Throwback Thursday – Persona 3 Review

In the final days of the PS2, Persona 3 was a game least expected but it turned out to be one of the best. Yet again in the glory days of the PSP did Persona 3 Portable came out.

Persona 3 Portable was actually Zamboangamers accidental discovery and I am damn happy to have experienced it. It was more than just a game, it was a life changer. And only few people in Zamboanga City could have played it. I know Rogueshield, Lara and Bea to be the only others who have played them.

You pick on two protagonists, the male being the default hero and an added female which takes on a different approach in the same storyline. I am sticking with the male this time and naming him canonically Minato Arisato.

This is a harem game then? Not exactly, depends on your playstyle though. You are taking on the role of a high school student who moves in to a typical dormitory to start the new school year. The start of the story is a puzzle, a girl who aims a gun at her head, the gloomy atmosphere, coffins on the street, a full moon, and a strange kid asking me to sign a contract. Sure let’s just sign contracts and not read the terms and conditions.

What is different from the PS2 is that P3P story plays out like a visual novel. Your interactions mostly depend on a blue movement cursor and interacting with locations,people, objects etc.

I even thought this game was really a visual novel, but things turn out to be different. At midnight some freaky stuff happens, people become coffins, electronics malfunction (its not midnight as I write this) and stuff called shadows pop up. Minato is suddenly woken up by Yukari and they make to the rooftop.

The first persona that Minato gets is Orpheus, a Greek mythology figure. Thanatos is way cooler but at the time I did not know what was happening. Turns out these Persona’s are…better explained like your guardian angels. In P3 they are represented by figures from different mythologies and religions.

Your first taste of combat is only a preview to more challenging battles. The real challenge comes from ascending this…

 

 

Tartarus (not the gateway to the underworld that’s different), this tower hosts a variety of evil that must be conquered and no, there is no princess trapped on the top this time. It comes out every night from your very own school.

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The team sets up from the ground floor, as you make your way to the tower take care of your stamina and your team mates. You get a tutorial by Mitsuru-senpai on battle mechanics, pay attention and your well on your way to reaching the top.

There is lot to do in P3P, as you attend school and fight shadows in the night it becomes a rewarding experience to go through the game. I spent oodles of hours building relationships to foster and forge, getting character stats to upgrade, Personas to collect and soundtracks to enjoy listening to. The game ends with a very emotional note (no spoilers here) and I know that those who played this game had so many wonderful memories with it. As I said few games have this sort of appeal and we want more. I cherished this game so much when I had my PSP and I believe that in the future other generations will get a chance to play this too. As for Zamboangamer playing the game again right now brings back so much.

Thank You Mitsuru-senpai.

Graphics:  Gotta love that anime-style artwork, the character models in game are kinda puppet-like. Enemy design is well-built and environment designs are awesome. Tartarus is likened to a dungeon-crawler with checkered floors and castle walls. The Velvet room is pleasing to the eye. Igor was a bit scary though, too much coffee? XD

Sound: The music is killer, had so much time enjoying it. Character voices are well done, could have voiced the entire game though since most of it is absent and only audible with in-game events. Get the soundtrack, a mix of rock,hip-hop,jazz,symphony,sentimental,classical genres is an ear-gasm. Shoji Meguro instantly became one of my favorites.

Gameplay: Expect the character dialogues to act like a visual novel, the combat will take a large chunk of your time as you ascend Tartarus. There are lots of twists to the story so be prepared. It makes for an addicting game to level up and engage in the storylines.

Overall: 10/10 This game is one of the best RPG’s on the PSP get it and don’t miss out.

Lessons:P3 covers a wide range of lessons to learn, so we will leave it to you to discover them.

If you can change your life for the better from a book, a movie or a video game then it will be a worthwhile story to tell the kids someday.

A mix of music genres is good to spice up your life.

Young as you are enjoy life to the fullest.

There are hidden gems among games. Time for you to discover them

 

 

Zamboangamer039’s Top 10 Male Gaming Heroes

Hail fellow gamers! I’m so inspired today from what I have heard and seen on TV about our city and its heroes. Indeed the best of us is brought out in times of crisis. On my part however, I am using this blog to empower other gamers who feel worthless or who have lost on life. These heroes have made impacts in Zambogamer’s life and I hope they make impacts on yours. This is the male version btw and Zamboangamer is currently drafting the Female Heroes 😀

10. Niko Bellic – GTA IV

Now please don’t take this the wrong way if you asking why a GTA protagonist is among the top 10. Niko Bellic came to America but needed to do what he could to survive. Zamboangamer039 does not want you to steal cars, do drug runs or kill civies, the main point is Niko Bellic did what he had to. He paid his cousin Roman’s debts, and made a good living of himself by working from the bottom up. Aside form CJ, he’s one of my favorite GTA protagonists due to still being good deep down.

