Monday, December 02, 2013

Which version of Persona 3 should this Persona 3 noob purchase?

I nearly pulled the trigger on the PSP port of Persona 3 this past weekend.


What stopped me from following through with the purchase? Online commentary about the portable version's "streamlined" overworld. (From its Wikipedia page: "instead of navigating the game world by directly controlling the protagonist, the player guides an on-screen cursor around an area, allowing interaction with characters and objects.")


On the other hand, I really like the idea of being able to choose a female protagonist at the beginning of Persona 3 Portable and I also like that this version allows players to directly control all party member during battles.


So, my question to all of you who are experienced in at least one or more iterations of Persona 3: which one would you suggest buying--the original PS2 release (Persona 3), that version's "director's cut" (Persona 3 FES) or Persona 3 Portable?

12 comments:

DigDug said...

Definitely not the PSP version. Reason - imagine clicking on flat sprites instead of walking around the school and talking to people in 3D. The immersion is just not there. I bought the PSP version thinking I would stick with it since its portable, but the experience wasn't the same.

thegaygamer.com said...

Thanks, DigDug! Man, now I'm really torn--which probably means I'll continue to sit on this purchase :P Gah!

Matt S said...

I recommend the PSP version. Why? because then you can have this and Persona 4 Golden on your Vita and never need to buy another game for it to be the best console ever.

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, but, Matt, if I buy the PSP version, it'll be the UMD. So, I'd have to play it on my PSP, not the Vita I don't yet have!

Matt S said...

You need to get a Vita!

Lizzi said...

I would recommed the PSP version. I own both versions and in the PSP version was some content added. You can control the moves of your team members now. That is a very important thing because they make reaaaaally dumb decisions. Like attacking instead of healing the mates when needed. Also you can choose if you want a male or female protagonist which changes the story a bit. The PSP version is like FES with better controls.
Yours Lizzi

retr0gamer said...

It really depends on you. If you like portable games and a far quicker game to finish (50 compared to 80) then Portable is the one to go for. Also I hear playing as a female protagonist is great especially if you've played the first. The PS2 version is a bit more immersive. One thing I will say is that you are missing nothing by not playing the Answer part included in FES. It's a pain to play and I had to give up on it.

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, I'm planning to get one, Matt, don't worry about that. The question is: when? Hopefully soon.

thegaygamer.com said...

Hey there, Lizzi! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, too :) Yes, I really like the idea of being able to control the team members. Actually, it seems weird that the devs didn't allow players to do that the first time around, although I'm sure they had their reasons. Also, I like the idea of being able to choose a female protagonist, too. Anyway, I guess we'll see which version I go with--if either!

thegaygamer.com said...

Well, at this point in my life I actually prefer playing handheld games to console ones in almost all regards, retr0gamer. So, that may answer the question of which version to buy in one fell swoop, eh?

diaglyph said...

PSP version - sure the overworld has been simplified but I'd rather have that than party members controlled by the stupid AI that doesn't want to heal you.
If you want to see overworld and stuff, then get Persona 4 Golden - that's been done really well on the Vita.


Also if you choose female main, you'll get the male attendant Theo in the Velvet Room

thegaygamer.com said...

Thanks, Igor! P4G's definitely on my wish list, but I have to get a Vita first. In the meantime, maybe I'll just go w/ P3P, as that seems to be the most logical choice at the moment...