Persona 4 Golden released this February on PS Vita - New screenshots

Persona 4 Golden 

A rumor has been spreading through the high school of a rural town: staring into the darkened screen of a powered-off television on a rainy night will reveal your one true love. But investigating this rumor uncovers a dark truth, and leads to an adventure through the strange world waiting on the other side of the TV screen…

Persona 2: Innocent Sin video game to be released in the west - PSP

Ghostlight will be releasing Persona 2: Innocent Sin the latest game in Atlus’ fantastic Persona series to come to the PlayStation Portable throughout the PAL region.

Official Shin Megami Tensei Persona website for PSP

Atlus gave fans yet another place to waste time on the net by launching the official website for Shin Megami Tensei: Persona for PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, www.atlus.com/persona.

The website launches with special wallpapers and banners that fans can post to their social networking profiles, blogs and forum signatures. Also featured are 2 samples of the bonus CD soundtrack included in each and every launch copy of the game (while supplies last, at participating retailers) as a part of the Atlus Spoils program. Coming soon to the website, fans will get a peek at the characters, gameplay, and story of this first chapter in the critically-acclaimed RPG series.

Completely remastered for PSP system, SMT: Persona boasts a fully redone localization (including content never before seen in North America), all-new music from composer Shoji Meguro, beautiful new animated sequences overseen by famed artist Kazuma Kaneko, and enhanced graphics optimized for the PSP system's widescreen aspect ratio. With new content, adjustments to game balance, and a number of technical and design improvements, this is the definitive version of one of the most sought after RPGs of all time.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona is currently scheduled to release on September 22, 2009.

About SMT: Persona
The rumor going around St. Hermelin High School holds that if you play the "Persona" game, you can see what the future holds for you. When a group of students-some eager, some skeptical-tries the game out, they experience something quite different. Before long, the city is turned upside-down and demons are roaming the streets, and only the students' newfound power of Persona can set things right again.

Whether you pursue Takahisa Kandori and his abuses of the power he wields as SEBEC's president, or whether you delve into the curse of the Snow Queen that has plagued St. Hermelin for decades, a deep, modern, psychological tale awaits. Remember your true self, and free the tortured psyches of others...

Key Features
• More than the same old JRPG - Dark, philosophical, and complex, Persona sets you up in a modern day Japan that has gone into chaos. Demons run free, and you and your team must navigate corruption, mental frailty, and an alternate version of your world to bring your reality back into order.
• A second chance on PSP - Offering a second opportunity to experience the beginnings of the acclaimed Persona series, this remake boasts a fully relocalized script, revamped user interface, faster battles, expanded soundtrack, and new in-game movies with voice work added just for the North American release.
• Unique tactical opportunities - The inner selves known Personas are your key to progressing through the adventure, adding skills and incredible depth to your battle tactics. Expand and improve your collection through the Demon Negotiation system that offers spell cards that you can later fuse into new Personas.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

Persona 4 video game out in Europe in March

Atlus’s Persona 4 will be released across PAL territories on 13th of March 2009, exclusively on the Sony PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Persona 4 is a gripping new chapter in the ultra-cool Persona universe, integrating dungeon crawler gameplay with an innovative social simulation element. Persona 4 delivers an all-new story set in the Japanese countryside. A sequence of mysterious deaths hits your town and only you and your team of gifted supernatural detectives can uncover the truth. Will you frustrate this hidden evil’s plans before it is too late?

Persona 4 arrives across PAL territories in a special added-value pack that includes two discs. Disc one is the eagerly-awaited game, while a second bonus disc is a 24-track soundtrack featuring the most memorable music from the game.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “We are delighted to bring Persona 4 to European and PAL territories. With its unique blend of social simulation, innovative gameplay and gripping story, Persona 4 is set to bring fans of a variety of genres together”

About Persona 4

Story
In the small town of Inaba, nestled in the Japanese countryside, a young man settles in with his uncle and cousin. Sudden circumstances have forced the arrangement, but it is for the most part an agreeable place to live, if a little boring. Everything changes when a shocking and mysterious killing leaves a town aghast and searching for answers. As all signs point to involvement of a twisted serial murderer, a young hero and his friends will discover hidden powers and use them to save innocents from certain death. Together, they must find the trail of the unknown attacker… Before they strike again!

