System: PS2
Dev: Atlus Co.
Pub: Atlus Co.
Release: Aug. 14, 2007
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Mature
Review by Justin Conte

---

Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

A large majority of the game's text is voiced over, and quite well. The voices really match the characters, helping breathe life into those around you. The soundtrack itself is the game's crowning achievement. Every single tune is a joy to listen to. I found myself turning the title on and getting into a random battle, just to leave it there and listen to the amazing score. Never has a game been able to make me enjoy rap and hip-hop, but Persona 3 has done it. Better still, every initial run copy comes with both an art book and a soundtrack cd (which promptly found its way into my car). Not since Chrono Trigger has a soundtrack gotten me so pumped for a game.

The game is a lot more difficult than your standard RPG fare, especially since you aren't given the ability to power level indefinitely. Instead you have to pick and choose what areas to develop and how to use the time provided to you. This may turn off some players, particularly completionists who may find it distressing how near-impossible it is to do everything. For those of us who enjoy value from our games however, there's tons of replay value to be had here, discovering what happens as you develop the social links you missed out on before, seeing parts of the story that went entirely unnoticed.

If players can get through the first hour or so of tedium where there is very little player interaction, Atlus has provided another stunning RPG experience. It isn't without its faults, and more time to develop some other social links would have been great, but with the amount of content provided, it weighs in at well over 60 hours on your first time through. If you enjoy turn-based gameplay, there's no reason for you not to own this value-packed game.

By Justin Conte
CCC Freelance Writer

Features: