Persona 4 Golden

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 83,243 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Persona 4 Golden Game Cover
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An enhanced rerelease of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (2008) featuring quality-of-life improvements, gameplay enhancements, new locations, balance tweaks, online functionality, new difficulty options, an additional side character storyline and a changed endgame.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 83,243 reviews
story8,953 positive mentions
grinding1,422 negative mentions
  • story17,491 mentions

    The story of "Persona 4 Golden" is widely praised for its engaging narrative that blends elements of murder mystery, friendship, and self-discovery. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the emotional resonance of the plot, which keeps them invested throughout the lengthy gameplay. While some critiques mention pacing issues and the occasional reliance on anime tropes, the overall consensus is that the story is a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of story-driven RPGs.

    • “The story dives into real struggles and growth, and the characters feel like friends by the end.”
    • “Everything—from the characters and music to the story and combat—is just simply exceptional, you can't help but find yourself fully immersed in the game's story and its characters.”
    • “The story is amazing, it had me wrapped up in it from the beginning.”
    • “The story is very deep and the murder mystery plot is amazing.”
    • “The story, characters, and general environment definitely left an impact on me, and I was sad to see them all go.”
    • “The story is a classic murder-mystery, which has some interesting discoveries and development.”
  • music8,400 mentions

    The music in "Persona 4 Golden" is widely praised for its catchy and memorable soundtrack, which blends upbeat J-pop and rock elements that enhance the game's vibrant atmosphere. Many players find themselves humming the tunes long after playing, with standout tracks like "Heartbeat, Heartbreak" and "Reach Out to the Truth" being particularly beloved. While some reviewers note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over long play sessions, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional depth, making it a highlight of the experience.

    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal, perfectly capturing the game's mood and themes.”
    • “The music is fantastic, the user experience and interface are beautiful, the gameplay is addictive, the story is fantastic.”
    • “The music is so catchy, so ear-wormy, so amazing that if you do not end up humming the tracks in your sleep unconsciously, you are lying to yourself.”
    • “The worst soundtrack ever.”
    • “The music is so gd repetitive and uncreative.”
    • “The only good part about this game is some of the music, specifically time to make history, but the opening sucks so much it's not even funny, why is there a harmonica.”
  • gameplay7,262 mentions

    The gameplay of Persona 4 Golden is a blend of traditional turn-based combat and life simulation elements, allowing players to manage their character's daily life while engaging in dungeon crawling. While some players find the mechanics a bit dated and the dungeon design repetitive, many appreciate the depth of the social link system and the engaging story, which together create a compelling gameplay loop. Overall, the game is praised for its character development, narrative, and soundtrack, making it a beloved entry in the JRPG genre despite its gameplay shortcomings compared to newer titles like Persona 5.

    • “The gameplay is a perfect blend of dungeon crawling and turn-based combat.”
    • “With its richly developed characters, engaging gameplay, and compelling narrative, it stands as a pinnacle of the genre, deserving of a flawless 10/10.”
    • “The gameplay loop consists of persona fusion, dungeon crawling, and free days.”
    • “This game in particular suffers from outdated mechanics that make the dungeons feel like an absolute slog.”
    • “As far as gameplay depth and challenge, I've seen it all by the second dungeon.”
    • “But gameplay-wise, it's quite outdated; you die, you're restarting the whole dungeon, quicksaves do exist but you'll have to log out of the game to do that and when you come back it deletes itself.”
  • graphics3,592 mentions

    The graphics of Persona 4 Golden have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are dated, reflecting the game's origins as a PS2 title. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and vibrant art style, others express disappointment compared to the more modern visuals of Persona 5. Overall, the game's aesthetic and character designs are praised, but the technical aspects, such as character models and animations, show their age, leading to a consensus that while the graphics may not impress, they do not detract significantly from the overall experience.

    • “The vibrant, anime-inspired visuals bring the characters and the world of Inaba to life with a distinctive flair.”
    • “The graphics and art style in Persona 4 Golden may not be cutting-edge by today's standards, but they have a unique charm that still holds up well.”
    • “The graphics look amazing, and overall just fun to play and experience!”
    • “The graphics are severely outdated, even the Mii's look better in comparison.”
    • “Okay but for an actual review, if you can get past the terrible graphics, the story and gameplay really get to shine.”
    • “The graphics might turn off people who are used to modern games, but me personally I don't mind the PS1-PS2 graphics.”
  • grinding1,518 mentions

    The grinding aspect of Persona 4 Golden has received mixed feedback from players. Many find the combat and dungeon crawling to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment to level up characters and progress, especially on higher difficulties. However, the game offers customizable difficulty settings that can alleviate some of the grind, allowing players to adjust experience and money gains, which can make the experience more enjoyable for those who prefer to focus on the story and character interactions. Overall, while grinding is a core element of the game, opinions vary on its impact on enjoyment, with some players embracing it as part of the JRPG experience, while others find it frustrating and overly time-consuming.

