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[FluxWaveZ]

May I ask a naive question... why is Persona so popular?

Because it's good.

And "so popular" is pretty relative. Compared to what? It's still a relatively niche series that appeals mostly to enthusiasts. The only Persona game that has sold nearly a million copies worldwide is probably Persona 4 Golden (maybe Revelations: Persona). Persona 5 is the game that is looking to truly popularize it way more.

 

[Xbro]

May I ask a naive question... why is Persona so popular?

I've actually tried to figure that out.

Though I do love P4, and P3 was alright, I just don't see how it is so widely known/loved.

 

[foxuzamaki]

Not sure if these two were posted yet.

Courtesy of Tumblr



Wish I had a way to resize the second one.

Interesting.....

 

[SalvaPot]

May I ask a naive question... why is Persona so popular?

Teen angst, hot people you can date, gritty themes mixed with funny themes, Dick and Vagina Monsters. Decent gameplay.

But its mostly the waifus.

 

[Crocodile]

Because it's good.

To be fair, lots of "good" things don't become popular and lots or "bad" things do become popular so while quality is usually correlative with success, that's rarely enough by itself.

If I'd had have to venture a guess I'd also throw in general aesthetics and style, music, character writing and the life/dating sim elements in helping it "blow up" so to speak.

 

[Xbro]

Because it's good.

And "so popular" is pretty relative. Compared to what? It's still a relatively niche series that appeals mostly to enthusiasts. The only Persona game that has sold nearly a million copies worldwide is probably Persona 4 Golden (maybe Revelations: Persona). Persona 5 is the game that is looking to truly popularize it way more.

Yeah, P5 seems to be where the series will get a lot of attention. Considering it's also multiplat at release, it will definitely have a wider audience.

 

[bonercop]

May I ask a naive question... why is Persona so popular?

it's really cool stylistically.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

To be fair, lots of "good" things don't become popular and lots or "bad" things do become popular so while quality is usually correlative with success, that's rarely enough by itself.

If I'd had have to venture a guess I'd also throw in general aesthetics and style, music, character writing and the life/dating sim elements in helping it "blow up" so to speak.

Because it's really good, then.

I was mostly being flippant, but Soejima, Hashino and Meguro are three of the most talented people in the entire industry, and it shows through their work. A single glance at the Persona 5 trailer should make one understand exactly why people like this series.

 

[foxuzamaki]

The thing about persona, atleast persona 4 is that I often hear that the actual RPG gameplay, the dungeon crawling isnt all that great and is basically a means to get to the next part in the story or day or whatever.

 

[Infinite]

Persona particularly 3 and 4, is a lot more approachable than the rest of the smt games.

 

[Xbro]

The thing about persona, atleast persona 4 is that I often hear that the actual RPG gameplay, the dungeon crawling isnt all that great and is basically a means to get to the next part in the story or day or whatever.

Yeah, pretty much. I found Persona 3's dungeon crawling to be a lot better, but the game was lacking everywhere else, and Persona 4's dungeon crawling to be not that great, but it was excellent everywhere else.

There are also some excellent boss battles. Kunino-Sagiri is a highlight.

 

[zeopower6]

The thing about persona, atleast persona 4 is that I often hear that the actual RPG gameplay, the dungeon crawling isnt all that great and is basically a means to get to the next part in the story or day or whatever.

That much is true.

There's a certain X factor that P3 and P4 have, I guess. It's hard to say exactly why but the music combined with the characters combined with the story (gameplay not so much) is more than the sum of its parts. Lord knows people have tried to make 'dream team' collaborations work and sometimes they just fall flat. Not the case for P3 and P4. And you can probably bet P5 will be as loved unless they really mess up.

 

[Qurupeke]

Because it's good.

And "so popular" is pretty relative. Compared to what? It's still a relatively niche series that appeals mostly to enthusiasts. The only Persona game that has sold nearly a million copies worldwide is probably Persona 4 Golden (maybe Revelations: Persona). Persona 5 is the game that is looking to truly popularize it way more.

I see. Yeah, it's surely niche but you hear about it a lot when people talk about RPGs. Quality may have to do something with this I guess.

 

[Lonely1]

May I ask a naive question... why is Persona so popular?

Because it allows people to play at date sim, while allowing them to argue that they aren't playing one.

 

[Crocodile]

Because it's really good, then.

I was mostly being flippant, but Soejima, Hashino and Meguro are three of the most talented people in the entire industry, and it shows through their work. A single glance at the Persona 5 trailer should make one understand exactly why people like this series.

Right, that trailer succeeds due to strong aesthetics/art style and music as well as positive expectations derived from positive experiences with the previous Persona games (I liked 3 & 4 so I'll probably like 5).

