This is a little late coming as most of you probably already have your copies of Persona 4, so you can watch this every time you turn on your PS2, but for the rest of us, below is the opening video for Atlus' PS2 swan song(?).
Showing posts with label Persona 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Persona 4. Show all posts
Friday, December 12, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Square Enix Confirms Persona 4 for Europe
...What?Pardon me. I think I just accidentally stepped into a parallel dimension where Square Enix regularly publishes its competitors' titles.
Twilight zone or not, Square Enix has announced that it will be bringing the highly acclaimed PS2 title to Europe Spring 2009. While no firm release date has been given, European fans worried that their PlayStation 2s might be finally growing silent will certainly find something to be happy about here.
I guess my real question is for Square Enix and Atlus: Hey, does Koei know about you two?
Friday, November 7, 2008
No Persona 4: FES Forthcoming. Ever.
In case you were a little worried that Atlus might up and surprise you with an improved version of Persona 4 like they did with Persona 3, Atlus themselves came forward today to let you know that they would never dream of such a thing. Says Tim Pivnicny, Atlus Vice President of Sales and Marketing:"We are today able to announce that at no point in the future will we announce the release of a "FES" version of Persona 4 ...the very finest, most definitive version of Persona 4 will be the one released on December 9, 2008.”
So there you go. Buy P4 with confidence. There is no more P4 after this.
My wallet is happy. ^_^ b
Persona 4 will be available on PlayStation 2 in North America on December 09, 2008. It is already available in Japan.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Persona 4 Final Trailer Foreshadows Greatness
Atlus has just released what they are calling the "final" Persona 4 trailer (whatever that means), and it is the first P4 trailer that I've allowed myself to watch (as I worry that their webisodes spoil too much for my liking).
Check it out below:
Mmm, starting to get excited for this game again...
Persona 4 will be available on PlayStation 2 in North America on December 9, 2008. There is no word on a European release at the moment.
Check it out below:
Mmm, starting to get excited for this game again...
Persona 4 will be available on PlayStation 2 in North America on December 9, 2008. There is no word on a European release at the moment.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Spoil Persona 4 by Watching These Webisodes
Atlus is bringing Persona 4 over to North American PS2s this holiday season (which is really awesome of them). The game has been out in Japan for a few months now, but maybe you just can't stand the fact that other people get to play the game and you still have to wait 2 more months.Well, if you're really itching to get P4 spoiled for you (and haven't been glued to YouTube since it launched), Atlus has kindly begun releasing "webisodes" of the game's story and gameplay.
You can watch them here if you'd like. I am abstaining because I want to drink in every moment when I can do so with a controller in my hands. I guess I'm weird like that.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Wishes Do Come True: Persona 4 comes to NA in 2008
It really should be no secret to anyone around here that I love Megami Tensei games, and that I have a special place in my heart for the Persona sub-series. Persona 2 and 3? Fantastic! Persona 4? Oh how I long for thee!
Well, I predicted it (as I'm sure others did too), but Atlus USA, being the bringers of joy and happiness that they are, went ahead and officially announced Persona 4 for North American release this year!
Persona 4, the 5th installment of the popular Megami Tensei sub-series, is set to release this week in Japan in both a standard and a collector's edition. Atlus USA has announced that P4 will be released in North America on December 9, 2008 in a 2-disc set (the other disc will be a select soundtrack, as with the release of P3), and will retail for the awesome MSRP of $39.99. Sweet.
Though I knew this was coming, it's always nice to hear it from the publishers themselves, and it certainly makes it easier to subdue our jealousy of the Japanese release this week. The only downside to this news is that now I have to think up another E3 prediction before Wednesday. Damn it, right?
I've included the North American announcement trailer below. You can also check it out on P4's official North American website.
Now if only NIS would get around to announcing Ar Tonelico II.
Well, I predicted it (as I'm sure others did too), but Atlus USA, being the bringers of joy and happiness that they are, went ahead and officially announced Persona 4 for North American release this year!
Persona 4, the 5th installment of the popular Megami Tensei sub-series, is set to release this week in Japan in both a standard and a collector's edition. Atlus USA has announced that P4 will be released in North America on December 9, 2008 in a 2-disc set (the other disc will be a select soundtrack, as with the release of P3), and will retail for the awesome MSRP of $39.99. Sweet.
Though I knew this was coming, it's always nice to hear it from the publishers themselves, and it certainly makes it easier to subdue our jealousy of the Japanese release this week. The only downside to this news is that now I have to think up another E3 prediction before Wednesday. Damn it, right?
