Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

 PSP
  • Publisher: Atlus
  • Release Date: Sep 22, 2009
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 262 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: The rumor going around St. Hermelin High School holds that if you play the "Persona" game, you can see what the future holds for you. When a group of students-some eager, some skeptical-tries the game out, they experience something quite different. Before long, the city is turned upside-downThe rumor going around St. Hermelin High School holds that if you play the "Persona" game, you can see what the future holds for you. When a group of students-some eager, some skeptical-tries the game out, they experience something quite different. Before long, the city is turned upside-down and demons are roaming the streets, and only the students' newfound power of Persona can set things right again. Whether you pursue Takahisa Kandori and his abuses of the power he wields as SEBEC's president, or whether you delve into the curse of the Snow Queen that has plagued St. Hermelin for decades, a deep, modern, psychological tale awaits. Remember your true self, and free the tortured psyches of others... More than the same old JRPG -- Dark, philosophical, and complex, Persona sets you up in a modern day Japan that has gone into chaos. Demons run free, and you and your team must navigate corruption, mental frailty, and an alternate version of your world to bring your reality back into order. A second chance on PSP -- Offering a second opportunity to experience the beginnings of the acclaimed Persona series, this remake boasts a fully relocalized script, revamped user interface, faster battles, expanded soundtrack, and new in-game movies with voice work added just for the North American release. Unique tactical opportunities -- The inner selves known Personas are your key to progressing through the adventure, adding skills and incredible depth to your battle tactics. Expand and improve your collection through the Demon Negotiation system that offers spell cards that you can later fuse into new Personas. [Atlus USA]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. 1UP
    100
    In every way, this is a perfect example of how to remake a great game -- graphics notwithstanding -- and this release makes a brilliant game feel fresh and relevant again.
  2. Digital Chumps
    90
    The music is superb, the streamlined battles are appreciated, the relocalization is fantastic, and the minor gameplay improvements (included the reinsertion of the Snow Queen quest) were all for the better.
  3. Gamervision
    85
    It may be unfair to compare the first game in a series to titles that came much later, but in a post-Persona 4 world such comparisons are inevitable. That being said, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona is a great game in its own right, and worthy of being in the collection of any RPG fan.
  4. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    80
    While it shows its age at times, Persona more than deserves the respectable treatment it's finally been given. [Nov 2009, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Gamer 2.0
    80
    This game is definitely worth the $40 on value alone, as it took us over 50 hours to beat and could probably be beaten in 40 hours if you know what you’re doing right away.
  6. GameShark
    75
    All in all, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona succeeds at transitioning a cult classic RPG into the handheld market, and proves that games this original and well-written are truly timeless.
  7. Gamers' Temple
    28
    It's a terrible remake of a terrible game, and will probably top my "Worst of 2009" game list come December.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 5 out of 24
  1. Alex2492
    Aug 16, 2021
    10
    Achei o jogo muito bom! A história é interessante, mas infelizmente é inferior a maioria dos os outros da série
  2. XDanielol
    Jul 28, 2022
    10
    Amazing game, even in 2021 I loved every part of it, the story, the characters, the soundtrack, and yes, also the random battles are veryAmazing game, even in 2021 I loved every part of it, the story, the characters, the soundtrack, and yes, also the random battles are very cool. I recommend it for everyone.… Expand
  4. SteveM
    Sep 25, 2009
    10
    Buy this game. Period. Random battles are a good thing. Especially when the battles are this damn interesting. The choices you are provided Buy this game. Period. Random battles are a good thing. Especially when the battles are this damn interesting. The choices you are provided in battle are extremely diverse. Honestly, this game holds up today because no one has copied this formula since this game was released 13 years ago, which is insane because the battle system is so satisfying. Graphics are dated, but you quickly get used to them and they do the job. And the story is excellent...sure, it can be glanced at and dismissed as a semi-standard tale (though not really; it really is pretty damn original), but the details are so wacky and unique that it makes it fresh...once again, 13 years later. Don't listen to critics condemning this as an archaic RPG. This game was ahead of the (current) curve in 1996. It may not have all the bells and whistles of current RPG's, but it's got heart, and a lot of it. And perfect music. Really great music. Go for it! I've never posted a review on Metacritic and simultaneously been more sure of my recommendation.… Expand
  5. ChristianAnime
    Jan 16, 2020
    8
    This being the first game in the sub-series, I found it really fun to play, the encounter rate is terrible, the game alone has an ok storyThis being the first game in the sub-series, I found it really fun to play, the encounter rate is terrible, the game alone has an ok story with good characters. It is my least favorite persona no doubt, I still had my fun with this game.… Expand
  6. BambiRue
    Mar 31, 2020
    7
    Outdated but not bad.

