Persona 3 FES a high school haunt on PS2

via Punch Jump

Atlus U.S.A.'s Persona 3 FES is a welcome re-release of the supernatural high-school RPG. The title includes new bonus features, including an extension of the storyline that veterans and newcomers will enjoy.

In Persona 3 FES, players take the role of a high-school transfer student. He starts life normally from school to dorm until an encounter with the Dark Hour, an hour after midnight wear evil beings called Shadows lurk in the streets.

The title sections the day into morning, afternoon, evening, and Dark Hour scenarios. In the morning, the main character can interact with school friends or engage in extracurricular activities. Strong participation in school can lead to extra points in Academics, Charm and Courage attributes.

In the evening, players head back to the dorm to follow into the Dark Hour to battle.

In battle, players can attack, use skills, or summon Personas, alternate beings that harbor strong powers. Players can also analyze enemies to look up their weak point and gain an extra hit after a knock down. Additionally, characters can be set to act on their own, heal, attack a target, or stand by.

The latest version adds new Personas, new Social Links to characters that boost Persona strength, an optional Hard Mode, a Weapon Fusion feature to create new weapons by fusing Personas, and new requests in the Velvet Room, an alternate space for side missions.

The largest addition is a new scenario called The Journey, a continuation of the story that adds tens of hours of new gameplay.

The graphics in Persona 3 FES are clean at 30 frames per second. Locations and enemies are flat-shaded and well-constructed. Character portraits and solid voice acting relay witty banter among the students.

Persona 3 FES is a great RPG for new and old fans. The added bonuses and new gameplay extras offer plenty more at a budget price.