I've included the North American announcement trailer below. You can also check it out on P4's official North American website.
Now if only NIS would get around to announcing Ar Tonelico II.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
P4: One Week to Go Round-Up
Well, if you live in Japan, you only have one more week to wait for Atlus' Persona 4. Thus, this will probably be the last Famitsu article on it (other than the review, of course).
This week's scan really doesn't reveal anything we didn't know already, but rather sums up many of the features we can expect to see in the game. I've listed them in bullet form below.
-P4 takes place after the events of P3 (2011, I believe) in the rural city of Inaba, where strange serial killings have been taking place. They seem somehow related to the weather.
-The hero and his friends are pulled into the world inside Televisions related to a rumored phenomenon known as Midnight TV. Inside the alternate world, enemies known as Shadows thrive, and the heroes believe they have some connection to the murders in town.
-Personae may be fused together in a mysterious place known as the Velvet Room (a Persona series staple)
-During battle, a teammate acting as a guide (Kuma, and then Rise) will give you constant updates on the Shadows you are facing, as well as any changes in your party's health and status.
-Your allies may still fight on AI (ala P3), or may be commanded directly (ala P2) during battle
-During the day, you will still be required to follow a routine high school life, including class, clubs, and other such responsibilities.
-Social Links return, allowing you to build relationships with those around you, simultaneously building your abilities with your Personae. Links with members of the opposite sex may also develop into romantic relationships, but can also fall into trouble depending on your actions.
-Activities besides school and social links are available, including reading and fishing, should you have the time and feel so inclined.
-It might be possible to have sleep-overs with some of your friends. (According to the article, anyways. I'm a little skeptical unless it's part of a Social Link.)
-There are 8 revealed characters that will be joining you (including yourself with the Persona Izanagi): Yousuke Hanamura (P: Jaraya), Chie Satonaka (P: Tomoe), Yukiko Amagi (P: Konohana Sakuya), Kuma (P: Kintoki Douji), Kanji Tatsumi (P: Take Mikazuchi), Rise Kujikawa (P: Himiko), and Naoto Shirogane (P: Sukunahikona).
Persona 4 will be released on PlayStation 2 in Japan next Thursday, July 10.
This week's scan really doesn't reveal anything we didn't know already, but rather sums up many of the features we can expect to see in the game. I've listed them in bullet form below.
-P4 takes place after the events of P3 (2011, I believe) in the rural city of Inaba, where strange serial killings have been taking place. They seem somehow related to the weather.
-The hero and his friends are pulled into the world inside Televisions related to a rumored phenomenon known as Midnight TV. Inside the alternate world, enemies known as Shadows thrive, and the heroes believe they have some connection to the murders in town.
-Personae may be fused together in a mysterious place known as the Velvet Room (a Persona series staple)
-During battle, a teammate acting as a guide (Kuma, and then Rise) will give you constant updates on the Shadows you are facing, as well as any changes in your party's health and status.
-Your allies may still fight on AI (ala P3), or may be commanded directly (ala P2) during battle
-During the day, you will still be required to follow a routine high school life, including class, clubs, and other such responsibilities.
-Social Links return, allowing you to build relationships with those around you, simultaneously building your abilities with your Personae. Links with members of the opposite sex may also develop into romantic relationships, but can also fall into trouble depending on your actions.
-Activities besides school and social links are available, including reading and fishing, should you have the time and feel so inclined.
-It might be possible to have sleep-overs with some of your friends. (According to the article, anyways. I'm a little skeptical unless it's part of a Social Link.)
-There are 8 revealed characters that will be joining you (including yourself with the Persona Izanagi): Yousuke Hanamura (P: Jaraya), Chie Satonaka (P: Tomoe), Yukiko Amagi (P: Konohana Sakuya), Kuma (P: Kintoki Douji), Kanji Tatsumi (P: Take Mikazuchi), Rise Kujikawa (P: Himiko), and Naoto Shirogane (P: Sukunahikona).
Persona 4 will be released on PlayStation 2 in Japan next Thursday, July 10.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Detectives Need to go to School too
If the cover art for Atlus' upcoming PS2 RPG Persona 4 is to be believed, the latest issue of Famitsu has an introduction for the final party member: Naoto Shiragane.
Naoto is a first year high school student (and a little short), but also maintains a job as a (famous) private detective. Due to this, he is regularly involved with the serial killings in Inaba, and thus regularly comes into contact with the main character and his party. His demeanor seems calm and professional, but also cold to others around him (including girls who try to make a pass at him at school).
