Live Blogs Jung complexes and icy masks: Let's Play Persona (PSP)

phoenixdaughterAM2012-07-14 15:25:10

Welcome one and all to my very first Let's Play. Today is the first of many days that we shall venture into this strange and Cash Cow Francise starting series called Persona. But what is Persona?

First up, the Persona series is a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. It's intent was to be a more accessible game within the franchise since all of the games are considered Nintendo Hard. This appears to be a big sucess as this spin-off franchise is now extremely popular within the RPG gaming sub-set. Persona 3 is noted for being Atlus big success and breakthrough into the western gaming market.

But what of this game? What of the first installment? In Japan it is regarded as pretty good and did well. The US...let us just say that Atlus didn't get their famed Wooyleism status without going through hell first. Which was one of the big marketing points Atlus USA made for the re-release, which is what we will be Let's Playing. After the success of Persona 3 and Persona 4, Atlus decided to remake the original game for those who did not have the chance to originally play these games.

While I have played Persona 3 Portable over and over and over and over again and have taken on Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this game will be my first playthrough. Note I didn't say blind. I did already watch a walkthrough for plot reasons, meaning that while I know what's going to happen, I have no idea what's the optimal situation for it. So let's dig into Shin Megami Tensei: Persona and see what terror and tough bosses await for us!

Comments

Otherarrow Since: Dec, 1969

Jul 15th 2012 at 6:26:22 PM

Ah, one of the mysteries of the Persona world. Why did Mark have that axe? He was apparently carrying it with him all along!

Also, I know the alternate file was for the SQQ. I'd grind a bit on that file before getting the free level up from Eriko's awakening. Even if you do the towers in order, the timed nature of the dungeons and the first boss's Wake Up Call Boss status might throw you off if you go in with the same levels you'd go into the SEBEC quest with.

Also, as for the Persona call out, you forgot that Shinji and Metis from P3 are Hierophants, and to properly introduce Nike, who is a Judgement (however, Eriko is the only Judgement party member who has it by default. The P3 guy has it as his ultimate Persona's arcana though)

Phoenixor Since: Dec, 1969

Jul 16th 2012 at 7:45:29 AM

So... dancing brings about fusion materials in this game? So glad Igor and Elizabeth don't demand that I dance like a monkey for their amusement before fusing stuff for me. That would make the process so much more demeaning...

phoenixdaughterAM Since: Dec, 1969

Jul 16th 2012 at 9:24:07 AM

There's a whole contact system for communicating with the demons. Depending on the person and the response, you can get the demons to be eager (netting us a Spell Card for fusions), happy (taken alone will just make the demon like you but combo it with an eager and you'll sometimes get something alongside the card), angry (yeah...they attack if they get mad) or scared. (Run away!) The object is to get them to be eager but it's easier said than done.

Improved in Persona 2 and done away with (in favor of Shadows and Social Links) in Persona 3.

EndarkCuli Since: Dec, 1969

Jul 16th 2012 at 11:38:18 AM

Hey, a Shout Out to Strain42! I've been a fan of his ever since stumbling across FTW; others may diss the simplistic style, but I think it adds to the decent humour that's already there.

As for your liveblog, as always, I think that you're doing a great job and I hope you keep it up...though I must agree with Otherarrow about grinding if you're going through the sidepath. In my own playthrough, I may have overdone it with 15+ levels worth of pumping up the main character's magic stat, but it sure boosted my confidence.