Summary
- Release Year: 2006
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG), Simulator, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Visual Novel
- Platforms: PlayStation 2
- Developers: Atlus
- Publishers: Atlus, Atlus USA, Koei
Persona 3: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance
Released in 2006, Persona 3 is a role-playing video game developed by Atlus for the PlayStation 2. It is the third installment in the Persona series, a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. The game follows the story of a male high school student who joins the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES), a group of students investigating the Dark Hour, a time period between one day and the next that few people are aware of. During the Dark Hour, the player enters Tartarus, a large tower containing Shadows, creatures that feed on the minds of humans. To fight the Shadows, each member of SEES is able to summon a Persona, a manifestation of a person’s inner self.
In addition to the standard elements of role-playing games, Persona 3 includes elements of simulation games, as the game’s protagonist progresses day by day through a school year, making friends and forming relationships that improve the strength of his Personas in battle.
Gameplay
Persona 3’s gameplay is divided into two main parts: dungeon crawling and social simulation. During the dungeon crawling sections, the player controls a party of up to four characters as they explore Tartarus, a procedurally generated tower filled with Shadows. The player must battle Shadows in turn-based combat, using a variety of physical and magical attacks. Each character can also summon their Persona, which grants them access to more powerful abilities.
Outside of Tartarus, the player attends school and interacts with other characters. The player can choose to spend time with different characters to build relationships, which will give the player access to new abilities and power-ups in battle. The player must also manage their time wisely, as there is a limited amount of time available each day.
Story
The story of Persona 3 is complex and engaging, exploring themes of death, grief, and acceptance. The game follows the protagonist, a male high school student who moves to the city of Iwatodai to live with his father. Shortly after arriving in Iwatodai, the protagonist is attacked by Shadows and is rescued by members of SEES. SEES is a group of students who have the ability to summon Personas, and they are investigating the Dark Hour and the Shadows that appear during this time.
The protagonist joins SEES and begins to investigate the Dark Hour and the Shadows. As he does, he learns more about his own past and his connection to the Shadows. The protagonist must also come to terms with the death of his mother, which occurred when he was young.
Characters
Persona 3 features a cast of memorable and well-developed characters. The protagonist is a silent protagonist, but he is given a distinct personality and motivations through his dialogue choices and interactions with other characters. The other members of SEES are all unique and interesting, each with their own backstories and motivations.
Themes
Persona 3 explores a number of mature themes, including death, grief, and acceptance. The game does not shy away from these topics, and it presents them in a thoughtful and nuanced way. Persona 3 also explores the importance of friendship and teamwork, and it shows how these things can help people overcome even the most difficult challenges.
Legacy
Persona 3 was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best role-playing games of all time. The game has been praised for its story, characters, gameplay, and music. Persona 3 has also been credited with helping to popularize the Persona series, which has since become one of the most popular JRPG franchises in the world.
Conclusion
Persona 3 is a masterpiece of storytelling and game design. It is a game that will stay with you long after you finish playing it. If you are a fan of RPGs, or if you are looking for a game that will challenge you both intellectually and emotionally, then Persona 3 is a must-play.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
