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[animaSerah]

Putting it on the same level as fanfiction is more than just midly unfair, it implies you have a complete misunderstanding of what actual fanfiction looks like. Switching the story structure to something more like that of Chronophantasia or Mortal Kombat would in turn fix a significant amount of the problems on its own.

^^^This. Structuring the story like Mortal Kombat's allows them to focus on certain characters when it's important and relevant to do so and then move on to another character while maintaining the story's pace. You could also go back to certain characters that are likely to be more important (Yu, Aigis, Mitsuru, etc.). I didn't mind Arena's story mode that much, but I agree that it's bloated and much of it is filler, simply by nature of its structure.

 

[Sophia]

But the bits of Arena that aren't fluff are the bits that feel the most fan fictiony to me. Labrys' story was very... not good. And the Shadow Operatives stuff is full on fan fiction, right?

You are firmly in a minority regarding Labrys's story, I think. Also, the Shadow Operatives stuff was one of the only things that didn't really feel like fanfiction to me.. Especially given the implication that the events of Persona 4 did not go unnoticed to the outside world.

^^^This. Structuring the story like Mortal Kombat's allows them to focus on certain characters when it's important and relevant to do so and then move on to another character while maintaining the story's pace. You could also go back to certain characters that are likely to be more important (Yu, Aigis, Mitsuru, etc.). I didn't mind Arena's story mode that much, but I agree that it's bloated and much of it is filler, simply by nature of its structure.

Another factor that doesn't really help is that Persona 4's story is a bit self-contained, in a very similar manner to Persona 2. In contrast, it feels like Persona 1 and Persona 3's stories were part of a much bigger picture.

 

[PK Gaming]

What did you expect, it's Fighting-game adapted from an RPG series. To expect the story to have anything of substance is... overly optimistic. At the same time, labeling every single plot point as merely "fan fiction" is also unfair. Like, short of bringing in the original Persona 4 team, anything they could possibly come up with is "fanfiction".

All things considered, I think they did a decent job with the story. Sure, the way they characterization was off a bit (ranging from slightly degrading like Yosuke, to full out offensive like Kanji) but overall, it was an enjoyable experience. I'd strongly argue that the Persona 3 characters were actually improved. Then again, most of them lacked depth to begin with. Hopefully P4A2 has a streamlined storymode like MK or Injustice.

 

[ShmeebAlina]

What I liked about Labby's story is that with the internal monologue you get to see her psyche developing.

Plus I totally got Pokemon First Movie vibes .

And yeah PK, that's pretty much my stance on this too.

 

[todd360]

I liek this picture.

 

[Lunar15]

By fanfiction level writing I mean that there's a ton of leaps in logic in order to unite a bunch of people who probably shouldn't be united through normal circumstances. It's not so much the quality of the beat to beat writing as it is the general scenario being completely wacky. Believe me, there's fan fiction out there that features excellent writing, but it doesn't make the scenario any less ridiculous. For a fighting game, I think Arena pulled it off pretty well, though. I'm not being negative, just saying I don't want that style of writing in a mainline game.

My least favorite thing in a game series is when they attempt to retroactively connect things that were never intended to be connected. It just has a very... inconsistent success rate.

 

[PK Gaming]

Not bad, not bad at all!

SO GOOD!

 

[animaSerah]

Not bad, not bad at all!

SO GOOD!

YES! I'm so hyped for these Shadow characters! Do we know if the P3 cast has transformations as part of their win poses?

 

[Meia]

That Yu is creepy as all hell... @_@

 

[Squire]

Not bad, not bad at all!

SO GOOD!

Fuck yes. I don't play Naoto, but I want to now!

 

[Dantis]

I liek this picture.

At first I thought this was amazing fanart, now I'm pretty sure it's by Sogabe (The manga guy).

Sogabe is a pretty decent artist.

 

[EMT0]

Shadow Yu lives!

...and he actually may have a personality!

Spoiler

 

[Gazoinks]

Not bad, not bad at all!

SO GOOD!

I'm just going to main all of the shadow characters. They're all great.

