John-ShepardLast year's Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 was the best reviewed PS2 game of the year, and certainly one of the best RPGs available. But it all began back on the original PlayStation with Persona , before the series merged with the Shin Megami Tensei name. And if you didn't get a chance to play the first Persona before, you'll soon get your chance…in handheld form.
According to Kombo, Atlus is readying a port of the cult classic for the PSP, and it will feature "new characters, along with new storyline elements and additional scenarios." We're not sure if it will boast enhanced visuals just yet – although it probably will – but we do know it's scheduled to release in Japan on April 30. It's unlikely we'll see a simultaneous worldwide launch (hell, it's damn near impossible), but here's hoping the game will come to North America not long after it launches in the Land of the Rising Sun. RPG fans are probably quite familiar with Persona , but if you're a little younger, you probably never got the chance. Sure, it looks out-of-date and wasn't among the elite role-playing titles of the 32-bit generation, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of many RPG fans. Back then, there were so many great titles to choose from, and the mere fact that Persona is even remembered amidst the likes of unbelievable Squaresoft gems is a worthy accomplishment. Will it stand the test of time with this port?
Here's hoping it does, and if you desire an excellent old-school role-playing experience on the go, keep a sharp eye out for a U.S. release date. We'll let you know when/if they announce it.
Related Game(s): Persona