    • “There are many things you can do that are not tedious at all since all of them will give you stat boosts either in social or combat.”
    • “The game is not very grindy in my personal experience even on hard mode but it's not as soft as the newer Pokémon installments.”
    • “It's not grindy if you don't want it to be, and it sure as hell is engaging.”
    • “Literally the only thing I hate is how monotonous the grinding can be.”
    • “The entire high school sim part of this game is just mind-numbingly tedious and boring, and it takes so much of the gameplay time to complete it every day.”
    • “The dungeons can be a bit tedious but the overall story is really fun so I highly recommend!”
  • emotional1,404 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Persona 4 Golden" resonates deeply with players, often evoking strong feelings of joy, sadness, and nostalgia. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create genuine connections with its characters, leading to moments of laughter and tears, particularly during pivotal story arcs and character developments. The heartfelt narrative, combined with a rich soundtrack and relatable themes of friendship and self-discovery, makes it a memorable emotional journey that players cherish long after completing the game.

    • “Truly a masterpiece, the game strikes a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt moments.”
    • “This game offers an unforgettable journey that resonates deeply with players, thanks to its stellar cast and the heartfelt connections forged throughout the adventure.”
    • “The story of Persona 4 Golden is its crown jewel, blending mystery, friendship, and personal growth into a narrative that's both engaging and emotionally resonant.”
  • humor1,358 mentions

    The humor in Persona 4 Golden is a significant highlight, with many players praising its witty dialogue and memorable character interactions that often lead to genuine laughter. However, some reviews note that certain jokes, particularly those involving sexual humor and outdated stereotypes, can feel uncomfortable or offensive, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game successfully balances humor with heartfelt moments, making it a beloved title for its engaging storytelling and character dynamics.

    • “Truly a masterpiece, the game strikes a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt moments.”
    • “The dialogue is sharp and often infused with humor, making every character interaction a pleasure.”
    • “Persona 4 golden's writing has gotta be the most entertaining out of the franchise as it had me laughing a lot more than the other games.”
    • “It is totally unfunny, unnecessary to the plot, and always extremely uncomfortable.”
    • “This is the only piece of media that has made me genuinely angry at how unfunny the humor is.”
    • “He often serves as the story's comic relief, and tends to make terrible unfunny jokes and puns that only he would enjoy.”
  • optimization820 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering and crashes, particularly during animated cutscenes. While some users report smooth performance on high-end systems, others with mid-range or lower-end PCs face issues, suggesting that the game is not consistently optimized across different hardware configurations. Recent patches have improved stability for some, but the presence of Denuvo DRM and ongoing performance problems continue to frustrate many players.

    • “Otherwise the performance is rock-solid, even if I did often limit the game to 60 fps instead of the possible 90 fps (which was smooth and solid) for some battery life improvements.”
    • “Moreover, I'm surprised by the variety of settings regarding the optimization of the game performance to our liking.”
    • “It enables us to ensure a smooth and stable overall performance throughout the game and is a cherry on top of the addition to the game.”
    • “I ran into many crashes and performance issues.”
    • “Great game but terrible performance issues.”
    • “This game used to have terrible performance on modern systems - like crashing every 5% of the time a loading screen happened... you can read people complaining about it if you google it.”
  • character development440 mentions

    Character development in Persona 4 Golden is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with many reviewers highlighting the significance of social links as a means to explore and enhance character arcs. While some critiques mention that character growth can feel locked behind optional content, the overall consensus is that the game offers a rich narrative experience, allowing players to form meaningful connections with a diverse cast. The storytelling is noted as a standout feature, making the characters relatable and their journeys impactful, contributing to the game's status as a landmark title in the RPG genre.

    • “Character development is unparalleled; each character is well-rounded, with their personal struggles and growth woven seamlessly into the main narrative.”
    • “In conclusion, Persona 4 Golden is a game that excels in storytelling, character development, and evoking genuine, hard-hitting emotions.”
    • “The story, character development, and relationships you can build with them are unparalleled in a game of its time.”
    • “It doesn't come close to the character development you'd see in any decent live-action TV series, but it takes up as much time as 10+ seasons.”
    • “Most character development, however, is locked behind social links, which can be a deal breaker for some, but for me, it just encourages managing your time and resources, making the game more interactive and less boring.”
    • “In Persona 4, you can forget about all that; when it comes down to personal character development, it only comes from the acceptance of their own shadows and their social links, a much tamer take compared to 3, which is a letdown.”
  • replayability424 mentions

    Persona 4 Golden is widely praised for its high replayability, featuring multiple endings, a plethora of social links, and a New Game Plus mode that encourages players to explore different choices and outcomes. Many reviewers highlight the game's extensive content and character interactions, which make it difficult to experience everything in a single playthrough, further enhancing its replay value. Overall, players find the combination of engaging story, memorable characters, and varied gameplay options makes it a title worth revisiting multiple times.

