Persona 3

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
Persona 3 US Cover
Developer(s)	Atlus Co.
Publisher(s)	Atlus Co. (Japan/Asia and North America) Koei (Europe)
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release	JPN July 13, 2006 NA August 14, 2007
Genre(s)	Role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single player

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 (ペルソナ3, Perusona 3) is the fourth game in the Persona series (Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment are considered two separate games). The game was developed and published by Atlus Co. for the PlayStation 2 console system. Persona 3 was released in Japan on July 13, 2006, and was set to be released in North America on July 24, 2007, but due to a manufacturing error with the Persona 3 art book, its ship date was delayed to August 14,2007.

The North American version of Persona 3 contains the aforementioned art book, along with a soundtrack CD.

Gameplay

Persona 3 is a departure from its predecessors in that the story moves in a slow, day-to-day pace over the span of a year, rather than jumping from event to event in typical console role-playing game fashion. Like in previous installments, the main character attends high school; however, in this installment, school activities (studying, building a social life, etc.) are important in building up statistics. While half of the game is dedicated to participating in school activities, the other half involves fighting demons in Tartarus at night. This "day in the life" style of gameplay is similar to Japanese console RPGs with dating sim elements, like Harvest Moon, Azure Dreams, or Atlus's own Imodoki no Vampire: Bloody Bride.

The battle system is a turn based-style interface called Once More, similar to the Press Turn battle system used in other recent Shin Megami Tensei games such as Digital Devil Saga. However, instead of rewarding the entire party for exploiting weaknesses, extra turns are given on an individual basis. When an enemy's weakness is exploited, it is knocked down. If all enemies are knocked down, an "All-out attack" can be performed, where all the party members rush at the enemies at once in a huge dust cloud dealing massive damage. However, only the protagonist is directly controllable in battle, while the numerous allies that join the party are governed by AI, which the player can influence somewhat with preset "Tactics." At the beginning of the game, the player has a few basic Tactics to choose from, but more are learned automatically as one gets further into the game. The game also includes a physical well-being parameter which moves from "great" to "good" to "tired" or "sick" over the course of exploring Tartarus. If a player or friendly NPC is "tired" or "sick", their performance in battle drops dramatically, and it is more likely they will take a critical hit. If one character is sick, they may also pass on the illness to other characters. Resting a night or two can restore the character's health.

The battle system is unusual in that the main character and his allies shoot themselves in the head with a special gun, called an Evoker, to force their Persona out of their souls. While the other allies in the game can only bring forth one Persona, the player's character is able to gain many Personae and change them in battle. Personae gain additional abilities and benefits that the player gains as they gain experience by being equipped in battle. A post-battle bonus card game allows a player a chance to earn a new Persona or another bonus represented by cards of the minor arcana such as additional experience points, yen, health bonuses, or weapons. However, new Persona can only be gained in this manner if the player has a social link corresponding to the Persona's arcana. The player can also create new Personae by fusion of two or more existing Personae even without a corresponding link, but then the created Persona will lose out on a substantial experience point bonus, whereas a created Persona with a social link will gain experience depending on how high the social link is.

Tartarus is a multi-floored building with randomly-generated floors, similar in nature to roguelike games; floor layouts are not saved and when a floor is revisited, the layout will have changed. Some floors will have fixed layouts or specific enemies or objects set by the game plot. On some floors there is an access point, which teleports the player to the beginning. On certain floors there are also terminal points, which allow the player to travel to any other terminal point already accessed, allowing the player to continue progress in Tartarus without having to go through every floor again. These terminal points are set on specific floors, unlike access points.

Plot

A teenager who was orphaned as a young boy returns to the city of his childhood. Shortly after transferring to Gekkoukan High School, he is attacked by Shadows — creatures that feed on the minds of their victims. The assault awakens his Persona, Orpheus, his only chance at defeating these creatures of the night. He soon discovers that he shares this special ability with other students at his new school. From them he learns of the "Dark Hour," a hidden time that exists between one day and the next, swarming with Shadows. He joins the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES), and with his new friends, confronts the threat of the Shadows.

