Thank you satan! While FES seems like a cheap thing to sell one's soul for, without it I was thinking of summoning my own persona, if you know what I mean.

unangbangkay

@madflava: This is one game that desrves it.
I'll take 8!

TheCleaningGuy

Hmm, I'm going to need to make a trip down to GameStop and make sure that my pre-orders are all in order for this Spring.

Before you preorder haters start screaming, Atlus has always printed Persona/SMT games in very small quantities for the US. Given the sales of Persona 3, I'm sure there will be more copies, but you can never be too sure.

GC

@razorangelwings:

It's meant as an expansion disc so I'm sure it's compatible with saves from the original game. You shouldn't have to play through it again to access the new content. It really just comes down to whether there's enough new content to justify the $30 price tag for people who own the original game.

skullivan

@razorangelwings: $29.99 says yes.

sUKi

I'm not the only one who would like to see the "High-cut Armor" as an in-game costume for Yukari and Mitsuru, right? I loved their reactions when I gave them that armor.

Destrudo

I'm going to have to get this bad boy preordered. Miss P3 when it first came. Gone so quick ;(

This will make up for it.

sUKi

I am both excited and appalled, since I already finished the game and sunk over 80 hours into it... Do I really want to re-purchase the game and replay it just for some added stuff? Hmmm...only time will tell!

razorangelwings

@Linnard: Ya I just wish they would spend a bit more time ironing out the bugs though. Im sure you know what Im talking about if you really do have a lot of their games. ;D

Witzbold

Hmm................ Angel Season 4 or Persona 3 FES? HMMMMMMM indeed.

ArgentAngel

Any word on any preorder bonus? Or if an artbook binding will screw us again? ;)

onidavin

@Kuromankuro: Ouch, you sound like a non RPG fan. I'll consider this truly high praise then.

Gawd I'm getting overloaded. Too many good games!

I'm going on the record and saying that it's a damn good time to be a gamer right now. A console war to force both Sony and MS to fight is for our benefit, fantastic games on all consoles, classic games getting constantly re-released, and the internet bringing about a solid gaming community so we can band together and smack these jackholes that talk trash.

DAMN. Good times had by ALL.

Setzer IIDX

So...I take it I'd be safe selling my current copy of Persona 3 to reserve FES?

TRT-X

@Witzbold: If there's ever a studio that constantly puts out good stories, it's the MegaTen team from ATLUS. There's a reason I own nearly every game in the series (and not just the ones in English).

Linnard

So, is this the game where your character can shoot himself/herself and damage your enemy? SWEET!!!

dawimp523

@Maleficence: Im sure it will come out eventually. But we all know that eventually means like half a year later from the US date. :x

Witzbold

Very good news. And the price is right.

DrAndonuts2k

Time to burn some more dread. Fuckin' pumped.

@Setzer IIDX: The plot, easily.

onidavin

@Setzer IIDX: That and it actually has decent VA (voice acting).

Oh yes once again as mentioned by others damned good story.

Witzbold

@SpishackCola:
Oh, I forgot to mention that you shoot yourself in the head to call out your personas. Its some ill shit, especially the people that shoot themselves in the mouth!

SpishackCola

I want this in europe :(

Maleficence

Waitily wait wait McWait. I can get BOTH episodes (P3 and FEStival) for $30? Instead of playing with the elitist trust-fund babies on eBay who make everything good expensive?

And I don't have to pay Play-Asia $200 for P3, FES START, and FES APPEND? HAPPY DAY <3 <3

Linnard

@Setzer IIDX: Dark tone, interesting gameplay (Considering it's an RPG)

Kuromankuro

I seriously hope the original's save will carry over. I might consider buying it to replace the P3 I've loaned to my GF.

Maldron

Man a double dip. Games are becoming so much like DVDs these days.

madflava

Burn my dread!

Awesome. Loved it and am looking forward to Episode Aegis.

Tale

@Setzer IIDX:
Good story, great personality of most/all characters.

If you like JRPGs and Dating sims (even if you just like either or) this game = massive amounts of win. My roommate is gonna snap this up since he finally finished the original Persona 3. Hell, I'd buy it if I still had a PS2.