    • “With multiple endings, a plethora of social links (character relationships) to explore, and a new game plus mode, Persona 4 Golden offers high replayability.”
    • “The game itself has so much replayable content that makes me genuinely so happy this was my introduction to the game.”
    • “Persona 4 Golden is an absolute monster of a game that is packed to the brim with content and infinitely replayable due to multiple different endings, memorable characters, a gripping story, and amazing music.”
    • “The game (like all Persona games) has a lot of replayability, so I'm not too fussed.”
    • “However, the characters are super engaging and despite the linear story, there's a ton of variance between each playthrough and plenty of replayability.”
    • “As you can see, I've played over 50 hours and I haven't beaten the game yet. There's so much to do, and because it's very hard to complete everything in one playthrough, it does have massive replayability if you are one of those who yearns to get 100% completion or want to know what it's like to date a different girl.”
  • atmosphere402 mentions

    The atmosphere of Persona 4 is widely praised for its cozy, nostalgic, and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the charm of the small town of Inaba while balancing lighthearted moments with darker themes. The game's vibrant visuals and exceptional soundtrack enhance the overall experience, creating a captivating backdrop for character interactions and the unfolding mystery. Despite some criticisms regarding graphical fidelity in the remastered version, the game's unique atmosphere remains a standout feature that resonates deeply with players.

    • “The town haunted by the incidents and the ever-growing dread of the fog all come together to make this atmosphere and stakes where I know that if I beat the boss everything will be alright, but seeing the town in a mere shallow image of what it was supposed to be leaves this unsettling urgency to make it all go back to normal.”
    • “Combined with a catchy soundtrack featuring memorable tunes ranging from upbeat pop to haunting melodies, the game creates an atmosphere that is as captivating as it is unforgettable.”
    • “The overall atmosphere and isolation of the game's main setting, the small town of Inaba, is one of the game's biggest strengths and is equally as peaceful as it is haunting.”
    • “Persona 4 Golden on all platforms is missing some graphical effects from the PS2 version, harming the atmosphere a bit.”
    • “The game's charm and atmosphere can't make up for how tedious and repetitive the dungeons are.”
    • “This version of the game has seriously botched graphics and many scenes suffer from missing lighting/special effects/fog, completely destroying the atmosphere.”
  • stability362 mentions

    The stability of Persona 4 Golden's PC port has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes and freezes, particularly during cutscenes and loading screens. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay with minimal issues, others have faced significant bugs that hinder progress, leading to frustration. Overall, the game runs well on certain setups, but many recommend waiting for patches to address the numerous stability issues.

    • “Bug free (I've had absolutely no issues or crashes in my 82-hour playthrough).”
    • “The price is right, the game is bug free and crash free as far as I can tell, and the game will probably run on most machines.”
    • “Not only is Persona 4 Golden an amazing game, but this port is amazing. I have not had any issues so far; the 60fps is a nice touch, the game looks nice and crisp, and it runs great on lower-end computers.”
    • “The game freezes constantly, has audio and graphical bugs as well as lagging.”
    • “This port is plagued with constant crashes, little freeze ups whenever you do an all-out attack or hit an enemy's weakness, and other miscellaneous glitches that bring the overall quality of this product down.”
    • “I cannot make any progress in this game, and can't even receive a refund because I accidentally held out hope for an hour too long while troubleshooting these issues.”
  • monetization20 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many users feeling it is overly reliant on advertisements and microtransactions, detracting from the overall experience. Players describe it as a series of cash grabs, with excessive promotional content overshadowing gameplay, leading to frustration and disappointment. Overall, the game is perceived as more of a marketing tool than a genuine gaming experience.

    • “⬜ horrible microtransactions to play!”
    • “Sadly, p4's success became somewhat of a curse in the series, having made fans wait for p5 for almost a decade while all we got were cash grabs in the dancing and fighting games that Atlus has continued milking for p5.”
    • “Every time I try to launch the game, it goes to a 5-second short intro showing companies or ads that helped produce the game, then later pops out a black screen.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

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Play time

74hMedian play time
80hAverage play time
20-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 496 analyzed playthroughs

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