Playable characters

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Main Character (主人公, Shujinkō) Voiced by: Akira Ishida (Japanese); Yuri Lowenthal (English)
Persona: Orpheus of The Fool arcanum, Thanatos of Death arcanum, Messiah of Judgement arcanum

The main character, silent protagonist (save for few instances), and hero of the story. He is a recently transferred High School Junior who moved to Tatsumi Port Island and Gekkoukan High School in April. During his time there, he experiences many strange and ominous things, such as the Dark Hour, and his first meeting with the boy Pharos along with the signing of a mysterious contract. Not too long after, he and the others in his dorm are attacked by Shadows and he finally awakens to his Persona powers. Also, unlike the others, thanks to the contract his signed, which actually belongs to the enigmatic Igor, a dweller of The Velvet Room, he is able to switch multple Personae mid-battle and have access to all of their powers.

In truth however, it is revealed that 10 years ago, Aigis was in mid-battle with “Death”, and in the skirmish his parents’ car got caught up in it. He managed out as the sole survivor. However, at the time Aigis was unable to defeat “Death” so she sealed him up into the only thing she could have at the time; the boy himself. Throughout the time, “Death” has been living and getting stronger inside of him, and it is later revealed that “Death” is in fact Pharos, the young boy he meets in his dreams. Thanks to Ikutsuki’s interventions, as well as the death of the 12 Major Shadows, Pharos has been freed, and later becomes a friend of theirs under the guise of Ryoji.

The friendship doesn’t last too long, and much to the horror of the team, alongside Ryoji, he learns that he is the harbringer of the coming of “Nyx”, a seemingly omnipotent being capable of destroying the world for the sole purpose of resurrection once again. In the end, it is the main character who faces and defeats Nyx through Igor’s help, depending on the ending the player chooses.

In the Manga version, authored by Shūji Sogabe, he is named Minato Arisato (有里 湊, Arisato Minato).

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Yukari Takeba (岳羽 ゆかり, Takeba Yukari) Voiced by: Megumi Toyoguchi (Japanese); Michelle Ruff (English)
Persona: Io, Isis of The Lovers arcanum

Yukari Takeba is a classmate, and dorm mate of the main character as well as the rest of the SEES. Due to her cheerful disposition and positive attitude she is very popular at school. She however at times tends to lose herself and drive herself beyond her own limits, as well as constantly pick on Junpei (calling him “Stupei”). In battle, she wields a bow and arrow (she is also captain of her school’s Archery Club).

Yukari’s involvement into the boiling pot starts way back when her father was invited into the Kirijo Group’s “Shadow Experiment.” Initially, the experiment was thought to have been to create “a time manipulation device” using the powers and potential of the shadows. The experiment went awry, and as a result Tartarus and the Dark Hour came into existence. Yukari’s father taped his last video to warn everyone of the danger, and that the only way to destroy the Dark Hour was to kill the 12 Major Shadows. This warning, was in fact doctored by Ikutsuki for his own purposes. The real video had nothing to do with any time manipulation devices, but was instead to bring about the coming of Nyx. It was Yukari’s father who warned everyone that killing the 12 Shadows would only speed the coming of the harbringer. In the end, Yukari found her resolve thanks to her father and Fuuka who found the original video.

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Junpei Iori (伊織 順平, Iori Junpei) Voiced by: Toriumi Kosuke (Japanese); Vic Mignogna (English)
Persona: Hermes, Trismegistus of The Magician arcanum

Junpei Iori is the upbeat and cheerful class clown of the sorts in his class, and best friend to the main character, and in battle wields a two-handed sword. Initially, he was found by Akihiko crying in a convenient store, not realized that he had the “potential” until Akihiko told him of it. His decision to join SEES was a swift one, and he immediately moved into their dorm, to Yukari’s dismay.

