Publisher: Atlus JP/NA, EU: Sega
Developer: P-Studio Platform: 3DS
Genre: Dungeon Crawler, Role-playing game
Price: $39.99
Release date: June 4th 2019
Killer soundtracks and dance moves trance across this game’s now iconic setting as Persona, at least on the 3DS, concludes its long run with the JRPG juggernaut handheld from Nintendo. Lately, often has Atlus published a few extra games themed off of the third installment all the way up to recent releases of Persona. Telling us they want to bench the fandom's wallets a bit more per original game is concerned, usually in creative ways. This time— borrowing from its elder sub-series brother Strange Journey— Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth adapts itself from the idea to a very fun dungeon crawling experience. Which seems to be a calling card from Shin Megami Tensei's cart on the SNES(Super Famicom). Oh yes, this is not a new thing for the series. Just working off of the idea overall which is usually good. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is the vibe of more of a fusion of Persona 5, and if you need a more current game Strange Journey or Legend of Grimrock. But with random encounters(which is usually hinted when you are close to being attacked by an enemy) by a counter which glows from gray to red when this happens. More on that after.
The pilot is more or less a long thread of fan service to fans of the series from the third game until now. Including the PSP version of three— Persona 3 Portable— I will not be disclosing too many spoilers within the article. So do not worry. The plot takes place in a unknown box office, after the Phantom Thieves ride in from a big screen on to a area that reflects a Cinema, they notice their powers disappear as like in the real world. They notice their trip to Mementos turns weird quickly, then find themselves inside of a movie, with a old nemesis. The plot mostly follows the Persona 5 group members. With some additions. The playful nature of everyone, and their sarcasm and teenage angst comes in a lesser darker, toned down plot with more of a more cartoon vibe from it. Giving me a comic book vibe, a little bit manga tossed in for giggles. As most modern JRPGs it gives us story in style of a visual novel. Personally I felt the story from start to finish was a mixture of run on, and pleasantly charming the whole way through. Like sometimes bits were a little long in the tooth. Then the tongue and cheek comments you can say to other characters like Ann, and the many more featured in the game.
Gameplay is in first person mode. For the mode part. With some good dungeon crawler elements, and the combat of games like Shining in the Darkness, and the original Shin Megami Tensei. I enjoy the fact that you get a nice spread of characters to choose from off the bat. Each a little bit different from one another. Without knowing the series, you would need to glance over the skills each character have to pin point their roles. You do get mention to their sort of class within their respective classes. Which since the last time I played a Persona game in general. I had to relearn a few aspects, which off the bad everything is presented pretty well and references almost everything. You get a well done introduction, which helps you understand and get through the games complex spell system. The Persona mix and match system returns. You can take compatible monsters, then make ether more powerful ones, or ones to suit you. A lot of the older monsters or personas make a return, with some alterations in their own way got a overhaul. As well as “toned down” with the art style of the game. The art style is one of the more laid back version. You can take 1/3 skills from previous Personas. I found it awesome to be able to swap skills I wanted to stack along each Persona. Whatever your play style is, it sticks to what you prefer in your monsters.
In closing, the game itself is well made, the usual suspects for its RPG nature. And the story itself is unique in terms of setting, giving it a better refreshing plot. The combat itself is standard, what dives the experience home is its story, then the experiences of crossover conversations. If you want take another step with Joker and the gang, this is a worthwhile conclusions with the 3DS with the Persona series. Its more for the die hard fans, but does welcome newer players into it. Its worth a look if your a fan of anime based jrpgs for sure.
Recommended - A great send off for the Persona series for 3DS. With colorful characters, the game gives you wild sub-stories. Plus the soundtrack is amazing!
Get it here: Nintendo, Amazon,
