My personal first impressions

[DamageCity]

http://www.atlus.com/forum/showpost.php?p=112564&postcount=166

Since I’m probably the first forum user to get his hands on the game, I thought I would post some quick impressions of the game. I’ve only played about a half hour of the game so far.

Soundtrack: Largely remains untouched but there are some that are obliviously changed and they are in key parts (world map, regular battle). The Pharmacy song remains but has a more Caribbean flare to it(I’ll try and post it to youtube if anyone cares).

Maps maps maps: The world map which now features your character portraits on the right side is hand drawn art. The map in the school, featured on the bottom left side, now has blue for areas you have not been which turn brown when you go to that area.

Movies: According to the “movie mode” there are a total of 42 movies in the game(the first being the intro). I’ve unlocked 4 others so far ranging for 28 seconds to 1:18. Strange thing is the characters have no voice acting, thank god, but Philemon does(like the original).

Game play: Largely remains untouched, which I fear might turn off newer fans.

Loading: Not the greatest but it’s better than the PS1 version.

Overall: It’s a solid port of a PS1 game, I can’t wait to play in my native language.

Any questions?

[Pibbman]

http://www.atlus.com/forum/showpost.php?p=112564&postcount=166

Since I’m probably the first forum user to get his hands on the game, I thought I would post some quick impressions of the game. I’ve only played about a half hour of the game so far.

Soundtrack: Largely remains untouched but there are some that are obliviously changed and they are in key parts (world map, regular battle). The Pharmacy song remains but has a more Caribbean flare to it(I’ll try and post it to youtube if anyone cares).

Maps maps maps: The world map which now features your character portraits on the right side is hand drawn art. The map in the school, featured on the bottom left side, now has blue for areas you have not been which turn brown when you go to that area.

Movies: According to the “movie mode” there are a total of 42 movies in the game(the first being the intro). I’ve unlocked 4 others so far ranging for 28 seconds to 1:18. Strange thing is the characters have no voice acting, thank god, but Philemon does(like the original).

Game play: Largely remains untouched, which I fear might turn off newer fans.

Loading: Not the greatest but it’s better than the PS1 version.

Overall: It’s a solid port of a PS1 game, I can’t wait to play in my native language.

Any questions?

My question is about the order system, I'm currently going through Persona 2: Innocent Sin and probably the single most annoying (and confusing system?) is the order system in combat. Now I haven't played the original, but does it have something similar? Where you can select which of your party members goes first? very time consuming system imo.

The menu system, has it been reworked at all? Such as navigation, did they improve it and make it easier to get around menus?

[DamageCity]

Well it's been about 7 or 8 years since I last played the original but the menus seem new, the kanji level is way above mine. As for order, I don't think I understand what you mean. Like, who attacks first in battle? I haven't played IS.

Oh and I put the new pharmacy song on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csmR6XB5FDo

[Pibbman]

Well it's been about 7 or 8 years since I last played the original but the menus seem new, the kanji level is way above mine. As for order, I don't think I understand what you mean. Like, who attacks first in battle? I haven't played IS.

Oh and I put the new pharmacy song on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csmR6XB5FDo

Yeah, in Persona 2 they got this system where you choose your attacks/items/etc, and then (in another menu of course... because the game is filled with menus) you can select what order the party members take their turns.

Now this wouldn't normally be a problem if you ask me, if you can have your ordered characters STAY in the same position every round/turn, but for some reason the game changes the order every turn, which makes no sense to me. Its incredibly annoying. Basically I'm wondering if there is something like that in Persona 1?

[DamageCity]

Well I'm struggling with a lot of the kanji in battle and there are a lot of menus, that being said, the battle system is really clean. Keeping formations and repeating commands is no problem.

[Iris]

Now this wouldn't normally be a problem if you ask me, if you can have your ordered characters STAY in the same position every round/turn, but for some reason the game changes the order every turn, which makes no sense to me. Its incredibly annoying. Basically I'm wondering if there is something like that in Persona 1?