Initially, Junpei had no real reason for fighting at all, unlike the others. It was all a “game of being hero” for a while, until he ran into a girl named Chidori one day. Despite his first reaction and meeting with her, she in fact grew on him, and one day in a feat of jest, he “spilled all the beans” to her concerning SEES, and also lied to her about being their leader without realizing she was a member of Strega. On a full moon night, she kidnapped him in the hopes that he would call off their mission or else she would kill him. It was this night that he confessed he was no leader, and afterwards her plans went downhill.

After she was hospitalized, he visited her often and both continued to grow on each other. However, the would-be dead Takaya suddenly showed up one day in her room, and gave her pack her axe and Evoker, making her realize her true mission as a member of Strega. Junpei rushed to her to see if she was alright, only to have an axe thrown in his face. However, after a tough battle, she was conflicted with her loyalty to Takaya and fear of death, or her love of Junpei. After a fatal attack Takaya dealt on Junpei, Chidori sacrificer her life to save his, and in the end gave him some of her powers. In a fit of rage and resolution, Junpei awakened to the second level of his Persona power as well as a hard hit towards Jin. It was these events that finally gave Junpei the reason to fight.

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Mitsuru Kirijo (桐条 美鶴, Kirijō Mitsuru) Voiced by: Rie Tanaka (Japanese); Tara Platt (English)
Persona: Penthesilea, Artemisia of The Empress arcanum

Mitsuru is the daughter and only child of the current head of the Kirijo Group, Takeharu Kirijo, as well as the school’s top ranking valedictorian and student council president. Her preference in battle is the use of one-handed swords such as rapiers.

Upon discovering of the main character’s potential as a Persona User, she along with Ikutsuki invite him into SEES. Unfortunately, due to the injuries Akihiko received in the beginning of the game, she stays behind the party as a Support character, offering analysis and such. However, after the discovery of Fuuka Yamagishi she finally rejoins the party in battle.

Through much of the game, Mitsuru hides many facts and details of the Dark Hour as well as Tartarus due to feelings of guilt. Since it was her grandfather who was responsible for everything, she kept blaming herself for it However, throughout the entire time she has been completely oblivous to Ikutsuki’s true intentions.

After Ikutsuki killed her father, she lost all her will and reason for fighting. Fortunately, thanks to some intervention and motivation from Yukari, Mitsuru finally found her resolve for fighting once again.

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Akihiko Sanada (真田 明彦, Sanada Akihiko) Voiced by: Hikaru Midorikawa (Japanese); Liam O'Brien (English)
Persona: Polydeuces, Caesar of The Emperor arcanum

Akihiko is the stern and confident captain of his school’s boxing team, as well as a senior much like Mitsuru and Shinjiro. In battle, he utilizes various gloves and knuckles in battle.

Akihiko was one of the 3 original Persona users to founded and created SEES, the other two being Mitsuru and Shinjiro. During his time there, he became fast friends with Shinjiro and two seemingly got along well. However, one night when the two were chasing down a Shadow, Shinjiro’s Persona went out of control and a bystandard was killed in the process. The bystander happened to have been Ken Amada’s mother…

After the incident, Shinjiro became wracked with guilt and left to become an outcast, often hanging out with random street punks, as well as making shady deals with Strega. Much to Akihiko’s dismay, each time he was asked, he was always given a no. Things however changed when Ken Amada finally joined their group, and he soon after informed Shinjiro, who immediately rejoined after hearing the boy’s name.

However, not all went as planned, and Ken’s true intentions were revealed; to get his revenge on Shinjiro. And this all was happening while Akihiko was busy dealing with a Shadow and mission…Unfortunately, Akihiko didn’t arrive in time as Shinjiro was fatally shot by Takaya’s invervention. In the end, Shinjiro’s death, and way of “facing death head on” gave the group, especially Akihiko and Ken more courage and reason to fight than ever. Originally, Akihiko only fought to get stronger, and to train himself physically, but now he also must fight so that Shinjiro’s death will not be in vain.

