History YMMV / PersonaQShadowOfTheLabyrinth

* HilariousInHindsight: Strain42, the author of ''Webcomic/Persona3FTW'' and ''Webcomic/{{Persona 4TW}}'', stated in the description of [[http://theduckwebcomics.com/Persona_4TW/5432033/ this comic]] that it'd be the closest we get to the protagonists of ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' speaking with each other. This comic was, of course, before this game was announced.

** During an event in the 4th labyrinth where the cast [[AlternateCharacterReading misread the kanji in eachother's names]], the P4 protagonist comes up with a kanji reading for Kuma, since his name is normally written in Katakana. In Japanese it's "scary demon", while the English version uses the kanji for "hand" and "dirt/filth" to get "Te-dei". "Dirty hands" arguably fits Teddie's character ''far better'' than the Japanese joke did.

** During an event in the 4th labyrinth where the cast [[AlternateCharacterReading joke about the kanji in eachother's names]], the P4 protagonist comes up with a kanji reading for Kuma, since his name is normally written in Katakana. In Japanese it's "scary demon", while the English version uses the kanji for "hand" and "dirt/filth" to get "Te-dei". "Dirty hands" arguably fits Teddie's character ''far better'' than the Japanese joke did.

* {{Woolseyism}}: The puzzle on the last floor of the Evil Spirits Club dungeon in the original Japanese release was actually a puzzle based on the way Japanese katakana is written. Knowing how much the solution would probably be lost on the English-speaking players, the translators had to make up a completely new puzzle in its place, so what resulted was a math puzzle.

* CounterpartComparison: The game's setting is quite similar to ''Anime/AngelBeats''. It's a high school setting populated by characters who have basic programming as to how to interact with the real people, and malevolent creatures known as Shadows. Rei also has some similarities with Yui, since [[spoiler:both were young girls who died after leading short and unfulfilling lives, severely impaired by their conditions, and eventually pass on with the help of the guy they like (Zen and Hinata, respectively)]].

** Certain returning characters (Namely Akihiko, Chie, Junpei, Yukari, and Teddie) are quite the topic for fans to debate over. Some fans think they are hit with horrible {{Flanderization}}, while others argue that it makes sense since all of these quirks occurred before they had their CharacterDevelopment, and the game takes place before [[WhamEpisode the events that have the greatest impact on the plot, as well as on them]].

* NeverLiveItDown: The {{Flanderization}} that the characters ended up receiving can be viewed as one with there even being fans speculating about how [[VideoGame/Persona5 The Phantom Thieves of Hearts]] will be flanderized in the game's sequel.

* EnjoyTheStorySkipTheGame: While the story was highly praised, the gameplay was less so, from the way the battle system was set up to movement in the labyrinths (which inevitably turns it into a boring slog).

* EnjoyTheStorySkipTheGame: While the story was highly praised, the gameplay was less so, from the way the battle system was set up to the movements in the labyrinths that inevitably turns the level in question into a complete slog.

** The Boost system. If a character hits a Crit or a weakness, the next turn, their skills have no HP or SP cost, just as long as they avoid getting hit. If a character has a good critical hit rate and/or an attack that can take advantage of an enemy's weakness, as well as enough evasion or player luck to keep the boost, it's possible to keep using powerful and expensive moves round after round.

** At the beginning of the P4 route, Margaret tells the group that she'll charge them to use the nurse's office, and Kanji complains that she doesn't even have "the sense of your average housewife". Kanji and Margaret's voice actors, Creator/MatthewMercer and Marisha Ray, are now engaged.

** The later floors of the dungeons also have large shadows that, while faced alone, are tough and can act twice a turn. [[PaletteSwap Golden versions]] of these act as the {{Bonus Boss}}es of their respective dungeons.
** Special mention to the Phantom Mage of the 3rd dungeon, as its Wind Corrosion skill will make every party members weak to wind. If not dealt with quickly, he'll cast Magarula, which will, at best, knock down your entire party, but can easily wipe out the party in a single turn. Worse still are when you run into a pair of them during a P-Spot ambush. Since they go first, you may not even get a chance to fight back: Wind Corrosion, Magarula, game over.

* TheWoobie: Rei. [[spoiler: She was a sickly child when she was alive. As a result, she was almost always bedridden with constant treatments and never got to enjoy such things like going to school or even the outdoors. Even after her death, she can't catch a break, as she becomes a plaything for some extradimensional entities and isn't able to pass on for at least a decade.]]

** [[spoiler:Rei's past told by Zen]], shown after the fourth labyrinth is completed and [[spoiler:Rei is kidnapped by the Shadows]], for how emotionally intense it is, thanks in part to the amazing voice-acting and the heartbreaking context behind it all.

** [[spoiler:Rei's past told by Zen]], shown after the fourth labyrinth is completed and [[spoiler:Rei is kidnapped by the Shadows]], for its intense emotion, thanks in part to the amazing voice-acting and the heartbreaking context behind it all.

** [[spoiler:Yosuke and Ken bonding over the loss of their loved ones during the Group Date Cafe labyrinth]].

** [[spoiler:Rei's past told by Zen]], shown after the fourth labyrinth is completed and [[spoiler:Rei is kidnapped by the Shadows]], due to how emotional it is, thanks in part to the amazing voice-acting and the heartbreaking context behind it all.

** Rei. While she is praised for her story, her constantly rambling about food gets gratingly annoying for many players [[spoiler: until they learn the reason why she eats so much.]]

