Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4

 PlayStation 2
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 943 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 713 out of 943
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 943
  3. Negative: 186 out of 943
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  1. PavelaS
    Apr 1, 2009
    9
    The main reason I enjoyed this game was because of its characters. They were high school students with personal problems that I could relate to, and putting them in a murder mystery rpg made the game all the more enjoyable. The game taught me a valuable lesson about accepting my darker nature as opposed to suppressing it in order to be truer to myself, and this in itself makes it stand The main reason I enjoyed this game was because of its characters. They were high school students with personal problems that I could relate to, and putting them in a murder mystery rpg made the game all the more enjoyable. The game taught me a valuable lesson about accepting my darker nature as opposed to suppressing it in order to be truer to myself, and this in itself makes it stand out against the novels that I have read. It's fun, addicting, and when the animated ending passed, I actually missed the characters and the story as a whole. While the story can immerse you, there are also some flaws about its setting however. The town of Inaba (where the game takes place) is pretty small and you don't travel through it in real time as in walking from one place to another. Instead there are distinct and separated places and you go to each of them via a menu-based system. This takes me out of the experience just a tad, and I only wish Atlus created a more realistic and easy-flowing game world. Another problem is that dungeon crawling can get a bit monotonous. The game can be beaten in under 80 hours and while the game has its share of different dungeons, a fair number of battle experiences are all too similar. However, the story and its characters do much to put its flaws into less consideration. Think of it as an interactive detective novel with many side stories (a number of them humorous) and relatable characters and you can just begin to appreciate what this game has to offer. This game is not like one of those fairy-tale based games where some impending doom threatens the world. Plot-wise it is much more down-to-earth, and I'm happy that I found a part of me in this great experience - something no other game has yet done.… Expand
  2. GP
    Mar 16, 2009
    10
    Believe the hype - I was skeptical about whether or not this could really be that much better than 3 (Which was my favorite game in 2008), but believe me it is. In fact, as I play 4, I constantly think back and see faults with 3 - they've renovated what wasn't a problem to new extremes of awesomeness and annhialated what was. Oh, and the menus are much, MUCH faster. If you liked Believe the hype - I was skeptical about whether or not this could really be that much better than 3 (Which was my favorite game in 2008), but believe me it is. In fact, as I play 4, I constantly think back and see faults with 3 - they've renovated what wasn't a problem to new extremes of awesomeness and annhialated what was. Oh, and the menus are much, MUCH faster. If you liked Persona 3, get this. In fact, get this.… Expand
  3. ShawnE.
    Mar 11, 2009
    10
    In my opinion Atlus sort of came out of nowhere. Ever since I opened Persona 4 I've never been able to escape the clutches of its enticing story, battle system, and persona combinations. Actually when I showed all my friends the Persona 3 game they immediately joined the persona bandwagon, and purchased Persona 4. Only a few RPG's have caught my attention and kept my interest In my opinion Atlus sort of came out of nowhere. Ever since I opened Persona 4 I've never been able to escape the clutches of its enticing story, battle system, and persona combinations. Actually when I showed all my friends the Persona 3 game they immediately joined the persona bandwagon, and purchased Persona 4. Only a few RPG's have caught my attention and kept my interest throughout the whole game. I have to admit grinding in Final Fantasy 7 and 10 got repetitive and boring at times. Persona 4 limits your grinding to how much SP items you have. I thank Atlus for making such a terrific game and eagerly await Persona 5.… Expand
  4. DanS
    Feb 23, 2009
    10
    Hmm, Don't know where to start on this one. Obviously the guy who said the story line was childish and the translation was poor either hasn't played the game or is just not that smart. First of the story is rather deep, has many levels of interpretation, and, for a video game, isn't even that cliché. The translation is hardly sloppy, its acutally rather well done, it Hmm, Don't know where to start on this one. Obviously the guy who said the story line was childish and the translation was poor either hasn't played the game or is just not that smart. First of the story is rather deep, has many levels of interpretation, and, for a video game, isn't even that cliché. The translation is hardly sloppy, its acutally rather well done, it keeps much of the Japanese feel to the dialouge, while not sounding too litteral. I