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Because it allows people to play at date sim, while allowing them to argue that they aren't playing one.

Truly the makings of a dating sim.

People dissing the series for being a dating sim has just gotten pretty sad, at this point. It's like those saying the same of Fire Emblem: Awakening.

 

[LX_Theo]

I see. Yeah, it's surely niche but you hear about it a lot when people talk about RPGs. Quality may have to do something with this I guess.

Its one of those "rabbit hole games"

You think you might like it or won't like it and end up trying it. Only to find yourself loving it and wanting to talk about it.

Just one of those things that is hard to truly understand the hype without playing it yourself. The quality is a matter of all the great things about it molding together into something special (like most of the best games).

Because it allows people to play at date sim, while allowing them to argue that they aren't playing one.

Proof of my point. People like this try to rationalize how something they wouldn't think is popular from just looking at it by throwing on whatever ridiculous buzzwords they associate with getting popular.

Right, that trailer succeeds due to strong aesthetics/art style and music as well as positive expectations derived from positive experiences with the previous Persona games (I liked 3 & 4 so I'll probably like 5).

You're underestimating how much the thematic storytelling of the series flows into the aesthetic and music. One of the reasons the series is so well received is how well all of it melds together. The trailer is so successful because it gives glimpses in all areas that give huge implications of everything good about 4 and 3 being back and better with a whole lot of new twists to the formula.

Its less about assumptions and more about seeing the quality of everything coming together amazingly bleed out of every scene in that trailer.

 

[thegirlleastlikelyto]

Now instead picture a ruined city, Ike riding up a on a motorcycle... then typing on an arm-computer and summoning a demon as Hitoshura walks up beside him.

This sounds like the worst thing ever.

 

[GamerJM]

The thing about persona, atleast persona 4 is that I often hear that the actual RPG gameplay, the dungeon crawling isnt all that great and is basically a means to get to the next part in the story or day or whatever.

I really enjoyed it as a dungeon crawler, though it's basically carried by its MegaTen battle system which is excellent though flawed. I guess the thing that I really liked the most about it is that it's more lax than anything else in the series, you can play it and not really stress over anything as long as you're not maxing social links or whatever. Otherwise it's inferior to the other games in the series in terms of dungeon crawling.

And yeah the actual storyline/social sim stuff in P4 is probably better, but I wouldn't say one part is significantly better than the other. I actually think the best part of the game is how well they fit together though.

Persona 3 I found to be....alright in its dungeon crawling but it's just so damn repetitive IMO.

 

[Village]

May I ask a naive question... why is Persona so popular?

Its their kingdom hearts.

That isn't humor.

 

[hurricanes]

May I ask a naive question... why is Persona so popular?

It's a very decent series with good gameplay and is very polish. But that's not what make it popular, it is popular almost solely because of pop culture element and "social link", aka waifus.

 

[Shengar]

It's amazing how people could easily attributed the success of a game presentation of its characters to a single disingenuous word such waifu. By the very same logic, more VN should have the similarity to Persona then. Simply amazing, I bet those LTTPers must be a waifu crowd with anime avatars too.

 

[hurricanes]

Truly the makings of a dating sim.

People dissing the series for being a dating sim has just gotten pretty sad, at this point. It's like those saying the same of Fire Emblem: Awakening.

I really like the series(and dislike waifus in general), but social link is the biggest factor that makes the series popular. So is Awakening.

 

[zeopower6]

It's amazing how people could easily attributed the success of a game presentation of its characters to a single disingenuous word such waifu. By the very same logic, more VN should have the similarity to Persona then. Simply amazing, I bet those LTTPers must be a waifu crowd with anime avatars too.

What they mean to say is that ...

In addition to the other elements (characters, music, etc.), the waifus are what make the popularity 'lasting'. Also the exploration of certain themes and relationships that don't typically get touched on in RPGs.

dat theory of MCxYosuke... especially some of the lines that were cut from the game but are still in the data.

 

[LX_Theo]

It's amazing how people could easily attributed the success of a game presentation of its characters to a single disingenuous word such waifu. By the very same logic, more VN should have the similarity to Persona then. Simply amazing, I bet those LTTPers must be a waifu crowd with anime avatars too.

So true. People refuse to understand, so they just assume it's something that seems similar at first glance that they can be negative about.

Most of the waifu talk with the series is just people like that claiming as much. It really does do a big one two to my ability to take GAF seriously

I really like the series, but social link is the biggest factor that makes the series popular. So is Awakening.

Social links =/= Waifus
Socials links =/= Dating sim

People who try to turn it into those need to be reflecting more on their own priorities and worldview

 

[hurricanes]

It's amazing how people could easily attributed the success of a game presentation of its characters to a single disingenuous word such waifu. By the very same logic, more VN should have the similarity to Persona then. Simply amazing, I bet those LTTPers must be a waifu crowd with anime avatars too.