Features

• Balance your double life: Beyond exploring dungeons, engaging in intense battles, combining Personas to make new ones, and creating new weapons exists a normal high school life of making friends and taking part in classes and part-time jobs. The way you manage and integrate your activities within each day will determine your progress through the game.
• Remember, you are mortal: Every day is irrevocable, each decision impacts on your fate – from who you hang out with, to when you decide to enter a dungeon and how far in you choose you go. Plan your progress around the various events of each day and even the weather forecast!
• Unprecedented team control: With an emphasis on developing bonds in the goal to solve the mysterious murders, strong friendships are key to your success. Control teammates in battle, earn greater party support for combat, and master individual Social Links to unlock your friends’ true potential.
• Find the true ending: 60+ hours of gameplay thrust you into a deep mystery where midnight television leads to serial killings. You must investigate murders, rescue those who can be rescued, and unmask the culprit behind it all - or risk being forever shrouded in the fog of doubt.
• Super-cool art and sound style: taking inspiration from Japanese art, manga and pop culture, the world of Persona is unique and fashionable.
• Bonus 24-track soundtrack included featuring the best music from the game.
• Fully optimised PAL version: allows for the full experience intended by the game creators, even for owners of 50Hz television sets.

Persona 3 v Persona 4 video games compared

Recent Persona games have become cult hits thanks largely to their gameplay framework - traditional Japanese RPG  leveling mechanics reframed around personal improvement, social relationships and the concept of the self. 

And though it’s about the lead character’s ultimately linear story  arc, this framework subtly becomes about  the player’s self, too.

Persona 3 and Persona 4 largely share the same main core gameplay concepts.

Players begin as a nameless, fac­eless protagonist, and  conduct that character through the events of a story as it unfolds across the calendar school year.

Read the full post here...

Persona 4 coming to Europe

Atlus's Persona 4 will be released across PAL territories in Spring 2009, exclusively on the Sony PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Persona 4 is a gripping new chapter in the ultra-cool Persona universe. Integrating dungeon crawler gameplay with an innovative social simulation element, Persona 4 delivers an all-new story set in the Japanese countryside. A sequence of mysterious deaths hits your town and only you and your team of gifted supernatural detectives can uncover the truth. Will you frustrate this hidden evil's plans before it is too late?

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, "Persona 4 epitomises Square Enix's commitment to bringing the best gaming experiences to the European market. This new instalment in the highly anticipated Persona series is the perfect example of an exciting new experience and how the PlayStation 2 still has a lot to offer."


About Persona 4

Story

In the small town of Inaba, nestled in the Japanese countryside, a young man settles in with his uncle and cousin. Sudden circumstances have forced the arrangement, but it is for the most part an agreeable place to live, if a little boring. Everything changes when a shocking and mysterious killing leaves a town aghast and searching for answers. As all signs point to involvement of a twisted serial murderer, a young hero and his friends will discover hidden powers and use them to save innocents from certain death. Together, they must find the trail of the unknown attacker… Before they strike again!

Features

• Balance your double life: Beyond exploring dungeons, engaging in intense battles, combining Personas to make new ones, and creating new weapons exists a normal high school life of making friends and taking part in classes and part-time jobs. The way you manage and integrate your activities within each day will determine your progress through the game.



• Remember, you are mortal: Every day is irrevocable, each decision impacts on your fate – from who you hang out with, to when you decide to enter a dungeon and how far in you choose you go. Plan your progress around the various events of each day and even the weather forecast!

• Unprecedented team control: With an emphasis on developing bonds in the goal to solve the mysterious murders, strong friendships are key to your success. Directly control teammates in battle, earn greater party support for combat, and master individual Social Links to unlock your friends' true potential.

• Find the true ending: 60+ hours of gameplay thrust you into a deep mystery where midnight television leads to serial killings. You must investigate murders, rescue those who can be rescued, and unmask the culprit behind it all - or risk being forever shrouded in the fog of doubt.

• Super-cool art and sound style: taking inspiration from Japanese art, manga and pop culture, the world of Persona is presented to the player in a unique and fashionable way.

• Fully optimised PAL version: allows for the full experience intended by the game creators, even for owners of 50Hz television sets.

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Persona 4: The Official Strategy Guide

Get an Edge in the Upcoming RPG Epic With This Jam-Packed Companion Book

DoubleJump Books today announced Persona 4: The Official Strategy Guide, the definitive companion book for Persona 4 players. Loaded from cover to cover with insider info, Persona 4: The Official Strategy Guide is a must-own for series fans looking to unlock secrets the game has to offer!

“DoubleJump Books has an established reputation for producing incredibly detailed and useful strategy guides, and Atlus is proud to continue to work closely with them to support the December 9 launch of Persona 4 in retailers across North America,” said Tim Pivnicny, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Atlus.

“We tend to publish guides for games we personally enjoy and it’s no coincidence that many of our guides are for Atlus games. Persona 4 is no exception.” said Tim Lindquist, Publisher, DoubleJump.

Persona 4: The Official Strategy Guide is scheduled to be available alongside the game on December 9, 2009 with an MSRP of $19.99.