SpishackCola

Heard of it. Got about 5 copies at my local Bullmoose I believe. Never picked it up though.

What makes this game good?

Setzer IIDX

Great! I can finally play it without subjecting myself to the ebay tomfoolery.

Jay

!!!

The world doesn't deserve you, Atlus.

futurebiblehero

This is fantastically awesome.
I am just too excited.
"Put it back in your pants, please."

How did you know?

Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB

Fully endorse this product or service.

I just hope it was sooner than April. Awesome price point, too.

Seiryuu

Mr. Fahey I can hear your gleeful giggles from here about this announcement. ;D

Witzbold

Mehehe, I knew it! Give me the Aeon Social Link, Mitsuru's maid costume, and phallu-err Mara.

This just made my day.

Zen Grenadier

30 bucks? oh man... I totally creamed myself.

MetaKz

We all saw this one coming. GET 2! :D

Lyner

Good - now announce it for Europe as well. Thanks.

Zastai

@Ghede:

On their site they say that saved info would not transfer over.

ZenGaijin

@Skythe: they are. from the FES faqs at the official atlus usa forums,

7. Is the US version of Persona 3 FES censored in any way? I heard you might have to remove... that.

Longtime fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series will be happy to hear that P3 FES is completely uncensored, including... that, which appears in its full "glory" for the first time in the US in this game.
[www.atlus.com]

also you can see it in 1 of the videos on the fes site now. go to the characters section and choose aigis and pick the 'evoke' button.

push eject

YES, THANK YOU ATLUS! keep bringing America all that goood stuff! btw, FES is already on preorder at EBGAMES

lakeforty5

I'm definitely getting this game. Everyone knew it was coming. Thank You Atlus!

zerokoolpsx

this is the best news ever. my frothing demand is at like 10/10.
these sorta expansions almost never get a western release (looks at squarenix...). ty atlus

push eject

Dude I was so mad/sad when I couldn't find P3 anywhere,like they were discontinued or something.

Now I know why.

Dear Atlus,
This is why I love you.When you do stuff like this for gamers,you make me cry tears of joy.Thank you!

Shiro_Shishi

@Linnard: Yeah that was the game lol. It was such an odd game but cool at the time.

Witzbold

Is that real 16:9?

Kai_

@Linnard: I have it muhahaha, I didnt know it was rare that's cool

Sinnbox

Nice, I wont have to save up to pick up that 49.99 copy at my local gamestore anymore

Sinnbox

Well... It looks like I am not going to be starting P3 this week like I had planned. lol

But this is overall great news. Go Atlus!

wired_fenix

Holy crap you got to be kidding. I've put over 60 hours in this game and I have to replay it again to get to the bonus stuff? NUTS.

So does this mean that I should sell my copy right now for a lot of money and just pick up FES?

Adam_Locked

As shaselai notes, it is now time to announce the localization of Ar Tonelico II. The first game was far more enjoyable than it had any right being. Witzbold, do you have any experience with the sequel?

Eirias

I wonder if they'll keep the phallus-shaped persona in the game... >_> And woo, I knew FES was going to come. Persona 3 is just such a good game...

Skythe

Awesome news.

atomos

wellz i guess that means i'll be buying it again, not that thats a problem

mossberg

Funny.. I just started playing this game last night.

I really hope I can use the original saves...

Grocerspride

@Witzbold: MakenX? No, don't have that one. It's become hard to find for some reason.

Linnard

@Ghede: You will not be able to use your P3 save to "cut through" FES.

The version being released in the US is the "Full Version" which was P3 and FES on one disc (vs. the "FES only" version which was for people who already had P3)

They made the decision to release only the "Full" version in the US market. The $30 would've been the price regardless of if it was the FES add-on disc or the FULL disc.

People who already bought P3 don't have to hold on to their old discs (which is good because I can sell it to use toward the reserve), while people who weren't able to find P3 before can have the full game available.

It's all on Atlus's official page...which has been quoted here & here.

TRT-X

Missed out on the original Persona 3, so I'm preordering this as soon as the product page goes up on Amazon. Awesome move for Atlus to include the original game and only charge 30 dollars for the whole package.

