For the longest time I've strayed away from path of hardcore rpg fandom, except the occasional shadow hearts game (oh how I love its very semi-european setting) and kingdom hearts (which I dont really consider that much of an RPG), oh and Grandia 3. However a few months ago I picked up Persona 3 special edition without any rhyme or reason, and set it on my game shelf where it sat staring, lurking in the back of my mind at all times. Then with this weekend came the southern california heat that melts brains, and also I became ill with a cold and was forced to stay inside. So after a few hours of uneventful CoD4 battles and 4 awesome run throughs of Ikaruga (<3) I turned off my Xbox and plugged in Persona 3, now I fear I can never go back from J-RPGs. The art style, the combat system, the social link management, the extravagant persona designs, and the well developed characters are all so amazing. The main character is also probably the best I've seen in quite a while. The developers named him "the other self", is that not genius. It is also so very refreshing to have the social choices I make within Gekkoukan High and the surrounding area directly affect my gameplay by way of leveling my persona abilities. With still only a few games using the gameplay technique of social interation and conversation, such as mass effect, I am happy to see it done so well. Every facet of this game appeals to me, and little did I know that there are tons of games out there like this.

I fear for my free-time now, I fear for my real life social-links, I fear for my checking account. -_- Even as I sit here typing this in my schools computer lab I long to progress further into the labryinth of tartarus ("sounds like a brand of tooth paste! XD" -Junpei Iorie). This game has become my gateway drug, I can only wonder what adventure will come next.

Now for those of you who have not picked up this epic peice of art, I suggest you do so this wednesday when Persona 3 FES comes out. I realize I am probably preaching to the choir on this but I figure I must not be the only one left in the cold from this amazing bit of RPG history.

Alright Atlus, youve got me, I <3 J-RPGs. ^_^