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Aegis/Aigis (アイギス, Aigisu) Voiced by: Maaya Sakamoto (Japanese); Karen Strassman (English)
Persona: Palladion, Athena of The Chariot arcanum

Aigis was introduced into the series as a target of Junpei’s “Operation Babe Hunt” involving Junpei, Akihiko and the main character. In combat, Aigis uses a wide variety of various arsenal, from machine guns and rocket launchers to long range guns and “rocket punches.”

Unfortunately, at the time of Junpei’s “secret operation”, both he and Akihiko failed to get Aigis’ attention, save for the main character whom Aigis has been looking for from the very start…Initially thought to be an Anti-Shadow weapon, and the last of her kind, that is quickly put aside when Ryoji came into the picture.

He true goal was in fact to defeat, and or/seal away “Death” so the coming of Nyx would be prevented. As she couldn’t defeat “Death” 10 years ago, she sealed him away in a young boy, the main character, hence the reason why “she wished to always be by his side.” This was revealed after her battle with Ryoji on the Moonlight Bridge.

That battle however took a great toll on her, and she still couldn’t defeat him even though he himself was puzzling at the time who and what he truly was. After she was repaired, Mitsuru apparently requested that she be given more human-like qualities and emotions. In the end, it is widely believed that she in fact fell in love with the main character.

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Ken Amada (天田 乾, Amada Ken) Voiced by: Megumi Ogata (Japanese); Mona Marshall (English)
Persona: Nemesis, Kala-Nemi of Justice arcanum

Ken Amada is the youngest member of SEES, and only one who doesn’t attend Gekkoukan High School, despite wearing their jacket at times. In battle, he fights using spears to make up for his short stature. Aside from being the youngest, he’s also the most mature one suprisingly, aside from the seniors.

Ken Amada, much like Koromaru, was a Persona-user who quite literally “came out of the blue”, suddenly revealing he had the potential. Initially, it was believed that he joined SEES for the sake of helping their in their battle, but his true intentions were far darker…

It was revealed that not too many years ago, his mother was accidentally killed by Shinjiro, and his true goal was to infiltrate SEES and kill him. The plan initially didn’t work as Shinjiro wasn’t there at the time, but as soon as Akihiko mentioned his name in front of his old friend, Shinjiro rejoins SEES, fully aware of what the true extent of it is…

During the confrontation with Shinjiro, Takaya intervenes and reveals that Ken too had been planning to commit suicide after killing Shinjiro, much to his surprise. He also reveals that Shinjiro has been taking special drugs to control his Persona, and thus already doesn’t have too long to live. This completely shatters Ken’s hopes of revenge, and after a brief rustle between Shinjiro and Takaya, with the latter shooting the former in the leg, Takaya points his revolver in Ken’s direction. It is then at Shinjiro jumps and takes a fatal bullet for Ken, reminding him that he’s still a kid and has his life ahead of him. By the time SEES rejoins them, Takaya is forced to make a swift retreat. In the end, it were Shinjiro’s last words that gave Ken a real reason to fight: for his mother, and him as well.

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Koromaru (コロマル, Koromaru)
Persona: Cerberus of Strength arcanum

Koromaru one day lost his master in an accident caused by Shadows, and afterwards begin to live the life of a stray. In battle, Koromaru uses a dagger he wields in his mouth to combat with.

Even after loosing his master, Koromaru remained faithful, always watching over him, and thus became the center of interest for Yukari and Fuuka. One day when Akihiko was hunting down Shadows, he came across a gravely injured Koromaru, but was surprised to find the Shadows dead…who have been killed by Koromaru himself! After finally being healed, it is revealed that Koromaru is the unique subject among Persona-users; the fact that he’s a dog! Mitsuru has a special collar-like invoker made for him as well, and Koromaru was thus introduced into their fight. While Koromaru doesn’t go through any events like the others for an “awakening”, this fight was his just as much as any of the others.

Koromaru is also slightly picky and spoiled when it comes to food, immediately rejecting Yukari’s cooking (because she burned it a little), and instead prefering the food Shinjiro buys him, much to Junpei’s entertainment.