Stormrider

I wonder if you will be able to use non-FES saves, to skip the stuff you already did.

Ghede

I just beat Persona 3 on Saturday...the first RPG I beat since Ogre Battle 64. Thank you, Atlus. This is amazing....I love video games.

mcrproductions

Well I am extremely happy at the moment I am buying two copies of this baby. can't wait.

Bluejuan85

@shaselai:
Is there any harm in hoping for BOTH?!

unangbangkay

Any bonus materials for the first press?

fishtub

According to the FAQ on Atlus USAs forum, you can transfer your "Academics, Charm and Courage level, your discovered Fusion Spells list, any key items you possess that unlock Persona fusions, and your Persona compendium (but they will be set to the base level, skills and stats.)"

[www.atlus.com]

Not the best way to carry over your data but it's something, and I wouldn't mind playing P3 again :) I plan on playing it again anyways after I beat it (got the original last week).

Rocky_Winston

This time, I'm buying this game before the prices get to astronomical levels.

Plus I was in love with the game from playing a friends copy.

ZenGaijin

Already rumored, but awesome news still.

weasl

@C-Stick: Thanks for the link. Here's the quick info for anybody who needs it...straight from the link.

The following carry over from the original:
-Your Academics, Charm, and Courage rankings
-Your discovered Fusion Spells list
-Any key items you possess that unlock Persona fusions
-Your Persona compendium (However, the Personas in your compendium will be reset to their base level, stats, and skills)

So your old Persona 3 save will be worth SOMETHING when you get FES. I'm just disappointed some of my better Personas won't be carried over in their full (I had some pretty good Skill Sets that took a while to build...)

But I'll just take some notes as to what they had and rebuild them in FES. Though I'll likely discover some better ones along the way (some of my better Personas were discovered by accident)

TRT-X

Isn't this the game where people shoot themselves in the head?

KM91

I love Atlus. I hope everyone goes out and buys this so that Atlus' decision is justified. I'm certainly going to.

Dragon_Warrior

Well shit. Now I wish I hadn't bought the original version just last month. I'm probably going to get it anyway. It's cheap enough.

If they don't allow me to start a new game + with my save file from the original release, I'm gonna piss in someone's coffee!

baked ham

YES! There is a god and he is a just and loving one! He heard my prayers and is now giving me a re-release of P3! Thank you, Raptor Jesus! THANK YOU! (So happy about this, you don't even frickin' know. I ruined my first copy of P3 when I knocked over my PS2 with the game still in it, and it's been a bitch to find a new copy.)

JustShotMarvin

I'm intrigued by this game, but I don't know when I'd ever have time to play it. Maybe I should buy it and seal it away in a time capsule to play when I retire and my kids are all out of the house. Somehow I don't think it would be a good idea to play this game in front of my 4 year old twins.

greeble

Excuse my vulgur language in advance but
FUCK YES! BRING IT ON BABY!!!!
I couldn't find this game anywhere, but an expansion with the original game for $29.99!!! April is my birthday as well, so hell yes.

goldwings

OMG

littletad

faheygasm alert, take cover!!!

joncoffee

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! (I'm geeking out here, I know). Got the email from Atlus this morning, and I was so freaking excited! Stand-alone version for 29.99!!! I'm soooo all over this! *starts dancing victory dance*

Shadowmist

Oh, and is there any reason to hold onto the original P3 with FES coming out? Are the plot changes that drastic?

y2kenjination

i played through first game getting everything and it was great. I am hoping I can just transfer my save and start from there instead of start from the beginning. They shouldve just packaged everything together the first time instead of 2 releases

shaselai

If they include the original game as well, $29.99 is quite the bargain. :O

y2kenjination

OOH YEAH, DADADA DADA DADADA DADA! BABY BABY!

Honestly, I can't wait to get cozy with Elizabeth and Aigis.

xanxus

So really, its the original full game in this package? $30 seems so low for anything other than just the expansion content. If its the full game though I'm all aboard.

RPGZero

I'm really glad they went for the full game version instead of the append version.
Imagine if only the append version was released... the price for the original P3 game on Ebay would skyrocket!
Also, with a lower price AND the original game included, P3 will be more accessible to RPG players who missed their cue the first around and don't want to spend 70$+ for the game.

