Reviewed by: David Valjalo

Format: PS2

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Atlus

[ratings]

A hybrid of lifestyle-sim and paranormal mystery is a rarity in games. So too is a title as stylish and engrossing as Persona 4. No prior experience is required before entering the teenage world of Persona, where high schools meet ghouls and nothing is quite what it seems (not least the Japanese horror staple of the television set).

You assume the role of a new arrival in a foggy old town and quickly fall into a world of angst, murder and… daily chores. Though the opening act is more of an interactive movie designed to immerse the player in Atlus’ wonderfully spooky world, more crucially it serves as an introduction to the idiosyncrasies of the Role-Playing genre for the uninitiated.

The lifestyle aspects (day jobs, school, dietary concerns) are brought to life by a brilliant script translation and voice-work whilst the Role-Playing steadfast of turn-based battles and point-building is invigorated by a simple interface and slick character design.

With the Playstation 2 (surely) approaching the end of its ten-year tenure, it’s hard to think of a better send-off than Persona’s world of sleek design and luring, deceptively addictive gameplay. An inviting world of Japanese beauty where nothing is at all what it seems.

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