When Naoto awakens to his powers as a Persona User, he receives the Persona Sukunahikona. Sukunahikona is a deity from Japanese Shinto folklore that helped with the creation of ancient Japan as a country, and was said to be very small. Sukunahikona was also said to possess healing powers, and is often considered a god of healing and medicine. It is unknown if Naoto's Persona will acquire healing spells or not, but the Famitsu article does note that Sukunahikona is quite small in size (like his master).
Though there is still no news of a North American release at the moment, Atlus should be at E3, so we can all keep our fingers crossed.
Persona 4 will be released in Japan on July 10th, 2008 with both a standard and limited edition.
Naoto is a first year high school student (and a little short), but also maintains a job as a (famous) private detective. Due to this, he is regularly involved with the serial killings in Inaba, and thus regularly comes into contact with the main character and his party. His demeanor seems calm and professional, but also cold to others around him (including girls who try to make a pass at him at school).
When Naoto awakens to his powers as a Persona User, he receives the Persona Sukunahikona. Sukunahikona is a deity from Japanese Shinto folklore that helped with the creation of ancient Japan as a country, and was said to be very small. Sukunahikona was also said to possess healing powers, and is often considered a god of healing and medicine. It is unknown if Naoto's Persona will acquire healing spells or not, but the Famitsu article does note that Sukunahikona is quite small in size (like his master).
Though there is still no news of a North American release at the moment, Atlus should be at E3, so we can all keep our fingers crossed.
Persona 4 will be released in Japan on July 10th, 2008 with both a standard and limited edition.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Summon it Yourself!
A new Persona 4 trailer has just hit the P4 official site that confirms something I had predicted a while ago: all characters will be fully controllable in battle!
Persona 3's battle system only allowed for the main character to be fully controllable, leaving the rest of your party to its own devices (for better or worse). Persona 4 will apparently be bringing the series back to it origins, allowing each member to be fully utilized in battle.
Below I've included the trailer in question, showing Chie pwn some poor Shadows into submission with her Persona, Tomoe. It is still unknown if characters will be able to summon other Personae (ala P2), or if their initial Persona will be customizable (ala Digital Devil Saga).
Also, note that when Chie summons Tomoe, she touches her glasses. There has been a lot of speculation around as to what exactly the glasses are for. Though this doesn't necessarily confirm anything, it appears that the glasses play some sort of role in Persona-using.
Check it out yo.
Persona 3's battle system only allowed for the main character to be fully controllable, leaving the rest of your party to its own devices (for better or worse). Persona 4 will apparently be bringing the series back to it origins, allowing each member to be fully utilized in battle.
Below I've included the trailer in question, showing Chie pwn some poor Shadows into submission with her Persona, Tomoe. It is still unknown if characters will be able to summon other Personae (ala P2), or if their initial Persona will be customizable (ala Digital Devil Saga).
Also, note that when Chie summons Tomoe, she touches her glasses. There has been a lot of speculation around as to what exactly the glasses are for. Though this doesn't necessarily confirm anything, it appears that the glasses play some sort of role in Persona-using.
Check it out yo.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Latest Famitsu Reveals Persona 4 Character #7
If Persona 4's Japanese box art is any indication of the playable characters (and so far, it is), then we can safely say that there are at least 8 Persona Users that make up your team. I covered the first six last week.
This week's Famitsu has brought us info on the 7th character: Rise Kujikawa. Rise (pronounced something closer to "lee-say") was one of the most popular idols in Japan until recently quitting for unknown reasons and moving back to her hometown of Inaba to attend Yasogami High School as a first-year student (grade 10). Note that this makes the main character, Chie, Yukiko, and Yousuke all one year her senior.
(As a side note that I failed to mention last time, the main character, Chie, Yukiko, and Yousuke are all second year students, while Kanji is a first year.)
Though you may not consider one year as significant, Japanese society is still very hierarical, and juniors are expected to look up to and respect their seniors, while seniors are expected to look out for and guide their juniors (even if it doesn't always happen that way). Having such prominant roles (i.e. ex-top idol and infamous juvenile delinquent) in a junior relationship is sure to cause some interesting dynamics in the team.
Anyways, back to the article. It seems that Rise will not be at Yasogami initially, but will eventually transfer in during the course of the year.
