Persona 4 Golden console re-release is a great reason to revisit the universe. Find out how this timeless classic continues to stay relevant from this beginner’s guide!
Persona 4 – It’s hard to judge the significance of an entertainment product right after it comes out. Marketing campaigns and excited consumers tend to create unnecessary hype that skews the initial perception. However, once the dust finally settles, everything falls into place. In retrospect, it’s much easier to determine which works have stood the test of time.
Since the original Persona 4 release date, the title has gone through several incarnations. Its life started on PlayStation 2 in 2008. The JRPG about a group of teens solving a chain of murders was truly enthralling. In 2012, it was ported to Vita, which turned out to be a perfect fit. Many people still favor this edition because of its superior convenience and portability.
In 2020, Atlus finally branched out to PC with their Persona 4 Golden Steam remaster. Amazingly, the history of the masterpiece doesn’t end there. Recently, the creators have announced yet another multiplatform rendition. What makes this particular adventure so prolific?
Understanding its wide renown is impossible without a thorough analysis. This article aims to explain the appeal to the uninitiated, and get them on board.
Construction of Identity
No Persona review would be sufficiently coherent without a brief summary of the premise. The hero moves to a small town in rural Japan. Soon, they hear rumors about a strange television program. According to them, staring at the screen at midnight makes a mysterious figure emerge. Soon after, a chain of killings occurs.
The police doesn’t take the situation seriously. It’s up to the Persona 4 protagonist and their new friends to protect the citizens. They gradually reveal the truth and work together to resolve the crisis.
Step into the fascinating universe, explore otherworldly environments, all the while being a normal student. Get to know the peers, grow as a person, and become an unstoppable supernatural fighter.
The concept alone is very intriguing, but Persona4 has a lot more to offer:
- Refreshing blend of murder-mystery and slice-of-life storytelling
- Unique gameplay that combines JRPG dungeon-crawling with normal daily activities
- Engaging turn-based battles that revolve around the combatants’ strengths and weaknesses
- Amazing cast with genuine interpersonal chemistry
- Countless viable playstyles that make P4G infinitely replayable
- Creative monster designs inspired by traditional mythology and urban legends
- Distinctive visual style and an outstanding soundtrack
Thanks to such an impressive combination of features, the experience has aged like fine wine. Leading a double-life, saving the world, and hanging out with schoolmates is downright addictive.
P4 Golden Mechanics, Tips, and Tricks
For those unfamiliar with the Persona 4 Golden franchise, this entry is a great place to start. There are 5 difficulty presets, from Very Easy to Very Hard. Furthermore, the extensive tutorial walks beginners through the most important aspects. In fact, it takes about 4 hours for the handholding to stop. Don’t get discouraged by the slow progression.
Stick with it, Personal 4 gets a lot better once more possibilities open up. The process is a rare example of immersive role-playing with an extraordinary degree of freedom. The player gets to choose what to invest their time and efforts in. Days pass regardless of what they do. Go to work, study, read books, or socialize. All of it alters the way the story unfolds.
Consequently, every Golden game is different. Each action contributes to how effective the team is on the battlefield. Occasionally, the investigators have to enter the parallel dimension, crawling with terrifying abominations. In battle, they can use analysis, tactics, guard, attack, skill, persona, item, and escape options. Hitting a weak spot gives a bonus turn. This is where the summoning element comes into play.
In Persona 4 Golden, personas are metaphysical manifestations of each individual’s multisided personalities. In practice, they are demon warriors, possessing various traits and abilities inspired by tarot cards.
Basics aside, here are a few things that newcomers should make use of:
- Repeat dungeon runs for extra loot
- Do the Mega Beef Bowl Challenge to raise multiple skills at once
- Instead of downloading a Persona 4 Golden trainer, enable the bonus money and XP setting
- Don’t worry about covering everything in a single playthrough
- Remember to chat with the shopkeepers for useful insights and advice on how to proceed
Additionally, it never hurts to consult a wiki or ask for assistance on forums. Nearly 15 years after the first installment, there’s plenty of information on every topic imaginable.
Persona 4 Character Introductions
The storyline wouldn’t be nearly as compelling if it wasn’t for the wonderful cast:
Yu Narukami
Yu Narukami – the silent protagonist with a user-defined name. They live with their uncle and cousin, while their parents work abroad.
