[PS2] Fursona 4

hum.. isnt that jump fiesta thingy tomorrow? i know its the 20something.. maybe we will hear something then.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Jump Festa is primarily an anime and manga convention. Square-Enix is usually the only game company with any significant presence to speak of.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Double-posting to show scans and info.

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The game takes place in the countryside with a new emphasis on the weather (rather than stages of the lunar cycle), where murders begin to happen whenever fog rolls in. The game's theme, subsequently, is mystery suspense. They've promised a lot of plot twists and the like, along with multiple endings (yay!). The game is supposed to be about 1.5 times bigger than Persona 3 and will supposedly boast something like 60 hours. Trailer should be up at some point.

Looks promising, but I want confirmation that the game doesn't cop out and give me the samey-dungeon bullshit. I like the small town feel of the screens so far.

EDIT: Oh yeah, Japan gets it in July.

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I'm really happy to hear that they're not doing a "straight" P3 sequel. I haven't finished P3 yet by any means (and I love it to bits), but I almost can't imagine playing another entire game with these main characters, and I don't know how willing I'd be to accept just that main guy in a new setting either.

I like the concept of weather/fog, sounds interesting and a little less predictable than the lunar cycle. Multiple endings are always awesome, too. It does look really, really similar to P3, but I'm not sure if that's a bad thing really. I think it's kinda like a tribute to the fans, you know? Like... "Hey you guys seemed to really liked this game, so we made another one just like it for you". Kinda like FES really, fanservice of sorts.

Plus, it's not unlikely that they've already started work on a next-gen Persona game. I'm just gonna look forward to this game (and play P3 more so I'll finish it in time for this to be translated--though I suppose it'll be a while).

Hopefully Atlus will include the Japanese voices, like with Odin Sphere. Maybe there's not enough space for them I guess... But it would be awesome.

I was speaking idiomatically.

The graphics are less about fanservice and more about Atlus wanting cheaper development costs.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Reusing the same engine is never about fanservice, it's always about cutting corners. The game will probably be good anyway, but Persona 3 wasn't exactly scoring "wow" points with it's visuals in the first place so I'm not expecting much out of 4 now either. (after seeing that it's using the exact same engine.)

Oh well, as long as it has a good cast of characters and a decent storyline I guess that's all that really matters.

FELIPE NO

I thought Persona 3 looked really good visually - especially being on the PS2 with half the game basing itself on forming social bonds with other people.

So, even with Persona 4 using the same engine, looking at the screens, it actually looks quite a bit better visually.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Maybe I'm just not seeing it, but how did the social aspect of Persona 3 improve the graphical quality?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Generic Badass

The graphics are less about fanservice and more about Atlus wanting cheaper development costs.

Well, I suppose you're right, but the engine is already there. Making another engine for the PS2 seems like a colossal waste of effort to me.

Anyway, when I said fanservice I meant more along the lines of their using the exact same art style and gameplay elements. I am actually hoping to see some changes for an eventual next-gen title, but for now, I don't mind this. Maybe I'm over-rationalizing it, but eh.

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The reason it's still on the PS2 is because they were going to use the same engine; not the other way around. It would not have been a colossal waste of time to start from scratch on a current console.

As for the gameplay elements, I'd still say it's not much for fanservice. Shin Megami Tensei games always revolve around some sort of cycle-- usually lunar, but weather patterns are certainly not an absurd change.

The art style is probably similar because of Persona 3's overwhelming popularity, yes.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Well the visual style is the same for sure. Looks like its going to be what I expected, a tweaked P3 which is fine by me. I'm holding out for some soundtrack info as I really hope the P3 style for that returns as well.

FYI it's not surprising this isn't coming for the PS3. Atlus has only recently applied for a PS3 development and publishing license at about the same time Sony slashed the PS3 SDK cost in half.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I'm not necessarily talking about PS3 when I say "current consoles."

In any case, Shoji Meguro is back for the Persona 4 soundtrack, so. It'll likely have the same vibe to it.

How ya doing, buddy?

I think target demographic would be in effect when speaking of any other console. Software sales aren't exactly slouching on the PS2 either even this late into its life cycle.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Cetra

I think target demographic would be in effect when speaking of any other console.

Yes, that's my thought on it, seeing as genres aren't categorized by consoles like they were in the previous generation.

How ya doing, buddy?

