I was initially not going to do a review for this, but I decided why not. And I'm going to try and make a review short for once lmao (try being the operative word).

I think X2 is definitely a solid follow up to X1 in my opinion. In fact, I think it does a very great job creating its own identity for itself and making it distinct from X1. There's a lot to love here, whether it be the new gimmicks such as utilizing the hovercyle and air dashing, or many of the varied levels that I really loved going through. I really liked how wonderfully unique in themes the levels were this time around, such as a desert stage, a crystal mine stage, and even a volcano stage too. All of them were really well thought out and creative level designs that I really enjoyed, with really sick setpieces too (such as the climb in Flame Stag's stage as the volcano was rising). And the bosses were just as engaging to fight as they were in the last game too (even if just like in the last game, they made me pull my hair out with how difficult they could be lmao).

I also thought the music in this one was like---I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion or not, but just as good as X1's to me? Like, the soundtrack for this game REALLY slaps. I think I like pretty much every level stage theme in this game (with the exception of the junk yard stage, just wasn't my cup of tea). My absolute FAVORITE stage theme though would definitely be that of Wire Sponge's stage theme, which might just be among my favorite tracks in this entire series for me. I swear, it sounds like a fusion between music from the Classic Sonic trilogy and the Sonic Advance trilogy---if that makes sense lmao. Loved the boss themes too, such as the X Hunter's, Sigma's first theme, and of course... I mean... ZERO'S THEME IS LIKE, PEAK MEGA MAN MUSIC. I-I've known about that theme even before getting into the series (and especially the amazing MvC3 remix of it). It's just so legendary... like seriously...

But uhhh, speaking of Zero though, erm... brings me to the only thing I didn't like about X2: the X Hunter subplot of having to get Zero's parts. I know whether or not you get all the parts doesn't really matter that much, but just idk... the principle of not saving Zero the right way just didn't sit well with me lmao. I ended up restarting the game over completely just so that I could get the "good ending", even if it didn't matter that much (of course, this was before I found out about the password generator, making me facepalm). Anyway, idk, I just felt like it kind of messed up the pace and structure for me. I don't think I'd have a problem with it if it was handled differently, but it just rubbed me the wrong way though. I also do kind of wish the Zero fight was canon though, but instead of fighting real Zero, maybe we just fight the fake one. Because even though I wanted to save my boy, it still would've been pretty hype having to fight an enemy Zero even with all of the parts obtained (and then maybe real Zero shows up to deal the final blow or something). Though, it was pretty cool how in the actual story Zero just shows up and EASILY takes care of the fake one like it was nothing, what a badass lmao.

But I digress, aside from that, not really many other issues with the game. I think it definitely made some improvements over the first game, even if I think in some ways I still prefer the first game more. Story-wise, I'm happy that Zero was brought back from the dead. Of course, I knew he was never dead, being on the Internet and all, but I'm happy to see one of the coolest motherfuckers ever created to be alive and kicking again lmao. Sigma continues to be an antagonist I find to be really cool with how every time we kill him, he just keeps coming back stronger and smarter. But I like that despite that, X and Zero are going to be ready to kick his ass again each and every time---just simple good guy vs bad guy stuff is all I need sometimes, haha. And I love the growing bromance of X and Zero, it's becoming one of my favorite gaming duos for sure. Anyway, X2 was quite fun, I really enjoyed my time with it, despite a couple of frustrations here or there.

(...and this review ended up being long AGAIN, son of a---lmao.)

As the Final Fantasy series goes on naturally they will experiment with more things and this time they go into a dark and gritty setting. The way they structure the story and world feels pretty damn bold to push the series and I respect it. Reading through the story of Storm and Ash, Clive, Bearers, Dominants, and a fucked up world is pretty great with handling its mature and gritty themes well as well as sucker punching with a hollow yet hopeful ending to rub in that setting further. Sure there are some things that I felt could've been done better like the pieces of the ending due to some parts making it ring flat to me, but I felt fine for the most part. The side quests have a real budget going on with them having their own individual cutscenes and changing the word which improves the game for its world-building and interaction with important characters and npc; you SHOULD do these side quests in my opinion as you are missing on good character development and information. After doing them all I felt really happy that I got to learn so much about these wonderful characters that connect the world and other npcs nicely.