do agree however adding the -chans, and -samas, and -kuns to the end of the words is cheesy and is only for the hordes of 17 year old social outcasts who buy every JRPG created think that if you add -desu to the end of a sentence you are suddenly speaking japanese. ANYWAY back to the game. Battle system is improved from P3, the day-to-day goes much faster and is less mundane. The S.Links upgrade muuuch faster, and still contain interesting sub-stories. I feel like the S.links in P4 feel closer to the character and less random then they did in P3. The battles are still fast paced and fun. The new Dungeon layouts are less repitive and feel more "real". The only real gripes that I have, are that sometimes in the dungeons the camera gets clunky, and the battles can get a bit repetitive (as in P3). But for the most part, you will be smashing your way though, enjoying a good story, and loving one of the BEST rpgs for PS2 (and any other current consoles).… Expand
  5. AdamS
    Jan 19, 2009
    10
    If Final Fantasy 7 put RPG's on the map, than Persona 4 redefined them. Persona 4 is without any doubt, the most incredible RPG that I have played in years. Heck, it may even be the most incredible RPG that I've ever played in my life! From it's complex and engaging storyline, involving characters, flawless battle system, excellent J-pop soundtrack, and simple to use If Final Fantasy 7 put RPG's on the map, than Persona 4 redefined them. Persona 4 is without any doubt, the most incredible RPG that I have played in years. Heck, it may even be the most incredible RPG that I've ever played in my life! From it's complex and engaging storyline, involving characters, flawless battle system, excellent J-pop soundtrack, and simple to use persona fusion system, P4 is not only the RPG of the year, but for some (including myself), may turn out to be game of the year as well. Persona 4 is the PS2's last great showing, and I thank Atlus for it.… Expand
  6. SilverE.
    Dec 30, 2008
    10
    Atlus' policy when it came to making Persona 4: If it ain't broke, make it MIND-BLOWINGLY AWESOME. If it is broke, make it MIND-BLOWINGLY AWESOME. Not only is it one of the most polished games to date, but it takes everything that Persona 3 did, good and bad, and made it MIND-BLOWINGLY AWESOME. Social Links? Even more interesting and really involved in the game's battles Atlus' policy when it came to making Persona 4: If it ain't broke, make it MIND-BLOWINGLY AWESOME. If it is broke, make it MIND-BLOWINGLY AWESOME. Not only is it one of the most polished games to date, but it takes everything that Persona 3 did, good and bad, and made it MIND-BLOWINGLY AWESOME. Social Links? Even more interesting and really involved in the game's battles this time around. The turn-based battles themselves? Even more fast-paced than before, this time with the A.I. being optional. Music? Freaking catchy, even catchier than Persona 3's "glued-to-the-inside-of-your-head-for-all-eternity" tunes. The story's pacing? Excellent. The characters? Even more realistic and relatable, somehow (because Persona 3's characters were pretty damn good). Even the voice acting is better...even with some of the same freaking voice actors (Yuri Lowenthal makes a return, and he's even better than he was last game) as last game. The game itself is overflowing with things to do: social stats to raise, friends to make and help out, equipment to produce, Personas to fuse like crazy, quests (and without time limits!) to finish, freaky demons to pwn, and people to talk to in order to solve the game's murder mystery. Quite frankly, you are getting a LOT for your buck, and it's high-quality stuff to boot. Even better is the fact that it's on the PS2, which is a console that everyone and their mother has. If you haven't gotten this or Persona 3 FES (get P3FES first!), you are seriously missing out on what is the best that the JRPG genre has to offer.… Expand
  7. JSF
    Dec 28, 2008
    10
    The graphics aren't exactly top notch, but if you're playing ps2 you aren't playing for graphics. The gameplay is amazing, with a battle system that's not too tedious if you're an experimental person. The social link system is just like P3's, only more important because having social links with party members will have impact in battle. The story's The graphics aren't exactly top notch, but if you're playing ps2 you aren't playing for graphics. The gameplay is amazing, with a battle system that's not too tedious if you're an experimental person. The social link system is just like P3's, only more important because having social links with party members will have impact in battle. The story's amazing and the plot twists towards the end are spetecular, and the cast is pretty good. While in a vacuum the characters may seem cliche, their interactions with each other are what makes the game, both for the humor and the atmosphere. The voices are nearly all good, except for Naoto who sounds awfull during battle, the music is great but it feels like a step down from P3 (except for boss and dugeon music) to me. It took me 10 less hours to finnish than P3, but that's still about 70 hours of gameplay and I didn't even do half the sidequests so this game is trully the ps2 going out with a bang.… Expand
