Playing Shadow Chie feels like playing Chie but she's a shadow insted of normal Chie

my friend is ass at this game

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, developed by Arc System Works in collaboration with Atlus, is a high-octane 2D fighting game that fuses the stylish, character-driven storytelling of the Persona series with the deep, combo-rich mechanics typical of Arc’s pedigree. Initially released in arcades and on consoles in the early 2010s, the game arrived on Steam in 2022, bringing with it a host of visual upgrades, gameplay refinements, and all previously released content, including additional characters and story scenarios. What makes Ultimax special isn’t just its mechanical depth or its narrative ambition, but how successfully it bridges two traditionally separate audiences—JRPG fans and fighting game aficionados—into one cohesive, electric experience.

At its core, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a direct sequel to Persona 4 Arena, itself a continuation of the events following Persona 4 and Persona 3. Unlike the turn-based roleplaying structure of the mainline games, Ultimax embraces the fighting genre without sacrificing narrative complexity. Its story mode is robust and fully voiced, offering an intricate, multi-perspective narrative told through visual novel-style cutscenes. It weaves together the casts of P3 and P4 in a story involving shadow selves, a mysterious red fog, and a menacing new antagonist known as Sho Minazuki. For longtime fans, the game offers a rare opportunity to see beloved characters interact across timelines, exploring unresolved threads and emotional arcs with surprising depth for a genre known more for arcade ladders than character development.

Mechanically, Ultimax shines as a competitive fighter. Each character, from Yu Narukami’s balanced fundamentals to Aigis’s stance-based zoning or Elizabeth’s unorthodox Persona-reliant playstyle, feels distinct and finely tuned. The Persona mechanic itself—where each fighter can summon a separate Persona to extend combos or apply pressure—adds a unique layer of strategy not found in most traditional fighters. Managing your Persona gauge is essential, as overuse or mistimed attacks can lead to temporary deactivation, forcing players to fight without key tools. This risk-reward dynamic is a brilliant translation of the RPG's summoning system into fighting game terms and plays a critical role in higher-level play.

One of the more accessible elements of Ultimax is its combo system, which includes auto-combos that allow newer players to engage with flashy moves and finishers without complex input execution. However, beneath that accessibility lies a deep combo engine full of cancels, bursts, instant kills, and intricate pressure setups. Arc System Works excels at providing mechanical depth that can appeal to tournament players without alienating genre newcomers, and Ultimax is no exception. Players who invest time will find a rewarding training mode, numerous character variations—including “Shadow” versions with altered movesets and resource systems—and a diverse cast capable of expressing a wide range of playstyles.

Visually, the game is still a stunner. Its sprite work and character animations are some of the finest examples of 2D fighting aesthetics, enhanced further by crisp UI design, smooth transitions, and dynamic backgrounds that reference familiar Persona locations like Yasogami High and Tartarus. Character intros, win poses, and special attacks all ooze personality, with each fighter’s identity reflected not just in voice and dialogue, but in movement and style. The addition of rollback netcode in post-release updates greatly improves the online experience on Steam, addressing a major weakness from earlier versions. Matches now feel significantly more responsive, making online play viable for both casual and competitive players.

The soundtrack, as expected from a Persona spin-off, is another standout feature. Remixes of iconic tracks like “Reach Out to the Truth,” “Mass Destruction,” and “Time to Make History” blend with new, high-energy battle themes that maintain the musical identity of the series while matching the pace of a fighting game. Sound design, from Persona summon effects to super move explosions, is equally polished, providing satisfying feedback for each action. Voice acting is top-tier across the board, with most of the original English cast reprising their roles, delivering both comedic banter and emotionally charged moments with equal effectiveness.

In terms of content, Ultimax offers a strong single-player package with multiple story routes, arcade ladders, score attack modes, and character challenges. The RPG-style Golden Arena mode is an interesting twist, allowing players to level up characters and acquire passive skills, which adds progression to what is normally a skill-based genre. For completionists or lore enthusiasts, there’s a treasure trove of dialogue, artwork, and unlockables that further flesh out the world and its characters. While the story can be dense and text-heavy—particularly for those unfamiliar with the mainline games—it’s also one of the most ambitious and well-executed narratives in any fighting game.

That said, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is not without its caveats. Its learning curve can still be steep for newcomers despite the inclusion of accessible mechanics, especially when transitioning from casual to competitive play. The story, while rich, relies heavily on prior knowledge of Persona 3 and 4, making it somewhat impenetrable for outsiders. The lack of a true tutorial system at launch was a missed opportunity, though later patches and community guides help bridge the gap. Additionally, the game does little to reinvent the fighting genre formula, sticking to familiar Arc System Works frameworks rather than pushing bold new mechanical frontiers.

Ultimately, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a masterclass in spin-off design. It honors the source material with reverence while offering a complete, exciting, and stylish fighting game experience on its own merits. For Persona fans, it’s a narrative-rich continuation of beloved characters and arcs. For fighting game players, it’s a fast-paced, layered system that rewards precision and creativity. Its presence on Steam breathes new life into a once-niche title, bringing with it quality-of-life improvements and a renewed player base. Whether you come for the aesthetics, the combat, or the continuation of a cherished story, Ultimax delivers a standout experience that proves once again that style and substance can go hand in hand.

Rating: 9/10