 

[Lord Scrambles]

Not bad, not bad at all!

SO GOOD!

Heimdall's Codpiece! That's amazing! makes you wonder what the shadows from the Persona 3 characters are going to be like.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Not bad, not bad at all!

SO GOOD!

That's what I'm talking about.

I'm just going to main all of the shadow characters. They're all great.

Heh, that's exactly my plan. We'll have to face off to see who the best Shadow player is.

 

[Levito]

Only 6 days away my lovelies.


Also sent a whole bunch of you PM's just now.

 

[Poetic.Injustice]

Anyone know what arcade system board they're using for A2? Weird question I know.

 

[Moonlight]

SO GOOD!

This is absolutely fantastic, and exactly what I meant when I said I was looking forward to the kind of personality that the Shadows could bring to life.

As an aside, I finished Persona 2: Innocent Sin. It was... y'know, it was pretty damn good. A few things are niggling at me, but I really liked it, for the most part. Extended thoughts are pending.

 

[Soma]

"Ayyyye gurl lemme get dat ass"

 

[Sophia]

Shadow Yu reminds me of Terumi.... >_>;

 

[FluxWaveZ]

Anyone know what arcade system board they're using for A2? Weird question I know.

http://p-atlus.jp/p4u2/

 

[Dr. Buni]

It would be cool if the shadow characters could transform in their "true forms".

 

[Samurai_Heart]

=( Missed Gazoinks becoming a member XD, anyway congrats, back to finishing off an OT and then rejoin you guys in melting down to insanity =P

I should reaally finish off Arena but need to keep training on it till it clicks with me... =/

 

[Lord Scrambles]

It would be cool if the shadow characters could transform in their "true forms".

That's what I'm saying, man!

Maybe for their insta-kills?

 

[Gazoinks]

Heh, that's exactly my plan. We'll have to face off to see who the best Shadow player is.

You. Definitely you.

That's what I'm saying, man!

Maybe for their insta-kills?

That'd probably be a ton of extra work, but it sho (see what I did there?) would be awesome.

 

[PK Gaming]

This is absolutely fantastic, and exactly what I meant when I said I was looking forward to the kind of personality that the Shadows could bring to life.

As an aside, I finished Persona 2: Innocent Sin. It was... y'know, it was pretty damn good. A few things are niggling at me, but I really liked it, for the most part. Extended thoughts are pending.

Awesome, I knew you'd like it. Gameplay aside, its a brilliant game. If you enjoyed IS's story, then you'll love EP's. I probably wouldn't junp into it immediately though, it's evn harder to playthrough than IS....

 

[Levito]

Made a news/questions for for countdown timer reveal Episode of the podcast, would be a big help if you guys could share it whereever you think it'd be suitable! :3

 

[Poetic.Injustice]

http://p-atlus.jp/p4u2/

Taito type EX 2 eh? Thanks.

 

[Samurai_Heart]

So...anyone in Persona GAF willing to film their reactions to the website reveal ala Nintendo 64 kid if it's Persona 5 and a rage one if it isn't =P?

 

[CrazyDude]

So will shadow operatives as an organization be in Persona 5? It seems weird for there to be shadow activity in Persona 5 without them finding out about it.

 

[Soriku]

I would love a Persona game written by Gen Urobuchi (Saya no Uta, Madoka Magica). You want something dark? The man who seems to hate life is the perfect fit.

Yes please. And you forgot Fate/Zero!!

I don't care about tone, I just want a plot that isn't quite so nonsensical this time around.

Nonsensical in what way? I mean stuff like the Midnight Channel or Dark Hour is kinda wacky but otherwise the games tend to stay pretty well within the bounds they set IMO.

 

[kewlmyc]

Shadow Yu reminds me of Terumi.... >_>;

Yu wishes he was Terumi.

 

[pan-hime]

 

[Caladrius]

I is fixed.

Yu wishes he was Terumi.

Not nearly enough of a villain sue

So will shadow operatives as an organization be in Persona 5? It seems weird for there to be shadow activity in Persona 5 without them finding out about it.

