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Parents' Guide to

Persona 4 Arena

By Mark Raby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Decent fantasy fighting game, but filled with swearing.

Game PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360 2012
Persona 4 Arena Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Persona 4 Arena Game: Screenshot #1
  • Persona 4 Arena Game: Screenshot #2
  • Persona 4 Arena Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

jonallypugliese1023
jonallypugliese1023 Parent of 3, 3 and 5-year-old
November 1, 2013
age 8+

Persona 4 Arena

Wow I'm surprised this wasn't given another "Not For Kids" rating like Persona 4 Golden was which it shouldn't have been given. Pretty good game. Don't remember any cussing or anything else bad in it so I have no idea where people are getting that from.
CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
September 11, 2012
age 16+

Persuing the truth and accepting yourself

This game is one of the best fighting games that I have seen in awhile. It is very rare to find a game of this genre that is easy to learn how to play and offers a well developed story (Story modes in fighting games tend to be under developed). Acting as a sequel to the Persona 4, the story is about the characters of that game discovering that the "Midnight Channel," a mysterious program that was the cause of the murder cases in the previous game has returned. When they enter the TV world to investigate, they are seperated and are forced to fight each other in a fighting tournament but a mysterious entity. This is a fighting game, the moral of the overall game seems to be of how fighting is wrong and that is important to believe in your friends. Another theme brought over from the previous title is the importance of accepting your inner self, no matter how embarrasing or upsetting it is and that it is a struggle you must live with your entire life. Folks who enjoy the Persona series will be happy to know that a few characters from Persona 3 such as Aigis, Akihiko and Kirijo and Elizabeth are playable characters in this game. Story wise, this title seems to be building to a bigger story that may lead to the next big Persona game. With a amazing story, great battle animation and fun gameplay, Persona 4 Arena is a great game for both fans of the franchise and fighting game pros.
See all 2 parent reviews

What’s It About?

PERSONA 4 ARENA lives up to the Persona franchise's history of long-winded and convoluted storylines. The story starts off simply enough, with a plot about a bunch of characters wanting to compete in an arena-style fighting competition. However, when a few of them end up disappearing, a more nefarious plot is unveiled. Players are called into action, now fighting for their friends' freedom instead of just a friendly sportsmanlike competition. Ambiguity of good versus evil comes into play when the mastermind behind the ordeal ends up controlling other characters' minds, leading to a series of twists and turns in the story where no one can be trusted.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Persona 4 Arena is part of an extremely niche video game series. Anyone not intimately familiar with the previous installments of the role-playing game franchise will likely be overwhelmed by this title. On the flip side, those who are fans of the series will enjoy the vast selection of characters and creatures that are included in this game. While the storyline is intricate and goes down a lot of winding roads (just like other titles in this franchise), it doesn't really pull players in quite as much because the gameplay is focused solely on combat as opposed to exploration and puzzle-solving. Nevertheless, this game is designed to bring the Persona characters into another genre, and it does that very well. This fighting game isn't for everyone, but anyone who is already a fan of this series will be pleased with all that it has to offer.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the fantastical nature of the violence in this game. Do you feel the violent content is inappropriate? Does it have any connection to the real world?

  • What are your thoughts on the "good guys" in this game? Would you consider them to be role models? Why or why not?

  • How would you react if someone tried to sabotage your chances of winning a competition?

Game Details

  • Platforms: PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
  • Skills: Thinking & Reasoning : analyzing evidence, decision-making, Self-Direction : achieving goals, effort
  • Available online?: Not available online
  • Publisher: Atlus
  • Release date: August 7, 2012
  • Genre: Fighting
  • ESRB rating: T for Language, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence
  • Last updated: August 26, 2016

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