There wasn't in the original, so if the gameplay is largely untouched, I'd assume there's not in the port, either. Actions go off according to agility stats.

DamageCity, when you've gotten a little further, I'd be really curious to know if they've rebalanced the Personae at all, or if Halo is still the most awesome level 18 gamebreaker ever. :3

[Pibbman]

Now this wouldn't normally be a problem if you ask me, if you can have your ordered characters STAY in the same position every round/turn, but for some reason the game changes the order every turn, which makes no sense to me. Its incredibly annoying. Basically I'm wondering if there is something like that in Persona 1?

There wasn't in the original, so if the gameplay is largely untouched, I'd assume there's not in the port, either. Actions go off according to agility stats.

DamageCity, when you've gotten a little further, I'd be really curious to know if they've rebalanced the Personae at all, or if Halo is still the most awesome level 18 gamebreaker ever. :3

Ok good, because agility makes more sense. Seriously whenever I play the game, it just leaves me wondering if the system was finished or what. I suppose in some sense its kinda nice, especially in terms of healing, but it proved to be more of a hindrance than anything.

Anyways, DamageCity thanks for answering my questions. Now lets just hope no one else does any spoiling (like when P4 came out)...then again can you really "spoil" a game that came out over 10 years ago?

[DamageCity]

They really improved things that needed it (maps, menu) but the new music is a little too much. I think they did a good job.

[Gen Eric Gui]

@Pibbman: IIRC, P2 changes your turn order to reflect how your characters' agility scores are affecting the turn order. IE: Ulala is fast so her turn might come up faster in the next combat round. If you're constantly changing the order you're likly missing out on turns because you're forcing certain characters to act slower then they possibly could.

I know in my game of EP, Ulala would regularaly go twice for each other single movement of my team, so her turn would jump around in the order constantly.

Sorry for the topic derail.

[Crabman]

Pibbman, P2's order system is based purely on the speed of the character - enemies included. The order resets each turn based on the changes you made the previous turn. Example:

Say your turn order before you switch it is:

Maya, Ulala, Enemy A, Kastuya, Enemy B and finally Baofu

In the "Order" submenu it would read

Maya, Ulala, Katsuya and Baofu

But say you switch it around so on the "Order" submenu it reads

Katsuya, Maya, Ulala and Baofu

In P2, the order of the enemies wont change - so since Enemy A is faster than Katsuya, it will attack first. Then Katsuya, Maya, Ulala, Enemy B (because Enemy B is slower than Maya, Ulala and Katsuya) and then Baofu. The reason order keeps changing from turn to turn is because (I think, not totally sure on this one) it tries to create the fastest turn order based on your equipped Persona from the previous turn. So, if you equiped a much faster Persona on, say Baofu - faster than anyone else in your team - the turn order will nto be affected until the following turn.

I know it's not P1 related, but I like P2 too much :D

[Samarecarm]

Thanks for your initial impressions, DamageCity!

They really improved things that needed it (maps, menu) but the new music is a little too much. I think they did a good job.

I agree but I happen to really enjoy the new music. Meguro-san keeping the tracks at or around 500kb really helps with the load times*. Although the songs are short, they sound better (of course) compared to the originals so I'm not disappointed with the remade ones. Now I'm just angry that the PSP volume is too low (perhaps I'm going deaf). The world map is very nice because it feels like P2, but it's more vibrant and tangible instead of a pre-rendered background.

*http://xcomprandomness.co.uk/2009/04/24/persona-psp-no-more-frustrating-navigation-controls/

Also, yes, in battle you choose the same order of commands for characters each time, unlike P2.

[Pibbman]

I wish we could see some more gameplay that actually lasts more than 20 seconds, and see the new world map.

[DamageCity]

I wish we could see some more gameplay that actually lasts more than 20 seconds, and see the new world map.

I can try and make some videos off my digital cam. Quality won't be great though.

