The Dark Hour Begins Anew; Persona 3 FES Now Shipping

THE DARK HOUR SPREADS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA; PERSONA 3 FES NOW SHIPPING
The Journey is Over… The Answer Awaits…

IRVINE, California - APRIL 22, 2008 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that Persona 3 FES for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the highly anticipated definitive cut of 2007's RPG of the Year, is now shipping to retailers across North America. This is fantastic news for gamers as it means they'll have something to play during the otherwise boring and uneventful week of April 29th.

Persona 3 FES has released to stunning acclaim. EGM gives it their Gold Award, scoring the game three A's and exclaiming, "FES' arrival -- at a budget price -- is the best thing to happen to role-playing games this year." Play Magazine deals FES perfect marks, 10 out of 10, and says, "Persona 3 FES is one of the best RPGs the PS2 has ever received, and one of the console's proudest moments period." IGN grants their coveted Editor's Choice Award, writing, "The fact that you're getting both the original and its virtual sequel for thirty dollars is a steal that no PS2 RPG fan should be without, and you're not likely to see such an excellent collection on the system again."

With two games on one disc -- a brand new chapter featuring 30+ hours of gameplay and an enhanced version of the original game loaded with new content and features -- Persona 3 FES is the comprehensive version of one of the most acclaimed RPGs of 2007. Persona 3 FES has an MSRP of $29.99.

For more on Persona 3 FES, please visit the official website:
http://www.atlus.com/persona3

About Persona 3: FES
Lead a group of high school students with a dangerous extracurricular activity: exploring the mysterious tower Tartarus and fighting the sinister Shadows during the Dark Hour, a frozen span of time imperceptible to all but a select few. However, the end of their quest is no longer the end of the story -- witness for the first time the aftermath of the final battle and the students' struggle to find meaning in their new lives.

Key Features:
- Acclaimed by critics and fans - Experience the definitive cut of 2007's award-winning Persona 3, which garnered tons of critical acclaim and the adulation of a devoted fanbase.
- More than just an expansion - Persona 3 FES contains an enhanced version of the original game, loaded with new Personas and cutscenes, a weapon synthesis system, additional quests and events, a hard difficulty mode, and the ability to change your characters' clothes.
- 30 additional hours of gameplay - Take the role of Aigis in a brand new Persona 3 episode that plays as a full game with an original story, extra cutscenes and objectives, and seventeen new music tracks.
- Incredible value - The enhanced version of the acclaimed Persona 3 game and the brand new episode make for 120-plus hours of gameplay, packaged together at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Persona 3 FES is a stand-alone product and does not require the original Persona 3 to play. However, players with save files from the original game will be able to transfer some of their saved data, such as their Persona compendium, to be used in the enhanced main story. The new story is accessible from the start and does not require players to finish the original game beforehand.

Persona 3 FES has been rated M for Mature with Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, and Violence by the ESRB.

About Atlus U.S.A., Inc.
Located in Irvine, California and founded in 1991, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is renowned for its proud tradition of publishing exceptional role-playing games with strong niche appeal. The Atlus library of critically acclaimed video games includes Odin Sphere, Trauma Center series, and the award-winning Shin Megami Tensei series. For more information, visit http://www.atlus.com.

(c)2006-2008 ATLUS. Licensed to and published by ATLUS U.S.A., Inc.

[Juanblue85]

Well it seems that someone over at neoGAF already got it from Game Crazy.

[unknown]

That was fast

Those pics almost make me want to skip my class at 3 and run to the nearest Gamecrazy to pick this up...

[RayFoxSith]

Teen Angst Awareness Day, gaiz.

[Sayckeone]

It's so exciting to know that I wasted $50 on P3 last year, only to have it release again less than a year later with FES for $20 less.

[Maxine MagicFox]

That does suck. I'd be pissed, too, Sayck. It doesn't make sense to me why this is so much cheaper, either. Not that I'm really complaining since, personally, my budget is tight anyway and I'm greatful.

[slayn]

Originally Posted by Maxine MagicFox

That does suck. I'd be pissed, too, Sayck. It doesn't make sense to me why this is so much cheaper, either. Not that I'm really complaining since, personally, my budget is tight anyway and I'm greatful.