    While the game is seriously outdated and barely playable for modern players, the story has real charm even if it is    Outdated but not bad.

    While the game is seriously outdated and barely playable for modern players, the story has real charm even if it is simple. It isn't hard to see why this game sparked a sequel. the characters aren't deep, but they are all pretty likeable for what they are. I think a lot of people dismiss this one just because it isn't as flashy as the games that came after it. And the OST has some serious bops.    … Expand
  7. death12123
    Jun 12, 2020
    5
    Sometimes you have to start somewhere. Persona 1 is the start of the Persona franchise and grew into a much bigger franchise today. NeverSometimes you have to start somewhere. Persona 1 is the start of the Persona franchise and grew into a much bigger franchise today. Never forget Atlus where you came from.

    My review will be going off from moving to the PS1 to the PSP.
    Everything about the game is way more improved than the original however I consider some things to be downgrades.

    Pros
    1. The game is complete this time including the original JP names
    2. Added cinematic cutscenes overall feel nicer.
    3. The original counter rate is now here where as the PS1 version it was reduced with more EXP.
    4. The game is WAY faster than the PS1. It's not even a comparison, this is a overall upgrade on that part.
    5. Snow Queen & SEBEC

    However the cons make me dislike the game overall.
    Cons
    1. Persona Revelations had a more darker feel and look. It actually looked like a SMT game with the original release. This just feels off.
    2. The soundtrack. It's AWFUL compared to the original PS1 soundtrack. There's not even a way to use the original soundtrack and even years later with mods to have the original soundtrack, it's not perfect and it's missing many songs for generic ones.
    3. The battle theme. This alone made me mute the game after three battles. Revelations Persona had a billion times better battle theme. This soundtrack really ruins the feel of Persona 1.
    4. Not a fan of some voices. This is more of a personal feel. I actually liked the PS1 voices specifically because of the old school effects and voice lines that added to that dark feel you never have today.
    5. Removed sound effects. They have the text bubbles yes BUT WHERES THE SOUND EFFECTS? The whole point of a remake is to improve on stuff and add on from the original not remove things and make it worse.
    6. Certain cutscenes I think would've been fine off as regular dialogue. I don't know, in the original it went by faster but here some cutscenes just felt tedious.

    If it wasn't for the soundtrack and removed things I could've rated this game a 8 but playing a game muted isn't fun and playing the game unmuted is just god awful and annoying.

    Nowadays you can slap on the PS1 Ost (Mostly) and enjoy the game but this review is based off my initial experience. 5 out of 10 but with the soundtrack mod 7 out of 10. A soundtrack really can effect the way how a game feels. The PSP soundtrack took away every feeling of the original Persona I ever had and destroyed this version of the game.

    If it was perfectly made with all the improvements but had all the removed stuff from the PS1, I'd rate it a 8 like how I did the PS1 version.    … Expand
  8. psvitaboy1782
    Nov 24, 2022
    0
    A poorly aged mess that seriously feels like a chore to play. Boring and bland dungeon design and gameplay, horrifically common randomA poorly aged mess that seriously feels like a chore to play. Boring and bland dungeon design and gameplay, horrifically common random encounters, mediocre soundtrack, boring premise and characters all add up to make this one of the worst JRPGs of all time, and by far the worst game in its series.… Expand

See all 24 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best PSP Game of 2009
9
#9 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2009
6
#6 Most Shared PSP Game of 2009