The Investigation Team

Persona 4 has a very special place in my heart. I was a fan of the Persona games during the PSOne days and played some of P3, but for whatever reason I didn't get P4. Maybe because it came out in 2008 and I had already moved on to the PS3? Maybe because it came out during my Freshman/Sophomore year of college and I just didn't have the time? Anyway, I missed out on a real gem and one of the best JRPGs to date.

When I found out Persona 4 was being remastered with new content (character, Social Links, dungeon, boss, new animated cutscenes) on the PS Vita, the handheld console became an instant buy. This was my second chance - 4 years later. When I finally got my hands on Persona 4: [The] Golden and loaded the game, I was immediately hooked thanks to the catchy music and the vibrant visuals.

I fully immersed myself as Yu Narukami, trying to make the best of a bad situation after transferring to Inaba. I sunk several hours into the game a night, desperately wanting to crack the case along with the members of my team. During our missions, especially the S. Link quests, I grew very fond of each of the characters, especially these three: Chie Satonaka, Yukiko Amagi, and Yosuke Hanamura. When it was finally over and I (Yu) had to leave Inaba, my heart felt heavy. I legitimately felt like I was leaving a group of friends I spent a year (in game) getting to know. But to my surprise, one of the additions to Golden was a new epilogue after the True Ending. I got to see my old friends again and was given a sense of closure.

It is a game that upon completion shook me to my core more than any other game I've ever played. It was so good, it makes me wish I had played it when I was younger - it might have encouraged me to enjoy my school life. I strongly recommend anyone with a Vita to purchase this game. My only regret after completing the game is that I cannot experience it fresh ever again.