It's cheaper because there's no art book, soundtrack, or slipcase. And because Atlus is nice.

And no one should complain, they could have just as easily released FES as append-only and still charged $30.

[unknown]

I wish they did...the value of P3 would skyrocket.

[slayn]

Originally Posted by unknown

I wish they did...the value of P3 would skyrocket.

I'm glad they didn't. I got a copy of P3 on release day, so it wouldn't matter to me, but I'm glad they released FES the way they did so more people will get to play it. Increased interest makes it more likely we'll see Persona 4 get localized.

Also I hate the "collector's market" for video games because it makes it ridiculously expensive to obtain and play certain older games, so anything that screws with that is a winner in my book. I'm also glad they reprinted Nocturne, even though I've had a copy for a while.

[rainking187]

Originally Posted by slayn

I'm glad they didn't. I got a copy of P3 on release day, so it wouldn't matter to me, but I'm glad they released FES the way they did so more people will get to play it. Increased interest makes it more likely we'll see Persona 4 get localized.

Also I hate the "collector's market" for video games because it makes it ridiculously expensive to obtain and play certain older games, so anything that screws with that is a winner in my book. I'm also glad they reprinted Nocturne, even though I've had a copy for a while.

I don't mind making games easier to find for people that want them but the "You just bought this game a little while ago and now we're going to release a superior version for less then you paid originally" thing is sort of irritating.

[Juanblue85]

You can blame Square Enix for that it their darn fault they kept releasing the International version of the FF series and improved version of Kingdom Hearts I really hated that. We missed out on a lot og good stuff from them but that's just them. I am very happy that Atlus is quite different from other RPG makers and understands what the fans want localised and whatnot.

[Maxine MagicFox]

Originally Posted by Juanblue85

You can blame Square Enix for that it their darn fault they kept releasing the International version of the FF series and improved version of Kingdom Hearts I really hated that. We missed out on a lot og good stuff from them but that's just them. I am very happy that Atlus is quite different from other RPG makers and understands what the fans want localised and whatnot.

QFT

Still, sometimes, collector's editions are nice... but, it's true. I never have the money for them and would still buy only the regular even if I did and use the extra money to purchase another game.

I've never even thumbed through an artbook before. :\ Meh, but I think I'll live.

[Sayckeone]

Originally Posted by Juanblue85

I am very happy that Atlus is quite different from other RPG makers and understands what the fans want localised and whatnot.

Really? Could have fooled me. Oh wait, that's right. I'm playing my Atlus localized versions of Elminage and Yggdra Union PSP right now. Not to mention all the people that are playing SRTOG on PS2.

[slayn]

Originally Posted by Sayckeone

Really? Could have fooled me. Oh wait, that's right. I'm playing my Atlus localized versions of Elminage and Yggdra Union PSP right now. Not to mention all the people that are playing SRTOG on PS2.

So because they aren't localizing the exact games you want localized, they don't listen to fans?

[SlaughterX]

Originally Posted by Sayckeone

It's so exciting to know that I wasted $50 on P3 last year, only to have it release again less than a year later with FES for $20 less.

Did you ever consider that if people never bought the original version of P3 that we might not have seen Fes here at all?

Complaining about a lower price is stupid. You had plenty of time to sell your original version of the game to recoup on losses if $30 was really hurting you.

[ChipSet]

Originally Posted by SlaughterX

Did you ever consider that if people never bought the original version of P3 that we might not have seen Fes here at all?

Complaining about a lower price is stupid. You had plenty of time to sell your original version of the game to recoup on losses if $30 was really hurting you.

I had to quote this and beside Sayckeone. According to you Persona 3 is one of the worst RPG in a decade. So why on earth do you care? It’s not like you’re going to buy the game anyway....

[slayn]

Originally Posted by ChipSet

I had to quote this and beside Sayckeone. According to you Persona 3 is one of the worst RPG in a decade. So why on earth do you care? It’s not like you’re going to buy the game anyway....

Originally Posted by Sayckeone

Atlus localizes EO2, I will buy, and play, FES day one. I'll even finish P3 beforehand.

[ChipSet]

http://www.atlus.com/new_forum/viewtopic.php?t=396

Sorry can’t quote:

P3 is sold out? …..

