Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 84 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Game Cover
An amazing first person dungeon crawler for fans of Persona 3 and 4, but not a gateway into the Persona series.
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"Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth" is a crossover RPG that brings together characters from "Persona 3" and "Persona 4." The game utilizes Etrian Odyssey's dungeon crawler style with first-person view and turn-based combat. Players can choose to play from the perspective of either protagonist, with their choices affecting the story's flow.

  • Nintendo 3ds
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 84 reviews
story7 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • The game successfully combines characters from Persona 3 and Persona 4, providing a nostalgic experience for fans.
  • The dungeon crawling mechanics and map-making feature add a unique challenge and satisfaction to exploration.
  • The voice acting and character interactions are well-executed, bringing humor and charm to the gameplay.
  • The absence of social links and school-life elements makes the game feel less like a traditional Persona title.
  • The difficulty can spike unexpectedly, which may frustrate newcomers to the series.
  • Some players find the dialogue repetitive and lacking depth compared to the main Persona games.
  • story33 mentions

    The game's story offers players a choice between the narratives of Persona 3 and Persona 4, providing a rich experience with a large cast and numerous side quests, though some reviewers feel the plot is underdeveloped and lacks character growth. While the intertwining storylines and fan service appeal to series enthusiasts, others criticize it as a filler episode with a barebones narrative that doesn't fully utilize the beloved characters. Overall, the game combines engaging dungeon crawling with a light story, making it enjoyable for fans of both franchises, despite some narrative shortcomings.

    • “Neither storyline suffers from a feeling of being an afterthought, so you can essentially enjoy two games for the price of one!”
    • “Everything clicks nicely, you get Etrian Odyssey style dungeon crawling with demon fusions, a genuinely interesting story, and all the personality of the Persona series.”
    • “If you’re a Persona fan, you’ll get a huge kick out of seeing your old Gekkoukan and Yasogami classmates in an all-new adventure, and Etrian Odyssey fans open to a change will love it — this is the story-driven experiment of Etrian Odyssey Untold taken to the next level, with a stylistic overhaul to match.”
    • “The bad: the story seems barebones.”
    • “I understand this game is a spinoff from the main Persona series, which is a sub-series of SMT, but the story has not yet gripped me.”
    • “This game is one of those 'filler episodes.' - as the game takes place in between the storylines of both Persona 3 and 4, due to some 'taken out of time' Doctor Who story mechanics, the characters never really truly grow.”
  • gameplay30 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily influenced by the Etrian Odyssey series, diverging significantly from the traditional Persona mechanics, particularly the social link elements. While some players appreciate the streamlined and engaging exploration, others find the map-drawing requirement and certain mechanics tedious. Overall, the game offers a rich experience with colorful characters and numerous side quests, though it may be challenging for newcomers.

    • “The gameplay is definitely different, and you won't have the social link elements, but there are tons of side missions and interaction activities to hang out with your friends. What this game really is, is Etrian Odyssey with a Persona skin.”
    • “All of the mechanics are really fun and just challenging enough to give you a sense of tension and excitement.”
    • “Gameplay is a really neat fusion of the Etrian Odyssey and Persona series.”
    • “One thing that might be noteworthy is that if you're looking for the same maze-traipsing gameplay of Persona 3 and 4, you won't get it.”
    • “The gameplay is definitely different, and you won't have the social link elements, but there are tons of side missions and interaction activities to hang out with your friends; what this game really is, is Etrian Odyssey with a Persona skin.”
    • “I loved that the characters from all the most popular installments of the series came together for entertaining shenanigans, but the gameplay was absolutely tedious and about halfway through I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with many users praising the detailed visuals and engaging art style, particularly the chibi aesthetic. While some find the graphics reminiscent of older styles, they are generally considered a significant improvement, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. However, opinions on the art style can be mixed, with some players feeling it may not appeal to everyone.