  8. JohnF.
    Dec 20, 2008
    9
    Atlus has done it again. As was the case with Persona 3, Atlus stood tall against all the hyped current-gen releases and delivered the best RPG of the year (yes, P4 is better than Fallout 3, although they are two completely different styles of RPG and are both worth playing). Like P3, Persona 4 isn't for everyone -- there's some grinding (although it lacks the repetitiveness pf Atlus has done it again. As was the case with Persona 3, Atlus stood tall against all the hyped current-gen releases and delivered the best RPG of the year (yes, P4 is better than Fallout 3, although they are two completely different styles of RPG and are both worth playing). Like P3, Persona 4 isn't for everyone -- there's some grinding (although it lacks the repetitiveness pf P3) and some Japanese flavor and oddities that fans of WRPGs might not like. But the story is solid, the cast of characters is very strong and just as memorable as Persona 3's, and the game makes improvements on Persona 3's gameplay flaws. Plus the game is very funny, which is always a plus. The game takes a little while to really hit its stride, but once it does, you are in for a treat. If you are a fan of JRPGs or RPGs in general, you need to dust off the PS2 now and play Persona 4 as it is not only one of the year's top games but one of the best games in the PS2 library.… Expand
  9. BenH.
    Dec 15, 2008
    10
    It may seem crazy for me to give this game a ten but it is my game of the year. It was an amazing work of art while at the same time being laughable and never takes its semi dark story too seriously. Along with the wonderfully challenging gameplay I love it.
  10. HuffmanJ.
    Dec 15, 2008
    5
    This game is just trying to coerce more money out of the fan's pockets. Barely any work was done for the localization. The translation is iffy. The voice acting is poor. Atlas insists that Japanese honorifics are included into the game on top of saying "Mr," Mrs," et cetera. It is a sloppy patchwork job. The music is good as it is with Persona 3. The story feels like something out of This game is just trying to coerce more money out of the fan's pockets. Barely any work was done for the localization. The translation is iffy. The voice acting is poor. Atlas insists that Japanese honorifics are included into the game on top of saying "Mr," Mrs," et cetera. It is a sloppy patchwork job. The music is good as it is with Persona 3. The story feels like something out of Scooby Doo. Horribly cliched and much of the plot is cringe-worthy and often you will spend 30 minutes pressing x to get through cheesy dialogue before you can move onto fighting again The battle system is quite good. The grinding is horrible. The game's style is good. I'd have to say that young kids will enjoy this game, but with the adult themes that are included... I'm really puzzled with whom Persona 4 is meant for. Just a poor game all around. I would expect only kids would have the attention span or desire to play through it.… Expand
  11. KingKamor
    Dec 11, 2008
    10
    (I wanted to give this a 9.5, but since I can't do that, I guess that I'll just have to make due with a ten, because my only complaints are about something that happened only once.) I played all the way through Persona 3 FES, and I loved the game. Sure, it had it's flaws, but it didn't stop me from relating to and loving all of the relatable and loving characters. (I wanted to give this a 9.5, but since I can't do that, I guess that I'll just have to make due with a ten, because my only complaints are about something that happened only once.) I played all the way through Persona 3 FES, and I loved the game. Sure, it had it's flaws, but it didn't stop me from relating to and loving all of the relatable and loving characters. Persona 4 has taken my standards and raised them a few bars, because it's even better than P3 in almost every way. The characters are even more relatable, the game's setting being out in the countryside in a town with a very similar feel to the one that I grew up in; the battlesystem has been tweaked to make up