* AwesomeMusic:

** [[http://youtu.be/Ybtl7Ik5CBk "Laser Beam"]] the boss battle theme, is a fast-paced, intense piece that will get you pumped to face off against the labyrinth guardians.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGQrZy6lgEM "The Person is Then Called Away From War"]] is used for the final bonus battle against [[spoiler: Zeus!]]Elizabeth, which is only available by completing all of the extra requests on a New Game Plus. It has a very Etrian Odyssey feel, which is helped by the fact that the very composer of said game created this piece.

* BestLevelEver: The Group Date Cafe Labyrinth, [[LauncherOfAThousandShips due to the excessive shipping the Heroes can get into with just about anyone]]. It has some drawbacks with the kinds of mechanics and [=FOEs=] used, however, but it's definitely worth navigating through just to find your "destined partner", all ending with [[LargeHam the hammiest preacher]] you'll ever see, complete with a fairly interesting fight gimmick. The best part? [[HereWeGoAgain You can redo the scenario again.]]
* BreatherLevel: The first few floors of final dungeon are fairly short and simple compared to the [[MarathonLevel very long]] last floor of the previous dungeon, which had a lengthy puzzle that required you to go to all four parts of the room in one trip. [[DifficultySpike It doesn't last, though]].

** Everyone seems happy, including the Persona 3 protagonist, Mitsuru, Ken, and Shinjiro. [[spoiler:[[TearJerker That]] [[HeroicSacrifice doesn't]] [[DespairEventHorizon last]] [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone too]] [[KilledOffForReal long.]]]]

** In the Persona 3 route, in the last dungeon, Ken reconsiders [[spoiler: getting revenge on Shinjiro, and similarly, the P4 side ends with him preparing to go back home with a similar change of heart being implied. But with this game's events being forgotten, players of Persona 3 will know that this [[ForegoneConclusion is rendered moot]].]]

* HilariousInHindsight: Strain42, the author of ''Webcomic/{{Persona 3 FTW}}'' and ''Webcomic/{{Persona 4TW}}'', stated in the description of [[http://theduckwebcomics.com/Persona_4TW/5432033/ this comic]] that it'd be the closest we get to the protagonists of ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' speaking with each other. This comic was, of course, before this game was announced.

** The Investigation Team all strike [[Manga/JojosBizarreAdventure Jojo poses]] when being introduced on the Persona 3 side. The plot of Persona 4 itself has at least enough similarities to [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureDiamondIsUnbreakable Part 4]] of the series, given that it is also about a murder mystery in a small Japanese town and a lot of characters fight alongside beings that are the manifestation of psychological strength, ie like a Persona.

* ItsTheSameSoItSucks: The story is often lambasted because it at times seems like a retelling of ''Persona 4 Arena'': The casts of ''Persona 3'' and ''Persona 4'' explore a nightmarish version of Yasogami High, which turns out to [[spoiler: be accidentally caused by the girl in a Yasogami High uniform who joined the party and, wanting to be normal, forgets her past. Her Shadow is the DiskOneFinalBoss before the true culprit is revealed]].
** It also takes maybe a bit too much from [[VideoGame/{{Persona}} Persona 1]] in regards to [[spoiler:Rei. To the point that she almost comes off as a carbon-copy of Maki.]]

** The Fate Seeker, the giant enemy of the 3rd dungeon. Conceptually, it's pretty disturbing: a giant head that's usually invisible apart from its eyes, with three extra eyes carried by ravens. But this gets mitigated by its incredibly goofy and cartoonish reactions to getting hit and knocked down, to the point where it might qualify as UglyCute to some. It helps that it's actually not very threatening in battle compared to the preivous two giant enemy types, in fact, given the sheer abundance of DemonicSpiders in the Evil Spirit Club, its appearance is generally a ''relief''.

** To a lesser extent, Shinjiro, seeing as [[spoiler: he was technically just a GuestStarPartyMember last time, but now he's fully playable all game.]] The game gives him a more straightforward MightyGlacier and StoneWall build in contrast to Kanji's mix of a Mighty Glacier and MagicKnight set up. Adding to that, he's also more social and prominent.

** Unlike the party's other [[FragileSpeedster Fragile Speedsters]], Yosuke doesn't have much going for him aside from speed. He lacks Ken and Koromaru's OneHitKill specialty, his Magic is decent but not the best, and his strength is somewhat low. Like Teddie, he's lost his more varied skills from his home game, including his healing and buffs, and only gained Wind-element physical attacks, which he isn't great with due to his mediocre Strength. The worst part is his extremely low Luck, which seriously hampers his ability to act as fast status or Hama/Mudo support with Sub-Personas. That said, he can be salvaged with the stat swap accessory. By swapping his dismal Luck with Magic (a stat he doesn't need to use) Yosuke turns into one of the most devastating Status Effect users in the game. He even naturally learns Tentarafoo, a very strong skill that is made all the more potent with the skill swap accessory. It's also worth noting that his Speed makes him one of the best Teardrop users in the game.

** The same whenever Teddie is ignored or punished for his lecherous behavior or his mistreatment towards Konohamaru.

* TakeThatScrappy: Possibly as a response to her BaseBreakingCharacter status, in this game Marie is teased and dismissed by Elizabeth and Margaret. In the "categories game," the loser is forced to read one of her poems as a punishment.