Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4

 PlayStation 2
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 47 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 937 Ratings

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  • Summary: [Metacritic's 2008 PS2 Game of the Year] Shortly after an urban youth begins a year-long stay in the countryside town of Inaba, the rural town's peace is shattered by a horrific murder that leaves no clues or suspects. As the lone incident develops into a series of bizarre crimes, he[Metacritic's 2008 PS2 Game of the Year] Shortly after an urban youth begins a year-long stay in the countryside town of Inaba, the rural town's peace is shattered by a horrific murder that leaves no clues or suspects. As the lone incident develops into a series of bizarre crimes, he discovers that only he and his friends have the power to solve the baffling case, bring those responsible to justice, and restore harmony to his new home. Balance your double life – Beyond intense battles, Persona fusion, and new weapon creation exists a normal high school life of friends, classes, and part-time jobs. The way you manage and integrate your activities within each day will determine how you progress through the game. Unprecedented team control – With a greater emphasis on developing bonds in the fight to solve the mysterious murders, strong friendships are key to your success. Directly control teammates in battle, earn greater party support for combat, and master individual Social Links to unlock your party's true potential. Find the true ending – 60+ hours of gameplay thrusts you into a deep mystery where midnight television leads to serial killings. You must investigate murders, rescue those who can be rescued, and unmask the culprit behind it all—or risk being forever shrouded in the fog of doubt. [Atlus USA]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 47
  3. Negative: 0 out of 47
  1. Gamervision
    100
    An outstanding achievement in gaming. There’s no question that this is going to be one of my top games of the year, and any fan of JRPGs should be playing it when it’s released next week.
  2. DarkZero
    100
    Persona 4 is the Playstation 2’s new king of JRPGs and is awesome sending off for the system. Every single man, woman and child who has any interest in the story or has even the tiniest interest in the RPG genre has to check it out.
  3. Wired
    100
    The truly stunning thing about Persona 4 is that it just doesn't have any glaring flaws. Even though it doesn't stand up to the graphics of the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, the clever art style makes up for that. Those who despise reading large blocks of text in games will be pleasantly surprised by the solid voice-over work applied to almost every conversation.
  4. PSM3 Magazine UK
    90
    A triumph. [May 2009, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GameCritics
    90
    Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 is a true gamer's game. Atlus has outdone themselves again and proved that they are at the leading edge of role-playing.
  6. Meristation
    90
    Atlus' latest game for PlayStation 2 is with no doubt a masterpiece for this console. It takes the genre far away from what we're used to seeing nowadays. It's not the best JRPG so far, though, but it has all it takes to become an instant classic. If you're willing to enjoy a never-ending game with a immersive story and a lot of characters to deal with, do not hesitate, this is your best choice.
  7. Play UK
    68
    As a swan song to the PS2 Persona 4 isn’t the highest note and all the bizarre characters, storylines and Personas you unlock can’t change that. But if you don’t mind grinding too much then there is some enjoyment to be had.

See all 47 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 92 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 111
  3. Negative: 7 out of 111
  1. Jripper5
    Feb 5, 2012
    10
    Shin Megami's Persona series exemplified with it's latest iteration. Each character possesses real problems and are for the most part relateShin Megami's Persona series exemplified with it's latest iteration. Each character possesses real problems and are for the most part relate able and enjoyable. There have been many recent spinoff's including manga and anime iterations. It seems that although this game has a more niche appeal than the more mainstream games such as FF have it is still an amazing peice… Expand
  2. Haganeno12
    Dec 14, 2015
    10
    How should is say it...this is really hard to describe the beautiful things and all of the feelings of this game.
    love,Friendship,family,hate    How should is say it...this is really hard to describe the beautiful things and all of the feelings of this game.
    love,Friendship,family,hate and responsibility.
    story is beyond good.even beyond super good.it is something that only persona 4 have it.
    game play. dungeons and battles are as the same as other j r pg games.but,the difference,O M G,the difference is the day time.yes,it is all about Social Links.Awesome and addicted Social Links.making MAX relationship with you friends in this game will become one of the the most HAVE TO things of your own daily life !
    music...wow.just think about an OST even better than two Persona 2 and Persona 3 .it is beyond again.
    in the end,if you still have not play this game,hurry man,hurry and buy it and make your self drown in the sea of Persona 4    … Expand
  4. vodkaffee
    Jan 20, 2020
    10
    probably the best game of the persona series. highly recommended. unlike its predecessor. great music, characters and story
  5. Type4101
    Sep 16, 2013
    10
    One of the best JRPGs ever made. One could make the argument that it is the best ever made. Deep, compelling, and at times even emotionallyOne of the best JRPGs ever made. One could make the argument that it is the best ever made. Deep, compelling, and at times even emotionally moving, Persona 4 captures the best elements of the zany weirdness that exemplifies classic Japanese storytelling. Part RPG, part murder mystery (and a good one!), this game is a must play.… Expand
  6. DarkwingSchmuck
    Mar 5, 2022
    9
    Launching in the West only one year after the release of its masterful predecessor, Persona 4 is every bit more of what you liked aboutLaunching in the West only one year after the release of its masterful predecessor, Persona 4 is every bit more of what you liked about Persona 3 with only minor refinements to A.I., dungeon design, and setting. Persona 4's story is at its best when it's focused on its refreshingly smaller scale M-rated Scooby-Doo-like murder mystery. When it does eventually go bigger with the standard RPG world ending peril, it feels a bit misplaced and off brand with the rest of what the game is going for.

    Still, Persona 4's exceptionally strong characters, themes, style, soundtrack, and gameplay make for a superior RPG experience.    … Expand
  7. SomeGuy7000
    Jan 3, 2018
    9
    Persona 4 really surprised me with how good it was even with it coming out almost a decade ago. Each character in the game has depth withPersona 4 really surprised me with how good it was even with it coming out almost a decade ago. Each character in the game has depth with their own problems as well. The Story was very interesting with the game having you go throughout your everyday life trying to solve a murder mystery. My main problem with this game was the dungeons, they were just boring. Not saying the story bits were boring or the combat its self-was boring either but the actual means of searching through it. Every floor looks the same until you reach the top. Each dungeon had a cool theme but I wish there was more to it. There were also some moments in the game where the bosses felt cheap, like kanjis and the final boss. Which is apart of another problem with the game which is you can't win if you don't grind. Some of the bosses will just straight up one shot you if you aren't a high enough level or if you personas aren't then the battle will be long and drawn out until you lose your sp and die. I'm not against grinding in games at all, but in this, it just felt like you had to do it at every boss and for quite a while too which wouldn't have been as bad if the dungeons were a bit more interesting to go through. Other than the dungeons everything else about this game was great even the almost 10-year-old graphics didn't bother me as much as I expected them to. Long story short, if the game sounds interesting to give it a shot it's like 10-15 dollars on the ps3 store and there's an extended version with persona 4 golden on the vita.… Expand
  8. anthonybobby
    Jul 22, 2021
    0
    The negative people, take your negative asses outta here! I've had it with hate! OUT! OUT!!!

See all 111 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PS2 Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2008