Today, I finished playing through the Persona 2 Duology: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment!
I'm a huge fan of the Persona series, who played Personas 3-5. I finally had the courage to play Persona 2 after people recommended the story though warned about the dated gameplay.
And oh boy, the gameplay was the worst of the series I've experienced. Too many random encounters. Getting lost in maze-like dungeons. Repetitive and endless grinding levels for Personas. It got so bad that I started using cheats to minimize the annoying elements of the game. You do need a tolerance for the gameplay if you're not used to playing old-school JRPGs.
But, the narrative is great. It is my second favorite story in the series, with Persona 3 still at my top. Intriguing story, engaging characters, and unique style, which perfectly blends together the light and dark sides of human nature.
The cast in Innocent Sin is one of the best in the series. They're all interesting characters who have their own motivations and quirks.
Tatsuya, the protagonist, is a loner, but he has a heart of gold.
Eikichi, an edgy-aesthetic narcissist, is always looking out for others.
Lisa, a blonde hair, blue eyes American born in Japan, is the most honest and straightforward of the bunch.
And then there's Maya, a ray of positivity who is always looking out for her friends.
By the end of the game, I truly felt the bonds between all of them. They're all flawed individuals who become better people by facing their fears and overcoming their weaknesses together. It's a great story about growing up, friendship, and finding your place in this world.
Persona 2 is one of the best narratives in the series. The game's plot is not a typical "save the world" story, and I love that. It's about people dealing with trauma and their personal demons.
The game has its flaws, but it's still a great experience. If you can overlook the dated gameplay and you are a Persona fan, this is a must-play.
(All images were taken by me.)