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Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth

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Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
North American cover art
Developer(s)Atlus
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Daisuke Kanada
Producer(s)Katsura Hashino
Artist(s)Shigenori Soejima
Composer(s)Atsushi Kitajoh
Toshiki Konishi
SeriesMegami Tensei (Main)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (Sub-series)
Platform(s)Nintendo 3DS
Release
  • KOR: October 23, 2014
Genre(s)Role-playing, dungeon crawl
Mode(s)Single-player

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (ペルソナQ シャドウ オブ ザ ラビリンス, Perusona Kyū: Shadō Obu Za Rabirinsu) is a role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the Nintendo 3DS. It is a spinoff of the Persona series, which itself is a subset of the Megami Tensei series, combining characters and elements from both Persona 3 and Persona 4, with gameplay elements from the Etrian Odyssey series. It was released on June 5, 2014 in Japan, October 23, 2014 in South Korea, November 25, 2014 in North America, November 28, 2014 in Europe, and December 4, 2014 in Australia.

Gameplay

See also: Common elements of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series and Gameplay of Etrian Odyssey

Persona Q is a crossover video game, containing characters from both Persona 3 and Persona 4.[1] However, different from the source games, Persona Q's gameplay focuses further on being a dungeon crawler,[2] comparable to the Etrian Odyssey series of games also produced by Atlus on Nintendo handhelds.[3] Players choose to play from the perspective of either the Persona 3 protagonist or the Persona 4 protagonist, with each side featuring slight differences in the main story. As with prior Persona games, the player's choices alter the flow of the game.[4]

The game comprises two main areas, Yasogami High and the labyrinths. Players can explore Yasogami High to converse with characters, heal their party, or purchase new weapons and equipment, or visit the Velvet Room where they can fuse new Personas.[5] Labyrinths are the main portion of the game, in which the player's party, consisting of up to five party members, explores various dungeons fighting dangerous enemies to grow stronger and find treasures. As the player explores each labyrinth, a map is filled out on the bottom screen, which the player can manually edit to fill in more details, such as the location of walls and chests. When a floor is fully explored, a special treasure chest appears on that floor.[6] The game features two types of enemies: Shadows, which appear randomly, and Field On Enemy-types (F.O.E.), more challenging enemies that move about on the field as the player moves, which can be avoided with the right planning. The game also offers several options to change the layout of the dungeons and quickly return to previous areas.[7]

When an enemy is encountered, players battle against them using their Personas. Battles follow the same system as Etrian Odyssey with elements taken from the Persona games, as opposed to using the One More system of the main Persona games. Unlike the main games, in which characters besides the protagonists only had access to a single Persona, each character can equip one of multiple sub-Personas in addition to their main one, allowing them to use more skills.[8] During the combat, players can take advantage of an enemy's weakness, which knocks them down and allows that character to use a skill without using up SP or HP on their next turn, as well as occasionally creating the opportunity for an all-out attack if all enemies are knocked down.[9]

Story

The game's story is split into two campaigns, which follow either the team of characters from Persona 3 or Persona 4; each campaign begins partway through the events of the characters' original games. Dialogue and events vary depending on the player's choice of protagonist.[4] At Yasogami High School in Inaba, during the culture festival, a strange bell rings, trapping the Investigation Team inside a bizarre alternate version the school. Meanwhile, the members of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES) find themselves transported to the Velvet Room elevator, which suddenly winds up at the alternate Yasogami as well.[10] Discovering a labyrinth hidden below the school, the two groups meet up and explore the area, fighting "shadows" along the way, in order to restore the memories of new characters Zen and Rei, whom the characters believe will lead them to freedom.[10]

Development

A game in the Persona series was announced, without a specific title, for the Nintendo 3DS as early as June 2010 at E3 2010.[11] The game is the first entry of the Persona series for a Nintendo video game console.[12] While the fate of a Persona game on the 3DS was silent for several years, in November 2013, a teaser website by Atlus stated that future Persona games would be revealed on November 24, 2013.[13] On that date, Persona Q was announced, alongside other future titles such as Persona 5.[14] The game was released in Japan on June 5, 2014.[15][16] The game's storyline is stated by Atlus USA representatives to be canonical to the main series.[17]

The game contains key staff from previous Persona games, including producer Katsura Hashino, director Daisuke Kanada, character designer Shigenori Soejima, and sound director Shoji Meguro.[18] Hashino stated that 2014 being the 25th anniversary of the Persona series was the inspiration for branching into new territory, namely similar elements of the Etrian Odyssey series.[19] However, Hashino stated that, "While we are implementing Etrian Odyssey’s system into it, just as the name implies, Persona Q will be a completely new title, but first and foremost, it’ll be for the fans of the Persona series."[19] Soejima implemented a more chibi art style to the characters than prior Persona games.[20] The soundtrack was written by Atsushi Kitajoh and Toshiki Konishi, with the game's sound director, Shoji Meguro, providing the main theme titled "Maze of Life".[21]

Key members of the Etrian Odyssey team also made a special contribution to the game. Character designer Yuji Himukai created artwork for a formidable enemy that the cast fights in the game, and a composition from Yuzo Koshiro accompanies Himukai's enemy. Monster designer Shin Nagasawa has also contributed enemy designs for Persona Q, including the nurses shown in the first trailer.[22]

Upon its November 2013 reveal, the game was already far into development, with Hashino stating it was already in its "testing" and "polishing" phases.[19] In February 2014, Atlus announced that the game would see an English release in the second half of 2014.[23] Atlus noted that in stores there might be a shortage of units due to their other recent releases, which have sold out at launch or shortly after.[24] Like previous games such as Catherine, Atlus posted a statement requesting that players refrain from posting video spoilers of the game's later story events on sharing sites upon its release in Japan.[25]

