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Publisher: Atlus
Price: $59.99
Score: 9/10
JRPG fans have a high regard for the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series. Fighting game fans certainly appreciate the beautiful 2D sprites and expert level of play from Arc System Works’ releases. Both fan bases will surely be happy to know that the combination of both genres mixes well together for Persona 4 Arena. Altus and Arc System Works’ joint effort has resulted in one of the best fighting games of 2012.
Review: "Persona 4 Arena" Causes A Fantastic Spiritual Collision
Publisher: Atlus
Price: $59.99
Score: 9/10
JRPG fans have a high regard for the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series. Fighting game fans certainly appreciate the beautiful 2D sprites and expert level of play from Arc System Works’ releases. Both fan bases will surely be happy to know that the combination of both genres mixes well together for Persona 4 Arena. Altus and Arc System Works’ joint effort has resulted in one of the best fighting games of 2012.
Graphics and Gameplay
Persona 4 Arena sports the type of graphics and quick gameplay of past Arc System Works fighting games. For fans of the Guilty Gear series and BlazBlue series, this game’s animation should instantly be familiar. The beautifully drawn 2D sprites of the characters, stages, and start screen shine brightly throughout. If you were to watch someone playing this game from a distance, you’d probably mistake them for watching a Japanese anime. That’s a testament to how awesome the graphics are.
Music
As for the game’s soundtrack, the songs are a mixture of catchy J-Pop and J-Rock tunes. Don’t be surprised to find yourself humming “Your Affection” from time to time. Once players get to actually playing the game, there is a host of modes for them to explore. For those gamers who may not have any fighting game prowess, Persona 4 Arena offers several ways of learning its mechanics. First time players can enter Lesson Mode and get the basics down.
Challenge Mode
Challenge Mode presents players with learning each characters special moves and combos for intermediate to expert play. Of course, Training Mode is available if you’re looking to practice said moves and combos anytime. There’s even a slew of tutorial videos in Gallery Mode that teaches players the in’s and out’s of the game. Once players feel comfortable enough, they can test out their mettle in Story Mode, Arcade Mode, Score Attack Mode, and Network Mode.
Character Roster
The roster for this game features characters from the third and fourth installments of the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series. Fans of Yu Narukami, Kanji Tatsumi, and Teddie will be happy to know that they’re all selectable amongst even more series favorites. Each fighter comes equipped with their own Persona for battle. Not only can you attack your opponents head on, but you can also deal damage to them with assists from your Persona.
Much of the game’s fun comes from discovering the best uses of a fighter’s Persona during direct attacks. Summoning the Persona during play can lead to double digit combos and amazing looking special effects. Along with the Persona attacks, players have several other battle options to explore: Auto Combo, All-Out Attack, Furious Action, Reversal Burst, Max Burst, Instant Kill etc. There’s a lot to learn about this game, but its stays fun throughout the learning process. RPG buffs will be pleased to know that status ailments are even included in the game.
Story Mode
The game’s plot centers on the introduction of a fighting tournament that can only be viewed on the Midnight Channel. The game’s cast is forced to face each other in battle as they try to discover who’s behind the tournament and why it’s even taking place. Labrys, a robotic girl who deals damage with a huge battle ax, turns out to be the cause of all this drama. For those looking to get a quick summary of the game’s plot, the game’s Arcade Mode is available for that option.
For those looking for a more thorough explanation of the game’s story, the lengthy Story Mode is available for play. Katsura Hashino, the original director of Persona 4, worked alongside the game’s original team to compose the story. It definitely shows. Fans of the series will enjoy learning more about each character and their involvement in the game’s proceedings. You only start out with four characters to play with at the beginning of this mode, but the rest of the roster becomes available as you finish prior stories.
Online Play
The game’s online play gets high marks for its impressive net code and option of viewing replays of past battles. It’s rare to experience any online hiccups during play as players go to war in eight man lobbies. Getting to master one of the game’s 13 characters and their playstyle will surely lead to players showing off their best maneuvers against online combatants. Each character is different from one another in a myriad of ways, so that may take a while.
The Verdict
Persona 4 Arena is an excellent fighting game to come from the publishing/development combo of Atlus and Arc System Works. Fighting game fans will gravitate towards the fast gameplay, amazing graphics, and huge amount of battle mechanics. The game’s story mode is also one of the most comprehensive and fleshed out story modes of any fighter ever released. The replay value of this fighter is off the charts, so gamers will have a lot of time to enjoy this 2D fighter.