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Shinjiro Aragaki (荒垣 真次郎, Aragaki Shinjirō) Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai (Japanese); Grant George (English)
Persona: Castor of The Hierophant arcanum

Shinjiro is Akihiko’s good friend, as well as a Senior in Gekkoukan High School. In battle, he wields a hefty axe and relies on his brute strength.

Initially, the tough-talking, foul-mouthed Shinjiro was one of the original Persona-users who made up SEES. However, one day his Persona went out of control and accidentally killed an innocent bystander, Ken Amada’s mother. After the incident, Shinjiro forced himself away from the group, and began living as an outcast and street punk, as well as doing drug deals with Strega.

Often, Akihiko would ask him to rejoin, only to be always given a no, but when learning that Ken Amada joined SEES, Shinjiro joined immediately, with his only question being “Is my room still vacant?” Unlike the others however, Shinjiro was fully aware of what awaited him in the end, and he was prepared to finally take responsibility.

During “Ken’s Revenge” so to speak, the two were interupted by Takaya, who was hoping to conveniently eliminate two easy targets from SEES. Things didn’t quite go as planned as Shinjiro jumped up and took a bullet for Ken, ending his own life. With his dying words, he gave a source of inspiration and strength to both Ken and Akihiko, and he finally earned Ken's respect.

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Fuuka Yamagishi (山岸 風花, Yamagishi Fūka) Voiced by: Mamiko Noto (Japanese); Mela Lee (English)
Persona: Lucia, Juno of The Priestess arcanum

Fuuka is a girl who is all too well known for her terrible shyness, as well as kindness among SEES. Unlike the others, she doesn't have any fighting skills, nor does her Persona and thus she replaces Mitsuru as the new support character.

Fuuka was originally thought to have been a girl who frequently called in sick, and during a past few missing days, she's been marked as sick by her teachers. Throughout this time, Akihiko knew all too well that she had the potential, but had no idea where she actually was. Eventually, Yukari overheard two girls laughing about picking on some shy girl, and Yukari began to have her own suspicions. She along, with Junpei and the main character decide to venture into the back alley of Port Island Station, filled with gangs and street punks for information. They weren't too welcomed, by thanks to a timely intervention from Shinjiro, they learned that Fuuka has in fact been locked up in a gymnasium for a long time, and the strange events occurring are believed to by the cause of her ghost.

The others however knew exactly what happened to her...since their school turns into Tartarus at midnight, Fuuka must have gotten lost within its maze. With this discovery, they decide to experiment and enter Tartarus the same way she did, only to be split apart. Eventually, they find Fuuka and fight off the 2 Major Shadows of that current full moon. At the same time, the girl who locked up Fuuka, Natsuki wandered to see if Fuuka was alright, growing to be worried. In the end, it was Fuuka who ended up saving her, but due to normal people having no memory of the Dark Hour, Natsuki wouldn't be aware of any of this. But somehow, Natsuki knew about this in her heart, and they both became fast friends afterwards. It was thanks to Natsuki and their newfound friendship that changed Fuuka from a painfully shy girl, to a strong willed and optimistic young woman.

Strega

A group of three Persona-users and hit men who set up an internet site "Revenge Request" which utilized the Dark Hour for personal benefit. They later become antagonistic due to the protagonist's attempts to end the Dark Hour. Because their Personas were not awakened naturally, they must take suppressants, drugs which keep their Persona from killing them, but have potentially lethal side effects.

Takaya (タカヤ, Takaya) Voiced by: Nobutoshi Canna (Japanese); Derek Stephen Prince (English)
Persona: Hypnos of Fortune arcanum

Takaya is the confident and charismatic young leader of the Persona user, and assassin team "Strega." As stated, their original introduction was as hit men running "Revenge Request", and using the Dark Hour to execute their contracts for personal benefit. However, upon learning from Shinjiro about what SEES has been doing lately, his motives change quite drastically... In battle, he uses a six-shot revolver. It should also be noted that Takaya is the only Persona-user who does not manifest his Persona through the use of an Evoker, instead aptly grabbing and his head and doing it "manually."