[Zeik]

If I can find an easy way to capture video on my PSP I might try to upload a video.

[Pibbman]

Did some searching, here is a great clip I found on youtube. 5 minutes long, shows some dungeon crawling, battles and other stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMQHGsXdYXQ

There is the possibility of using the PSP video out (but that depends on which PSP you have), and plugging it into your computer to record (that also assumes you have a video card that can support that).

[DamageCity]

I hate Meguro, I get that he wanted to clean up the soundtrack but sticking his music into the most common parts... what an asshole.

[Zeik]

Most of Meguro's new tracks are better than the tracks that were originally in the game. I really didn't care much for the original soundtrack of P1. It had some good tracks, but it largely felt like just generic and forgettable background music.

I don't like all the new songs, but the ones that are good are definitely better. (Like the new overworld theme.)

[DamageCity]

but the ones that are good are definitely better. (Like the new overworld theme.)

*barfs uncontrollably*

I really didn't care much for the original soundtrack of P1.

I hate to be a Grognard about this subject :D but the original soundtrack is, for the most part, intact. This isn't a Meguro game, it's an Okada game.

Meguro is a prick.

[Zeik]

Barfing in agreement eh? That's a new one, but whatever floats your boat.

I hate to be a Grognard about this subject :D but the original soundtrack is, for the most part, intact. This isn't a Meguro game, it's an Okada game.
Uh, I didn't say they changed the whole soundtrack, nor did ever remotely imply that it was a Meguro game, what the hell are you talking about? All I said was that the new tracks are largely superior to the ones they replaced.

And Okada wasn't responsible for the music in the original game either, so I'm not sure what he has to do with the subject...

[DamageCity]

Barfing in agreement eh? That's a new one, but whatever floats your boat.

I don't agree, the overworld theme is ####ing terrible.

[DamageCity]

And Okada wasn't responsible for the music in the original game either, so I'm not sure what he has to do with the subject...


but Meguro is using his position as "director" of the port to stick in his own ####ty j-pop.

[Zeik]

Barfing in agreement eh? That's a new one, but whatever floats your boat.

I don't agree, the overworld theme is ####ing terrible.

No #### you don't agree...

It was a joke, meant to imply that I'm right and you're wrong.

but Meguro is using his position as "director" of the port to stick in his own ####ty j-pop.
Just because he's the director doesn't mean he has sole authority over these things. It was likely decided by everyone on the team to change the tracks, probably to capitalize on the fact that P3 and P4 were far more successful than P1.

[DamageCity]

Zeik, do me a favor and post a picture of you holding the game and giving a thumbs up.

[Zeik]

Zeik, do me a favor and post a picture of you holding the game and giving a thumbs up.

Uh, why? Are you trying to make me prove that I've played it? Because that would really make no sense.

[DamageCity]

Zeik, do me a favor and post a picture of you holding the game and giving a thumbs up.

Uh, why? Are you trying to make me prove that I've played it? Because that would really make no sense.


I just want to see your copy of Persona PSP, maybe it's different than mine.

[Kakizaki]

DC - Thanks for the impressions. I think we all appreciate your input so far. Also, ditto on your comments regarding the music.

On a side note, cool it guys.

Zeik, your comments regarding music are highly reminiscent of someone else that shows up here occasionally...

[Pibbman]

Zeik, are you Zeik56 from GT?

[Zeik]

Zeik, your comments regarding music are highly reminiscent of someone else that shows up here occasionally...
Well it's not me, since I haven't been to this board in like a couple years. (Last time I came was around the time P3 first came out.)

Zeik, are you Zeik56 from GT?

Maybe. :P

[Pibbman]

Zeik, your comments regarding music are highly reminiscent of someone else that shows up here occasionally...
Well it's not me, since I haven't been to this board in like a couple years. (Last time I came was around the time P3 first came out.)

Zeik, are you Zeik56 from GT?

