Persona 4 Golden

It’s worth it as it is the best game on the system – Persona 4: Golden is a must play, even for fans who have already previously completed the game.

Persona 4 Golden isn’t just one of the best games on the Vita to date… Actually scratch that. It is THE best game on the Vita and it is one of the finest games you will ever play. It is a lesson in craftsmanship, there is no weakness at all, at no point is there a moment where your interest falls away. Persona 4 Golden is a system seller, you must own this, even if you need to still buy a Vita to do so.

How do you improve something that's already close to perfection? With surgical precision would be the response from Atlus. Persona 4: The Golden adds a few new story lines and characters while still maintaining the charm and balance of the original PlayStation 2 release. Easily one of the finest role-playing games of any hardware generation.

It's not everyday that a remake of a game goes so far above and beyond the original to make it a must-play game in two separate generation, but today is that day. Truly, this is the RPG for people who don't care for RPG's.

A great story, genuine humor and excellent combat, Persona 4 Golden is the complete package. There is no reason why this game shouldn't be part of your Vita's library.

Persona 4 Golden really is the complete package. It has an amazing story, charming characters, intense combat, and huge amounts of gameplay. Indeed, you'll be hard pressed to find an RPG as polished and well designed as this one – and whether you're new to the genre or an expert in the field, this is the very definition of a must play.

It's the tightest, best-written, and most must-play game Atlus has ever created. Persona 4 started as a strong, singular RPG; with Persona 4 Golden, it is a masterpiece.

In nearly everything that Atlus has tried to accomplish in breathing new life into their much-beloved PS2 RPG Persona 4, they've accomplished masterfully on the Vita in Persona 4 Golden-and if there's ever to be a Japanese RPG that can convince you of what the genre can be in its finest hours, it'll be this one.

This is a massive game, even on the first playthrough, and it warrants multiples since there are so many different social links to explore, side-quests to do, and even multiple endings to see.

So if you've had the pleasure of playing the game previously, rest assured you'll have an equally hard time putting it down on the Vita, much like the original on PS2. And for new players, I envy the ability to go into this game fresh again, because it's really one of the best RPG experiences of the past two console generations. For either or, previous Persona 4 players or newcomers, this is one Vita game that can't be missed.

Persona continues to be one of the best RPG franchises around.

Needless to say, Persona 4 Golden is a must buy for Vita owners. Large amounts of gameplay are wrapped in the shroud of an incredibly deep story. It touches on death, murder, other dimensions, moral ambiguity, suicide, celebrities, media exploits and even corporate greed via major department stores; this game has it all. I feel that Persona 4 Golden is a very fitting title; this game truly is golden.

For gamers curious about the franchise and looking for a way in, Persona 4 Golden is easily the best place to start, as it's the best looking and playing Persona game yet. And if you don't have a Vita yet, this is probably the best reason yet to get one.

The young Persona 4 hero thought he would spend a peaceful year, far from his parents, when he was transferred to that small Japanese town... But murders, spirits, mysteries and RPG are never far away when Atlus decides to make a new Persona game. Persona 4 The Golden is undoubtedly the most exciting and baroque adventure on PS Vita, fully packed with brilliant ideas that will let you experience a totally awesome school year.

Except for the language (as long as you don't speak English), we can't really find anything negative about it. It's one of the best RGPs we've ever played, and it'll make worth it every penny you've spent on the handheld.

A beautiful and content-rich bundle of joy for Vita owners looking to dust off their woefully undersupported handhelds. The subtle incorporation of new characters, scenarios, and even online connectivity takes full advantage of the new hardware without compromising content or story quality.

Atlus has taken a four-year-old game and reinvigorated it in every conceivable area.

Persona 4 Golden has easily justified the purchase of the Vita. It may be a rerelease of a game from 2008, but with the amount of additional content thrown in, it feels like a fresh new game.

