Developer: Atlus Software
Publisher: Atlus Software
Genre: Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Rating: N/A
Number of Players: 1
Platforms:  Playstation 2
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Gallery

In Persona 3, you play as the main character [whom you basically named after yourself] that is really a reflection of yourself in the game. Basically you go to school, study, hang out with friends, go out on dates, etc. But then at night during a certain hour [between midnight and 12:01am] all the lights and power in the city cut off and everything around you is dark and foggy. You turn around and see that your friends are replaced with coffins. You’re wondering, “What the hell is going on?” Then you hear a noise that sounds like water dripping. Your heart’s racing as you wonder what happened to your friends, and why is it so dark, but mostly what the hell is that dripping noise? Soon it looks as if blood is draining out of the coffins around you making the setting somewhat macabre yet morbid. This is the “Dark Hour”. During the dark hour, you and your dorm mates, who call themselves S.E.E.S., [Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad] have to infiltrate a tower called Tartarus. While infiltrating Tartarus and fighting the creatures called Shadows, you’re under the supervision of the school’s chairman, Shuji Ikutski. During battle you’re able to summon beings that are somewhat like “secondary souls” called Personas. Using the personas you have can use multiple types of magic, attacks, and certain skills. With these abilities you’re able to fight off the army of shadows and figure out the secret behind “The Dark hour”. While you move forward to learning the secret of the tower, there are two words you must remember: 

“Memento Mori”

Which means:

“Remember, you are mortal, and you will [eventually] die."

We’re all fated for the same end. There is no escape from time nor death.

Only understanding the true nature of it, you will be able survive this epic battle.

Sounds mortifying? You haven’t seen or heard anything yet -- until you played this game.

Graphics/Sound

Like other RPGs I’ve played, the graphics are pretty much the same; although you can tell at certain points theres a difference. For example, the graphics in battle. It has a little hint of Odin Sphere [another ATLUS title] in it. Even though it’s not a 2D game, Persona 3’s graphics can sometimes be impressive. But then again, to experience this sharp quality especially with the anime cut scenes it’s best to play this using the S-Video/ Audio cord or using a TV that supports Hi-Definition. One thing I could say that’s also a plus about the graphics is that it seems like when they created this game they weren’t afraid to experiment with other colors. Sometimes they break the rules with colors but theoretically in art there are no rules to break.  This game has muse written all over it. Sounds weird but its true. It’s not only the art, but also the sound itself that is impressive. The music was really impressive and really dictates the mood of the certain settings in the game. With its upbeat hip-hop/Rock/Opera/Fight Song style tracks it makes the game seem way better than its generic RPG competitors. The voice acting is also a plus. It gives the story life and it keeps it alive by making as if it’s a TV series you’re watching. This game just gets better and better as you keep playing it.

And not only was the game the best thing that was created but it also came with it’s own soundtrack CD and a colorful 52-page art book. Talk about a muse of Art and Music.