The biggest thing I like about the game isn't the story, but the gameplay. The godlike music from Soken and gameplay crafted from the combat designers of DMC5 and MVC2 are
the strong anchor that carries this game that makes it good to great. The way the game encourages a variety of playstyle offers a positive impact of replaying and experimentation. Staggering big enemies and trying to find way to optimize your stagger damage is one of the most satisfying feelings ever as your damage reaches to 50k, 70k, or more. Quite literally the bosses and big enemies made me so hype to fight as I could pull my stupid build-a-bear combo with a Guilty Gear roman cancel ability to rack up even more damage. If I had to throw my complaints in this game its that this game is filled with so many cutscenes it might bother some people, but it is an RPG game that loves its story so its to be expected. In addition, an important character like Jill felt really half-baked and not fulfilled with her writing which is pretty sad considering I like her.

Overall, if you love actions games like DMC5 or want a dark RPG story then you'll like this title, and I would say their first dip into dark and mature stories is a success. A good game although with a few flaws.

This review won't do justice to what this game means to me but to put it bluntly, I think this is the most a game has hit me with its themes since some of my other favourites. It certainly wasn't what I expected getting into the game.

It's perfect in all its technical and aesthetical aspects but that's also where its biggest flaw comes in, that stupid fucking filter during the last act of the game that made me want to gnaw my eyes out. I genuinely have few qualms without it.

I haven't seen self -acceptance presented with such grandeur while being nuanced. For that alone this is undoubtedly my game of the year. Props to all its other narrative strengths.

Almost a perfect sequel that improves on many things from the original, which was already a fantastic platformer game that still holds up to this day. One thing that the original does better is the story overall, but that by no means Klonoa 2's story is not good or anything, thematically it was still quite excellent, but I thought the og had more impact. Luckily, in everything else, I found this to be an improvement over the original.

Missions were solid all around, I didn't had any problem with them. Snowboard missions were a nice touch that spiced up the gameplay with a much needed variety and I thought it was really fun. Kingdom of Sorrow mission was a highlight for me, because of the atmosphere and that goddamn soundtrack... it was just perfect.

This is undoubtedly my favourite platformer game.

The year is 2018. I just started playing Persona 3 FES on my Playstation 2 and I like the game. Sure, no direct party control is weird but it's not hard as long as you know how to use the AI command functions. However, fusion mechanics are god awful as I had to sit there for almost 30 minutes, maybe even almost an hour, trying to get the right passives and skills I want on my persona. Regardless, I soldiered on through and enjoyed what it had to offer until past a certain point in Feburary 2019 my PS2 suddenly cannot read the disc! How? I don't know! Probably internal problems or the disc is scratched to all hell, but this made me unmotivated to continue it since it was hours of progress down the drain that was left at in September. For 5 to 6 years I avoided this game with emulation or the official portable port since I heard they even fucked up that port somehow until this year when the remake was announced so it got me pretty excited. This was also the first time I've decided to play a Persona game on the hardest difficulty setting (Merciless) cause I craved a challenge. I was excited because I'm practically getting to experience that classic RPG that was considered the best in its franchise. However, is this game superior or inferior to the others versions? Well...