Well that and it's easier if you don't have to sell your previous fans to a new piece of hardware. As already said its pretty obvious this is mostly a quick action to cash in on the success P3 generated. I just hope Atlus doesn't run into licensing issues with SCEA as their recent policy as been to focus on improving the PS3 market.

Doesn't mean the game can't be fantastic though. I just hope the choices in the social interactions have more of an impact on the main storyline this time. The comment about multiple endings has me somewhat hopeful on this.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Generic Badass

The game takes place in the countryside with a new emphasis on the weather (rather than stages of the lunar cycle), where murders begin to happen whenever fog rolls in. The game's theme, subsequently, is mystery suspense. They've promised a lot of plot twists and the like, along with multiple endings (yay!).

That makes me think of Higurashi though with out the little girls.

The persona of the guy with the headphones look like if you mix Kamen Rider with Mickey Mouse and a disco suit. Not that I'm complaining as I love long red scarves.

I still haven't finished P3 but I do hope that they put all they want in it so we don't go through another FES fiasco over whether it gets localized or not.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Why fix something that is not broke? Persona 3's Engine was just fine so no reason to waste time to work on another one. (Heck it happened with Nocturne and Digital Devil Saga). I am very excited that it is happening so soon, wonder what the SMT Team has after this one.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Generic Badass

Looks promising, but I want confirmation that the game doesn't cop out and give me the samey-dungeon bullshit. I like the small town feel of the screens so far.

Seriously. I loved Persona 3, but did they really have to make it the fucking gigantic dungeon crawl that it was? With a little more variety, it really could have been one of my favorite JRPG's ever.

I'm excited to see how they handle Persona 4. I am supposing they'll most likely just make it into another huge dungeon crawl, but I certainly hope that's not the route they decide to take. Heres to hoping for something different.

Bah, who am I kidding? I'll buy it either way.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Jinn

Seriously. I loved Persona 3, but did they really have to make it the fucking gigantic dungeon crawl that it was? With a little more variety, it really could have been one of my favorite JRPG's ever.

On the other hand, some of us kinda like dungeon-crawler type games. There are enough RPGs out there which are all about different areas, variety, exploration... is it so wrong that there's more than one type of RPG?

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Not at all. I just think if they were going to do it in Persona 3, they could have done a little better than a 150 floor tower OF DOOM with background changes every 50 levels.

I like dungeon crawls and all, but the whole tower thing is played out. That's simply my opinion, though. Like I said, I loved Persona 3. I just got tired of climbing through those generic levels upon levels.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Nicovideo's got a 17 minute long video of Persona 4 up. Unfortunately, it requires you to sign up, but some clown on /v/ has concocted a reliable guide that yours truly in easily. I forgot to mention, there's megaspoilers for those who will be going with a complete media blackout for this game.
Here's the video

Ah, someone put the video up on youtube.

And here's the guide:

Registration guide for Nicovideo:

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

The only thing about Tartarus that really bothers me is the inability to go onto higher levels until the game is ready for you. I do hope there's one huge dungeon again, I actually really like that in games. But I agree that a bit more variation within that dungeon would be nice.

I just realized that my P3 save (which is like two-thirds of the way in) is already clocking 65 hours of gameplay. Granted, some of that is cause I just leave the game on because save points are kind of far between, but it makes me wonder how long this supposed "60 hours of gameplay" really is when I get to play it...

Quote:

As already said its pretty obvious this is mostly a quick action to cash in on the success P3 generated.

Yeah, this is what I meant by "fanservice".

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That's not what fanservice means. It's, quite literally, a service to fans. What they're doing here is serving themselves (no, I'm not calling it reprehensible).

Enthusiasm sapped. The game looks and is doing things exactly like Persona 3. Should have just made it Persona (3): Insert Subtitle.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I consider this servicing--very specifically--the fans of Persona 3. Fanservice by its nature is intended to sell whatever it is that is serving the fans (well, unless it's a freebie I guess). This, as opposed to a "bold, creative vision" or whatever, which this isn't (I guess, I didn't watch the video for fear of spoilers). You are free to call it self-service if you prefer, I mean, we're basically agreeing about what this is. Just not using the same word for it, apparently.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Woah, Persona 4 already? I still have to get FES and go through that first

Still, awesome to see the PS2 is going to be supported for a while longer with titles
like these

There's nowhere I can't reach.