It depends on how many returning characters the devs might want to use, regardless of whether or not it would make sense for them to not catch on. If we use the last 2 main games as precedent no one is likely to return aside from Velvet room members.

 

[buddha0991]

Mitsuru almost looks like a Yakuza Leader lol

 

[Sophia]

It depends on how many returning characters the devs might want to use, regardless of whether or not it would make sense for them to not catch on. If we use the last 2 main games as precedent no one is likely to return aside from Velvet room members.

I'm actually quite fond of the whole game having all original characters, but having one of those original characters be a part of the Shadow Operatives.

 

[Lollipop Dave]

So will shadow operatives as an organization be in Persona 5? It seems weird for there to be shadow activity in Persona 5 without them finding out about it.

It's going to be a prequel, so nope.

Spoiler

no idea.

 

[CrazyDude]

I'm actually quite fond of the whole game having all original characters, but having one of those original characters be a part of the Shadow Operatives.

Possible for one to be the mentor character.

Even then, it feels kind of weird telling a bunch of in experienced kids to save the world while we have these seasoned veterans sitting on the side lines.

 

[Tamanon]

At most, I'd be okay with an old character showing up for a stretch, a la Nate/Ellen in EP, but that'd be the limit. I want to meet new folks! I wonder how they'll do the bro character this time around!

 

[CrazyDude]

At most, I'd be okay with an old character showing up for a stretch, a la Nate/Ellen in EP, but that'd be the limit. I want to meet new folks! I wonder how they'll do the bro character this time around!

Also Junpei > Yosuke

 

[Sophia]

Possible for one to be the mentor character.

Right? Imagine if shit got real Persona 2 style early on in the story, and a member of the Shadow Operatives contacts them and acts like a mentor/guest playable character to the rest of the cast. This would directly connect the story in a similar manner to how they've been doing it prior to Persona 4, but without actually bringing in any of the crossover elements.

Even then, it feels kind of weird telling a bunch of in experienced kids to save the world while we have these seasoned veterans sitting on the side lines.

Wouldn't be the first time they've done it.

 

[Caladrius]

I'm actually quite fond of the whole game having all original characters, but having one of those original characters be a part of the Shadow Operatives.

*re-reads question, facepalms for self* It's a neat idea, though I would hope they would make his involvement somewhat obtuse.

Possible for one to be the mentor character.

Even then, it feels kind of weird telling a bunch of in experienced kids to save the world while we have these seasoned veterans sitting on the side lines.

There's always the standard mentor excuse of "It was only to make you stronger!" Or they could get killed off before they can act.

 

[Lollipop Dave]

Right? Imagine if shit got real Persona 2 style early on in the story, and a member of the Shadow Operatives contacts them and acts like a mentor/guest playable character to the rest of the cast. This would directly connect the story in a similar manner to how they've been doing it prior to Persona 4, but without actually bringing in any of the crossover elements.

I'd be okay with this, though I would rather P4A2 finishes off those characters and we get all fresh, no callbacks at all.

 

[CrazyTank940]

Yu pls, you wish you were evil enough for that kind of hand gesture which usually comes before a maniacal laugh. Also, suddenly chairs.

 

[Tamanon]

Also Junpei > Yosuke

Truth.

Junpei was secretly the best character in Persona 3.

 

[Levito]

If they're going to have any sort of returning characters I'm hoping it's a cameo at most. Please focus on the new cast.

 

[Lord Scrambles]

Truth.

Junpei was secretly the best character in Persona 3.

Junpei is secretly the best character in all of Persona

 

[SloaneRisette]

Not bad, not bad at all!

SO GOOD!

Shadow Naoto has some scary ass eyes

 

[Sophia]

I'd be okay with this, though I would rather P4A2 finishes off those characters and we get all fresh, no callbacks at all.

There will be callbacks. Every Persona game has had them. Persona 4's almost complete lack of callbacks (outside of the ones you get after beating

Spoiler

Margaret

and the school trip) is actually unusual and not standard. Heck, even the original Persona game had tons of callbacks to SMT If...

 

[pan-hime]

always remember