Persona 4 Golden

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Persona 4 Golden are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the story for its depth, compelling narrative, and engaging characters. Cubed3 commends the dissonance between how the characters present themselves and how they want to be seen, offering a solid coming of age narrative. The impactful character moments and diverse cast of side characters add depth to the main story. DualShockers also praises the story, stating that it remains compelling and holds up well even after many years. PC Gamer highlights the intertwining of school life and fantastical dungeons, creating an intriguing blend of mystery and JRPG elements. Despite the overall positive reception, there were a few criticisms raised by some critics. Screen Rant mentions that Persona 4 Golden's story contains a few problematic beats from the original title, while Siliconera notes that there are some elements that haven't aged well. Vooks also mentions problematic moments that detract from the overall quality. NME points out that the pacing starts to wobble toward the end of the game's bonus content. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Persona 4 Golden is highly enjoyable and engaging. Critics like Dexerto and Hardcore Gamer highlight the compelling murder mystery narrative, while Digitally Downloaded praises the dense and layered narrative that explores psychological, existentialist, and theological themes. The majority of the critics found the story to be one of the highlights of the game, with memorable characters, unexpected twists, and a nostalgic atmosphere. TheXboxHub even suggests that the story is so well-crafted that it could be mistaken for a game created today. The positive reception from the critics indicates that Persona 4 Golden's story is a major strength of the game and a must-play for fans of the genre.

The majority of the critics praised the gameplay of Persona 4 Golden, considering it to be very good. They commended the well-developed RPG mechanics, including the turn-based combat system and the use of Personas, which require strategic thinking and depth (Game Rant, Siliconera). The combat system, which rewards players for exploiting enemy weaknesses through the 'Press Turn' system, was also highly regarded (Cubed3, Hardcore Gamer). The inclusion of a monster-catching element added complexity and engagement to the battles (Game Rant). The game offers a mix of school life simulation and dungeon crawling, allowing players to make choices on how to spend their time outside of school and deepen their bonds with school friends (PC Gamer). The combination of a social simulator/visual novel with an RPG dungeon-crawler was considered fun and engaging (Switch Player). The gameplay loop, which includes slice-of-life activities and dungeon exploration, was praised for its meaningful gameplay benefits and gradual growth in complexity (Noisy Pixel). The gameplay was also appreciated for its addictive nature and variety of options, making dungeon crawling enjoyable (Checkpoint Gaming). However, there were some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Persona 4 Golden. The randomly generated dungeons were seen as a downside, with some critics mentioning that they felt more like a slog compared to the hand-crafted palaces in Persona 5 (DualShockers). The repetitive nature of the calendar-based progression system was also mentioned, as it can feel repetitive on multiple playthroughs (Cubed3). The dungeons were seen as weak and tiresome to sweep numerous floors in search of a randomly-generated way to progress (NintendoWorldReport, NME). Some critics mentioned that the gameplay mechanics of Persona 4 Golden were starting to show their age (Hardcore Gamer). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Persona 4 Golden is very good. The well-balanced and addictive gameplay loop, which combines social aspects, dungeon crawling, and persona creation, was highly praised (Push Square, The Mako Reactor). The turn-based combat system, along with the strategic thinking required and the ability to exploit enemy weaknesses, was seen as a strong aspect of the gameplay (Game Rant, Cubed3). The mix of managing daily life and engaging in challenging turn-based combat, as well as the ability to collect and fuse Personas for stronger creatures, was considered a balance between day-to-day life simulation and enjoyable combat (Dexerto). Despite some criticisms regarding the randomly generated dungeons and repetitive nature of the calendar-based progression system, the overall sentiment is that the gameplay of Persona 4 Golden is a well-developed and engaging experience (WellPlayed, Pure Xbox).

