Persona will never be this great again.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment is justifiably hailed as a classic for its gripping story, unique atmosphere, and memorable characters who are not constrained by the typical student roles found in many JRPGs and later entries in the Persona series.

Just like P1 and P2:IS, the vibe and atmosphere presented in this game are immaculate with its gritty urban setting and eerie supernatural elements. Eternal Punishment delves into mature themes the series never really has since, at least not in a way like EP did. As a sucker for old-school and adult characters, the stylized character designs not only reflect the era in which the game was created but also contribute significantly to the overall atmosphere and tone. It's a rarity in JRPGs and anime these days, which is a shame because I believe these mediums could benefit greatly from more variety.

However, one aspect that really disappointed me was Maya's sudden role as a silent protagonist. It's an annoying trope all too common in JRPGs and in a game with such rich character development, Maya's silence felt like a missed opportunity for further exploration of her character. I've never really been a big fan of silent protagonists to begin with, but this trend never fails to annoy me. I get that silent protagonists are popular in JRPGS, but Maya being one in a story and character-driven game like EP felt like a huge mistake.

Despite this, the story of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment hooked me from the very beginning. Just like its predecessor, its intricate plot weaves together supernatural elements with psychological depth, creating a narrative that kept me engaged throughout the whole thing.

P1 and P2 are, without a doubt, the best Persona games Atlus has ever cooked up, despite their clunky and dated gameplay. If you're a Persona fan, you will be doing yourself a disservice by not trying out these amazing games. But what made me really love and appreciate these games, aside from the great characters and stories, are the atmosphere and vibes that only retro games can truly emphasize.

I was born two months premature. When I was one, I was dropped on the porch. When I was two, I
had pneumonia. When I was three, I got the chicken pox. When I was four, I fell down the stairs and broke six ribs. When I was five, my uncle was decapitated by a watermelon. When I was six, my parents hit me in the head with a shovel. When I was seven, I lost my right index finger to my pet Rat. When I was eight, my dog Spike got hit by a tractor. When I was nine, my mother lost her arm to a rabid brahmin. When I was ten, my sister was torn to bits by a pack of dogs. When I was eleven, my grandfather killed himself because I was ugly. When I was twelve, my grandmother killed herself because I was ugly. When I was thirteen, my father poked out his eyes with a pitchfork in a drunken stupor. When I was fourteen, my brother lost his hand to a wallaby. When I was fifteen, my aunt choked to death on a chicken bone. When I was sixteen, I lost my cousin to a badger. When I was seventeen, I cut off my left big toe with a hoe. When I was eighteen, my father lost his right leg to the same tractor that killed my dog.

this game, elite beat agents, and gitaroo man are all the proof i need to happily declare iNiS as the kings of rhythm games. a plethora of genres intertwined yet every song feels connected thematically. the note tapping is silky smooth and glides along to the beat naturally. all of this coated with a thick layer of inspirational emotional motivation and personal charm, presented strongly with a fun-filled artstyle. ends on such a gleeful note that erupts a certain fanfare inside all of us. transcends the boundaries of language with music as a device to communicate with the human spirit. reaches the zenith of the mountain and then shoots for the stars. bursting with overwhelming charisma. this is what video games are all about. goddamn.