Maybe. :P

Really? Well assuming that it is you, it's surprising you got the game already considering your GT profile says you live in Oregon, must of been some damn fast shipping from Japan considering it came out only yesterday.

I can't stop watching the videos for this game, it looks awesome! :D

[Zeik]

Really? Well assuming that it is you, it's surprising you got the game already considering your GT profile says you live in Oregon, must of been some damn fast shipping from Japan considering it came out only yesterday.
Yep, very fast. *Cough*

[Samarecarm]

but the ones that are good are definitely better. (Like the new overworld theme.)

*barfs uncontrollably*

I really didn't care much for the original soundtrack of P1.

I hate to be a Grognard about this subject :D but the original soundtrack is, for the most part, intact. This isn't a Meguro game, it's an Okada game.

Meguro is a prick.

For the most part, do you enjoy Meguro's remixes of the tracks that haven't been drastically changed, such as "Maki's theme" and the other generic tracks (I say because there are no unnecessary vocals like the battle or world map themes)? Although the original "Maki's theme", for example, sounded higher pitched and much happier, I like Meguro's remix with different instruments in it's own way.

Original (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwR90u5iK9Q)

Meguro's version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b14ltvvOc38)

[Inzaghi]

Really? Well assuming that it is you, it's surprising you got the game already considering your GT profile says you live in Oregon, must of been some damn fast shipping from Japan considering it came out only yesterday.
Yep, very fast. *Cough*

You're done here.

[Hitoshura]

Hmm... so DC, did they leave the formation system intact? If they did, did they at least fix that you had to correct your formation every single time you got into a back attack? :(

[jeffx]

Hmm... so DC, did they leave the formation system intact? If they did, did they at least fix that you had to correct your formation every single time you got into a back attack? :(

That is precisely what I wish to know as well, though I'd assume they left it the same.

[Pibbman]

From where I read, it seems the formation system was fixed?

However, you got to admit it makes sense the way they already had it. You were attacked in the back, so obviously from the enemy's standpoint, they are facing the backside of your formation. However, at the same time I can see how it can be annoying.

[DamageCity]

Yeah it's been fixed.

It's been a long time since I play the original. What excactly am I looking for with the formation system?

[Hitoshura]

Like, what bothered me was if you get in a back attack and you run away from battle, you have to fix your formation. Is it still like that?

[DamageCity]

Nope I've only been back-attacked once but in the next battle the formation had reverted back. I didn't run from the battle though.

[Iris]

Is there an easy way to look at the range of your skills? Because that drove me nuts when I'd need to use a physical skill to level up a Persona and get its next move, and I couldn't figure out where to have the person on the battlefield to actually hit something.

And my other question - does Igor still let you equip Personae you can't use? Like, if I try to give Brad something from the Chariot arcana, will I be able to do that in the Velvet Room, then when I get to battle and try to switch to it will the game go LOL NOPE CAN'T DO THAT? Or does it actually tell you in the Velvet Room now that you can't use it?

If those two things are fixed, I'm sending the developers my firstborn child.

[Inzaghi]

Is there an easy way to look at the range of your skills? Because that drove me nuts when I'd need to use a physical skill to level up a Persona and get its next move, and I couldn't figure out where to have the person on the battlefield to actually hit something.

And my other question - does Igor still let you equip Personae you can't use? Like, if I try to give Brad something from the Chariot arcana, will I be able to do that in the Velvet Room, then when I get to battle and try to switch to it will the game go LOL NOPE CAN'T DO THAT? Or does it actually tell you in the Velvet Room now that you can't use it?

If those two things are fixed, I'm sending the developers my firstborn child.

I'm not certain about the second bit, but as far as your first question, yeah. You can see the range of weapons, guns, and known skills for each character in the formation setup screen so you know where to put him/her.

[Iris]

Awesome. I'd seen some YouTube footage, so I knew you could see weapon range, but if skills are included in that, my day is made.

