Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

 PSP
  • Publisher: Atlus
  • Release Date: Sep 22, 2009
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. GameFocus
    73
    I had so many mixed emotions playing through SMT: Persona. At times, the story kept me wanting more but the tedious combat, annoying first person perspective and high amount of random battles made me literally drop my PSP in disgust. If this is your first experience with the Persona series, this is not the game to start with; even those who are familiar with the series will probably only enjoy certain aspects offered.
  2. Gaming Target
    72
    For newcomers to Shin Megami Tensei, this is a good place to start as the game is not brutally hard or needlessly complicated, but at the same time, it might turn people off and label the unique franchise as a purveyor of the archaic despite their cutting-edge modern games.
  3. RPGamer
    70
    Shin Megami Tensei: Persona was so different and unique when it first came out that it still feels like a fresh experience today.
  5. TotalPlayStation
    70
    If you love 16-bit JRPGs or if you are a Persona fan, this game will be right in your wheelhouse. Otherwise, there isn't a lot to love here. If you haven't played a Persona game, this isn't the one to start with.
  6. GameSpot
    50
    This decidedly old-school role-playing game got a fresh coat of paint but not the complete overhaul it needed.

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

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 262 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 92 out of 262
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 262
  3. Negative: 145 out of 262
  1. AceOfCakez
    May 24, 2013
    5
    This is just a standard JRPG dungeon crawler. It's nice to see the roots of the Persona series but unless you love grinding and dungeonThis is just a standard JRPG dungeon crawler. It's nice to see the roots of the Persona series but unless you love grinding and dungeon crawling, stay away from this one. Also, keep in mind that you can reject new party members. If you choose to keep them, you won't be able to get other party members in the future.… Full Review »
  2. tenacious_K
    Oct 24, 2019
    4
    I want to like this game, I really do, but after a few hours I had to put the PSP down and ask myself "how is this the first installment ofI want to like this game, I really do, but after a few hours I had to put the PSP down and ask myself "how is this the first installment of one of my favorite gaming franchises?" I love the newer entries of the Persona franchise (and especially like that the company has the confidence to now just call it Persona in the west), and this just isn't what I was expecting. To put things into perspective, I got introduced to Persona with the third installment, and played through the fourth installment right before picking this up. To my surprise there was little to no connection between this and the later entries I've played (save for the usage of "personas" by the characters) making me immediately adjust my expectations. I don't want to compare this too much to the later entries of the series and that would be unfair, and this is a review of just this game and not the franchise so I'll try my hardest not to do so from here out. That being said the first thing one my notice about this game is its age. When this was originally released in 1996 the first person view was probably a novel idea at the time, however today it feels uninspired and at times confusing because everything in the hallways look the same. Further more the battle system just feels dated, now I can play a game with a slow moving text based battle system any day (I frequently play Dragon Quest 3 on my phone when bored) but this one just doesn't feel fun, as a matter of fact that best describes this game, it's not fun. The characters just don't interest me and I play the game to progress the story but when the story kicks in I want to go back to playing the game because it's at least a little less boring. I know some consider this a classic but I just don't get it, maybe it's me but I can't bring myself to even give this a 5 as some may see it as a light recommend, try this game and go through the same life draining wast of time I did.… Full Review »
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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