Pre-order the Persona 4 Official Strategy Guide from participating retailers such as GameStop, Game Crazy, Amazon.com and more, or directly from DoubleJump Books here

For more information about Persona 4, visit the official website

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That There Will Only Be One (Very Awesome) Version of Persona 4

Unprecedented announcement-of-no-announcement shocks industry

Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced to eager fans awaiting the release of the upcoming RPG epic Persona 4 that there will in fact be no enhanced or expanded version of the game released, as was the case with the game’s predecessor, Persona 3.

"We are today able to announce that at no point in the future will we announce the release of a "FES" version of Persona 4,” said Tim Pivnicny, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The very finest, most definitive version of Persona 4 will be the one released on December 9, 2008.”
This groundbreaking preemptive anti-announcement puts to rest concerns among many Atlus devotees that an improved version would be announced and released shortly following the release of Persona 4.

Persona 4 will release for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system on December 9, 2008. Each and every copy of the game will include Side A of the Persona 4 soundtrack for free, which features the work of famed composer Shoji Meguro. Fans who pre-order from select retailers will also receive Persona 4: Visual Data, a 100-page, full-color art book loaded with designs from master artist Shigenori Soejima (at GameStop, Amazon.com, EB Games (Canada), Game Crazy, and other fine retailers, while supplies last).

In addition, hardcore fans can pick up the Persona 4 Social Link Expansion Pack (exclusively at Amazon.com), a bundle of rare North American-exclusive goodies unavailable anywhere else, like the Teddie plushie, 2009 Calendar, Side B disc of the P4 soundtrack, and more!

About Persona 4
Shortly after an urban youth begins a year-long stay in the countryside town of Inaba, the rural town's peace is shattered by a horrific murder that leaves no clues or suspects. As the lone incident develops into a series of bizarre crimes, he discovers that only he and his friends have the power to solve the baffling case, bring those responsible to justice, and restore harmony to his new home.

Key Features

• Balance your double life – Beyond intense battles, Persona fusion, and new weapon creation exists a normal high school life of friends, classes, and part-time jobs. The way you manage and integrate your activities within each day will determine how you progress through the game.

• Unprecedented team control – With a greater emphasis on developing bonds in the fight to solve the mysterious murders, strong friendships are key to your success. Directly control teammates in battle, earn greater party support for combat, and master individual Social Links to unlock your party's true potential.

• Find the true ending – 60+ hours of gameplay thrusts you into a deep mystery where midnight television leads to serial killings. You must investigate murders, rescue those who can be rescued, and unmask the culprit behind it all—or risk being forever shrouded in the fog of doubt.
Persona 4 has been rated "M" for Mature with Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, and Violence by the ESRB.

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Persona 4 - Win Teddie for the Faithful sweepstakes

Persona 4 - Win Teddie for the Faithful sweepstakes

...if you're one of 15 randomly-selected winners

Atlus launched the "Teddie for the Faithful" sweepstakes. Fifteen members of the Atlus Faithful fan service email list will be randomly selected to receive an 8.5" tall Teddie plush, one of the stars of the highly anticipated upcoming RPG epic Persona 4 for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. This Teddie plush version, specially designed for North America, is making its debut to support the December 9 launch of Persona 4.

This sweepstakes is open to Atlus Faithful members worldwide. Existing members are automatically entered into the sweepstakes, and new fans that join by October 23, 2008 will also have a chance to win. Please see the official sweepstakes website for rules and sign-up.

The Atlus Faithful is free to join. If you are not a member, sign up to enter this exciting sweepstakes and to receive Atlus news, announcements, special deals, contests, promotions, and insider access. "Teddie for the Faithful" is only one of many special promotions presented exclusively to the Atlus Faithful! Don’t miss out! Join up here!

About Persona 4

Shortly after an urban youth begins a year-long stay in the countryside town of Inaba, the rural town's peace is shattered by a horrific murder that leaves no clues or suspects. As the lone incident develops into a series of bizarre crimes, he discovers that only he and his friends have the power to solve the baffling case, bring those responsible to justice, and restore harmony to his new home.

Key Features

• Balance your double life – Beyond intense battles, Persona fusion, and new weapon creation exists a normal high school life of friends, classes, and part-time jobs. The way you manage and integrate your activities within each day will determine how you progress through the game.

• Unprecedented team control – With a greater emphasis on developing bonds in the fight to solve the mysterious murders, strong friendships are key to your success. Directly control teammates in battle, earn greater party support for combat, and master individual Social Links to unlock your party's true potential.

• Find the true ending – 60+ hours of gameplay thrusts you into a deep mystery where midnight television leads to serial killings. You must investigate murders, rescue those who can be rescued, and unmask the culprit behind it all—or risk being forever shrouded in the fog of doubt.

Visit the official Persona 4 game site at http://www.atlus.com/persona4/.