At its core Persona 4: Golden seems little more than an adult version of Pokémon. The Persona you collect, are all based on myths, legends, religion or superstitious beliefs. No cute Squirtle or Piplup by your side, but cool looking creatures like Ares, Phoenix or Saturnus. [February 2013, p.84]

With a well written story, relatable characters and a mystery that draws you in, Personal 4 Golden is definitely the game the PS Vita needed!

Persona 4 Golden is the best PS Vita title so far. Period. One of the champions of this genre lands on Sony's portable system with new content, improved graphics and new Personas and Social Link. We can't honestly ask for more.

It is by far the best game we've seen on PSVita. As as enhanced edition of Persona 4, 'Golden' works perfectly as both an introduction to new gamers and a demanding adventure for advanced ones. Offering a handful of new additions to the franchise's core, it's a must-have for any Vita owner that's willing to expend more than 100h with a fantastic JRPG.

With so much content in such a tiny package, P4G will keep me occupied for months trying to nail down every possible ending and effectively complete the game to a 100%.

This marvelous port of a JRPG classic feels more like a director's cut; the definitive version of a thrilling journey equal parts charming and challenging.

One of the best RPGs around, with great characterisation, a gripping story and smart combat mechanics that greatly improve on the formula found in past Persona games. [Issue#228, p.78]

Persona 4: Golden is just a bigger, better and deeper version of one of the best jRPG of all times and a true killer application for PlayStation Vita.

Gorgeous port of a PS2 classic that's packed with new features, making it stronger than ever. [March 2013, p.82]

This lengthy, unique, and upbeat JRPG is absolutely worth the many dozens of hours your inevitably sink into it, making it an essential addition to the Vita's repertoire.

Atlus has done such a good job with this version of Persona 4 that it truly deserves the "Golden" moniker. While I enjoyed the original PS2 version, the Vita version has so much added to it that it enhances the experience. It's amazing how good the game looks on a portable.

Golden is technically the fifth iteration of a formula established with Persona 3 but it feels just as appealing and engaging now as it did four years ago. No one else (literally) is making games like this and if you've somehow avoided a modern day Persona title you owe it to yourself to give Golden a shot. It's sweet icing on a delicious cake.

Persona 4: Golden is amazing. The story is great, combat system endlessly interesting, characters are all well done, there's tons to do and it's received some improvements regarding the original. It's also pretty accessible for a JRPG. It might be fantastic, but it never gets ridiculous. Do yourself a favor and pick this game up.

While the game doesn't do much of note besides bringing the 2008 title to the HD era, it doesn't need to. The story hooks you, dungeon crawling makes for a great time, and exploring your relationships while building a better army is the kind of tinkering you can get lose hours to.

Persona 4 Golden manages to make a classic JRPG even better. A definite buy for any Vita owners, and actually a good enough reason to justify the purchase of Sony's struggling handheld. [Apr 2013]

If you’ve been thinking about dipping your toes into the JRPG scene, you absolutely must put this at the top of your list.

Atlus goes the extra mile with an exceptional remake that is full of new features. Persona 4 Golden will captivate you from the very beginning, offering not only a very addictive experience, but also a very entertaining one, with the perfect combination of role-playing and social simulation. Both aspects coexist in perfect harmony, making this game one of Vita's must have titles.

A PS Vita "rebuild edition" of one of the most excellent and beloved JRPG from the PS2 era. One of the best titles developed for the console.

Persona 4 Golden is part detective novel, part teenage simulation and part asian RPG – all being important pieces which combine to create some of the most memorable and entertaining moments I’ve ever had with a JRPG.

A little gem that will reward you with many hours of fun.

Refreshingly different. [March 2013, p.108]

One of the last years best RPG just got even better. This is the one game for the format that you really can't afford to miss.

Persona 4 Golden is full of surprises. Perhaps the biggest is that a console JRPG is so well suited to portable play, and that a four-year-old PS2 game is, by some distance, Vita’s best game to date.