Release

The game released in Japan on June 5, 2014. People who pre-ordered the game received a special soundtrack sampler CD. The CD features select original music from the game, in addition to special re-arrangements by the Atlus sound team that can only be heard on this CD. The full soundtrack was released on July 16.[21] There is also a Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Famitsu DX Pack with the game itself, a B2-size tapestry illustrated by the Persona Q anime staff, an A3-size clear poster illustrated by Atlus, a set of five different visual clear file folders, an original mug cup, and a Graphig paper figure of Rei.[8] A manga adaptation illustrated by Akaume will begin serialization in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Maoh magazine in its October 2014 issue.[26]

Reception

The game topped Japanese game charts following its release, selling 186,856 units.[37] Famitsu gave the game a score of 35/40.[31] In an import preview, Kotaku's Richard Eisenbeis praised the game's old school elements and fanservice, whilst also remarking on the game's high level of difficulty.[38]

Samantha Nelson from The A.V. Club listed it among her favorite games of 2014.[39] Aaron Riccio from Slant Magazine gave the game a 10/10.[40] They later awarded the game as their Game of the Year.[41]

References

  1. ^ "3DS News: Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth announced for 3DS in Japan". Official Nintendo Magazine. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  2. ^ "Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Announced for 3DS - News". Nintendo World Report. 2013-11-21. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  3. ^ "Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth announced for 3DS, First Trailer Released". GearNuke. 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  4. ^ a b "Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Trailer Gives A First Look At The Game". Siliconera.com. 2013-11-24. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  5. ^ "Elizabeth and Theodore have new roles in Persona Q". Gematsu. April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  6. ^ "Persona Q: Shadow Of The Labyrinth Looks Cheerful But Has A More Serious Tone". Siliconera. April 30, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  7. ^ Janes, Thomas (March 12, 2014). "Persona Q has F.O.E. enemies, dungeon mapping". Gematsu. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Persona Q 3DS Game's Summoning Promo Streamed". Anime News Network. April 11, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  9. ^ "Persona Q 3DS Game's Weak Point, Group Attack Promos Streamed". Anime News Network. April 18, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth announced for 3DS". Gematsu. 2013-09-12. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  11. ^ "Nintendo 3DS: Every Announced Game Right Here". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  12. ^ "Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Announced For 3DS". IGN. 2013-11-24. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  13. ^ "Persona Teaser Site Updated With Teddy Images". Siliconera. 2013-11-19. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  14. ^ Makuch, Eddie. "Persona 5 announced for PlayStation 3". GameSpot. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  15. ^ Schulenberg, Thomas (2013-11-19). "Atlus reveals Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth after countdown on NicoNico". Joystiq. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  16. ^ "News Bulletin - Atlus Announces a Plethora of Personas". RPGamer. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  17. ^ Spencer (June 20, 2014). "Persona Q: Shadow Of The Labyrinth's Story Is Canon". Siliconera. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  18. ^ "Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Takes Place In Yasogami High School". Siliconera.com. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  19. ^ a b c Sato . November 25, 2013 . 12:06am. "Persona Director Talks Persona Q, Persona Dancing, And The Future". Siliconera. Retrieved 2013-11-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth crawls to 3DS in 2014". Destructoid. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  21. ^ a b Greening, Chris. "Music and soundtrack details for Persona Q". Game Music Online. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  22. ^ "Persona Q has StreetPass Personas and Sacrificial Fusion". Gematsu. 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
  23. ^ "Those nifty Persona spin-offs for the 3DS & Vita are coming to North America". Pocket Gamer. 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  24. ^ "Atlus Expect Persona Q Shortages At Launch In Japan". Siliconera. March 26, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  25. ^ "Please Don't Spoil the New Persona Game, Begs Atlus". Kotaku. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  26. ^ "Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth 3DS Game Gets Manga Adaptation". Anime News Network. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  27. ^ "Persona Q:Shadow of the Labyrinth for 3DS". GameRankings. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  28. ^ "Persona Q:Shadow of the Labyrinth for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  29. ^ MacGregor, Kyle (24 November 2014). "Review: Persona Q: Shadow of Labyrinth". Destructoid. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  30. ^ Patterson,Eric L. (25 November 2014). "EGM Review: Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Retrieved 27 November 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ a b Sal Romano (May 27, 2014). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1329". Gematsu. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  32. ^ Wallace, Kimberley (25 November 2014). "Bringing Out The Best In Each Other - Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth - 3DS". Game Informer. Retrieved 27 November 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ Sullivan, Meghan (20 November 2014). "Persona Q:Shadow of the Labyrinth Review". IGN. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  34. ^ Arendt, Susan (20 November 2014). "Persona Q review: When worlds collide". Joystiq. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  35. ^ Farokhmanesh, Megan (20 November 2014). "Persona Q: Shadow of Labyrinth review: High school reunion". Polygon. Retrieved 27 November 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); horizontal tab character in |title= at position 31 (help)
  36. ^ Thew, Geoff (20 November 2014). "Review: Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth". Hardcore Gamer. Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  37. ^ "Japan's Video Game Rankings, June 2-8". Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  38. ^ Richard Eisenbeis (June 24, 2014). "Persona Q is a Mixture of Old School Gameplay and Fanboy Joy". Kotaku. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  39. ^ "Our favorite games of 2014, part two". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2015-01-23.
  40. ^ Aaron Riccio (November 22, 2014). "Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  41. ^ "The 25 Best Video Games of 2014". Slant Magazine. December 8, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
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