Support NeoGAF

[hurricanes]

How about this: You're wrong. You know which the biggest selling, single Persona release in the series is in Japan?

Persona 1. Fancy that, that game didn't have any life sim (or, as so many people like to refer to, dating sim) elements at all. And then two Persona games followed that, again, lacking Social Links. Persona 4 Arena, Persona Q, Persona 4 Dancing? None of those games have dating, and the former two were very successful in terms of what they were.

I thought we are talking about the western audience here... since, you know, this is a English site? And spin offs are always a different story, as long as well established characters are included, they will sell. I know that I bought P4A because of all the persona characters I like.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

I thought we are talking about the western audience here... since, you know, this is a English site? And spin offs are always a different story, as long as well established characters are included, they will sell. I know that I bought P4A because of all the persona characters I like.

So you're saying that the Persona Team takes into account western tastes more than Japanese tastes in regards to the concepts they include in their games. I had no idea dating sims were so popular with the western audience.

 

[zeopower6]

Probably.

It just feels weird to use this trick when the characters are this close to the screen.

So still unsure if its an stylistic choice, or something to do with the story.

It's also weird since when they are in that music shop or theater or w/e, there are no more colored silhouettes. Possibly just a stylistic choice to represent "lots of people" easily that cannot be interacted with?

 

[Fandangox]

It's also weird since when they are in that music shop or theater or w/e, there are no more colored silhouettes. Possibly just a stylistic choice to represent "lots of people" easily that cannot be interacted with?

I mean that makes sense, but then why bother making the distinction in the cutscenes? is not like you can interact with those anyway.

 

[zeopower6]

I mean that makes sense, but then why bother making the distinction in the cutscenes? is not like you can interact with those anyway.

Continuity between the CG cutscenes and 2D cutscenes?

 

[Fandangox]

Continuity between the CG cutscenes and 2D cutscenes?

I guess, but I think there's probably more to it.

 

[Yonafunu]

It's also weird since when they are in that music shop or theater or w/e, there are no more colored silhouettes. Possibly just a stylistic choice to represent "lots of people" easily that cannot be interacted with?

It's probably to create a clear distinction between important characters and "everyone else". So every coloured silhouette is "nondescript passerby", and the detailed characters are people you can interact with.

I think it looks like it would work well functionally and I think it looks stylish, so I have no problems with it.

Edit: yeah, I think it's just to create continuity between cutscenes.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

I'm actually on the side that the decision for colored silhouettes might actually be narratively driven and not solely aesthetically motivated.

 

[Hibiki Kurosawa]

I think it's both. An aesthetically pleasing way of representing something in the narrative makes sense to me.

 

[zeopower6]

I'm actually on the side that the decision for colored silhouettes might actually be narratively driven and not solely aesthetically motivated.

It's just odd to me that they have the silhouettes at school and in the streets of Shibuya... and then in some randomass shop/theater, we have normal people like the MCs.

 

[foxuzamaki]

So what do you guys think gave the game the M rating, fire emblem has never gotten above a teen so this is extra interesting.

 

[zeopower6]

So what do you guys think gave the game the M rating, fire emblem has never gotten above a teen so this is extra interesting.

Language, sexual themes, dark atmosphere?

http://www.esrb.org/ratings/synopsis.jsp?Certificate=28327

Strange Journey on the DS got an M for these:
Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes

other monsters have phallic-shaped heads

Rating summary is pretty specific. Mara was most likely why. I would imagine for THIS game though, it'll be sexual stuff.

 

[Hugstable]

So what do you guys think gave the game the M rating, fire emblem has never gotten above a teen so this is extra interesting.

Is the rating set in stone though? I'm guessing the game isn't finished so there isn't a way to know what it will be rated in the end. I think Mature is just what they are setting it to right now, which is interesting and makes me think the story could get crazy or something bad happens, cause I'm sure basic fanservice costumes and things like that wouldn't net an M rating on it's own, or atleast I don't think it would.

 

[Hibiki Kurosawa]

It's just odd to me that they have the silhouettes at school and in the streets of Shibuya... and then in some randomass shop/theater, we have normal people like the MCs.

I think the fact that they are completely covered by costumes has something to do with it.

 

[E_Darkness]

So what do you guys think gave the game the M rating, fire emblem has never gotten above a teen so this is extra interesting.

Mara.

 

[Hugstable]

Mara.

LOL!

 

[foxuzamaki]

Language, sexual themes, dark atmosphere?

http://www.esrb.org/ratings/synopsis.jsp?Certificate=28327

Strange Journey on the DS got an M for these:
Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes

Rating summary is pretty specific. Mara was most likely why. I would imagine for THIS game though, it'll be sexual stuff.

Batman arkham asylum, city, and or gins had all those things, read T for teen

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Rating summary is pretty specific. Mara was most likely why. I would imagine for THIS game though, it'll be sexual stuff.

