When does the story get good?

[MachineGod]

Really struggling with the story pacing…I’ve quit this game about 3 times and come back to it years later.


I just recruited the shy orange hair girl and she’s been the best part of the game so far outside of the first palace.

I played and beat both Persona 4 and Persona 3 FES

[Ivas]

Originally posted by Freekill:

Originally posted by Ivas:

P5 has much better pacing than P4 and especially P3.

In P5 something big always happens, stakes are raised every palace.

In P4 until the gamer dungeon (sorry, can't remember his name, the fish eyed one.) you basically go through same motions. It gives you a little new information, but too little. The team interactions, though, are so good that I can forgive the slow pacing.

P3 is a textbook definition of the bad pacing. Until August NOTHING happens. And then the story really picks up. Yes, from August its story is better than P5, but the fact that you have pretty much half of the game where the story doesn't exist, keeps me from giving P3 my personal "the best story" award

While P5 does have good pacing, the middle of the game is not as good as the beginning and the end, P4 have a smooth ride like a detective novel with action parts, and P3 is a slow burn with bits and pieces of the story coming together. P4 has the better pacing of all.

While I agree that P3 is slow as hell, there is definitely stuff happening until August, is just that there is no stakes until then. You come into the dorm, you find out about shadows, you find subtle documents on Tartarus, your team discovers Full Moon boss fights, you find Shinjiro and start to pierce together his relation with Mitsuru and Akihiko, start to form relationships with Yukari and Junpei, party members start showing up, Junpei get his hero tendencies down a not, Yukari starts doubting Kirijo then going into investigating.

It is breadcrumbs, yes, but until August you spend like, what, 5 months with one big timeskip in March to April? I've had much more worse time on Final Fantasy X-2.

I don't want to argue about P4. After all, it's my second favorite game of all times after P5.

But P3... Especially FES (reload made it slightly better) is just bad the first half of the game. Those breadcrumbs are too sparse. And it doesn't help that P3's social links are not consistent quality-vice. We have the Magician, who's awful, we have the Hermit, who's ok-ish, and then we have the Sun, who's the best S.link in the series. P3 is too inconsistent for my taste. The good things are REALLY good, but the bad things are REALLY bad.

[MachineGod]

P3 felt like something was happening every month and you had no idea what to expect other than to train and get your s links up prior to the next full moon. You’re also constantly getting new party members the cast is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ huge in a good way and each member.
It starts off slow, but it never dips and only gets better.

P4 is pretty similar but this time you’re also doing detective work outside of the shadow world/school. The cast is smaller but it’s a really tight team and each member feels earned. The stakes are always high because you know if you ♥♥♥♥ up someone is dead for sure and the stakes shoot up as the story gets to the end.

Now for P5 this is coming from someone who has NOT FINISHED the game. I’m all for a slow burn or the story picking up but I’ve never beat the game because I keep getting really bored. I think the problem is the stakes are really low this time around and you can just beat the palace in 2 days and then it’s just a looooooong wait for the next palace. I will admit P5 has the best opening in the series you really start off stakes high and I loved that but the painter guy was a big let down and then the Egypt was blah. I’m starting to enjoy the game again now that we have the orange hair girl I think she’s the first character that feels needed in the squad and the first character to make me laugh.

Again, I’m not saying the games bad or slow I’m just saying as a fan when does the game start to pick up in urgency story wise cause at this point every time I start a new social link I roll my eyes so hard going back to that boring interrogation lol “WE KNKW THOSE GUNS LOOKED A LIL TOO REAL, WHO SUPPLYING YOU FAKE REAL LOOKING GUNS”

[Freekill]

Originally posted by TheArmoredTitan:

P3 felt like something was happening every month and you had no idea what to expect other than to train and get your s links up prior to the next full moon. You’re also constantly getting new party members the cast is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ huge in a good way and each member.
It starts off slow, but it never dips and only gets better.

P4 is pretty similar but this time you’re also doing detective work outside of the shadow world/school. The cast is smaller but it’s a really tight team and each member feels earned. The stakes are always high because you know if you ♥♥♥♥ up someone is dead for sure and the stakes shoot up as the story gets to the end.

Now for P5 this is coming from someone who has NOT FINISHED the game. I’m all for a slow burn or the story picking up but I’ve never beat the game because I keep getting really bored. I think the problem is the stakes are really low this time around and you can just beat the palace in 2 days and then it’s just a looooooong wait for the next palace. I will admit P5 has the best opening in the series you really start off stakes high and I loved that but the painter guy was a big let down and then the Egypt was blah. I’m starting to enjoy the game again now that we have the orange hair girl I think she’s the first character that feels needed in the squad and the first character to make me laugh.

Again, I’m not saying the games bad or slow I’m just saying as a fan when does the game start to pick up in urgency story wise cause at this point every time I start a new social link I roll my eyes so hard going back to that boring interrogation lol “WE KNKW THOSE GUNS LOOKED A LIL TOO REAL, WHO SUPPLYING YOU FAKE REAL LOOKING GUNS”

Soon™

After you finish the current dungeon, can't spoil it mate, I'll only say that combat gets more difficult and storywise is meh, but as soon as the dungeon ends, ♥♥♥♥ will start to pick up real fast.