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Persona 4 Golden are generally positive. Many critics praise the game's visuals, mentioning that they hold up well despite being over a decade old. Cubed3 notes that the setting of a foggy, rural town creates a fantastic atmosphere, while DualShockers mentions the well-detailed character models and wonderful locations. Siliconera also highlights the improved visuals with clearer environmental objects and crisp character models, as well as a vibrant color scheme. TheGamer and Hardcore Gamer both mention the HD resolution output and smooth performance of the PC port. Pure Xbox appreciates the high resolution visuals and enhanced visual design. Overall, these positive opinions highlight the game's ability to maintain its visual appeal and create an immersive experience. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the graphics and visual design of Persona 4 Golden. Game Rant mentions that while the characters look great, some backgrounds and textures haven't aged well. TheSixthAxis notes that the visuals show their age as an eight-year-old handheld port, but the distinct art style helps it hold up in 2020. RPG Fan mentions that while the game looks better with a smoother framerate, the odd movement blur on characters can obscure the improvements. Xbox Achievements also mentions that some character designs, like Mrs. Nakayama, still look weird. These negative opinions highlight the limitations and shortcomings of the game's visuals, particularly in terms of aging textures and character animations. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Persona 4 Golden's graphics and visual design are commendable, considering its age and the fact that it originated as a handheld game. The positive opinions emphasize the game's atmospheric setting, memorable character designs, well-detailed models, and vibrant color scheme. The negative opinions acknowledge the limitations of aging textures and character animations, but also highlight the distinct art style that helps the visuals hold up. Despite some criticisms, the overall sentiment is that Persona 4 Golden's graphics and visual design are enjoyable and contribute to the overall experience of the game.

The majority of the critics praised the sound design and music of Persona 4 Golden, considering it to be a standout aspect of the game. Many critics, such as Siliconera, Hardcore Gamer, RPG Fan, and The Mako Reactor, commended the soundtrack, describing it as incredible, immaculate, sublime, and wonderful. They highlighted the catchy and nostalgic rhythms for the town, unique contextual tracks for the dungeons, and the infectious and memorable battle themes. TheGamer also acknowledged the pristine and clear quality of the music. The inclusion of both English and Japanese voice acting options was also highly appreciated by critics like Siliconera, TheSixthAxis, and RPG Fan, who considered it a major improvement. They praised the top-tier voice acting and the cohesive blend of pop, dance, brass, and synthesizer in the music. The soundtrack was described as banger-filled, energetic, and fast-paced by critics such as Push Square, NME, and XboxEra. The overall positive sentiment towards the sound design and music of Persona 4 Golden is evident in the critics' opinions, with many praising its quality, catchiness, and contribution to the overall experience. While the majority of the critics had positive opinions about the sound design and music of Persona 4 Golden, there were a few minor criticisms mentioned. Cubed3 pointed out some audio issues encountered when switching between audio sources, which could potentially disrupt the immersive experience. TheSixthAxis mentioned that the Japanese audio seemed to be of lower quality compared to the English dub. Switch Player found the soundtrack to start off fitting but become annoying and repetitive over time. However, these negative aspects were only mentioned by a small number of critics and did not significantly impact the overall positive reception of the sound design and music. In conclusion, the sound design and music of Persona 4 Golden received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics. The majority praised the soundtrack's quality, catchiness, and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere. The inclusion of both English and Japanese voice acting options was considered a major improvement, with top-tier voice acting and a cohesive blend of different musical genres. While there were some minor criticisms regarding audio issues and repetitive tracks, these were overshadowed by the overall consensus of the critics, who found the sound design and music of Persona 4 Golden to be very good. This positive reception further solidifies the game's reputation as having an exceptional sound design and music.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple videogame reviewers regarding the voice acting of Persona 4 Golden, it becomes evident that the majority of critics had a positive view of the voice acting in the game. Many critics praised the inclusion of both English and Japanese voice acting options, with DualShockers noting the solid quality of the Japanese voicework and Game Rant stating that it made Persona 4 Golden the most complete version of the game. TheSixthAxis also commended the voice acting, mentioning recognizable Japanese voice actors who gave their all to the performances. RPG Fan and WellPlayed highlighted the top-tier voice acting that brought out the depth of the varied and unique cast. While the overall sentiment towards the voice acting in Persona 4 Golden was largely positive, there were a few minor criticisms mentioned by some reviewers. TheSixthAxis mentioned that some players may find one character's voice annoying, although this seems to be a subjective opinion rather than a widespread issue. Noisy Pixel noted that despite the game's age, the English voice acting has aged remarkably well, suggesting that there may have been some minor concerns about the voice acting quality in comparison to more recent titles. However, these negative remarks were overshadowed by the overwhelmingly positive reception of the voice acting by the majority of critics. Taking into account the opinions of the various critics, it is clear that the voice acting in Persona 4 Golden was highly regarded. The inclusion of both English and Japanese voice acting options was widely praised, with critics such as Siliconera and XboxEra highlighting this feature. The positive comments from critics such as Digitally Downloaded, Nintenderos, and Checkpoint Gaming further reinforce the consensus that the voice acting in Persona 4 Golden was of excellent quality. Overall, the positive sentiment expressed by the majority of critics regarding the voice acting in Persona 4 Golden indicates that it was a strong aspect of the game's overall experience.