I think a game has to hit pretty hard with sexual content to get an M based on that alone. One would hope that this isn't at Senran Kagura or Oneechanbara levels. I have more faith in Atlus than that.

I see designs like this:

And the fact that the apocalyptic setting has been maintained somehow, and I think the biggest reason it will be rated M is because of its themes.

 

[zeopower6]

Batman arkham asylum, city, and or gins had all those things, read T for teen

Well, the phallic demon probably put it over the top.

I think a game has to hit pretty hard with sexual content to get an M based on that alone. One would hope that this isn't at Senran Kagura or Oneechanbara levels. I have more faith in Atlus than that.

I'd guess for something like this, it'd be 'implied' stuff or themes that may upset younger audiences more than T&A bonanza.

 

[RecursiveFault]

I think it's both. An aesthetically pleasing way of representing something in the narrative makes sense to me.

It could be a simple cost saving measure that looks good too, both in terms of money and processing power.

 

[Regulus Tera]

But, is this game a dating sim at all?

I hope!

 

[Hugstable]

Batman arkham asylum, city, and or gins had all those things, read T for teen

Batman ain't got nothing on Mara

 

[Stone Ocean]

Mara.

So are we getting a Penis Knight party member?

 

[E_Darkness]

So are we getting a Penis Knight party member?

Mara Lord is preferable.

 

[zeopower6]

Looking at the ratings, it looks like only Devil Survivor has avoided the M. Is there a reason why? Something missing from those games compared to Persona or the other SMT games?

 

[Squire]

Batman arkham asylum, city, and or gins had all those things, read T for teen

Should note that they anticipate an M rating. Probably because M games are mainly what Atlus produces and Nintendo probably isn't trying to tie them down creatively. Assuming this trailer isn't a huge bait/switch, it doesn't appear they even need to. Even if this has Law/Neutral/Chaos routes, that doesn't even guarantee an M rating because death in FE is nothing new.

So, I think it's a precaution and the game kay we'll end up a Teen game in the states. It could go either way though. There's definiteky a lot in the game we have t seen yet.

What are Devil Survivor games rated? M?

 

[Fandangox]

Looking at the ratings, it looks like only Devil Survivor has avoided the M. Is there a reason why? Something missing from those games compared to Persona or the other SMT games?

Spoiler

Mara

 

[Hibiki Kurosawa]

It could be a simple cost saving measure that looks good too, both in terms of money and processing power.

Maybe, but I still think it'll tie to narrative in some way.

 

[NeonZ]

Looking at the ratings, it looks like only Devil Survivor has avoided the M. Is there a reason why? Something missing from those games compared to Persona or the other SMT games?

No Mara nor any other demons with openly suggestive designs.

 

[zeopower6]

What are Devil Survivor games rated? M?

T.

 

[Squire]

No Mara nor any other demons with openly suggestive designs.

T.

Yeah, I'm thinking it gets a T, all said and done. I don't think any SMT demons are in this. I think it'll be FE characters interpreted in SMT/Atlus' style and original monsters.

 

[zeopower6]

Yeah, I'm thinking it gets a T, all said and done. I don't think any SMT demons are in this. I think it'll be FE characters interpreted in SMT/Atlus' style and original monsters.

There has to be a reason why they're expecting an M though.

 

[Drilbit777]

Wonder why they would expect this game to be M Rated? Its not like its going to have anything too bad, most likely it will probably be Teen rated.

 

[hurricanes]

So you're saying that the Persona Team takes into account western tastes more than Japanese tastes in regards to the concepts they include in their games. I had no idea dating sims were so popular with the western audience.

Me either! But everytime I try to talk about P4(not just GAF) waifu stuff were bought up... Again and again and again. I am not saying there is no legit discussion about gameplay or other stuff, but waifus topic are more common than those...

 

[Squire]

There has to be a reason why they're expecting an M though.

Sure. It could be something we have no idea about, true.

 

[zeopower6]

Interestingly enough, there is a phallic demon popping out of someone in Persona 1 apparently and that got a T so wtf?

 

[Lunar15]

Yeah, a couple posts have pointed out they're allclowns and zombies or something; monsters.

After getting over my initial reaction, I'm warming up little by little. I still don't know how much I love all the pop/idol stuff and some of the fan-service, but there's a glimmer of hope in here.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Me either! But everytime I try to talk about P4(not just GAF) waifu stuff were bought up... Again and again and again. I am not saying there is no legit discussion about gameplay or other stuff, but waifus topic are more common than those...

I was being extremely facetious. Dating sims are absolutely not "popular" in the west. I think you really have a weird definition of what is considered popular, and you have a weird mindset that Atlus is trying to appeal to the Western market.

If you think most people are buying Persona for waifus... welp.

