After years of tolerating the same medieval fantasy settings in countless role-playing video games, 2007’s Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 was the one that made me love the genre all over again.  For once, it was good to play through an adventure in a realistic setting, even if it was an unfamiliar location such as modern-day Japan.
 
Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 places its unnamed protagonist into a contemporary world where a murder mystery unfolds. 
 
After the hero arrives in Inaba to live with his uncle, a series of murders happens.  Soon after, a strange television station called the “Midnight Channel” begins its late night broadcasts. 
 
By watching the station, the hero and his classmates are able to visit the world of the “Midnight Channel” and search for the suspect.  The characters battle shadows using their powerful alter-egos called Personas in randomly-generated dungeons.
 
As in the previous installment, the protagonist must develop strong friendships with his classmates during the day that affect his battle prowess.  By mastering social links with other non-player characters, he is able to strengthen his Personas’ abilities for use in combat.
 
From its Persona fusion system to its real-time weather system, the game is incredibly deep.
 
Persona 4’s art direction, however, is the feature that makes the game stand out.  Shigenori Soejima’s striking character designs include quirky high school students, mythological creatures and a giant stuffed bear that make this one worth a look.
 
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 is available for the PlayStation 2 for $39.99 MSRP.

WEB | http://www.atlus.com/persona4