Title: Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
Format: PS3(reviewed), Xbox 360
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Arc System Works
Price: $49.99
ESRB Rating: T
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is for those who just can't get enough of the Persona 4 storyline coupled with great fighting mechanics. Just like with previous rereleases in the franchise, P4 Arena Ultimax offers a vast amount of extra content over the original Persona 4 Arena.
Story and Presentation: If you've played the original Persona 4, the rerelease on PS Vita, or Persona 4 Arena, then you'll be pretty familiar with the game's intricate storyline. Ultimax picks up right where P4A left off, taking place almost immediately after the events of the first game in the familiar setting of Inaba. The region suffers a blackout and suddenly is covered with a mysterious red fog, and clones of our protagonists appear and force the heroes back into the 2D ring. Ultimax stays true to its RPG lineage by offering a substantial story mode. The narrative plays out much like a visual novel, featuring a ton of dialogue, glossy and vibrant character art, and a beautiful soundtrack from composer Shoji Meguro. If you're a veteran of the series, then the presentation will feel familiar to you. The story is divided across two campaigns, one focusing on the cast of Persona 4, while the other centers around the group from Persona 3. The tale takes place from several vantage points, and it struggles with repetitiveness from the new structure. You'll see the same scenario play out between multiple characters, instead of seeing entirely unique scenarios based on the specific character you're playing at the moment. It isn't until later in the story where the narrative begins to intertwine and it comes together a bit more elegantly than the beginning. Arc System Works always manages to create a visually stunning game, from Guilty Gear to BlazBlue, they know how to create a showpiece. Even though the game is on last-gen tech, the game still impressed me from beginning to end. Highly detailed characters and crisp backgrounds are a sight to see. The presentation is simply fantastic, not really much else to say about it.
Core Gameplay and Multiplayer:This is an exceptional fighting game, even if you could careless about the eccentric source material. It's simultaneously accessible and incredibly deep and precise, providing newer players the opportunity to learn the mechanics at their own pace. The fighting engine at work here has a myriad of sub-systems, but is constructed to be incredibly flexible. Hammering on the light attack button will launch the character into a string of impressive-looking combos, which can feel satisfying for the type of person who is more of a button masher. On the other end of the spectrum, there's an incredible amount of depth to be discovered for those who want to dig deeper under the surface. Much like with Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, Arc System Works has created a fighter with a satisfying sense of weight and a high sense of speed. It's fast-paced and the animation is amazingly fluid, which is something you can really appreciate during a fight. Ultimax also helps bridge the gap between players of varying skill levels with its practice modes. The lessons on hand here go at great lengths to communicate the basics, and really helps newer players learn the basics and fundamentals. The game's real strength is in its roster, which is sure to please Persona fans and fighting game veterans alike. There's a wide variety of characters with equally diverse play-styles, ranging from ranged and rushdown characters to zoning types and grapplers. Aside from Rise and the trio of new P3 characters, the most notable addition is newcomer Sho Minazuki. Sho is the game's antagonist and comes in two forms, one of which doesn't have a Persona, which makes for an entirely different experience. Beyond the story and standard modes like arcade and versus are score attack and the Golden Arena, which is for those looking for a more RPG like mode. The netcode seems largely unchanged from P4A, which is perfectly fine. All of my online games were lag free and completely functional.
Final Thoughts:
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is pretty much everything a fan could ask for. It's a satisfying, high-octane fighter that offers another great storyline for you to experience. P4A Ultimax is an experience that tops its predecessor, adding new content, characters, and it shouldn't be missed by fans of the franchise.+Stunning Visuals
+Same Great Characters
+Fast Paced Combat
-Main Story Can Be a bit Lengthy
S&S Rating: 9/10 @whatsPlay