 

9. Jim Raynor – Starcraft 1 & 2

Jim Raynor is a space cowboy and overall fights for justice in a resourceful manner. No matter the odds of political intrigue or innumerable zerg he fights bravely even if he has to go and kill his former love Kerrigan. Zamboangamer estimates that many Starcraft fans love Jim Raynor and that includes yours truly. His moral is to always do the best with what you have for the good of all.

 

8.Megaman – Megaman Series

Throughout the years, Megaman has been a childhood friend to many of us, if you have played his recent games on the GBA or the NDS then he is Lan’s NaviPet, a sort of digital friend who deletes viruses (that would be awesome in real life). He is loyal to his friends and companions and acquiring powers and experiences over the years makes him adaptable for any situation. And that should be a lesson to many of us. 

 

7.Lee Everett – The Walking Dead Game Episodes

Lee Everett who stars in the Walking Dead game… not the crappy one gave such an emotional roller-coaster that it’s hard not to give him a spotlight. Aside from the usual killing zombies genre, Lee is given the responsibility to take care of Clementine. His fatherly care for the girl and his sacrifice is commendable. Much of the choices you have to make will impact upon Clementine’s life which will be continued in season two (this is not the tv show). He deals with many pressures but does it all for the sake of Clementine. Zamboangamer needs a tissue now, the memories are coming. 

 

6.Guybrush Threepwood – Monkey Island Games

One of the best heroes are the unlike ones. Sure a strong and brave muscly type hero is the usual stereotype but Guybrush is not likely to be that image. If you have ever played the Monkey Island games then Guybrush is known for his 10 minute holding breath under water ability, humor and sword wits. His simple dream of being a pirate made others laugh or discouraged him for taking of to the seas. But the dream was never relinquished. Throughout his journey his resourcefulness and quick thinking saves him and earns him a girlfriend, few can accomplish such feats. He makes it possible for guys like you and me who don’t have the muscle but have the wits and humor to contend with the best. Btw Don’t give up on your dreams. 😀

5.Super Meat Boy – Super Meat Boy

 

Wait, don’t tell Zamboangamer that you have never played this game? It might be something that passed you by so let us summarize. SMB (Super Meat Boy not San Mig Beer) is on a quest to save his love the Bandage Girl and doing this in a platformer can get frustrating for many gamers, but not SMB, if he gets killed another (clone/incarnation?) takes it place. Edison quoted that failing 10,000 did not get him down, and just like SMB, who also has a optimistic view of life. ONe you is despite of failures stills sees the brighter side of life is his moral to us.

4. Gordon Freeman – Half Life Games

 

This gaming icon seems to be in everyone’s list but for us here in Zamboangamer039 he has been a big influence not only in our gaming history but also on what he teaches us. When he comes to a certain scene people seem to go to him as if he had answers. But this silent protagonist does not have the solutions (pun intended) he does do what is right by the many puzzles in the game. This moral of solving our problems without question is what Gordon Freeman tells us…if he could only speak.

 

3. Ezio Auditore da Firenze – Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelation

 

The Assassin’s Creed series has been hit after hit, but few of the protagonists made a dent to our emotions. Ezio changes that as a major chunk of the games involve him. We witness and interact with his life from his teens to his elder years. He has been a major influence to the brotherhood for his shadowy heroism. It just goes to show that not just Knights can be champions of the weak. Ezio can tell us many lessons but to summarize it is to live life to the fullest. Experience it in unconventional ways and doing good things even if you are unheard of is beneficial in its own right.

 

2. Commander Shepard – Mass Effect 1,2,3

Shepard has been one of the best video game heroes that Zamboangamer has ever met and played. He has become an overall galactic hero for his legacy (Paragon). It kinda sucks to what happens with him after ME3, I can testify that it was an unfair ending.He’s not just a military stiff with formalities but a good friend. Shepard also makes it possible for us to realize the challenges of our lives can be dealt with, no matter how insurmountable or how impossible it would be just like Reapers. Anyone who has experienced the Mass Effect Journey can relate with us. We salute you Commander Shepard.

 

1. Minato Arisato – Persona 3

P3FES was a complete journey that made Zamboangamer039 laugh,cry,smile, and hope. It was a game that pulled heartstrings and it was overall awesome. Anyone can relate to the journey he has undergone, the relationships he made and the value of sacrifices that where needed to make to save humankind (like Jesus Christ). What’s more is that he is a student, something you and me can really relate to. Minato Arisato made Zamboangamer see life different, so many lessons can’t be made into this post because some have been mentioned above and a separate post is being drafted for what P3 has taught us. Thank you ATLUS, make more of this. P5 needs to have more!

So this wraps up Zamboangamers Top 10 Male Gaming Heroes. Stay tuned for more 😀 We know you have your own list, so comment them. 😀