[Pibbman]

Awesome. I'd seen some YouTube footage, so I knew you could see weapon range, but if skills are included in that, my day is made.

Better find out where to send that kid of yours.

[Iris]

First I have to get around to having one.

[SomethingDifferent]

Just because he's the director doesn't mean he has sole authority over these things. It was likely decided by everyone on the team to change the tracks, probably to capitalize on the fact that P3 and P4 were far more successful than P1.

ROFL
Someone didn't bother searching for the original P1's sales numbers in Japan, it seems.

[Vicious1915]

Is there an easy way to look at the range of your skills? Because that drove me nuts when I'd need to use a physical skill to level up a Persona and get its next move, and I couldn't figure out where to have the person on the battlefield to actually hit something.

And my other question - does Igor still let you equip Personae you can't use? Like, if I try to give Brad something from the Chariot arcana, will I be able to do that in the Velvet Room, then when I get to battle and try to switch to it will the game go LOL NOPE CAN'T DO THAT? Or does it actually tell you in the Velvet Room now that you can't use it?

If those two things are fixed, I'm sending the developers my firstborn child.


Why is it that everytime I have a question or a comment you come along and ask said question or make said comment...?

WHY ARE YOU IN MY MIND?!?!? =P

[Iris]

Well, it's comfy in here. *nests in your brain* :3

[Pibbman]

Well, it's comfy in here. *nests in your brain* :3

Isn't it pretty spacious and empty in there though?


...



I kid. :P

[unknown]

Some screens.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x165/arcstuff/screen9.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x165/arcstuff/screen2-2.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x165/arcstuff/screen8.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x165/arcstuff/screen6-1.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x165/arcstuff/screen10.jpg

The new map is basically the original except you get a more overhead view of everything so it's easier to navigate. The CG scenes are a lot nicer then I thought, everything overall look really clean.

This is definitely my most anticipated game this fall, I'll finally finish P1. >_>

[Pibbman]

I hope they put out a release date soon. :/

Then I can go to store and buy a calendar, and put it up in my room and draw a big red circle around the date.

[DamageCity]

This j-pop battle theme is killing me. I didn't like it the first 50 times I heard but after about the 100th I want to throw my PSP out the window.

[unknown]

There's no option to switch battle themes?

[DamageCity]

There's no option to switch battle themes?

Has there ever been an option to switch battle themes in any games?

[Vicious1915]

There's no option to switch battle themes?

Has there ever been an option to switch battle themes in any games?

LoL So true...

Thank you for giving us all a running review of the game. You don't seem to be enjoying it that much, yet you still keep on truckin. How Faithful is that?
Much appreciated.

[Son1x]

So this is the new battle theme?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbSAfzt2M6w

Meh, I don't like it that much too, the start is ok, but it gets worse later on. Battle themes usually play a big role if I play a game or not >.<

[Mizutama]

I've played the original a long time ago and recently started playing the remake, and currently I'm still there refamiliarizing myself with the contact system before I continue on. While I do think some of the music are out of place (like the town map bgm and school bgm lol), I actually LOVE the new songs/bgms, and I find most of them MUCH more catchy than the original (although yeah, I do prefer the old Satomi Tadashi theme). I also feel as if they brushed up on the sprites a bit because the movements look a tad more fluid than the original, and I definitely like the new CG cutscenes (even if I still sort of wish they were voiced). The battle grid thing and all the new save points/quicksave options were definitely an improvement (SO AHAHAHA NO MORE LEAVING MY GAME ON WHILE I'M STUCK IN DEVA YUGA HAHAHA)

So...yeah, I'm definitely going to buy the English version too whenever it comes out <3

[Vicious1915]

So this is the new battle theme?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbSAfzt2M6w

Meh, I don't like it that much too, the start is ok, but it gets worse later on. Battle themes usually play a big role if I play a game or not >.<


OMG I hope not!!! That's AWFUL! I'd much rather hear the original ~ not that it was a work of art ~ but still! *Prays for a change in the U.S. release*

[Kakizaki]

^I wonder if that could be a possibility? Please guys? If not a full on switch, how about an option if there is space?