You could always mod the game to take off the interrogation tho.

[MachineGod]

Originally posted by Freekill:

Originally posted by TheArmoredTitan:

P3 felt like something was happening every month and you had no idea what to expect other than to train and get your s links up prior to the next full moon. You’re also constantly getting new party members the cast is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ huge in a good way and each member.
It starts off slow, but it never dips and only gets better.

P4 is pretty similar but this time you’re also doing detective work outside of the shadow world/school. The cast is smaller but it’s a really tight team and each member feels earned. The stakes are always high because you know if you ♥♥♥♥ up someone is dead for sure and the stakes shoot up as the story gets to the end.

Now for P5 this is coming from someone who has NOT FINISHED the game. I’m all for a slow burn or the story picking up but I’ve never beat the game because I keep getting really bored. I think the problem is the stakes are really low this time around and you can just beat the palace in 2 days and then it’s just a looooooong wait for the next palace. I will admit P5 has the best opening in the series you really start off stakes high and I loved that but the painter guy was a big let down and then the Egypt was blah. I’m starting to enjoy the game again now that we have the orange hair girl I think she’s the first character that feels needed in the squad and the first character to make me laugh.

Again, I’m not saying the games bad or slow I’m just saying as a fan when does the game start to pick up in urgency story wise cause at this point every time I start a new social link I roll my eyes so hard going back to that boring interrogation lol “WE KNKW THOSE GUNS LOOKED A LIL TOO REAL, WHO SUPPLYING YOU FAKE REAL LOOKING GUNS”

Soon™

After you finish the current dungeon, can't spoil it mate, I'll only say that combat gets more difficult and storywise is meh, but as soon as the dungeon ends, ♥♥♥♥ will start to pick up real fast.

You could always mod the game to take off the interrogation tho.

Nah I’m playing on ps4 sadly. I got this game years ago and p3 reload made wanna finally finish royal.

The combat in the game is great so I’m looking forward to some challenge

[Ivas]

Originally posted by TheArmoredTitan:

P3 felt like something was happening every month and you had no idea what to expect other than to train and get your s links up prior to the next full moon. You’re also constantly getting new party members the cast is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ huge in a good way and each member.
It starts off slow, but it never dips and only gets better.

P4 is pretty similar but this time you’re also doing detective work outside of the shadow world/school. The cast is smaller but it’s a really tight team and each member feels earned. The stakes are always high because you know if you ♥♥♥♥ up someone is dead for sure and the stakes shoot up as the story gets to the end.

Now for P5 this is coming from someone who has NOT FINISHED the game. I’m all for a slow burn or the story picking up but I’ve never beat the game because I keep getting really bored. I think the problem is the stakes are really low this time around and you can just beat the palace in 2 days and then it’s just a looooooong wait for the next palace. I will admit P5 has the best opening in the series you really start off stakes high and I loved that but the painter guy was a big let down and then the Egypt was blah. I’m starting to enjoy the game again now that we have the orange hair girl I think she’s the first character that feels needed in the squad and the first character to make me laugh.

Again, I’m not saying the games bad or slow I’m just saying as a fan when does the game start to pick up in urgency story wise cause at this point every time I start a new social link I roll my eyes so hard going back to that boring interrogation lol “WE KNKW THOSE GUNS LOOKED A LIL TOO REAL, WHO SUPPLYING YOU FAKE REAL LOOKING GUNS”

If you just want more urgency, it will happen pretty much now. on the next palace there are polirized opinions, but I like it. And after it there is a non stop urgency for you

[MachineGod]

Originally posted by Ivas:

Originally posted by TheArmoredTitan:

P3 felt like something was happening every month and you had no idea what to expect other than to train and get your s links up prior to the next full moon. You’re also constantly getting new party members the cast is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ huge in a good way and each member.
It starts off slow, but it never dips and only gets better.

P4 is pretty similar but this time you’re also doing detective work outside of the shadow world/school. The cast is smaller but it’s a really tight team and each member feels earned. The stakes are always high because you know if you ♥♥♥♥ up someone is dead for sure and the stakes shoot up as the story gets to the end.

Now for P5 this is coming from someone who has NOT FINISHED the game. I’m all for a slow burn or the story picking up but I’ve never beat the game because I keep getting really bored. I think the problem is the stakes are really low this time around and you can just beat the palace in 2 days and then it’s just a looooooong wait for the next palace. I will admit P5 has the best opening in the series you really start off stakes high and I loved that but the painter guy was a big let down and then the Egypt was blah. I’m starting to enjoy the game again now that we have the orange hair girl I think she’s the first character that feels needed in the squad and the first character to make me laugh.