Takaya was in fact, one of the first 100 Persona users "created" by Kirijo as a way to defend them from the Shadows. However, the experiments as well as the drugs only left 3 out of 100 alive, those who have currently formed Strega. As Takaya, along with the others, doesn't have long to live, he wishes to only live fully for "the moment", and more than anything, wishes to see the end of the world with his own eyes. At first, he kept preventing SEES from killing the 12 Shadows as if trying to save the world in his own way, but after realizing it couldn't be done, he began to embrace death. He even went as far as creating a cult circled around the coming of Nyx, he and Jin acting as the "charismatic priests."

In the end, Takaya confronted the group within Tartarus only to be defeated. However, unlike the others, he crawled his way to the top of the tower, and watched along with everyone else as the main character fought Nyx, while still thinking the end is to come. It is assumed that after the events, he survived but most likely has no memory of any of it whatsoever.

Jin (ジン, Jin) Voiced by: Masaya Onosaka (Japanese); Grant George (English)
Persona: Moros of The Hermit arcanum

Jin is Takaya's most faithful comrade within Strega, as well as his tactical adviser along with assumed webmaster of "Revenge Request." In battle, Jin uses metallic grenades and bombs in battle.

Jin apppears as a crude, somewhat "hasty" member of the group, eager to get rid of SEES, calling them "hypocrites." However, one could consider Jin the limit put on Takaya's actions, as whenever he takes a reckless approach, Jin is there to hold him back and remind him of what they are truly there for.

It was Jin who revealed to the group the truth behind Strega and their involvement regarding the coming of Nyx and "The Fall." It was revealed that they were created by Kirijo, and were subjected to many experiments. It was Takaya who "showed him out of the darkness", thus explaining his fierce loyalty towards him. It was also Jin who intially found out SEES' true objective, hacking into Ikutsuki's files, becoming quite surprised that the "nutjob" was initially their boss.

In the end, Jin sacrifices himself by setting off a grenade to hold off a horde of Shadows within Tartarus.

Chidori (チドリ, Chidori) Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro (Japanese); Karen Strassman (English)
Persona: Medea of The Hanged arcanum

Chidori is the third member of Strega, and is known for her gothic lolita dress style, masochistic tendencies, and fondness of drawing. In battle she utilizes a red, chained hand-axe.

Chidori initially met Junpei at Port Island Station, which wasn't exactly the most pleasant due to her attitude. However, thanks to Junpei's curiosity and kindness she opened up to him a little bit. At the same time, Junpei however told her everything about SEES without knowing she was a member of Strega. Thinking he was their leader, Chidori kidnaps him in hopes to call off their mission, but her plan fails, and she ends up in the hospital, and interrogated by Mitsuru and Akihiko.

During her time there, Junpei came to visit her often, and the two began to grow on each other. However, after faking his death, Takaya came back and reminded her of where she truly belongs, and that she shouldn't fear anything. She rejoined Strega, and began to battle SEES much to Junpei's dismay. However, her loyalties began to tear away at her, and seeing Junpei wounded by Takaya, she finally admitted her love for him, sacrificing her life to save his through the use of her Persona. In the end, Junpei found his reason for fighting, injuring Jin and forcing Takaya to retreat in the process.

Other characters

Pharos (ファルロス, Farurosu) Voiced by: Akira Ishida (Japanese); Yuri Lowenthal (English)

A mysterious young boy who the main character from time to time sees in his dreams. The boy much of the time is talking of "The Fall" and end, but even he himself seems to have his memories fragmented.

Shuji Ikutsuki (幾月 修司, Ikutsuki Shūji) Voiced by: Hideyuki Hori (Japanese); Grant George (English)

Inititally, he appears as the cheerful advisor, chairman, and overall boss of SEES, always trying to keep the group in high spirits while discovering secrets about the Shadows in his own end.

