Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3

 PlayStation 2
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 443 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 268 out of 443
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 443
  3. Negative: 157 out of 443
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  1. doodlerman
    Jun 12, 2011
    7
    I wasn't particularly impressed, but it is pretty addicting. Normally anime high school based games aren't my cup of tea either, but something about this game's build up was much better than games I've played previously in this sort of gameplay style. At first I wasn't sure why this was M-rated, but then when I got to the part where you have to shoot yourself in the head in order to attackI wasn't particularly impressed, but it is pretty addicting. Normally anime high school based games aren't my cup of tea either, but something about this game's build up was much better than games I've played previously in this sort of gameplay style. At first I wasn't sure why this was M-rated, but then when I got to the part where you have to shoot yourself in the head in order to attack with your persona(s) it became pretty clear (it's not a message you want to send to kids). There's a lot of interesting things you have to take into consideration in this game that most other games don't consider - like resting and relationships with other people... (well I guess a lot of games consider this, but I don't play a whole lot of them) Anyway, that's pretty much why I find it decent. Not really the best reason I suppose, but hey, I enjoyed this game. (it's got creepy incoherent animated scenes)… Expand
  2. ChrisP.
    Sep 2, 2007
    5
    I've been a huge fan of the Shin Megami Tensei series until now, but Persona 3 has changed that. While absolutely brilliant at times, the game is far longer than it should be and completely flounders near the end. There is simply not enough content to fill 300 calendar days; before the game is even half over, all of the non-combat stats will be maxed out, leaving you with nothing to I've been a huge fan of the Shin Megami Tensei series until now, but Persona 3 has changed that. While absolutely brilliant at times, the game is far longer than it should be and completely flounders near the end. There is simply not enough content to fill 300 calendar days; before the game is even half over, all of the non-combat stats will be maxed out, leaving you with nothing to do during the Evening and Late Phases during the days you choose not to go to Tartarus. Since the entire month's worth of quests, bosses, and exploration can be completed in two days (and frequently just one), too many phases have to be skipped to no benefit. This wouldn't be that big of a problem if the load times were not so bad, but they are. Furthermore, by the end of the game, even the daytime phases will be wasted. There are too many restrictions as to what S-Link threads you can do on what days, so once you complete a few, you may be left with nothing to do on certain days of the week. Lastly, the last few hours of the game are drawn-out, cliched, ridiculously easy, and offers none of the vital explanations necessary to truly understand the game. The FES expansion released in Japan explains a lot, fills in some of the gaps, and gives the game another difficulty, but, as the game currently stands, the moments of brilliance are too spread out to justify the 70+ hour investment. It isn't ALL bad though; six or seven bosses can be a bit a difficult, some of the music is outstanding, and the S-Link stories are awesome. However, they are not enough to compensate for the terrible endgame.… Expand
  3. NicholasT.
    Mar 6, 2008
    7
    Modernized hardcore oldschool town+dungeon(tower) gameplay tickles my rpg-bone but in the end the game may be a tad bit too hardcore for it's own sake. That is why they HAD to add the easy mode that helps but a hardcore rpg gamer like me refuse to use. So the result is a game with fatal random factors that can cost you to lose hours of work. Very similar Experience to atlus'Modernized hardcore oldschool town+dungeon(tower) gameplay tickles my rpg-bone but in the end the game may be a tad bit too hardcore for it's own sake. That is why they HAD to add the easy mode that helps but a hardcore rpg gamer like me refuse to use. So the result is a game with fatal random factors that can cost you to lose hours of work. Very similar Experience to atlus' other hardcore rpg Etrian Odyssey to which this game is remarkably similar to. Only real differences are the presentation, themes and the extra activities outside of the dungeon. A must for rpg fans, even the newbies. This game will break you in or just break you.… Expand
  4. Yukiko
    May 4, 2020
    7
    If you can get past the depressing atmosphere and funky AI, this is a game with a gripping story and complex characters that stand the test of time.
  5. M1rito
    Aug 22, 2023
    5
    Bad story. Terrible tartar. Worst Social Links in the series. And sooooo much more. Don't play this, or you'll regret

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PS2 Game of 2007
4
#4 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2007
4
#4 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 52
  3. Negative: 0 out of 52
  1. Game Almighty
    84
    Persona 3 is an amazingly unique title for the Playstation 2. Even if you're not a fan of dungeon crawls, Persona 3 deserves your attention for its maturity alone. Gamers that are sick of typical JRPG settings will love the new atmosphere and relish the creepy style.
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  2. Game Informer
    85
    Persona 3 holds its themes together with solid gameplay and cool characters, and thoroughly rewards you for the time you invest. [Aug 2007, p.96]
    Read full review
  3. GamerNode
    75
    Persona 3 is a fairly unique game, in that it combines stale and tried elements to make them fresh. The presentation is good, and the environments are crisp. This is definitely a game only for the true RPG faithful.
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