In terms of the technical performance of Persona 4 Golden, the PC platform receives positive feedback from multiple critics. Cubed3 praises the flawless port with perfect controls and great audio, while Destructoid mentions consistent framerates and smooth gameplay. DualShockers also highlights the smooth performance and the availability of options to improve the frame rate. Siliconera adds that the game runs perfectly on a high setting, showcasing the PC's capabilities. TheGamer further supports this sentiment, mentioning minimal performance issues and no crashes or bugs. These positive reviews indicate that the PC version of Persona 4 Golden offers a solid technical experience. On the other hand, TheSixthAxis criticizes the PC port for its lack of stability, with frequent crashes. However, they suggest that turning off graphical effects and saving regularly can help mitigate this issue. This negative feedback highlights a potential drawback for PC players who may experience technical difficulties while playing Persona 4 Golden. Moving on to the Nintendo Switch platform, CGMagazine and Vooks both express satisfaction with the game's smooth performance and swift loading times. Hardcore Gamer, however, does not provide specific information about technical performance or stability issues on the Switch. RPG Fan mentions an odd movement blur on characters, which can be distracting. While there are no significant negative comments about the technical performance on the Switch, the mention of distracting blur suggests a minor drawback for some players. Regarding the PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series X platforms, Push Square notes that Persona 4 Golden runs smoothly at 60 frames-per-second on the PS4, but mentions a potentially distracting indoor motion blur effect. The Mako Reactor expresses disappointment with the PS4 version's performance compared to other platforms, without specifying the exact issues. Pure Xbox and XboxEra, however, highlight positive aspects of the Xbox Series X version, such as high-resolution visuals, quick save function, and smooth transitions between Xbox and PC. These mixed reviews indicate that while the PS4 version may have some minor technical drawbacks, the Xbox Series X version offers a satisfactory technical experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mostly positive for the technical performance of Persona 4 Golden across all platforms. The PC version receives high praise for its flawless port, smooth gameplay, and minimal performance issues. The Nintendo Switch version is generally regarded as running smoothly with swift loading times, although the mention of character blur may be a minor drawback. The PlayStation 4 version is noted for its smooth performance, but the potential distraction of the indoor motion blur effect is mentioned. The Xbox Series X version is positively received, with high-resolution visuals and smooth transitions between platforms. While there are some minor technical issues mentioned for certain platforms, the overall sentiment suggests that Persona 4 Golden provides a solid technical experience across multiple gaming platforms.

The majority of the critics agree that Persona 4 Golden offers a high level of replay value. They highlight several positive aspects that contribute to this, such as the extensive amount of content and side activities available in the game. Critics like Game Rant and Noisy Pixel mention the abundance of optional content, including the ability to view previous Social Link scenes and choose different outcomes, which adds to the replayability factor. Additionally, Siliconera and Pure Xbox point out that new activities, additional storylines, and online elements further enhance the replay value. The inclusion of new social links, a new character, and a new epilogue are also mentioned by Pure Xbox as features that contribute to the game's replayability. Xbox Achievements emphasizes the time investment required for multiple playthroughs but highlights the rewarding nature of fully exploring the game's achievements and optional bosses. Overall, the positive feedback from critics suggests that Persona 4 Golden offers a wealth of content and features that make it highly replayable. However, there are a few criticisms mentioned by some critics regarding the game's replay value. Cubed3 expresses concerns about the calendar-based progression system and limited party customization, which may lead to repetitive experiences during multiple playthroughs. They also mention that the additional arc with a new character feels less justified. Vooks acknowledges that while Persona 4 Golden encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different paths, it may require a significant time investment. These criticisms suggest that certain aspects of the game's mechanics and structure may not appeal to all players during repeated playthroughs. Despite these minor criticisms, the overall consensus among the critics is that Persona 4 Golden offers a strong replay value. The game's extensive content, including side activities, social links, combat, exploration, and fusion of Personas, is praised by critics like PC Gamer and TheXboxHub. The depth of the small town and its inhabitants, as well as the connections made with the characters, are also highlighted by RPG Fan as factors that make the game worth replaying. The inclusion of alternative endings and interactions between characters and townspeople are mentioned by XboxEra as elements that keep players interested. The positive feedback from the majority of the critics supports the notion that Persona 4 Golden provides a highly replayable experience, offering a wealth of content and opportunities for players to explore.