In truth however, Ikutsuki could be considered somewhat short of psychotic, sharing his dream and vision of The Fall and coming of Nyx much like the original Kirijo. This is simply due to the fact, that Ikutsuki was one of the scientists involved at the experiments that took place at Gekkoukan 10 years ago.

The entire time, Ikutsuki has been manipulating SEES to destroy the 12 Major Arcana Shadows, promising them to rid the world of the dark hour. The truth is however, that killing the 12 shadows will force them to rejoin as once as they one were, and return to "Death", who is in fact Pharos and Ryoji. Doing so, will cause the coming of Nyx along with the end of the world. After being discovered, Ikutsuki reprograms Aigis to "sacrifice" the members of SEES as offerings for Nyx, at the same time killing Takeharu Kirijo. In the end however, after Aigis disobeys and frees SEES, Ikutsuki is forced to jump to his death from the top of Tartarus after being injured with a gunshot wound to the stomach by Takenaru during a confrontation.

Igor (イゴール, Igōru) Voiced by: Isamu Tanonaka

The mysterious, long-nosed gentleman who resides in the Velvet Room. Much like in the other games, Igor's true purpose is to assist the player in acquiring new powers and Persona. This time around however, with his help, along with the help of the main character's social links, Igor creates a card for the main character that has the power to defeat and seal away Nyx until the next coming.

Elizabeth (エリザベス, Erizabesu) Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro

Elizabeth is the other resident of The Velvet Room alongside Igor. Where Igor takes care of Fusions, Elizabeth watches over the Persona Compendium, along with tasking the main character with all sorts of requests, and sometimes mundane chores. If the character completes all of her requests, she reveals herself to be a Persona user just like the main character, capable of switching multiple Personae mid-battle.

Kurosawa

Takenaru Kirijo (桐条 武治, Kirijō Takenaru) Voiced by: Kōji Totani

Mitsuru's father, and current head of the Kirijo Group which owns Gekkoukan High School. Even though he wasn't a scientist, Takeharu is considered the only real adult survivor of the incident 10 years ago (Ikutsuki later reveals to be one as well), and has taken some measures to inform SEES of the truth. The truth he knows however was doctored by Ikutsuki, and was later killed by him at the top of Tartarus.

Eiichiro Takeba (岳羽 詠一郎, Takeba Ei'ichirō) Voiced by: Masashi Hamano

Yukari's father, and one of the head scientists of the Shadow Experiment 10 years ago. One could say he was the only one who retained his sense of self and morals, and exposed the others as mad for trying to tamper with Shadows and the end. He died while making the video, to whom he specifically made to Yukari, but due to Ikutsuki's ulterior motives, he changed the video to benefit him. In the end, after Fuuka hacked Ikutsuki's files, she retrieved the original video and gave it to Yukari. Upon seeing the original, Yukari's strength grew even further.

Ryoji Mochizuki (望月 綾時, Mochizuki Ryōji) Voiced by: Akira Ishida (Japanese); Yuri Lowenthal (English)

His true identity is "Nyx Avatar" as well as the Appraiser and harbringer of "Death" and Nyx. He is also, more or less the older version of Pharos.

Originally, Ryoji shows up as a new transfer student, and becomes fast friends with Junpei and the rest of the group. His cheerful and reckless dating attitude is also subject of much talk, even going as far as asking Yukari as well as Mitsuru on a date upon first sight (much to Akihiko's surprise on how he's still alive after such a feat). During the fun he had with the group however, Aigis remained extremely cautious of him, constantly referring to him as "dangerous." The fun doesn't last long though, as his battle with Aigis on Moonlight Bridge finally awakens his memories of his true purpose. When the group gets there, they find a damage Aigis, and an unconscious Ryoji. After he recovered, he told them everything he knew of, and expressed in true sense that he was tormented by the fact of who and what he is more than anyone. He gives the group a choice; they can kill him on the spot, and the Dark Hour will vanish, and they will forget everything, and return to their normal lives, or they can let him live. Either way, according to him, its inevitable that the world will end at the hands of Nyx; only by choosing to kill them, will their world end in a somewhat "painless" fashion. Depending on the choice the player makes, they can either kill or let Ryoji live, each resulting in a different ending. During the discussion with the main character, he shows that he is also Thanatos, the Ultimate Persona of the Death Arcana

Letting him live force the group to climb to the top of Tartarus to face him, now as Nyx Avatar, and await the inevitable coming of Nyx.