Eh...Waifus are not coexist with VN. 999/Virture's Last reward are VNs, yet they do not have waifus. RPGs with waifus can certainly have no similarity to VNs and vise versa.

 

[darkwing-buck]

May I ask a naive question... why is Persona so popular?

Waifus, but seriously I think its cause of the interesting style/story and music those games tend to have

 

[zeopower6]

Eh...Waifus are not coexist with VN. 999/Virture's Last reward are VNs, yet they do not have waifus. RPGs with waifus can certainly have no similarity to VNs and vise versa.

There are some waifus and husbandos in the ZE series imo.

 

[Jachaos]

On topic, I'm really not a fan of the song but to each their own. It's not the style I expected but I'll dig into the analysis videos still and give it a shot. I feel there's more than meets the eye about what it will actually be.

May I ask a naive question... why is Persona so popular?

Because it was different from anything I'd played when I got it last year and was more welcoming than other games in the genre.

Also, because it's good. Atmosphere, setting, story, themes, characters, art direction (I especially love the UI), music and gameplay.

Dungeon gameplay (except Persona Q, those were great, felt like Zelda at times) and anime cutscenes were pretty much my only "meh" with it. Thankful,ly Persona 5 seems to have better dungeons as far as gameplay goes. The dungeons' themes/styles have been great in P4 for me.

The "dating sim" is not actually that, but those elements do bring in a certain demographic I guess but it's hardly the only game where you can do that yet if it was it'd be the only one I can think of with so many copies sold in the US and 90+ Metacritic from both critics and users. And anyway it's more about interacting with everyone around you and it makes the world more alive. You don't have to romance anyone, it's all up to you and you interact with those you want to interact with. It's really all up to you on that front.

 

[hurricanes]

So true. People refuse to understand, so they just assume it's something that seems similar at first glance that they can be negative about.

Most of the waifu talk with the series is just people like that claiming as much. It really does do a big one two to my ability to take GAF seriously

Social links =/= Waifus
Socials links =/= Dating sim

People who try to turn it into those need to be reflecting more on their own priorities and worldview

I know social link is more than waifus, but waifus or "make friends with girls" in social link is what draws in the popularity, just look at P4 discussion... anywhere. I played Persona since the original. Girls in Persona 4 (and the "hip" style) sells the game more than its gameplay. Period.

 

[hurricanes]

There are some waifus and husbandos in the ZE series imo.

I notice that. I hate Clover... There are "waifus" and "husbandos" that you cannot romance so I exclude them. But yeah, I got what you meant.

 

[Crocodile]

Waifus, Husbandos, Anime, etc.

These words are all starting to lose any semblance of meaning :/

 

[zeopower6]

Social links =/= Waifus
Socials links =/= Dating sim

People who try to turn it into those need to be reflecting more on their own priorities and worldview

What are you doing when you are triggering flags with the romantic interests in-game?

It's not exactly presented in the same way, but it's pretty much a dating simulation that's also a life simulation IMO.

 

[Hibiki Kurosawa]

What are you doing when you are triggering flags with the romantic interests in-game?

It's not exactly presented in the same way, but it's pretty much a dating simulation that's also a life simulation IMO.

Or it's just a social/life sim, which would naturally include relationship building. Saying it's a dating sim that's also a life sim doesn't really make sense.

 

[Majestad]

This looks fucking awesome, although I would prefer more SMT less Persona.

 

[Squire]

What are you doing when you are triggering flags with the romantic interests in-game?

It's not exactly presented in the same way, but it's pretty much a dating simulation that's also a life simulation IMO.

If anything the former would be mentioned before the latter, but it doesn't matter. In geberal, I think you're being very disingenuous here. It's nof a dating sim and you know it.

 

[zeopower6]

I really don't care that much, tbh.

 

[Squire]

I really don't care that much, tbh.

I don't really either since I enjoy the games - for a multitude of reasons I've discussed at length on this very board - and I'm smart enough to recognize that claim as the bullshit it is whenever it's peddled, particularly by the folks who keep peddling it (so not really you.)

Those folks that keep peddling it though? They seem to be a whole lot of bothered by what actually amounts to very little.

 

[CaviarMeths]

The thing to understand about the appeal of Persona is just how strongly the storytelling and character development resonates with some people. There are scenes that devastated me because of how attached I became to the characters, and I'm not even talking about the "waifus."

Spoiler

Nanako's scenes in the hospital had me nearly in tears and her fake-out death was one of the most emotionally charged moments in gaming for me in the last decade.

