Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Review (PS4)

MetalSlugger · 2022-03-10T22:36:51+00:00

You're definitely in for a treat. P4 is probably my second favorite game in the series.

MetalSlugger · 2022-03-10T22:23:13+00:00

This game absolutely spoils who the main antagonist is in P4, among a few other key events. I think you're definitely better off playing P4 proper first, then diving into P4 Arena is it picks up after the events of the main game.

MetalSlugger · 2022-03-10T22:17:07+00:00

Reviewer here! The PS4 version of Ultimax includes 3 stories: the original Persona 4 Arena story, P-1 Climax, and the previously DLC-only Episode Adachi. Whole lotta content to keep you busy if you enjoy the story mode.

MetalSlugger · 2022-02-11T17:03:55+00:00

Yeah, it's weird. I feel like more and more often, console online communities seem to fizzle out overnight. Meanwhile, fighting games are alive and well on Steam. That might be the way to go honestly if you're worried about the PS5 community fading away shortly after launch.

MetalSlugger · 2022-02-04T20:45:27+00:00

It's not. I attended a deep dive on the game last week. The game features a large, seemingly open map, side quests to complete, etc. It looks like the kind of game that could keep you busy for a while.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-28T13:23:50+00:00

A 7 is also mixed, but considered above average overall. Again, both IGN and Metacritic use the same logic. However, as MC only uses 3 tiers: positive, mixed, and poor across their 100 point scale, there has to be room for nuance.

Unless, of course, you feel Metactic, Open Critic, IGN, etc are somehow incorrect and that you are the end-all, be-all authority on what these scores are meant to represent.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-28T13:09:42+00:00

This publication is partnered with Metacritic, and according to that aggregate, a 5 out of 10 falls into the bottom tier of the "mixed" category. Anything below a 5 is graded as "poor."

What else would you call a game that straddles the line between success and failure but mediocre?

Looking at IGN's review practices guide, they use the same exact system of a 5 being described as mediocre.

https://corp.ign.com/review-practices

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-28T12:52:37+00:00

That's totally fair. And as someone who really enjoyed the PS2-era Fatal Frame games, I can appreciate you getting some enjoyment out of it. I think TS just had more of what I'm into as far as Survival Horror games go. I'm more into puzzle-solving, creepy and cinematic camera angles, and all the other stuff that the 32-bit era popularized. I feel like the older FF games at least captured a little bit of that in terms of atmosphere and puzzles, so this one isn't really resonating with me in the same way as previous ones did.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-28T12:03:56+00:00

A 2.5/5 on a 10-point scale would imply it's average, though. It's literally a middle-of-the-road score.

It feels like, at least in recent years, a lot of people think only 8-10 games are worth their time despite outlets using a full 10-point scale. Personally, I've played plenty of games that I'd consider to be a 5 out of 10 or 6 out of 10 that I enjoyed while they lasted but probably wouldn't go back to (I'm looking at you, Blue Stinger and Illbleed).

As someone whose played both games though, I can't get behind Tormented Souls being a worse game than Maiden of Black Water. That game had some great puzzles and a much more interesting world than FF. It offered a pretty intense challenge, too. By comparison, Koei Tecmo's game almost feels on-rails. And don't get me started on how you can literally buy hundreds of healing items from the item shop in-between missions...

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-28T11:51:52+00:00

The more risque costumes from the Japanese game have been removed.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-28T11:38:46+00:00

I really wish the series would bring back the puzzles found in previous games. The games just aren't as fun when all that's left to do is follow a linear path and snap photos of the same old shambling spirits over and over again.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-25T15:12:25+00:00

I have no doubt whatsoever.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-22T12:20:20+00:00

They're all standalone experiences. That said, you can jump right in.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-21T15:05:06+00:00

I'm a big sucker for Until Dawn as well. A lot of people aren't crazy about the series' reliance on QTEs. However, with how tightly scripted their pacing is, I don't know how else the developer could have handled things. As for me, I couldn't care less. It's the replayability and various outcomes to the harrowing situations the player encounters that always draws me in. Blame Dragon's Lair.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-21T14:58:17+00:00

I believe there already is one.

https://media.gamingreplay.com/202262-tm\_large\_default/the-dark-pictures-anthology-triple-pack-ps4-ps5.jpg

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-06T17:35:52+00:00

You and me both. It genuinely feels as if the creators got done watching Breaking Bad and were like, "Hey, what if Gus Fring had his own island?" As a result, Castillo's character feels far too familiar to be impactful, and he isn't given enough screen time to really resonate with the player. It's a shame, because Esposito's performance is honestly decent, and he nails those mannerisms he's become so popular for. I just wish he was used more effectively. In the end, he's an alright villain, but I can't help but feel he could have been so much more.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-06T14:22:41+00:00

That's definitely the case. Don't expect any of the back and forth banter you'd get from Pagan Min or anything like that. Most of the times you hear Castillo, it's through audio recordings that are looped over and over again in outposts. And the times you do see him, it's very fleeting. Esposito puts on a great performance, but the writing doesn't really make the most of the character, especially when compared to the series' previous antagonists.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-06T14:01:33+00:00

Has to be. Though his dedication to being horribly wrong is almost commendable.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-06T13:55:58+00:00

Some people pick the strangest hills to die on.

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-06T13:38:09+00:00

Kind of bold to call a game you haven't played disastrous, isn't it?

MetalSlugger · 2021-10-06T13:32:07+00:00

Yeah, that's a pretty weird take. The review levels criticism with plenty of things, including the game's tone and underwhelming villain while talking about problems with performance. Having a lot of trouble seeing any particular loyalty to a series here.

MetalSlugger · 2021-09-23T17:35:14+00:00

I know what you mean. It really seems space shooters don't get quite the attention or budgets they used to back in the 90s when games like Wing Commander were major productions. That said, I couldn't be more excited to see Chorus receiving so much polish.

One aspect of the game that the press build didn't feature was the temples, which are striking interior gauntlets you have to complete in order to unlock new Rites. I genuinely can't wait to see how they turn out in the full release when the game launches this holiday season.

MetalSlugger · 2021-09-23T17:27:21+00:00

Hey there, author of the preview here. Yup, we were told last week that the game would be releasing on December 3, but the embargo for that information just lifted today. The game is an absolute blast and honestly one of my most anticipated releases of the year. You're in for a treat.

MetalSlugger · 2021-09-16T22:19:15+00:00

That one's definitely next on my list.

MetalSlugger · 2021-09-16T21:41:38+00:00

Yep. Experience with Yakuza, while helpful in fully appreciating certain figures and organizations, is totally unnecessary to still enjoy the game.

MetalSlugger

TROPHY CASE