, Story/World-building, and Characters each get 0-2 points adding up to a score /10. 0 is non-existent or bad, 1 is average or N/A, and 2 is better than average.

    Game-play: 1
    Not unplayable, but needlessly complicated for a spin-off, just like the first PQ

    Music/Sound: 1
    The music is great with many good new tracks and well as old ones brought back from the original P4, P3, and P5 games but lacks english audio due to budget cuts.

    Graphics & Visuals: 1
    The chibi style is a nice change and gives PQ its own identity from the main games and other spin-offs, but is not much of an improvement from the last PQ game

    Story/World-building: 0
    Weird, fanfictiony, and much less unique than the first one. The game struggles with having such a large cast and the plot about multiple realities to explain the presence of the female P3 protagonist felt like an excuse and is poorly handled. They bit off more than they could chew this time.

    Characters: 0
    Most of the characters become jokes and have their personalities neutered for the sake of gags while the new characters are not even slightly memorable.

    TOTAL: 3/10    … Expand
  11. Teyzey
    Jun 25, 2020
    9
    Una gran pasada.
    Sin duda alguna Q2 mejoró bastante con respecto al 1 , vuelven las mecanicas fáciles de las debilidades de cada enemigo para cada all out attack y con un estilo visual parecido al P5.
    De la música aunque corta la siento excelente cada una relacionada a las características de cada grupo de personajes ; y su música de jefe es sublime. Las habilidades de lider siento que se    Una gran pasada.
    Sin duda alguna Q2 mejoró bastante con respecto al 1 , vuelven las mecanicas fáciles de las debilidades de cada enemigo para cada all out attack y con un estilo visual parecido al P5.
    De la música aunque corta la siento excelente cada una relacionada a las características de cada grupo de personajes ; y su música de jefe es sublime. Las habilidades de lider siento que se cargan un poco mas lento pero no hay problema
    La función automática de correr ayuda a lo tener presionada el botón b a cada rato y lo fácil que es obtener las personas.
    El fan service es un buen punto para jugarlo tanto como en su pantalla de selección y diálogos ; pero siento que la historia principal no es tan llamativa mas que para obtener a los demás personajes en tu equipo    … Expand
  12. VioIrdsGX
    May 8, 2023
    8
    This game is good and they added more things than the first one, the movie atmosphere was the one that caught my attention, just that, this game is still the same as Persona Q, I'm not saying it's a "Wow" since some functions bore me from their old games, but it's pretty decent since it's still a crossover that Persona 5 characters put on it to impress people by putting features from oneThis game is good and they added more things than the first one, the movie atmosphere was the one that caught my attention, just that, this game is still the same as Persona Q, I'm not saying it's a "Wow" since some functions bore me from their old games, but it's pretty decent since it's still a crossover that Persona 5 characters put on it to impress people by putting features from one of the most successful games as a PS4 exclusive.… Expand
  13. VitorAmamiya
    Nov 16, 2022
    10
    man i enjoyed every single moment of this game
    it's fun and immersive with awesome characters from the persona series and you can also use ultimate personas just like persona Q shadow of the labyrinth
  14. WindlessNight
    Sep 9, 2023
    9
    Really great game (knocking it a point for lack of 3D comparative to the original which had it)! Portrays the characters with a little more depth than the original and with an even bigger cast. Story was not as emotional but did a good job at what it was trying to do. Gameplay is vastly improved, with the new Unison skills and All-Out-Attacks being changed back to how they have usuallyReally great game (knocking it a point for lack of 3D comparative to the original which had it)! Portrays the characters with a little more depth than the original and with an even bigger cast. Story was not as emotional but did a good job at what it was trying to do. Gameplay is vastly improved, with the new Unison skills and All-Out-Attacks being changed back to how they have usually worked in the mainline games. Although it still lacks EXP share, and with a cast this big I feel like it should have because I doubt most would take the time to grind everyone up. It's really cool to see everyone interacting just as it was in the original, although the focus is more on the P5 cast than anyone else, most characters are still explored pretty well. The EXP gain DLC is really useful to just blast through the combat which I do not care for so I'd just run through the whole thing on safety. The story though was very fun, a little bit obvious at times comparative to the first game but not as emotional as simply the two stories as a whole could never really have reached that same emotional climax. There are a lot of really cool cutscenes in this one, I feel the 3D could've made it better at times but both the animated and 3D model cutscenes are nice to look at. The lack of an English cast still creates good moments but in certain times echo-y voices will be in the background without subtitles whatsoever, which could've been fixed for the English release. The music was really fantastic as per usual. Puzzles I feel were made easier in this one, before there were some I had to look up the solution for, but it's usually not much more difficult than "ON/OFF" puzzles.
    Overall: This was a really fun game! All the characters return, cute character interactions, decent and revamped combat, nice art style and a fantastic soundtrack. I'd recommend if you've played at least 1 of the games as there's not really any spoilers.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best 3DS Game of 2019
3
#3 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2019
1
#1 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 27, 2020
    80
    Considering the Persona games' high school settings, it feels fitting that in order to have the most fun with Persona Q2, you need to do your homework first! [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 68]
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    Jul 11, 2019
    80
    Another solid entry in the Persona series, this dungeon crawling adventure will keep you entertained for hours and maybe will be the last great title that you will play on the Nintendo 3DS.
    Read full review
  3. 3DJuegos
    Jul 9, 2019
    85
    Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is a conservative game with respect to its first installment, but manages to connect with the fan quickly, as the exploration and battle systems are still really fun to play and the huge cast of characters from the series parades through the screen.
    Read full review
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