 

[Squire]

After getting over my initial reaction, I'm warming up little by little. I still don't know how much I love all the pop/idol stuff and some of the fan-service, but there's a glimmer of hope in here.

Ah, right on man. I knew you'd come around! 👍

Aren't you all jazzed about P4D though? I guess that probably has more to do with the characters, which is understandable.

 

[Megidolaon]

If you think most people are buying Persona for waifus... welp.

Yeah, I don't see how Persona is a dating sim. It's more of a social sim. I like how everyone forgets that you can't even date the majority of the characters. You could take the dating element out and I wouldn't care. I don't see how anyone could like playing it just for...ugh, "waifus" (I find that word so cringeworthy)

As for this game, it doesn't even look that much like Persona. Aside from the school setting, but Persona is way less cutesy overall. I hope that Fire Emblem has way more of an influence on this game than what it seems like. I know they said they were holding back, but right now it seems like the Fire Emblem stuff is very superficial.

 

[hurricanes]

I was being extremely facetious. Dating sims are absolutely not "popular" in the west. I think you really have a weird definition of what is considered popular, and you have a weird mindset that Atlus is trying to appeal to the Western market.

If you think most people are buying Persona for waifus... welp.

I NEVER suggest that Atlus is trying to appeal to the Western market, I said Persona become more popular(or mainstream) because of dating stuff (and because of more mainstream("hip") designs). Atlus didn't have to chose social link because of they try to appeal to anyone, they might have chosen social link & dating stuff because it work well with the game. Just like Xenoblade, the director did not intentionally try to appeal to the western, the design choice just happen to suit the taste.

 

[Jachaos]

Mara Lord is preferable.

But isn't it Sentinels who have the Impale skill?

Spoiler

I'll show myself out

 

[Shengar]

Me either! But everytime I try to talk about P4(not just GAF) waifu stuff were bought up... Again and again and again. I am not saying there is no legit discussion about gameplay or other stuff, but waifus topic are more common than those...

When characters are done and enganging is important with the gameplay, why wouldn't it count as gameplay talk? Gameplay and isn't mutually exclusive especially in any RPG. If you believe Persona only have waifu, your selective attention must be that great.

 

[foxuzamaki]

Wonder why they would expect this game to be M Rated? Its not like its going to have anything too bad, most likely it will probably be Teen rated.

They basically showed almost nothing to come to that conclusion

 

[Furfuryl Furforate]

Yeah, I don't see how Persona is a dating sim. It's more of a social sim. I like how everyone forgets that you can't even date the majority of the characters. You could take the dating element out and I wouldn't care. I don't see how anyone could like playing it just for...ugh, "waifus" (I find that word so cringeworthy)

As for this game, it doesn't even look that much like Persona. Aside from the school setting, but Persona is way less cutesy overall. I hope that Fire Emblem has way more of an influence on this game than what it seems like. I know they said they were holding back, but right now it seems like the Fire Emblem stuff is very superficial.

Sims is a social Sim, Persona on the other hand has just 3 states friends, acquaintances and love interests.

The relationships aren't the endgame but they're still a big part of the game, you may as well call it part dating sim.

 

[Lunar15]

Sims is a social Sim, Persona on the other hand has just 3 states friends, acquaintances and love interests.

The relationships aren't the endgame but they're still a big part of the game, you may as well call it part dating sim.

If by big you mean one or two additional scenes for 5 of the 12 social links, then yes, it's big.

At that point, I'd say Mass Effect is a bigger dating sim than Persona is.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

At that point, I'd say Mass Effect is a bigger dating sim than Persona is.

Or GTA IV.

Let's start calling Alpha Protocol a dating sim. And man, those Danganronpa and Binary Domain dating sims sure are something.

 

[zeopower6]

If by big you mean one or two additional scenes for 5 of the 12 social links, then yes, it's big.

At that point, I'd say Mass Effect is a bigger dating sim than Persona is.

Honestly, I hate this discussion because it sounds like you guys have had to deal with some major A-holes regarding this topic in the past... >_> Avoiding ever mentioning it ever again.

 

[Luigiv]

"Sharp FE" or "Sharp Fire Emblem" also sound bloody daft. That's almost 358/2 Days level bad.

No idea why it can't just be "Illusory Revelations" with no stupid subtitle.

Well I can't argue with that but still that's beside the point. In no version of the English language is the # symbol read as "hashtag". It's just "hash". Twitter has ruined everything.

 

[Coxswain]

I'd say that, inasmuch as Social Links are largely responsible for Persona's broad appeal (at least in the west), it's the Social Links that are, like, "You befriend a lonely elderly couple who own a bookstore" or "You get to know your widower uncle and his only daughter" that made Persona stand out. It's not easy to find a game that's willing to portray those sorts of low-key, universal human interactions.

If it were popular just because you got to kiss all the anime girls, Thousand Arms probably would have been a breakout hit back in 1998.