P3 is the first game in several years that I bought in English (I only bought Japanese games previously) and I'm really glad ATLUS is giving this series the attention it deserves.

Now, I'll go to my local Ebay and see if I can pre-order FES. :P

Tigerfog

folks, Atlus made a FAQ topic:
[www.atlus.com]

Everaldo

For people looking for the official word on append/non-append versions, or if your old save data will work, please see:
[www.atlus.com]

C-Stick

@Setzer IIDX: it's too long to post it here so here's an external link for it p3 review. of course, it's my opinion so mind what you get out of it.

phrequency

@Witzbold: Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think I could do that though. I had already committed myself to playing Hard difficulty, if FES stateside becomes official (and it did). Yay for the obsessive compulsive.

I was thinking managing time split between responsibilities and playtime would be easier this spring, but with FES, SSB:Brawl, Mario Kart, DMC4, random Live bouts, and several games that I need to play more (which includes the likes of Mass Effect), it's going to be difficult /groan.

zerosN1s

Phenominal game! I am so excited for the followup of the RPG of the year '07! I managed to buy like 5 copies of P3 from kmart and turn a tidy profit on 4 of them. The 5th copy has been lovingly played to completion, twice. The fact more people will get to be exposed to this great game at a reasonable price is awesome.

I will say it again... Best RPG 07, and already a contender for best RPG 08!

Belain

Fuck yeah.

xboxishuge

Great news! But I better finish my first playthrough of the non-FES version I guess...

Rebochan

Man, im still playing the original P3. Better hold off on this one for now.

StrikeGunner

@cactaur: The email said that it is Persona 3+Persona 3:FES on one disc. ... Also I'm not sure of the source but I also heard somewhere that Mara is still in.

ThreeLeafIvy

@Linnard: Ya I know. Im just too lazy to write the exact stuff out.

Witzbold

@Linnard: That indeed is awesome!

Did you even get the Dreamcast game, that action one? I forgot what it was called.

I would do that but dont have the spare $$$ to go on a spree like that nor apartment space lol.

@cactaur: Ok so its just going to be the full game disc then. Its good to see that they didnt attempt to do the append / Full P3 + FES (1disc) release and stuck with just the Full P3 + FES combination instead.

Not to mention you guys get it at a damned good price point too!

Witzbold

@Witzbold: There were two versions of FES in Japan, START and APPEND. START was the whole game plus the additional content, while APPEND was an "expansion" for the base P3 disc. I was under the impression that START was just the FES content with no need for P3, but I'm apparently wrong in that.

MANY CAPITAL LETTERS are required.

Linnard

@Witzbold: I should take a photo--there's pretty much no MegaTen game I don't have at least some version of. I have all the PSX ports including the IF... 50th Anniversary pack, Digital Devil Saga in the Art Box, both the famicom games in the box with manuals and stickers, all the SuperFami games in box, including Majiin Tensei II...

I'm a super collector!

Linnard

@Witzbold: Supposedly its going to be an all in 1 disc. Although highly doubtful that the penis chariot will make it in.

cactaur

Wait a minute, shooting for..

VERY CLEVER, MR. FAHEY. VERY CLEVER.

GC

Im not sure how the US one will do it, since the J version there was an append disc, or what you folks will have in the US which is the complete P3 + FES.

Id assume they would allow for the data carry-over though. If not there is going to be a lot of torches and pitchforks outside Atlus USA the following day of the launch.

Witzbold

@Witzbold: You seem pretty knolwedgable regarding FES.

Will my save data actually carry over from the original Disc to FES? It says it includes the original game + the new content. But I'm confused as to if it'll read the original save file.

TRT-X

@skullivan: Subtract whatever amount of money you'll get for the original Persona 3 (since FES will include it as well as expand on it)...and you're looking at an additional 30-40 hours of game + story (think of it as more than an FF International) for maybe $15-20.

It's worth it.

TRT-X

@zerosN1s: Play on easy mode. Granted you wont be able to get the strongest personas if you do that. Well I mean you can, but then its just grinding again.