Death/End of Game

When the main character dies in battle, a scene starts that shows The Velvet Room where Igor recites this short poem about death, "Death is not a hunter unbeknownst to its prey, one is always aware that it lies in wait. Though life merely a journey to the grave, it must not be undertaken without hope. Only then will a traveler's story live on, treasured by who bid him farewell. But alas, now my guest's life has ended, his tale left unwritten..."

After this scene, the game restarts from the opening video.

Persona 3 FES

Metis (メティス, Metisu) Voiced by: Chiwa Saito
Persona: Psyche of The Hierophant arcanum

A second android who claims to be Aegis' "sister." A playable character in Persona 3 FES.

Reception

Persona 3 has garnered mostly positive reviews since its release in North America, with notable praise for its unique storyline and player-driven choices within the game.

Review scores

Publication	Score	Review
Gamespy	4.5 of 5	→
Gamespot	8.5 of 10	→
IGN	8.3 of 10	→
EGM	9.17 of 10	print
PSM	9 of 10	print
GameTrailers	90 of 100	[1]
Metacritic	88 of 100	→

Persona 3 FES

On April 19, 2007, Atlus released an add-on disk for Persona 3 called Persona 3 FES (ペルソナ3フェス, Perusona 3 Fesu). A "director's cut" version, which included both Persona 3 and Persona 3 FES, was released on the same date. The subtitle of "FES" is said to come from the word "festival."

FES, in addition to adding a great deal of content (both gameplay-related and storyline-related) to the main game, includes a continuation of the story entitled Episode Aegis. When beginning the game, the player is prompted to select Episode Yourself or the aforementioned Episode Aegis. Episode Yourself is the original game with added content, whereas Episode Aegis can be considered a sequel, featuring Aegis as the main character. Notably, Episode Aegis is the only entry in the Megami Tensei franchise to not feature a silent protagonist.

Apparently there is some news that FES will be released later in the year for Korea.

Unfortunately the North American release of Persona 3 did not include the content from FES, although Atlus has not ruled out the possibility of releasing FES there at a later date.

Media releases

Persona 3 has had a wide range of related media released.

Audio CD

• Persona 3 Original Soundtrack (SVWC-7380~81) (July 19, 2006)
• Persona 3 Drama CD Vol. 1 - Daylight (FCCT-0050) (March 21, 2007)
• Burn My Dread - Reincarnation: Persona 3 (SVWC-7460) (April 18, 2007)
• Persona 3 Drama CD: A Certain Day of Summer (LACA-5635) (April 25, 2007)
• Persona 3 Fes Original Soundtrack (SVWC-7464) (May 2, 2007)
• Persona 3 Drama CD Vol. 2 - Moonlight (FCCT-51) (May 25, 2007)

All music was composed by Shoji Meguro.

Novels

• Persona 3 Owari no Kakera
• Persona 3 Shadow Cry
• P3 PERSONA3 Novel Anthology (June 25, 2007)

Manga

A manga adaptation of Persona 3 by Shūji Sogabe has been published monthly in Dengeki Maoh since April 4, 2007.

Headphones

The headphones the protagonist wears throughout the game, available in a special edition release of Persona 3 FES in Japan, are the Aluminum Ear-Fit Headphones ATH-EM700 (ATH-EM7 GM in US) SV (Silver) Edition by Audio-Technica.

External links

• Official Japanese Persona 3 and Persona 3: FES site
• Persona 3 Playtest
• Digital Devil Database: Info and media for Persona 3 and other related Megami Tensei games.
• Official English Persona 3 site