[[image:nn_090224_persona_01.jpg:A colorful cast of interesting characters. Not pictured -- your blank cipher.:right:0]]The Shin Megami Tensei franchise got off to a rocky, late start in here in the States, but with each release since 2003′s Nocturne, its cult reputation seems to grow closer to its star status in Japan. That’s why so many are overjoyed (if unsurprised, given how good they are about these things) that Atlus USA is definitely localizing the PSP version of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona, which actually marked the beginning of Megaten’s bizarre naturalization when it appeared on the PlayStation as Revelations: Persona.
In 1996, Sony’s “mature” image made the series’ occult imagery passable for the first time in the States, but Atlus was evidently still uncomfortable releasing a game that clearly took place in mysterious, foreign Nippon. (The fact that RPGs were comparatively niche prior to Final Fantasy VII probably helped stay their hand, as well.) You might think a story about a rag-tag group of youths wading through a demonic outbreak would be pretty universal, but they weren’t satisfied until nearly every playable character was altered for lighter hair and chalk-white skin, just like Brad and Mary down the block. (Except for the Scrappy-Doo of the gang, who was made black — which might qualify as a hate crime.) Aside from aesthetics, the so-called “Snow Queen quest,” a game-length sequence entirely divergent from the main story, was also hacked out in order to make a deadline.
For the PSP, not only will a new localization recant the original’s patronizing xenophobia (“Pay no attention to the singing Japanese man behind the curtain”), but the Snow Queen quest will be accessible to Western players for the first time. The general gameplay seems to be enhanced to make it friendlier by recent RPG standards — and really, it’s all new to the legions of fans who didn’t get into Megaten until it really took off (and Revelations was ancient history). So while it’s typical to moan that ports and remakes stagnate the industry, the second coming of Persona is a fortunate exception.
This is where, as a public service, I feel compelled to point out that if you loved Persona 3, you’re… probably not going to enjoy Persona 1 at all. No social links, no compendium, no funky soundtrack (or music at all in disturbingly many parts of the game), just wandering random looking first person empty dungeons.
Actually, I thought I heard a new soundtrack was being put in or at least Shoji Meguro was going to arrange it, either way it’s possible for those empty spaces to be filled! Admittedly I’m more interested in the game rebalancing, I never did get far in my old copy.
just wandering random looking first person empty dungeons.
Then it’ll appeal to people who enjoy Etrian Odyssey…who themselves are likely to enjoy Persona 3, due to the Atlus Connection.
Checkmate, my friend.
I like the demon negotiating, but I heard there isn’t any of that in P3.
Do a lot of people believe that ports and remakes stagnate the industry? I was under the impression they were keeping it afloat.
This website is threatening to become all MegaTen, all the time.
Do a lot of people believe that ports and remakes stagnate the industry? I was under the impression they were keeping it afloat.
Its definitely the only thing keeping the Portstation Portable afloat.
“and really, it’s all new to the legions of fans who didn’t get into Megaten until it really took off”
The only all new experience to the legions of fans will be playing a crappy Persona game. SMT: Persona was made before Atlus got their act together with the series with just about everything. Unless the game was given an overhaul, it is a very boring and occasionally frustrating RPG that plays like Nocture with an obnoxious encounter rate. You can’t make personas without recruiting enemies through that annoying negotation game where they usually take your stuff before rejecting you (just like in relationships IRL). Besides, there’s a point about 3/4 through the game that determines if you get the good end or the bad end and its very easy to miss if you’re not aware of it and read a FAQ before hand. Finding that out was like the biggest F-you ever, Persona is a very sado-masochistic RPG missing almost all of what made Persona 3 and 4 so enjoyable; keep in mind this is a game that is over 10 years old and it hasn’t aged particuarly well.
through that annoying negotation game where they usually take your stuff before rejecting you
That’s not how the negotiation works in Persona 1.
Googleshng: actually, Persona 1 had an awesome soundtrack. Maybe you haven’t played the game in a while – I can’t blame you for that – but you might look for the soundtrack somewhere.
“That’s not how the negotiation works in Persona 1.”
I’m prolly getting the system confused with how Nocturne handled it (been a long time since P1), but it does feature a negotiation system and you do have to talk to enemies to recruit them (in pog form) and merge them to make persona in the velvet room and it is a pain in the butt considering talking with enemies is a guessing game that can backfire.
Its one of the features I was glad to see go in Persona 3.
Really? I think the negotiation systems were the best part of the SMT series and I’ve been increasingly disappointed with their continued absence. And P1′s negotiation system is probably the most user friendly in the series because you have multiple ways of contacting a demon and it even displays how well you’re doing with them. Max out their interest and you’re getting a card or an item, depending on what you ask for.
Do a lot of people believe that ports and remakes stagnate the industry? I was under the impression they were keeping it afloat.
It’s one of them two-edged swords, like.
“This website is threatening to become all MegaTen, all the time.”
Make it so =)
This news just made me incredibly happy.
The music in Persona 1 is fantastic. It can be odd and unsettling, but your city has been taken over by demons, so that’s fair! Also, unlike Persona 3, P1′s soundtrack has more than five songs and very few of them (none I think) have waja engrish rapping.