Witzbold

@zerosN1s: You can play the expansion episode without needing to play the whole game again.

onidavin

@Maldron: Save game will transfer your stats (courage and etc), compendium data (but all skills and levels are reseted =\ ), mix raid lists and max s-link items. Everything else will start anew (it's like a new game+).

Drakulakun

/sigh I beat Persona 3 less than a week ago. Actually the day after the countdown started. The countdown, and the knowledge of what it most likely was for, ruined the end of the game for me.

I feel empty inside. I love the game, but I want to play FES now. Another 100+ hours of my life down the drain is a little tough to muster.

zerosN1s

@ProdigalMoon: It is better than any other jRPG I've played, knocking even games like CT or Xenogears out of my 'favorite' slot. Though those had already been dethroned by SMT:Nocturne ;)

onidavin

Btw those of you who are not familiar with the game Ill give you all a fair warning now. There is a bit of grinding that is needed to be done in the dungeon. Unless you play the game on easy mode which makes it a lot more simple if you just want to breeze through the game and get on with the story.

Asides from that the story is totally worth it folks. You have my official seal of approval for this title.

Granted that doesnt mean shit, but seriously its an excellent game with well written characters and story once again.

Witzbold

never considered the game before...but now im intrigued.

djbrandon

I think it's finally time to get acquainted with Persona.

ProdigalMoon

@shaselai: Im sure after Mana Khemia they might release Ar Tonelico 2.

Witzbold

It's great that this is going to be affordable (even if you picked it up at MSRP when it came out, that was much more than $30)... but for those of us who did get it right away, sure would be nice to have a cheaper "append" disk right away as a reward of sorts. Oh, well.

Funny thing is I never got around to breaking the seal (I got really really hooked on Mass Effect and decided I needed to play it through three or four times) so I guess I'll be starting fresh with this!

beeporama (brian.j.parker)

@shaselai:
I hear you on that, although I'm pretty sure NIS america published Ar Tonelico.

boxofthegods

So very few real RPGs have come out over the past few years, Persona 3 is like an oasis of greatness. I await this release with epic anticipation.

otakucode

Hellz yeah! Day 1!

Plus, Mara unedited confirmed!

mast3r_blast3r

Bittersweet... new content :) Double-dip :(

redgopher

@Chris Taran: Forget Yukari its all about Aegis!

Witzbold

I had just been wanting to pick P3 up, but was dissuaded by the ridiculous eBay prices. So, this is fantastic news! This is the whole game but with bonus content and a lower price? Yes, please!

TomSkylark

@jayntampa: Im not sure on that since I didnt go through the game again. Im only about 15% into FES I think.

Witzbold

I'll definitely buy it ... but, I don't know if I can play through for another 100 hours lol.

Witz: Does it have additional story details in the regular playthrough or just the expansion?

jayntampa

@Super_Nintendo_Chalmers: I'm sure JT will be waiting for that too. Hilarity ensues.

Just read reviews, this sounds kinda like Thousand Arms with the whole dating aspect... I need to go play Thousand Arms again. Atlus makes/ports some fun as hell RPGs.

Setzer IIDX

I was hoping for Ar tonelico 2 not this...

shaselai

Oh, hell, yes. It's fantastic to see this confirmed. Need much more dark hour.

PositivelyGreg

I can not wait to own this game all over again!

I'll happy spend another 100 hours and $30 on this game!

Yukari FTW!

Chris Taran

I'll wait for the Wii version, where you summon your Persona by pointing the Wiimote at your head.

Super_Nintendo_Chalmers

@Witzbold: The plot is in fact pretty nuts compared to the original, and I kind of prefer the original plot "stand-alone".

Still very cool though.

onidavin

Crap. My pants feel funny. You know.... Down THERE....

Mistghost

Truthfully folks, the game did get lower ratings than the original title. Others here have called it "stupid" also. But still its a worthy purchase just to see the insanity extra events that it holds!

Sides if you are a fan of the series Im sure you folks will enjoy it anyways.

I still gotta finish it myself. FES that is.

Witzbold

@skullivan:
I'm not completely sure but I think all of the added content for FES was all storyline related (boss battles, costumes, and Persona) so a second play through might be needed to access it. I could be wrong though.

Destrudo