Persona 3 Reload improves much upon on the original obviously with QoL. The stuff I didn't like about it that I mentioned in FES was replaced such as being able to have manual persona skill selection, more refined controls, and other changes. In addition, there are more game mechanics that are added and/or borrowed like 'Shift' which is just baton pass from Persona 5 but doesn't have the attack and heal boost. Theurgy, characteristics, monad doors, and greedy hands are said added game mechanics that I'm not sure how to feel about. Theurgy is strategic especially in late game, sure, but they just made the game too easy even on the hardest difficulty. A prime example is Fuuka's Theurgy that has a chance to give the party heat riser, charge + focus, or a full heal for both HP and SP. This ruins the dungeon crawling vibe as you don't feel really pressured on using valuable SP recovery items as her theurgy will mostly do the work for you if it activates. Of course even outside of it if you know what you're doing, like with most SMT games, the game is hard at first but becomes easy. I died several times, but that count lowered till late game and I had fun. Monad doors are just defeating a mini boss, getting gems and models, and being rewarded with 2 floors of a fully charted map. Greedy hands are just RNG based, but late game you can spend MP to trivialize this for a ton of rewards. One thing I do appreciate about the remake's features however is the great clock that allows standby or active party members to catch up quickly in levels for that slice of party synchronization that is also included in shuffle time; speaking of, shuffle time got a massive overhaul in the remake I like. Much like Persona Golden, it involves the major arcanas that add passives and persona stat increases that affects future shuffle times, dungeon crawling, xp, etc. to make your dungeon crawling efforts fruitful. The culmination of these mechanics has some good, some questionable, and some not-good at most. Well, at least I'm not going into the fucking velvet room persona skill roulette mines in FES so I'm glad.

The story I have a lot to talk about. Yeah, I'm told it's just the same as the original, but maybe having this remake harbor the original's story is fine because this is actually a (modern) persona game with a good story. The cast is great and I love the theming of [ we're all going to die some day because we're mortal, but that's ok because as long as we enjoy life, experiences, and rely on friends then everything is all right ]. The voice acting on top of socials links and story beats gave those moments the oomphs it deserved and genuinely made me cry for how much game's story is a timeless classic among one of the icons of the Playstation 2 era's game library.

Other gripes I have with the game is the expansion pass that includes FES's The Answer (which I have not experienced through) for $35 totaling this game to a $105 USD cost. Like I said in my Yakuza 8: Infinite Wealth review, if you think that the it should be rated lower because of this then that is 100% fair. I think it is kinda unfair too. At least, I don't want to buy an expansion pass for it.

Now then, should you play the other versions of Persona 3 over this one? Well, it depends. Do you prefer the clunky, old-school style that has AI-controlled party members that grow to add the narrative they trust you more (side note: they get more commands after defeating major bosses)? Then play FES. Portable recommendation feels disingenuous as that game doesn't have as much as a budget than FES that are presenting like it's some visual novel. If you want to play it though then go ahead; it's got a female protagonist option. If you were discouraged by the either FES or Portable, then Reload is just right for you excluding price. Overall, I really enjoyed Reload despite some of the issues mainly for the story that I haven't got to experience with the original.

--Memento Mori--
When I was young, I became aware of death pretty quickly. Growing up in various poor parts of Los Angeles, I was exposed to a lot of the harshest aspects of life. Many people I knew fell in with the wrong crowds—were at the wrong place at the wrong time—weren’t given a chance to live. Up until I was about 19, nearly all of my dreams at night were about my own end. Death was all around me. But being aware of death and understanding it are two very different things. Persona 3 acknowledges this and does its best to teach you the difference.

“The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed… The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, he clings to a dim hope. Attaining one's dream requires a stern will and unfailing determination."

Originally released back in 2006, Persona 3 was the game to create and cement the modern Persona formula made more popular by Persona 4 and exploding into the mainstream with overnight acclaim in Persona 5. As an architect of its own genre, Persona 3 lacked many elements that later fans would come to love and expect from the series. Far from as alienating as the three games preceding it, Persona 3 still found itself in this space of “outdated” design by many people. While I strongly disagree with that mentality, it is ultimately what lead to Persona 3 Reload—released only a month prior to this review.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... The silent voice within one's heart whispers the most profound wisdom."

