Adding replay value and an epilogue to an amazing RPG.
Well persona 3 was first released in Japan (I forgot when) and then around a year later it came out in August 07. Soon after that, they made FES for Japan only but after the amazing acclaim it obtained, Atlus decided to be generous and localize the game (Though the only game Atlus has never localized was Innocent Sin but there's a totally valid reason for that. They would have if they could...). and thus, here it is!
So what is FES? FES means Festival, pretaining to the first 3 letters of the name, and by some coincidence, it can also mean Foreign Exchange Student but as I said, it's a mere coincidence.
For the most part, FES is just an expansion which includes the Original Persona 3 plus a truck load of new features and it sells at a discounted price that's even less then the original!
Gameplay: For the most part, it's the same game, it doesn't add any new gameplay features or anything but it does add content. What is the content you may ask, well there are: 28 new Personas, New Cutscenes with Classmates, Dormates and even Elizabeth. Also a weapon fusion system which lets you combine your Persona with a "Nihil Weapon" which you get from rare shadows. A new Social Link has been added, it's called Aeon which features Aigis the robot and much more!
The most notable features also include a new chapter called "The Answer" which is basically an epilogue that explains and closes the ending of Persona 3. Hard mode is also included now so those who though Normal mode was cakewalk can try again in this harder difficulty! and my favorite part, there are 18 new soundtracks so listen to the music master Shoji meguro once again!
As I've said, The Answer is merely an epilogue so don't expect anything new. also, Social Links are no longer available since you can no longer leave the dorm, only Single and Triangle Spread fusions are available and all Personas are fusable through it. Elizabeth's requests are also gone so that just lessens the replay value of The Answer. The main character is now Aigis and it's a 30 hour grind going DOWN this time and the story progresses when you reach the end of certain dungeons.
Story: Since it's just an expansion, I will just talk about The Answer.
basically, the Answer takes place a month after the ending of Persona 3 where the dorm members are trapped within the dorm and the same day repeats itself again and again, during this confusion, a mysterious character named Metis appears and a huge door opens along with it.
Well you could be wondering, what does time skips have to do with the ending of Persona 3? well I'll let you find that out yourself. While you won't find much, you learn more about the other characters, the anguish of each after the end.
Design: What's the point? It's the same =/
Overall: This game may basically be the same game with some new stuff but it comes at a discounted price and if you haven't bought the original, now is your time! People who owned the original (like me) can still play the original and still feel like it's a new experience. The Answer may take some patients but again, the story will reward you. At the price of $29.99 you can't pass this up!