The long awaited porting of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 is finally available in Europe on PlayStation Vita, with new content and gameplay additions. Persona 4 Golden improves every aspect of the original game and offers an intense and rewarding game experience. A must-buy for Vita owners and one of the best Japanese RPGs ever.

After four years Persona 4 is back in a well packed edition, which gives credit to the original game and is well suited to the hardware of the Playstation Vita.

Persona 4: Golden is the perfect example of a well-done remake. Atlus expanded the already awesome original experience, enhancing the graphics and adding high quality extra contents. This is one of the most interesting PlayStation Vita games.

True, it can be exasperating and tedious, but it can also be touching and insightful and supremely gratifying. [March 2013, p.78]

Broadly speaking, this is the same game we've played before on PS2, but the addition of fresh personae and social links, and the sheer range of activities available at any one time did much to dissipate our expected fatigue.

A lack of real Vita innovation lets it down somewhat, but that aside this is a perfect pocket-sized JRPG that'll keep you gripped to the screen until your eyes turn square. A must-have for any Persona fan.

This is not a perfect game, and it never has been, but Persona 4 has always been our favourite Japanese role-player and this is the definitive version of it.

Thematically, too, Persona 4 has real impact. Ostensibly, this is a game about being a teenager living in extraordinary circumstances - but beneath the murder-mystery premise, it's easier to relate to than that. It's a game about negotiating the murky waters of adolescence, rolling with the hurtful buffeting of pubescent relationships, grappling with self-image, peer pressure and modern life's demand that we all grow up quicker than our parents did.

It never ceases to amaze how Atlus manages to make Japanese games that lose none of their appeal in their translation to the West. Even though this is totally banking on it's Nippon slice of life approach, its no less compatible with western audiences than any other RPG. This is an approachable and sympathetic cast of characters going through relatable hardships – you don't need to be an anime fan to get that. In light of the Vita's situation you might not want a reason to get one of Sony's struggling portables. Now you have one nevertheless.

A wealth of new content and gameplay additions make a modern role-playing classic better than ever in Persona 4 Golden.

Persona 4: Golden proves as endearing, powerful, and emotionally charged as it did in 2008, but with a host of new features and newcomer crutches, the experience can't be beat. Despite a few small hiccups, including the odd one-hit kill from an unassuming shadow, Golden manages to yank at your heart and delight in even servings. There's no better game for your Vita this holiday season.

Persona 4 Golden sports a phenomenal amount of content packed into a single card. One of the PlayStation 2's greatest role-playing games of all time graces the Vita with slick, vivid aesthetic improvements, loads of additional areas to explore, and tons of reasons to come back even if you've beaten the game into the ground.

Persona 4 Golden is a fantastic modernized expansion of a brilliant RPG that many will have missed simply because it released out of sync with its original console generation.

This is a beautiful monster of a game. It is as sad as it is remarkable that this PS2-classic might be the best thing happening to Vita users for the whole year.

Persona 4 Golden's greatest strength is that everything fits together seamlessly, from the connected battle and social aspects to the fresh changes. Newcomers are sure to find plenty to love, while series veterans can revisit fond memories and experience new content. This game still remains one of the best RPG to date; don't miss out on your second chance to experience it.

Persona 4 Golden is a Tardis of a game. Initially, it seems cute and friendly and it hooks you with its murder mystery and time management focus. Once you get inside, it opens up exponentially, awing you with its scope. [March 2013, p76]

It's a shame the graphics didn't receive an upgrade and we don't understand why the Japanese voices aren't included, but other than that this port of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 is a great PlayStation Vita title. The game still has lots of features and possibilities, and is covered with a tasteful layer of JRPG influences.

While technically sound, even with its enhancements Persona 4 Golden is still a port of a PS2 game. There was only so much the system can do, so if you're expecting something that will utilize the potential of the Vita, you won't find that here.