Well, cashing in on a franchise is not really fanservice-- that would mean that every Final Fantasy and Mario game is fanservice. Something that's fanservice is more like, say, bringing a popular-but-dead character back to life in a sequel (Leon in Tales of Destiny 2, Zero in Mega Man X2). We both agree on the main point though, which is all that matters. Right now, I'm just trying to explain what sparked the confusion.

Anyway, the trailer is just... underwhelming.

So I may have miss this up until now but uh Evokers = glasses now? If so...ahahaha!

I really don't know what all the fuss is about. Persona 3 did exceptionally well so they are releasing Persona 4 which looks similar (due to using the same engine). Since Persona 3 did well, why go out of the way to make Persona 4 and risk killing the franchise. Going from Persona 2 to Persona 3 was in itself a pretty big risk to accomplish, hence why not ride on Persona 3's success and have Persona 4 be similar?

Heck, here is a good example of what happens when a franchise is changed just a bit:
Seiken Denetsu= Started out pretty solid and then mutilated with several changes by Square Enix after Seiken Denetsu 3 till Dawn of Mana (instead of boosting up levels, how about the player goes back to lvl 1 yay!)

Seriously, if Persona 3 did so well, why bother changing the format?

Seiken Densetsu sucks because of shoddy design; not because they tried to change anything. Shit, look at the more recent games-- they've been doing the best they can to replicate Secret of Mana in look and feel. The only decent Mana game to've come out lately, Heroes of Mana, is an RTS. So, change has no correlation with quality.

Using a new graphics engine is in no way "risking" the franchise nor is it changing the format, unless they decided to take it in a markedly new direction like a kid's game about learning the alphabet (O is for Orpheus!). I never said I'm surprised that they're going to attempt to run the series into the fucking ground. I just said I'm kind of disappointed.

But why would you be? Were you expecting a sea change from Persona 3 to 4, within just a year or so?

BTW, I think the glasses just lets them see the monsters. I doesn't seem like they're whipping them out, saying a little something, and BAM Persona.

I think the point is they shouldn't have made a game so close to it in the first place. They could have extended development time and made a higher quality product but they chose to release it in rapid succession for sales purposes. (with FES inbetween for good measure...) A good business move obviously, but it *is* disappointing to those who don't fall into the hype of it all.

Glasses aren't the evokers either apparently, it's the cards they carry with them. Someone pointed this out at another forum and after re-watching the trailer I'm inclined to agree with it.

That's fine, since that's your opinion and all. I heard the same thing about Ace Combat Zero rolled around not too long after AC5 using the same engine, and many things were reused. And where does the hype factor into all this? They're obviously in this to make money, Persona 3 did very well apparently, why not bring that same team back and try again?

Personally, I think people were expecting a little too much to come from this title.

I see hype for it everywhere is why I brought that up. That anyone who announces even the slightest disappointment is pretty much crucified on the spot for not orgasming over the prospect of the game. I guess I can't explain well what I'm trying to say here, but basically Persona 3 is still fresh in a lot of people's minds and they are taking advantage of that by offering a game incredibly similar.

I don't have any problem with the same team making the game, nor does it even bother me that they are using the same engine (many games do this, but they at least heavily tweak it in the process); the problem here comes from the fact that the game looks nigh on identical, visual-wise and gameplay-wise. I mean, IDENTICAL; as in you'd think this was just an add-on like Aegis' after-game quest in FES. It *screams* quick cash-in which, of course, disappoints me. :(

I mean, if you look closely at the video Igor sports the same portrait they used in Persona 3. They could have at least re-drawn the guy.

Eh, not really. Aside from that mention a while back to Bloomberg Japan that first revealed the title and this, the game hasn't had much hype. Your view of anyone being excited to see another title similar to one they enjoyed is a bit odd. Crucified? Jesus Christ, you're making them sound like they're zealots.

While I can understand why this would rub people the wrong way, but why not? Persona 3 did reasonably well critically, why not try to deliver a similar experience with another theme?

Again, what were you honestly expecting if you understood that it's for the PS2 and:

You get this much but then:

AC0 fits in well with this. It looks and feels just like AC5, and if you wanted to put a negative spin on it you could could say it might as well be an AC5 add-on. I STILL don't see the problem. Especially since they're in this to make money, and I can see why Namco and Atlus did what they did.

However, if a third game rolls around and after two years (or more) of development it's little more than the last game with a graphics improvement, then you'd have a damn good reason to be upset.

Haha, you're right. ;)

I really enjoyed the look of P3, so seeing another take on the same style doesn't bother me at all. What I'm afraid of is everything that could have used some improvement in the last one remaining static. Not necessarily carrying over, just no steps shown towards improvement. Ally ai will probably still be flimsy. No depth added to social links. Arbitrary barriers in the dungeon that associate to in game time and events. Repetitive goals. Bloated playtime that has too little happening in too long a span of time.

Despite the above, I really did enjoy P3, swear to god, but I found it far from perfect and more like a good start. Touched on an idea that could be done better with a magnificent result. And I know we know hardly anything about the game still, but it's just a hunch that these things will be largely left alone.