Chie Satonaka
Chie Satonaka is an energetic and extraverted girl. She loves martial arts, kung fu movies, and dreams of becoming a police officer.
Yosuke Hanamura
Without Yosuke, Persona 4 would lose a huge part of its charm. The young Hanamura is a bit awkward and clumsy. His peers often mock him for his lack of physical prowess. Underneath, he is good-natured, introspective, and quite intelligent.
Yukiko Amagi
Yukiko Amagi comes from a rich family and is a capable student. Despite being popular, smart, and elegant, she is noticeably introverted. Her portrayal in the Persona 4 anime is largely similar. As time goes by, she slowly comes out of her shell.
Kanji Tatsumi
Kanji Tatsumi is a rebellious misfit, who acts tough and unshakable. He uses the turbulent exterior to conceal his supposedly unbecoming hobbies and interests, like sewing.
Rise Kujikawa
Rise Kujikawa used to be a celebrity, but decided to change her life. She regularly flirts with the protagonist. In the Persona 4 Animation, her affection is even more obvious. She is unapologetically proud of her past achievements. Nevertheless, she is rather sweet, albeit a bit dramatic.
Naoto Shirogane
Naoto Shirogane is an orphan who comes from a family of brilliant detectives. She is analytical, mission-oriented, and somewhat uptight.
Teddie
Teddie is a benevolent entity from the TV-world who appears to be a bear mascot. In Persona 4 the Animation, he is initially pretty cowardly, but later conquers his fear. Otherwise, he is an innocent being who is not very familiar with human ways.
There are also countless NPCs to interact with. Some of them are essential to the advancement of the plot, while others are optional.
Key Locations
The narrative is set in a fictional town called Inaba. It looks almost identical across all the variations, including the Persona 4 Steam build.
Yasogami High School where most of the local youth goes study
Junes Department Store is a shopping mall owned by Yosuke’s dad
The Central Shopping District is the most lively street, where many businesses are located
The Samegawa Flood Plain is a path to the schoolhouse, with the fishermen’s favorite riverbank
Shichiri Beach was only added in the enhanced edition as a summer vacation spot
The Dojima Residence is the Persona 4 main character hub and their family’s temporary home
The Municipal Hospital is the central health facility where several important interactions occur
Amagi Inn is a traditional guest house and a popular tourist destination
In the course of the single-player campaign, the audience gets to explore these areas extensively. But there is another domain ruled by paranormal forces, The Midnight Channel. It’s the cornerstone of the Persona 4 anime, Golden, and standard versions. Accessing it requires looking intensely into an empty TV. The realm consists of countless convoluted labyrinth-like zones, originating in a broadcasting studio.
Finally, there is The Velvet Room, which exists somewhere between the conscious and the subconscious. In this iteration, it appears as a passenger compartment of a lavish limousine. Ever since Persona 1, the insightful Igor has been its host. He helps manage and fuse different personas.
Getting the Desired Endings
Those who make it to the end credits are usually heavily invested in the story. Admittedly, getting a satisfying conclusion is a bit convoluted. Many gamers don’t realize that the outcome hinges on a single conversation. Unfortunately, navigating it is not particularly intuitive.
Perhaps, the PS4 Persona 4 Golden reissue will make the task more straightforward. But for now, it’s best to follow one of the many spoiler-free guides available online.
There are several possible endings:
- Bad (3 types)
- Accomplice
- Normal
- True
- Golden
The last couple of options are slightly more labor-intensive. But they unlock additional content, which makes them worth the trouble.
Read more:
What Can One Learn From Playing Persona 4 Golden
Much like its predecessors, this chapter tackles numerous thought-provoking subjects and themes, namely:
- Personal growth is impossible without embracing the darker parts of the mind
- Forming strong bonds with others benefits everyone involved
- Studying and working aside, having fun and socializing are also beneficial
- The truth comes to the surface, no matter how hard anyone tries to suppress it
It’s only natural that thousands of fans continue to share their opinions and hot takes. Join the r/ Persona subreddit or a popular Discord channel, and contribute to the discussion.
Hopefully, this overview has explained the hype surrounding the modern classic. But even the most detailed examination couldn’t possibly do it justice. The recent announcement of console-friendly ports is another exciting reason to revisit it. The new Persona 4 Golden release date is January 19, 2023. PS4, Xbox Series, and Switch owners can finally join the party.