Though Rise will awaken to the power of her special Persona, Himiko, she will not be directly participating in battle. Like P3's Fuuka Yamagishi, Rise will take the support position, relaying information about the enemy, the conditions of the battle, and warnings and explanations about negative status effects. The article stresses that all of her support will be fully-voiced, allowing players to "listen to Rise's beautiful voice" while fending off the Shadows. (As a personal note, I'm not too sure how this differs from P3, where Fuuka made all of her reports - at least in the English version - fully voiced as well.)
Persona 4 will be available for purchase in Japan on July 10, 2008.
This week's Famitsu has brought us info on the 7th character: Rise Kujikawa. Rise (pronounced something closer to "lee-say") was one of the most popular idols in Japan until recently quitting for unknown reasons and moving back to her hometown of Inaba to attend Yasogami High School as a first-year student (grade 10). Note that this makes the main character, Chie, Yukiko, and Yousuke all one year her senior.
(As a side note that I failed to mention last time, the main character, Chie, Yukiko, and Yousuke are all second year students, while Kanji is a first year.)
Though you may not consider one year as significant, Japanese society is still very hierarical, and juniors are expected to look up to and respect their seniors, while seniors are expected to look out for and guide their juniors (even if it doesn't always happen that way). Having such prominant roles (i.e. ex-top idol and infamous juvenile delinquent) in a junior relationship is sure to cause some interesting dynamics in the team.
Anyways, back to the article. It seems that Rise will not be at Yasogami initially, but will eventually transfer in during the course of the year.
Though Rise will awaken to the power of her special Persona, Himiko, she will not be directly participating in battle. Like P3's Fuuka Yamagishi, Rise will take the support position, relaying information about the enemy, the conditions of the battle, and warnings and explanations about negative status effects. The article stresses that all of her support will be fully-voiced, allowing players to "listen to Rise's beautiful voice" while fending off the Shadows. (As a personal note, I'm not too sure how this differs from P3, where Fuuka made all of her reports - at least in the English version - fully voiced as well.)
Persona 4 will be available for purchase in Japan on July 10, 2008.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Stop Teasing Me Atlus!
Just right-the-hell-now on Atlus' webpage is a brand new teaser involving pixilated cards and the phrase "we'll show you our hand on June 9 2008." (For the record, yes, I do just sit around clicking refresh on Atlus.com.)
No word yet on exactly what that hand might be, but I'm going to go ahead and start a rumor right here and now that its a Persona 4 North America localization announcement. There, I said it. Be excited, skeptical, angry, comatose, or whatever the hell you want.
This rumor is unfortunately based on nothing but my own intuition. My rationale are as follows:
-Cards are typically associated with the Persona side series of the MegaTen games (see especially Persona 2), and we have been shown that they play a large role in the upcoming Persona 4 (characters "crush" Persona cards to summon them). Cards also play a large role in Atlus Japan's Persona 4 website, acting as the placeholders for many in-game clips.-Atlus.com doesn't do teasers on their website very often. The last one was a few months back for the announcement of Persona 3: FES, a game that many fans hoped for, but many were unsure would make the jump to our shores.
-There really aren't any other Atlus Japan games that have anything to do with cards or have been rumored to be coming stateside.
I have tried unsuccessfully to find a good match between the card images used on the teaser and official Persona cards, but that doesn't necessarily nix P4. ...That, or it's a teaser for some upcoming Solitaire RPG I've never heard of.
If someone would like to prove me wrong or right, go ahead and find the source for these card images. I dare you.
Sword Machine will of course bring you word on the announcement on June 9 (next Monday). Until then, start praying to the great gods of RPGaming that my rumor is true. Or, simply spread the rumor at your local Kuzunoha detective agency.
UPDATE (2008/06/02): Looks like internet matlockery has won out. The card images are from the sleeper GBA title Yggdra Union. It had been rumored to be making the jump to PSP ever since its predecessor, Riviera, did so. Sorry for the commotion folks.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Characters to Shoot Yourself in the Head For
Actually, Atlus's upcoming MegaTen spin-off RPG Persona 4 unfortunately does not feature repeated enacted suicide as its predecessor did. Regardless, here is all the info we (meaning Sword Machine, I'm sure someone else has more...) have on the currently revealed Persona 4 characters:
Main Character - obviously, the nameless, voiceless main character. When his parents transfer overseas for business, he is sent to live with some of his mother's relatives in the small rural town of Inaba (lit. "Rice Plant Feathers"), where he transfers to Yasogami (lit. "Eighty Gods") High School. His awakening to his other self and his powers of a Persona User, he inadvertently opens the door to another world...