    • “It's also worth noting that the graphics and 3D effect are quite nice.”
    • “Great graphics, engaging gameplay that isn't extremely complicated.”
    • “The graphics are excellent.”
    • “As you might see from gameplay videos, the way the levels are navigated is more similar to that old Windows 95 maze screensaver than anything else, but obviously with much better graphics.”
    • “The aesthetic quirks of each respective character are played up for cheap laughs and high school daydreams, without revealing too much about the characters' motivations, largely in part so newcomers can have a reason to go back to the originals.”
    • “[Dungeons can often get too long, leading to long stretches without save points; the game often comes off as trying too hard; the controls are obtuse and cannot be re-mapped; the chibi graphics are hit or miss; it can be extremely punishing for newcomers.]”
  • music10 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchiness and memorable quality, often enhanced by unique vocal performances from non-native English speakers. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, complementing the game's art style and character depth, while noting that it contributes significantly to the overall enjoyment and atmosphere of the gameplay.

    • “The game starts off with an amazing intro video and fantastic music; I'm sure some will hate it (as always in Persona games).”
    • “The thing that makes this game so awesome is the great music and art style as well as the depth of all the characters.”
    • “The music is great, the puzzles are not too challenging but fun to solve, each character has interesting personalities that make him/her/it memorable and drawing the map for each labyrinth is really fun!”
    • “Maybe it was the music - English songs that were all sung by people whose first language was clearly not English, but were made even more catchy and unforgettable as a result.”
    • “Music is extremely catchy.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, featuring funny and quirky dialogue that enhances character interactions and bond-building. However, some players find the humor can become cheesy or repetitive, particularly after the initial stages. Overall, the blend of humor with combat elements and references to Persona adds a unique charm to the experience.

    • “The dialogue was surprisingly funny, although it can get pretty cheesy at times.”
    • “The humor is top notch and the combat elements of Persona are very present.”
    • “Fantastic dungeon design, oodles of Persona references and jokes, and many funny moments between the casts of the two games.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often seen as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages where players may need external help to navigate challenging puzzles. While the character interactions are appreciated, the overall gameplay experience is marred by a lack of depth and engaging mechanics, leading some players to lose interest before completion.

    • “Toward the end, however, you had better pull up (and keep up) YouTube to solve the final dungeons because the puzzles are insanely tedious.”
    • “I do understand that this is a spin-off/fanservice game, but the characters were boiled down to one or two basic tropes, the cheesy dialogue never stops and the gameplay is super tedious.”
    • “I loved that the characters from all the most popular installments of the series came together for entertaining shenanigans, but the gameplay was absolutely tedious and about halfway through I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its challenging gameplay, engaging mechanics, and the inclusion of returning characters, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the detailed graphics and music, contributing to a fun atmosphere that encourages multiple playthroughs. Additionally, the long gameplay length adds significant value, making it worthwhile to revisit.

    • “The game is extremely challenging and fun, with detailed graphics and music, good use of returning characters, and long gameplay that offers great replay value.”
    • “With its extremely challenging gameplay and fun mechanics, along with detailed graphics and music, the game makes excellent use of returning characters, ensuring long gameplay and high replay value.”
    • “The combination of challenging gameplay, engaging mechanics, and the inclusion of returning characters makes this game not only fun but also highly replayable, with stunning graphics and music enhancing the experience.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is positively received, with players appreciating the engaging environment and the innovative battle system that adds depth. The initial intrigue of the map system also contributes to a dynamic gameplay experience.

    • “The atmosphere is captivating, creating an immersive experience that draws you into the game world.”
    • “I love the unique blend of elements that contribute to the overall ambiance, making each moment feel special.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is enhanced by the stunning visuals and sound design, making exploration a joy.”
  • character development1 mentions

    While the lighthearted conversations add charm, many users feel that the character development is lacking, with a desire for deeper interactions rather than superficial exchanges.

    • “The little chats were cute, but I was hoping for a little more character development and a little less shallow interaction.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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