Gaminez

Probably one of the best role-playing games that i have played so far. Persona 3 Portable is the enhanced remake of the original version, with the addition of a brand new female protagonist. I played the male protagonist since its my first time at the game. The 2 genders does make obvious differences in gameplay interfaces, however the story more or less still remains the same. Released on the psp, november 2009.

My rating: 8.7/10
Gamespot rating: 8.5/10
Estimated playtime: 60 hours +

Goods: In-depth storyline, easy-to-adept gameplay, implemented 'freedom', large variety of personas,  grinding arent a difficult task, flexible options

Bads: Small variety of enemies, limited choice to keep/discard skills
-The 'good' parts. Interesting and in-depth storyline that constanly draws you in throughout the game. You starts off as a transfer student arriving at Iwatodai during midnight. You felt something was strange, the air was stale, coffins were spotted on the streets right under the full moon. You headed to your dorm instead since its late. Couple of days later, your dorm was attacked and that awakens your 'persona', the other self within you.

-Easy-to-adept gameplay. Basically all the action is held in a extremenly tall tower, Tartarus which is also your so-called dungeon. In Tartarus, you encounters 'shadows' roaming each floor. You enter a battle screen once you come into contact with the shadows. Battles are turn-based, which makes everything so much neater and simple to adept. There are various commands like attack/skills/items/persona/tactics/defend etc. which fills the game with so much strategy making it enjoyable to play!!
-Implemented 'freedom'. The best part of the game, at least to me. Since battles are only held when the tower is present, which is only during midnight. The rest of the day is entirely your free time!! Everyday after school, you can go anywhere you want. You can attend your school club activities, like kendo/swimming/track and field etc. You can go roam around the city, like enjoying a bowl of ramen or visiting the arcade. You can even hang out with your classmate or with your club member, bonding and strengthening the social links within. There are still night activities if you did bother. This game is just pure awesome when it comes to freedom, time is more than enough to do anything and everything!!

-There is one thing i would like to bring up, the social attributes! There are 3 social attributes, academic/charm/courage. These attributes can be raised just by doing your usual stuff. For example if you listen in class and study at night, your academics will improve. Same goes to if you watch a horror movie or enters a karaoke alone, your courage will improve. If you manage to max any of these attributes, you can even date girls!!!! or date guys if you are using the female protagonist that is.
-Large variety of personas. There are 13 types of arcana. Under each arcana lies numerous personas, every single one of them have their own strengths and weaknesses. Personas can be obtain by card shuffling after every battle. Fusion of personas are also enabled. The world of personas is infinite, too big too great!

-Grinding is possible in the game. Yes, you can grind like theres no tomorrow. I did it and bosses are hardly my match except the final boss. This comes hand in hand with persona hunting, farming and completing missions etc. Its almost impossible to be underleveled if you are doing things right.

-Flexible options. There is just one thing i did like to address, controlling the AIs. You guys should know how dumb and slow AIs are in rpgs. They heal when you want them to attack, they attack when you want them to heal. I was only relieved from this torment after choosing the 'direct command' option, where i can controlled the AIs myself. GOD BLESSED!!
-The 'bad' parts. Small variety of shadows, which could only be realised in the later part of the game. It almost felt like they were clones of one another, perhaps just a different color. Even mini bosses look so dam familiar despite their strength differences.

-Limited choice to keep and discard skills. I know this might sound abit false, as they do indeed give choices to choose what skills we want to keep. What i really mean is they dont let us keep skills of the same effect. For example, i cant keep media and mediaran together. There are times when you want to heal up a little, you would rather use the lesser mana cost heal than the one that heal up 400 hp when u only want 100 hp healed. There are also times when you are lack of mana, the lesser mana cost heal could save lives!!!
This is indeed a RPG that anyone should not miss. Great in-game features with such a deep solid plot, so whats keeping you from playing it! Anyway, i am looking forward to play P4G which is only when i get a vita. Thats about it~

Have a nice day!