Imagine if they made a fighting game featuring all your favorite characters from your favorite game? Well Persona 4 happens to be a lot of people's favorite RPG, and now their dreams have come true. But is it good? Very good. In fact, you don't have to even like the RPG to enjoy it.

Arc System Works developed this game as well as BlazBlue and two of my favorite fighting games of all time: the Guilty Gear series and Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors. So it's no surprise the fighting system is as good as it is. These guys definitely know what they're doing. 

The story of Arena fits in to the canon of Persona 4, taking place after the events of the RPG. The single-player story mode is long and very text heavy with full voice-overs and branching paths so fans of the PS4 cast will enjoy the solo experience.

Fighting is composed of light and weak attacks as well as light and weak attacks using your persona. Attacking with your persona exposes it to retaliation, and if your persona takes too many hits, you’ll be without it for sometime until it recovers. There’s an easy combo system as well for those who want to start with a bit of a helping hand. Many may dislike the inclusion of one-hit kills, but they are restricted to only being used if you win the match in that round anyways. In other words, if you’ve won a round, you may use them in the second round. And if the match is tied, both may use it in the final round.

Versus mode is what fighting games are really about, and this game’s got it down. Head-to-head combat is fast and furious, with an online mode that many have stated is some of the best net code in a fighter, which means fighting online is smooth despite the fickleness of the Internet. All this is wrapped up with stylish graphics and an amazing soundtrack. If you love fighting games or Persona 4, you’ll want this game.

Hint: Play the tutorial! This game has many complex systems that are easily understood just by spending a few moments with the tutorial system.

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Reginald Rhoades