Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 25
  2. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Oct 3, 2011
    91
    Over the past year or so the PSP has really seen a surge in awesome role playing games, and Persona 2 is no exception.
  2. Oct 16, 2011
    90
    While it isn't necessarily aimed at people used to more recent RPGs, Persona 2: Innocent Sin is a prime example of the entire reason many of us have loved Japanese RPGs for years.
  3. Thanks to its modern day setting and the well-written[and occasionally humorous]interactions between its characters, Innocent Sin is far more interesting than the standard RPG fare. [Nov 2011, p.87]
  4. Dec 5, 2011
    86
    It is a nice and solid remake of a good game in an amazing series. The graphics may be a bit disappointing and the story takes a little to really take off, but then the game is simply fantastic. RPG fans will fall in love with the great story and its orchestration. Though not as good as its successor, Persona 2 has a unique game play, including the spreading of rumors and negotiation with demons, and a great variety of personas to be summoned. If you love classic RPGs, you should order the game today and dive into the world of Sumaru City.
  5. Sep 20, 2011
    85
    It's bizarre, unique and a heck of an experience especially for those who have never touched either game in this duology. It's compelling enough on its own to be worth the price of admission.
  6. Sep 21, 2011
    83
    The story may be a weak spot in this one, but after a few hours of play, you will become invested enough to keep playing.
  7. Oct 17, 2011
    82
    Shin Mega Tensei: Persona 2 Innocent Sin is an enjoyable title for series' fans that patiently waited all these years to complete their Persona 2 experience. The game doesn't stray far from its predecessor and the gameplay feels a bit stale compared to similar titles today, but it's still a worthwhile addition to any PSP owner's library of RPG games.
  8. Persona 2 isn't for everyone. The esoteric style and ageing looks will see off many a curious gamer, but persevere through the niggles and you'll uncover a stylish, incredibly written, charismatic experience.
  9. Nov 18, 2011
    80
    This is better than the original PSOne game, but it is a bit dissapointing not to see much new features in these twelve years. A port that brings old-school roleplaying to PSP, that could have been better, but is still a good game.
  10. Nov 11, 2011
    80
    Innocent Sin is an interesting remake that offers very much the same as the original PS's version; tons of playability with a lowclass graphic engine the nevertheless is more than enough to enjoy what this JRPG has to give the die-hard fans of the genre.
  11. Sep 28, 2011
    80
    Persona fans should certainly check it out, and anyone with the patience for a slow and somewhat grindy JRPG will find a gem in the rough.
  12. Sep 24, 2011
    80
    As much of an RPG masterpiece as I believe it to be, there is no ignoring the effects its age and technical shortcomings have on the overall experience.
  13. Oct 11, 2011
    78
    It's a game suited for the brand's lovers, and for JRPGs true aficionados. Some freshness could improve its reach, let's hope in the next chapters.
  14. Sep 28, 2011
    78
    Despite small hiccups in both the visuals and the soundtrack, Persona 2: Innocent Sin is a solid port of the Persona game Americans never got to play.
  15. Sep 19, 2011
    78
    As it stands, Innocent Sin is worthwhile for Shin Megami Tensei fans and those who are pining for the RPG days of yore, but those looking for the comforts of modern RPGs should look elsewhere.
  16. Dec 17, 2011
    76
    Old school JRPG with a few unique twists, strictly for genre fans. [Jan 2012, p.94]
  17. Oct 3, 2011
    75
    After twelve long years of waiting, Persona 2: Innocent Sin certainly lives up to expectations and proves that its reputation as one of the gems of the previous generation of JRPGs was well deserved.
  18. Nov 9, 2011
    70
    Persona 2 is at its best when it deviates from the cookie cutter design of JRPGs, yet it never quite strays far or often enough from these conventions, leaving a by-the-numbers adventure with just enough innovation to keep players hooked until the closing credits.
  19. Sep 20, 2011
    70
    P2, while a good game, is very much a product of its time. Players were more willing to overlook a lot of the JRPG's stereotypical frustrations and foibles back in the late 90s and early aughts. With shifts in consumer tastes and the desire for fresher experiences, however, a brand new game structured like P2 -- with its somewhat clunky story presentation and traditional, slow-paced progression -- simply wouldn't fly in the marketplace either in Japan or abroad.