Also, if this is RPG of the year, this has been one of the worst years for RPGs in at least a decade.


Same topic :

Sticking with PS2: …..

The worst on the system out of what I've played, easily Odin Sphere and Persona 3.


So I don’t think he will buy the game....

[Sayckeone]

Originally Posted by ChipSet

I had to quote this and beside Sayckeone. According to you Persona 3 is one of the worst RPG in a decade. So why on earth do you care? It’s not like you’re going to buy the game anyway....

Just because I don't like P3 doesn't mean I can't have an issue with this. It's the principle behind it.

Also, I bought FES, so unless you know what you're talking about, don't post anything concerning me anymore.

I also find it disturbing that you have all these quotes of mine readily available. Kindly go find a new obsession; there are enough people that won't leave me alone as it is.

[ChipSet]

Originally Posted by Sayckeone

Also, I bought FES, so unless you know what you're talking about, don't post anything concerning me anymore. .

So you paid 30$ for game you don’t like? Man now I can understand some your issue with the price of FES. Well whatever, IF you really bought the game I apologize…

Originally Posted by Sayckeone

I also find it disturbing that you have all these quotes of mine readily available. Kindly go find a new obsession; there are enough people that won't leave me alone as it is.

All those quotes? Right… I only took 2 quotes from the first page of a topic that was pretty active. Anyway, don’t worry you’re not my new obsessions

[Sayckeone]

Yeah, I bought the game. I said I would if Atlus localizes EO2 and they are.

[RayFoxSith]

What exactly is the purpose of this whole disagreement, anyway?

[Juanblue85]

Hey Inzaghi this guy is mocking u.

He's mad because the art that is in the FES Manual should've been the game's box art.

Those jerks. I can just imagine the staff meeting they had...

Atlus Guy 1: "The Japanese Append cover is pretty nice."

Atlus Guy 2: "Yeah, isn't it? Okay, so for the North American release we take a really crappy, thrown-together cover and slap on a silhouette of Aigis."

Atlus Guy 1: "Great!"

by ponchikan over at GameFAQS.com

I seriously loled at this one since the game art is fine by me anyway.

[Sayckeone]

Originally Posted by RayFoxSith

What exactly is the purpose of this whole disagreement, anyway?

I'm still trying to figure that one out myself. I think it's just yet another person who feels the need to confront me and give me a hard time like they're doing the forums some sort of justice by speaking out against me. Whatever.

[Juanblue85]

Originally Posted by Sayckeone

I'm still trying to figure that one out myself. I think it's just yet another person who feels the need to confront me and give me a hard time like they're doing the forums some sort of justice by speaking out against me. Whatever.

Its just that since he/she thinks that u come here to the Atlus boards just to say negative things about all the games which I know is not true you sir are entitled to say what ever u want since it is after all ur opinion.

[cj iwakura]

Originally Posted by Sayckeone

Really? Could have fooled me. Oh wait, that's right. I'm playing my Atlus localized versions of Elminage and Yggdra Union PSP right now. Not to mention all the people that are playing SRTOG on PS2.

On the first two, it's too soon to judge, and on the third, the rights to the series are out of their hands.

Atlus themselves said 'this year isn't over by a long shot'.

Don't get all pessimistic yet.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if Yggdra Union PSP didn't get localized, considering how poorly Riviera did.

They're a business, first and foremost; if a game seems like it won't earn back the localization costs, then they're well within their rights to not localize it.

[RazielValentine]

ok this seems out of topic and a little late but why is Persona 3 and FES rated mature?(yeah im over eighteen) i mean yeah blood and all that stuff, partial nudity and some times they swear but c'mon! i mean ive played the matrix path of neo and that game had more blood, gore, swearing, way more partial nudity and it was rated T! but it was a awsome game ....


oh and Chipset.....
Nice pic! XD i give you a thumbs up at that one!

[Saishu]

I bet it's because the kids shoot themselves.

[RayFoxSith]

This doesn't help either.

[slayn]

Mara wasn't in vanilla P3 so that didn't influence the rating. I'm sure it's entirely because the characters "shoot" themselves in the head to use their powers.