The datable heroines are actually some of the least interesting characters in the games.

Its popularity is no big mystery to me. It's just sharp, clever storytelling with great characters. People like that kind of shit.

 

[Nightbird]

Persona is not a Dating Simulation.

It's not even close to be one. In Fact, FE:A is closer to be one than Persona since FE does have an important Mechanic in pairing up your Characters. You can go perfectly through Persona without Dating someone. It's not even a requirement for maxing out Social Links

 

[convo]

I dunno tbh. I don't really remember being around until after it had become a big deal and people had been spazzing about P3 and P4 for a while.

Playing one of those games would at least give you and idea . But most people don't have the time to experience those games.

 

[zeopower6]

Playing one of those games would at least give you and idea . But most people don't have the time to experience those games.

I've played them both (mostly Persona 4) but I meant I don't really know what that 'special something' was that made it so popular because I had heard about it probably a year or two after it came out in the States. At that point, I think I had just heard about it being good and gave it a try. It may have been my brother that introduced me to it because I don't remember actively trying to find out more about Persona 4 at the time... just kinda started playing it and liked it. However, I am kind of easy to please once I start playing since I am pretty picky in my choice of games to begin with, so I try to make the most out of what I do play.

Persona is not a Dating Simulation.

It's not even close to be one. In Fact, FE:A is closer to be one than Persona since FE does have an important Mechanic in pairing up your Characters. You can go perfectly through Persona without Dating someone. It's not even a requirement for maxing out Social Links

It is not. (I don't think anyone really thinks that it is purely dating sim anyway) However, it does use elements from visual novels/dating simulation games.

 

[CaviarMeths]

It is not. (I don't think anyone really thinks that it is purely dating sim anyway) However, it does use elements from visual novels/dating simulation games.

It's like 20-30 minutes of dating stuff in a 60 hour game.

 

[zeopower6]

It's like 20-30 minutes of dating stuff in a 60 hour game.

That's not what I mean though. "Elements from VNs/dating sims" does not mean scenes where you are actually dating or talking about romantic relationships or what have you.

I mean some of the choices you make set you on certain paths and 'flags' are triggered at key points of the story where you can be locked into a route with one person, or if needed, you can recover if you select certain answers later on.

 

[Sadist]

Persona particularly 3 and 4, is a lot more approachable than the rest of the smt games.

I dunno, Persona has it's own quirks regarding difficulty as well. And I can imagine not everyone likes the whole high school life and social things surrounding it.

I guess it's about expectations as well; I expected a certain difficulty for the SMT titles like Strange Journey and had a blast with 'em.

 

[NoMoreTrolls]

What the fuck

 

[CaviarMeths]

That's not what I mean though. "Elements from VNs/dating sims" does not mean scenes where you are actually dating or talking about romantic relationships or what have you.

I mean some of the choices you make set you on certain paths and 'flags' are triggered at key points of the story where you can be locked into a route with one person, or if needed, you can recover if you select certain answers later on.

They're VN mechanics for sure, in place to give the player a feeling of control and take the story in different directions. Even VNs that feature no dating at all have these mechanics. I don't think anyone would deny the influence of VNs in Persona, but to call them dating sims seems pretty dismissive and intellectually dishonest. It's just an easy way for people to write the games off and let everyone know how "above" the game they are. It's the same thing as calling CoD a murder sim.

 

[zeopower6]

They're VN mechanics for sure, in place to give the player a feeling of control and take the story in different directions. Even VNs that feature no dating at all have these mechanics. I don't think anyone would deny the influence of VNs in Persona, but to call them dating sims seems pretty dismissive and intellectually dishonest. It's just an easy way for people to write the games off and let everyone know how "above" the game they are. It's the same thing as calling CoD a murder sim.

I don't really think the term 'dating sim' is all that dismissive. It's just a phrase to me that describes something where you date someone. For me personally, I'm not trying to write off Persona or any game where you date other people, it's just a matter of fact that you date people in the game at some point.

As for this game in particular, I wonder if they'll be implementing mechanics like that. (and how it affects "idols")

 

[Squire]

I don't really think the term 'dating sim' is all that dismissive. It's just a phrase to me that describes something where you date someone. For me personally, I'm not trying to write off Persona or any game where you date other people, it's just a matter of fact that you date people in the game at some point.

As for this game in particular, I wonder if they'll be implementing mechanics like that. (and how it affects "idols")

Incorrect. You don't have to date anyone.

 

[Golnei]

As for this game in particular, I wonder if they'll be implementing mechanics like that. (and how it affects "idols")

Maybe the mechanics of the system will be less about who you date, but rather how well you hide any evidence of your relationships so as to maintain your pure public image and avoid death threats and harassment from rabid fans?