His Persona is Izanagi (one of the gods who created of the world in Shinto folklore).
Chie Satonaka - born and raised in Inaba, Chie is the obligatory cheerful, outgoing girl party member. The official website describes her as incredibly normal, a fact which seems out of place with her eventual awakening as a Persona User.
Chie's Persona is Tomoe (likely a reference to the famous female samurai Tomoe Gozen).
Yousuke Hanamura - the show-off cool-guy member of the group, Yousuke is (like Chie) another of the main character's classmates. He is reportedly a naturally cheerful person, and very good at interpreting the gist of situations. However, some of the released videos show him to occasionally have spells of bad luck.
Yousuke's Persona is Jaraya ( a reference I don't at this time understand).
Yukiko Amagi - the daughter of the landlady of a well-established Japanese-style inn, Yukiko is reportedly very busy. She appears to have an air of refinement about her, and is reportedly connected to the main character through an odd occurrence known as Midnight TV. It is commonly speculated that she will be the main character's primary romantic interest.
Yukiko's Persona is Konohana Sakuya (a reference to a Shinto diety of birth, spring, and cherry blossoms).
Kuma - a strange creature the group encounters in the "other world," Kuma (meaning "bear" in Japanese) can apparently control a Persona of its own, but its intentions are unclear. Is it friend or foe? Kuma's Persona is Kintoki-Douji (another reference I am unfamiliar with).
Kanji Tatsumi - notorious delinquent, Kanji an extremely rebellious youth who reportedly fights with his fists. He has had multiple run-ins with the law, and is well-known by the main character's uncle (who is a detective with the local police).
Kanji's Persona is Take-Mikazuchi (sorry, don't know this one yet either).
Persona 4 is set for PlayStation 2 Japanese release on July 10th, 2008. There is currently no word on a North American or European release.
Personally, Persona 4 looks incredibly badass, but then, I am a total slave for anything MegaTen. I am really hoping for a 2008 NA release because that would just be beyond awesome. Come on, Atlus! You can do it!
Oh yeah. Persona 4's main site is here.
Main Character - obviously, the nameless, voiceless main character. When his parents transfer overseas for business, he is sent to live with some of his mother's relatives in the small rural town of Inaba (lit. "Rice Plant Feathers"), where he transfers to Yasogami (lit. "Eighty Gods") High School. His awakening to his other self and his powers of a Persona User, he inadvertently opens the door to another world... His Persona is Izanagi (one of the gods who created of the world in Shinto folklore).
Chie Satonaka - born and raised in Inaba, Chie is the obligatory cheerful, outgoing girl party member. The official website describes her as incredibly normal, a fact which seems out of place with her eventual awakening as a Persona User. Chie's Persona is Tomoe (likely a reference to the famous female samurai Tomoe Gozen).
Yousuke Hanamura - the show-off cool-guy member of the group, Yousuke is (like Chie) another of the main character's classmates. He is reportedly a naturally cheerful person, and very good at interpreting the gist of situations. However, some of the released videos show him to occasionally have spells of bad luck. Yousuke's Persona is Jaraya ( a reference I don't at this time understand).
Yukiko Amagi - the daughter of the landlady of a well-established Japanese-style inn, Yukiko is reportedly very busy. She appears to have an air of refinement about her, and is reportedly connected to the main character through an odd occurrence known as Midnight TV. It is commonly speculated that she will be the main character's primary romantic interest. Yukiko's Persona is Konohana Sakuya (a reference to a Shinto diety of birth, spring, and cherry blossoms).
Kuma - a strange creature the group encounters in the "other world," Kuma (meaning "bear" in Japanese) can apparently control a Persona of its own, but its intentions are unclear. Is it friend or foe? Kuma's Persona is Kintoki-Douji (another reference I am unfamiliar with). 
Kanji Tatsumi - notorious delinquent, Kanji an extremely rebellious youth who reportedly fights with his fists. He has had multiple run-ins with the law, and is well-known by the main character's uncle (who is a detective with the local police).Kanji's Persona is Take-Mikazuchi (sorry, don't know this one yet either).
Persona 4 is set for PlayStation 2 Japanese release on July 10th, 2008. There is currently no word on a North American or European release.
Personally, Persona 4 looks incredibly badass, but then, I am a total slave for anything MegaTen. I am really hoping for a 2008 NA release because that would just be beyond awesome. Come on, Atlus! You can do it!
Oh yeah. Persona 4's main site is here.
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