My journey into the realm of Persona, and by extension, the greater Megami Tensei franchise is a bit odd. Rather than starting with one of the more popular RPG titles, I was exposed to what would later become my favorite series through Persona 4 Arena—a 2D fighting game spin-off of Persona 3’s successor. After struggling to find a character I truly resonated with, I researched the series a bit and found Persona 3. I was immediately enticed by its protagonist’s design, the blue color scheme, and most notably—Thanatos.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... Celebrate life's grandeur...It's brilliance...It's magnificence..."

I immediately found a way to… acquire the game and played it start to finish in a matter of days. I was hooked. The core gameplay, the music, the presentation was all right up my alley. But more than that, its theme and its characters resonated with me immensely. Persona 3 came to me at the perfect time. In 2012, I was in my final year of high school about to enter the real world at 17 with no sense of direction and no vision of the future. Completely aimless—lost, even.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... Only courage in the face of doubt can lead one to the answer..."

Each of P Studios’ titles follow a theme based on a major arcana tarot card starting with Persona 3: Arcana XIII—Death. While each title under their belt carries their themes with conviction, Persona 3’s commitment to death stands out even amongst its brethren. Everyone will and must confront mortality in their life. Death will befall our friends, our family, our pets, and ourselves. There is no exception. Persona 3 highlights this with each core character (and most of its side cast) having experienced a major death in their life, leading them onto the path they currently walk. As a necessary hard stop in our lives, death changes us in different ways. Some lash out in anger, others may retreat into themselves, and some may sever all ties as a means to prevent that familiar pain from returning. But eventually, you will have to face it, one way or another.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... It is indeed a precious gift to understand the forces that guide oneself..."

I was an apathetic teenager. I had no sense of self-worth, and I often found myself drifting off into daydreams about the end and how it would come. What the world would be like afterward. What would change. I wasn’t suicidal—far from it, really. I was simply carrying on each day without direction or meaning. I had friends, and I was relatively popular with most people… but I felt empty. People came and went from my life, and it was just something to be expected. Nothing to be mourned or understood—it simply was.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... There is both joy and wonder in coming to understand the hearts of others..."

This all changed when I met the love of my life. As cliché as it may sound, she breathed life into me. And not in some quirky, fantasy woman way. Over time, on my own accord, I found myself wanting to do things. Wanting to be with people. Wanting to create memories and cherish them. Treating people with kindness over dismissive nonchalance. Opening up to people, and creating meaningful bonds. Understanding death means understanding life, and while I met her a few months prior… this was also 2012.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... One of the greatest blessings attained from the gift of life is the freedom to pursue one's personal goals..."

What is there new to say about the Persona formula known the world over through Persona 5? Not much, I imagine, so I’ll keep it brief. As Makoto Yuki, you return to Tatsumi Port Island ten years after a world-changing incident that brought about the Dark Hour—a hidden 25th hour in each day unbeknownst to those without Potential—the ability to manifest your inner psyche as a weapon known as Persona. Together with your comrades, you battle Shadows—amalgamations of the darkness within people given form—in an attempt to return the world to a state of normalcy. The game follows a hybrid formula of dungeon-crawling with turn-based JRPG battles and life simulation visual novel-type character moments. The two aspects support one another brilliantly and flow together in a cocktail of satisfying gameplay and memorable writing.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... To find the one true path, one must seek guidance amidst uncertainty..."

So, what’s different in Reload? Besides the visual updates, many quality of life changes have been made for modern audiences to get into and not get so filtered. Tartarus by nature will continue to do that to some degree, but the pain newcomers will feel has been heavily subdued. Battles are lightning quick now and every minor aspect has a neat little flourish to it not present in the original. The game’s balancing has had tweaks to make boss fights less of a pushover as well.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... It requires great courage to look within oneself, and forge one's own path..."

While that’s all well and good, the real meat of Reload for me are the story additions and full voice acting for all Social Links. In the original Persona 3, Makoto could not spend time with male party members outside of combat. They did not have Social Links in any form, and as such, did not get fleshed out to the same degree as the female cast members. This has been rectified with the addition of new Link Episodes—optional events with each character that provide just as much if not more memorable scenes for these characters than Social Links ever have. Without exaggeration, these are my favorite moments of Persona 3 Reload outside of its main story.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... Ever-present alongside time is fortune, cruel and unflinching."