for the mistakes that the AI often made in P3 by giving you the option to control your allies yourself; the storyline is much less cliche than P3; the voice acting as a whole seems much more natural (except for Chie, who sounds ten years older than she should); and the symbolism the game presents to the gamer playing it made my head spin a little after the first major boss battle. If I were to complain about something, it would be that some of the voices can be grating at times, and that there is so little voice acting in the Social Link conversations. There's barely a "Hey!" or a "Let's go!" before the silent text continues. I think that if they're going to voice parts of the Social Links, then they should go all out and voice them entirely. In addition, in the first dungeon, my teammates kept getting stuck behind the open doors whenever I would leave a room to continue down a given hallway. Not the most world-ending of annoyances, but it did waste a valuable five seconds each time. All in all, if I had to choose one word for Persona 4, it would be "fresh." It feels like I just got the keys to a new car that will never break down. I managed to play the game for twelve hours straight on the day that I got this game because it was just that good.… Expand
  12. JesseWatson
    Dec 9, 2008
    10
    Why isn't this on the front page with the other new games? Come on, metacritic. This game is getting ridiculously high reviews, and I'm so happy to see it. While I haven't finished the game yet (I'm taking my merry time), I can safely say that this is proof that Japan doesn't need to westernize their game development to make great stuff, nor do they need toWhy isn't this on the front page with the other new games? Come on, metacritic. This game is getting ridiculously high reviews, and I'm so happy to see it. While I haven't finished the game yet (I'm taking my merry time), I can safely say that this is proof that Japan doesn't need to westernize their game development to make great stuff, nor do they need to westernize to appeal to the west. What we need is more stuff along these lines. Quirky, bizarre, weird, excellent, and we need it on every platform, PS3 especially. Happily rating this a perfect score. Normally I am more conservative, but I did not think P3 (a solid 9 or higher) could be improved upon.… Expand
  13. ChrisTaran
    Dec 9, 2008
    10
    Persona 4 is a breathtaking experience and the last great game to come to the PS2 (hopefully P5 finally lands on a next/current gen platform).
    P4 takes all that was great about P3 and brings it to a new level, perfecting and adding to all the concepts introduced in Persona 3 and it's followup FES.
    If you enjoy RPG's with a unique twist then Persona 4 one that you    Persona 4 is a breathtaking experience and the last great game to come to the PS2 (hopefully P5 finally lands on a next/current gen platform).
    P4 takes all that was great about P3 and brings it to a new level, perfecting and adding to all the concepts introduced in Persona 3 and it's followup FES.
    If you enjoy RPG's with a unique twist then Persona 4 one that you can't afford to pass up.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PS2 Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 47 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 47
  3. Negative: 0 out of 47
  1. RPG Fan
    94
    Among the cookie-cutter sequels and half-hearted remakes, Persona 4 is a near flawless example of the perfect balance between "falling back on what works" and "pushing the genre forward." That said, I wholeheartedly recommend it as one of the best RPG experiences of the year.
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  2. Gamervision
    100
    An outstanding achievement in gaming. There’s no question that this is going to be one of my top games of the year, and any fan of JRPGs should be playing it when it’s released next week.
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  3. 1UP
    100
    What really sets Persona 4 apart, though, is its endearing, relatable cast.
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