  20. Sep 12, 2011
    70
    Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin doesn't bring any mechanical wonders to the table, but uses what tricks it has to keep the excellent story rolling along.
  21. Aug 29, 2011
    70
    There's something special with Innocent Sin, but only the most dedicated RPG fans will ever be able to truly appreciate it. At least they can finally experience the part of Persona 2 they never knew.
  22. Jan 25, 2012
    65
    A rather tame experience. [Feb 2012, p.82]
  23. Sep 2, 2011
    64
    Innocent Sin seems attractive; it's the long awaited opposite half to a cult classic, and it comes with a few bells and whistles to ease it into the 2011 landscape. While I adore the soundtrack and can appreciate the effort put toward a great localization, actually playing the game made me feel like I was trapped in some of the worst parts of 90's era game design. Interesting systems are in place but it's slow, aimless, and, and most of it has done much better in Nocturne or newer Persona games. Of course this is a known quantity to the Atlus faithful who will buy (and love) Innocent Sin anyway, but I'd caution an approach from a newcomer.
  24. 50
    A no-brainer for fans of the series, but although superior to its predecessor this is still too repetitive and shallow to convince newcomers.
  25. Aug 31, 2011
    50
    More than 10 years after its original release, Persona 2: Innocent Sin no longer has the magic it once did.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. 9
    Persona 2 Innocent Sin returns players to a remastered, reinvented version of the game never released outside of Japan. Sporting a bizarre, but well-written story about rumours becoming reality and a clash with a mysterious figure known as "Master Joker", the game is a nigh perfect example of a classic-era JRPG. That is...Until you get to the mechanics. Like it or hate it, Persona 2 is full (and I mean FULL) of random encounters with a somewhat clunky battle system. The battles are much improved over their PSX counterpart, but still show their age - some of the mechanics being either simplistic or a bit turned-around to get to. That said, the encounter rate isn't too big of an issue as the battles are much quicker paced than in the original version and in the first Persona. You can now skip animations entirely to make the battles even faster than in SMT Persona, and believe me, you will come to appreciate it. Contacting demons is a lot smarter here - some of the questions demons ask you can actually throw you off, and the two and three person contacts can be fun. (Maya and Yukino = hilarity) I am finding that I am really loving this game, however my recommendation comes with a caveat...If you do not like "oldschool", or otherwise aged RPGs, you will want to stay away from this one. If you want something unique and, like me, don't mind the clunkiness of some of the game's systems, then Persona 2 Innocent Sin is a must-have. It's $40 I will never regret spending. Full Review »
  2. About I don't know say 11 or so years later Innocent Sin finally graces our shores in a form other than a fan translation. While it isn't as polished as Persona 3 & 4 it stands up well on it's own. It's a good thing that a game made in 90's has more of a soul than most triple A games today. The battle system has been made easier, fusion spells are easier to do and easier to to contact demons slightly. That being said the fusion system this game is not as useful as it would prove to be in later games. You can beat the entire game with the main persona you get at the beginning of the game and use nothing but and you'll be fine at least on easy mode. Also some of the translations seem off but I've seen the entity of the fan translation online so it's not a big deal. The new theater mode is neat too offering three interesting side quests, and yes while the quest make was not added to the North American version I don't that's a big deal though some are mad about it. Story wise this game is great though it gets bogged by the annoying high encounter rate. Though there is meter and on screen map that will flat out tell you when monster showdowns will occur and the high encounter rate often means you won't have to level grind for the most part, though the battles can interrupt the flow of the story and it's also easy to miss certain things. The voice acting has improved from the 90's compared to Eternal Punishment. Though in the Persona 2 saga the silent protagonist makes little sense since the main character IS NOT a blank slate. But that's a little annoyance Persona 2 is still a very solid game. Full Review »
  3. Atlus brings the never before released outside of Japan Persona 2 Innocent Sin to the whole world! Enjoy this cult classic game that has a storyline that involves spirits, demons, gods, goddesses, aliens and even the Nazis! Amazing Storyline, gorgeous music and a unique gameplay system, although some players might get shy away from this game due to its heightened difficulty and horrendous encounter rate. Regardless, if you are a hardcore RPG gamer or a huge fan of the Altus/Persona series, than this game is recommended to get right now! Full Review »