Another point that makes me a bit trepidacious is that I probably powered through P3 almost more for the particular charm of that title's style, setting, cast and the interaction between them. Whether or not that can be recaptured or done to equal effect, I'm weary on. I already like less the whole pumpkin orange color theme and in general what's been shown so far looks less vibrant in many respects.

Because as the lead designer of Persona 4, you have a vision of your game that you want to achieve, rather than merely trying to appeal to people who liked Persona 3 (and at least in the case of Generic Badass, failing to do so because of that).

Well, yeah, but that doesn't really mean it's a good idea in every case. I mean, everyone in the games industry is always in it to make money, but to what extend a company is willing to sacrifice creative integrity over potential profits differs hugely per company and even per project. A lot of people probably would've bought Ico 2, but Sony made Shadow of the Colossus instead.

I don't mind reusing the graphics engine really (hell, one of my all time favorite RPG series is .hack//), but like Qwarky I'm worried that they're too content to rest on the success of P3, and won't improve the gameplay in areas that it needs improving. I'm not even gonna think about the next next game at this point.

Then again, the multiple endings is a good sign, so I may be jumping to conclusions. Either way, we won't know until the game comes out.

And if the director's vision is to use a similar approach and set of tools to present a different scenario and cast? In this case they seem to have done both, which is a win/win situation for both the dev team's creative pursuits and the consumer's demand for more P3-like gameplay.

I already addressed this, and it seems like some folks simply have a lower tolerance to milking (or perceived milking). I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and wait and see if they photocopy P3 again for the next entry.

Have they shown any reason to cause you to worry about this? Beyond using reusing assets, of course.

Agreed. Though, I just have to mention that Persona 3 had multiple endings (in that it had more than one), heh.

Yeah, I'm not gonna draw any such conclusions myself until I've at least seen more of the game. I'm just saying that catering to the crowd you have gathered (or like you say, seeming to do so) isn't always effective.

And hell, if it's an "encore" game it might still be fantastic. I'll still buy it.

I don't think Qwarky has posted in this thread yet...

Persona 4 looks great. Persona 3 is my favourite modern RPG, not because of the story, characters or gameplay as such, but rather due to the overall mood, and it seems that Persona 4 will retain that. And the Japanese small-town setting is exactly what the game needs. It looks like Shenmue I. Great by that association alone.

http://i32.tinypic.com/a3egt4.jpg

In conclusion: Game of the Year 2009.

It was you! :B

I caved and checked out part of that video, mostly to listen to the music... I was curious if they changed the music to reflect the smaller town. I'm not sure what I think of the music, it sounds really similar, and I really associate that sound with a big city, it's really urban. I'm hoping that a couple tracks give a more "country" feel, maybe with some guitar or more analog drums or so... Anyway, watching that video made me kinda hyped for P4 as well, haha. BRING IT ON!

To make this post a bit less of a senseless rant, here's the first fanart that I found of P4, I really like it:

Hmmm... The game has caught my attention. Looks like there are 3 more characters whose names they haven't released yet. The singer girl, the guy with the skull on his shirt and the kid with the hat. I wonder if there would also be an animal (O.o). Oh wait I think its the panda/bear thing. The new characters are shown in this movie
I think the movie can be downloaded at the p4 site but..My download wouldn't start.

About Igor..I think his picture is almost the same as his pic in Persona 2 (except for the irises). I am sad though that the rest of the Velvet Room people are absent. I distinctly remember Belladona. Now it not even a Velvet Room..its more of a Velvet Limo lol.

Here is more on the guy with the skull on his shirt for those who are curious:
Name: Tatsumi Kanji
Persona: Takemikatzuki (personally I like the design)

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/919...8368352yd6.jpg
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/248...8439563wt9.jpg

Why hello there.



Secret: It is a very large jpeg.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7...lolololks6.png

July 10th, eh? So we'll probably be seeing this sometime next year then if we're lucky! Honestly, I still think it is too early to get another persona game. They should wait at least another year or two and put it on the PS3.

But then it would probably go to the route of how Disgaea 3 was in a way. People shunning it because of the graphical aspect behind it.

I applaud NIS for using 2D graphics and sprites on the PS3. We don't need every game to look like a next gen first person shooter or Metal Gear Solid 4.

On one hand, I'm glad that they are announcing a new Persona game, but on the other hand I'm a bit worried. The time between 2 and 3 (and Fes) was long enough to create something fresh and original, instead of just making a few changes to the second game, and with the release of yet another game, I fear that some of the creativity and originality will be lost, just to be able to ride on the success of the third game.

Two years from one full version to the next. You have to keep in mind that Japan's had the game for a good spell by the time folks abroad picked it up. A game doesn't need to stew for more thantwo years to evade concerns about lack of creativity/milking/etc..

WOW super awesome... why haven't I heard about this???? Grrrr and I thought I was up to date with RPGs >....<

Similar art and setting (love it) - hmmm is there any indication whether a North American release is underway or considered?