In addition to the party member Link Episodes are new scenes involving Strega that make them feel more like people inhabiting the same world and less like laughable obstacles to trounce with a single auto-attack. Ryoji Mochizuki—a prominent character in the late game—also receives this treatment and the game shines brilliantly when these moments arise.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... One needs strength to endure, and rise above suffering and torment."

The voice acting in Reload is superb nearly all around. While I have some issues with Yukari’s new voice actress, she’s far from detrimental. The rest of the cast really crush it the whole way through with extra shout outs to Zeno Robinson as Junpei Iori and Alejandro Saab as Akihiko Sanada. The former was perfect in every moment, happy and sad, and the latter proved me wrong after my first impressions. That said, the music is unfortunately a mixed bag. Many of the remixes fall short compared to the original (“Burn My Dread -Final Battle-“) but all of the original tracks made for this title are incredible. Special mentions to “Color Your Night” and “It’s Going Down” for two of my new favorites in the series.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... In the face of unavoidable disaster lies the opportunity to search for redemption."

Persona 3 Reload is by no means a perfect game. Hell, if you asked me, it doesn’t need to exist in the first place. But even through all my doubts, I am glad it does. While at the time of writing this review, it does not have The Answer in any capacity, there have been rumors and leaks aplenty pointing to that inevitability. Even without that, however, I feel confident in saying that Reload is the best way to experience The Journey, and I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys this series, JRPGs, or memorable storytelling.

"The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yet, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... Beyond the journey you have taken lies the absolute end. It matters not who you are... One thing is always certain: Death awaits all."

FINAL FANTASY VII is my childhood game—the one that shaped who I would become through my adolescence. Similarly, Persona 3 was the game that began my adulthood. It was a game that came to me at just the right time and showed me why life is important and why we should get out there and live it. Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic, faithful remake that I now cherish alongside the original. Playing Reload was like revisiting an old friend that you’ve longed to see again after all these years. As soon as I picked it up, and even know after clearing it 100% through two playthroughs, I still feel sad to let it go. This game—whether it’s the original release, FES, or Reload—will forever have a place with me.

"No one can escape time; it delivers us all to the same end. You can't plug your ears and cover your eyes."

I don't have much to say that's new about this game or the original, this is a remake that lives up to the original- and even surpasses it. Something I was hopeful for yet didn't quite expect with how most remakes turn out.

The team that made this clearly holds love for the original and took tons of care to preserve its essence in as many ways possible. While it does miss some of the ludo-narrative poignance of the original and certain charms or scenes the original had, it makes up for it fully in reimagining Persona 3 in such a fresh, vivid and more satisfying manner by delving deeper into characters they couldn't do the same for in the original.

My few gripes are with the audiovisual aspects, I like the OST a lot but it's certainly not as iconic as the original which is fine but in certain songs it's a little too off. And for the visuals, on most fronts this is one of the prettiest games I've ever played yet the lighting can be completely out of sync in certain areas. Besides the things I've mentioned, this game is essentially perfect.

Now for a little personal footnote, this game came into my life when I started questioning the meaning of life and why I was alive at a very tender time of my pre-teen years, still unaware of how to deal with a loss. Back then, this game was a guiding light to me, it helped me sit with my fear of death despite how much it posessed me. Death is something I fear even to this day, this moment. But unlike 10 years ago, this time I know the meaning of my life is mine and the people I surround myself by to find. It's alright if I can't find it as long as I'm alive, my life already means something to the people that love me.

And that's fine enough, no matter when or how I pass. This realization only came to me then due to this game and today it comes back into my life in a further fully realized manner to pat me on my back and remind me of the same, to keep walking on and adore the burning glimmer and brilliance in life even if it means enduring all the suffering I have to face or that it'll all come to an end.

And as the game says, "Nothing's a waste...my life will have meaning."