[Purge]

This j-pop battle theme is killing me. I didn't like it the first 50 times I heard but after about the 100th I want to throw my PSP out the window.

Agreed 10000x, except I wanted to throttle someone by the third battle I got into. I mean, the song is great on its own, but as a battle theme, hearing it over and over...

I tolerated Persona 3's battle theme (haven't played 4) because it was just rap and BABY BABY OOH YEAH, but having a full-fledged pop song in battle? No way. That and what happened to the songs that play when the main character and Ellie sing, and when Mark dances crazy??

Besides the musical grievances, I'm having a blast with this game. The cutscenes are fantastic (though I'm crossing my fingers for zero voice acting in the English version...), the polished menus are great, etc. ...now I'm just waiting for a shiny new translation for the English localization (though I'll miss some of the golden lines the original had).

[Kakizaki]

That and what happened to the songs that play when the main character and Ellie sing, and when Mark dances crazy??

They are gone? :(

[SomethingDifferent]

There's no option to switch battle themes?

Has there ever been an option to switch battle themes in any games?

Eh... actually yes.
Some PS2 ports of Cave games have arrange soundtracks and the option to switch between them and the arcade ones. (If anyone doesn't know what Cave is, look at the Deathsmiles 360 request thread.)

Anyway, just wanted to point that out. I don't think this makes it any more likely that the US version of Persona will include such an option, of course. :P

[Kakizaki]

Eh... actually yes.
Some PS2 ports of Cave games have arrange soundtracks and the option to switch between them and the arcade ones. (If anyone doesn't know what Cave is, look at the Deathsmiles 360 request thread.)Well yeah, but the same is true of many arcade conversions of Capcom, Cave, and many other arcade developers that had titles on Saturn, Dreamcast, PS2, etc...

I would be more interested in knowing about non-arcade titles that have had this feature - specifically rpgs.

[unknown]

There's no option to switch battle themes?

Has there ever been an option to switch battle themes in any games?

Ah, you're right.

I was thinking about switching dungeon themes.

[Zacewing]

[quote]I would be more interested in knowing about non-arcade titles that have had this feature - specifically rpgs.

Tales Of The World: Radiant Mythology 2 allows you to switch between different Tales series battle themes, I think.

At least, you can in Arena battles.

[Raksha]

but Meguro is using his position as "director" of the port to stick in his own ####ty j-pop.

Sorry for asking, but is this true?

[DamageCity]

My god, I'm loving the Snow Queen quest! It's ####ing huuuuuuuuge! More NPCs, more interactions with students and faculty and more Yukino. I can't wait to play it in English so I know more than a handful of phrases and vocabulary.

[Enzeru]

About how far in do you get the opportunity to do the SQQ?

[Kakizaki]

My god, I'm loving the Snow Queen quest! It's ####ing huuuuuuuuge! More NPCs, more interactions with students and faculty and more Yukino. I can't wait to play it in English so I know more than a handful of phrases and vocabulary.


I can't wait. I'm not sure which path to choose first.

[DamageCity]

I just got to the first boss Hubunos. I want to grind a couple levels just to be on the safe side.

I would actually recommened that first time players skip the SQQ on their first runthrough.

A downfall is you get stuck with Brown(Brad), I always hated that cocky prick.

Goddamnit! I just timed out on the 8th floor! I had no idea there was a timer going, I reaally need to play this in English.

[Inzaghi]

Goddamnit! I just timed out on the 8th floor! I had no idea there was a timer going, I reaally need to play this in English.

TIME UP!
GAME OVER!
TRY AGAIN!

[DamageCity]

Goddamnit! I just timed out on the 8th floor! I had no idea there was a timer going, I reaally need to play this in English.

TIME UP!
GAME OVER!
TRY AGAIN!

やばいだよー！！！