Again, I’m not saying the games bad or slow I’m just saying as a fan when does the game start to pick up in urgency story wise cause at this point every time I start a new social link I roll my eyes so hard going back to that boring interrogation lol “WE KNKW THOSE GUNS LOOKED A LIL TOO REAL, WHO SUPPLYING YOU FAKE REAL LOOKING GUNS”

If you just want more urgency, it will happen pretty much now. on the next palace there are polirized opinions, but I like it. And after it there is a non stop urgency for you

Dope thank yooou

[AyrikBN]

imo, the game starts getting really exciting and fun around futaba's palace, its mostly the same around the first three palace's, i think thats why. you get to do a ton more, i just finished getting every ending and the game left a dent in my heart and will always stay w me, i also had to like re-buy it twice cuz i gave up around 5 times. so grateful i decided to finish it anyways. gl!! ( if you need any help with the game u can ask a question )

[MachineGod]

Originally posted by AyrikBN:

imo, the game starts getting really exciting and fun around futaba's palace, its mostly the same around the first three palace's, i think thats why. you get to do a ton more, i just finished getting every ending and the game left a dent in my heart and will always stay w me, i also had to like re-buy it twice cuz i gave up around 5 times. so grateful i decided to finish it anyways. gl!! ( if you need any help with the game u can ask a question )

5th palace really has the game picking up for me. The boss was my first game over and the story finally looking interesting.

[Dank Sidious]

You said you played FES and didn't think it takes awfully long for the story to going places in that game? The in between dungeons section is even less eventful than it is in this game.

[MachineGod]

Originally posted by Dank Sidious:

You said you played FES and didn't think it takes awfully long for the story to going places in that game? The in between dungeons section is even less eventful than it is in this game.

Nah FES for me had the best pacing, you’re constantly getting new members to the dorms and they feel like a tight nit group since they all live together. The dungeon design sucked but the bosses were hardcore and you had to balance out being tired/running out of SP and knowing when to save otherwise you’re losing hours of progress in real life. When you’re not in the dungeons the s links felt really solid and like I needed them to make powerful personas. To me it had the perfect balance of school/kill shadows but again it’s my opinion.

Persona 5 is definitely picking up with its 5th palace. It’s not a bad game I’m not dogging on it, I just think after the first palace it got really boring. Also in the story I don’t feel the urgency at all with the mind palaces and heists. The first dungeon felt like prime SMT it was hell to get to save points and beat the bosses. Now I’m at palace 5 and I honestly can’t remember struggling with any of them outside the 5th boss. I actually had to make a new persona to beat him

[Dank Sidious]

Originally posted by TheArmoredTitan:

Originally posted by Dank Sidious:

You said you played FES and didn't think it takes awfully long for the story to going places in that game? The in between dungeons section is even less eventful than it is in this game.

Nah FES for me had the best pacing, you’re constantly getting new members to the dorms and they feel like a tight nit group since they all live together. The dungeon design sucked but the bosses were hardcore and you had to balance out being tired/running out of SP and knowing when to save otherwise you’re losing hours of progress in real life. When you’re not in the dungeons the s links felt really solid and like I needed them to make powerful personas. To me it had the perfect balance of school/kill shadows but again it’s my opinion.

Persona 5 is definitely picking up with its 5th palace. It’s not a bad game I’m not dogging on it, I just think after the first palace it got really boring. Also in the story I don’t feel the urgency at all with the mind palaces and heists. The first dungeon felt like prime SMT it was hell to get to save points and beat the bosses. Now I’m at palace 5 and I honestly can’t remember struggling with any of them outside the 5th boss. I actually had to make a new persona to beat him

While the fatigue system was hated. It did force you to have more balance between combat and social sim content.

[John Doe]

P5 pacing are always good since early game. The story getting good or not is something you have to find out yourself. Every palaces is connected to the main plot of the story.

P5 have more relatable issue to the real life imo.

[MachineGod]

Originally posted by John Doe:

P5 pacing are always good since early game. The story getting good or not is something you have to find out yourself. Every palaces is connected to the main plot of the story.

P5 have more relatable issue to the real life imo.

You’re lying to yourself if you think the art place the mafia fly palace and the Egypt palace were good. they’re legit boring and have nothing to do with the story outside of the character joining the team because reasons.

I think the whole mind palace and stealing hearts thing is pretty awful, but after getting haru the game is getting a lot better with the detectives going at each other, people finally dying and our identity being reveled

[John Doe]

Originally posted by TheArmoredTitan:

Originally posted by John Doe:

P5 pacing are always good since early game. The story getting good or not is something you have to find out yourself. Every palaces is connected to the main plot of the story.

P5 have more relatable issue to the real life imo.

You’re lying to yourself if you think the art place the mafia fly palace and the Egypt palace were good. they’re legit boring and have nothing to do with the story outside of the character joining the team because reasons.

I think the whole mind palace and stealing hearts thing is pretty awful, but after getting haru the game is getting a lot better with the detectives going at each other, people finally dying and our identity being reveled

Like I said you have to find out for yourself if the story is good or not. Have you finished the game yet? How did you know that the palaces are not connected? Even on the orange hair shy girl, the story on the arc was quite pivotal to the plot.

I don't think I lied to myself, I finished the original P5 on PS4, so I know how the story will transpire.

You said the dungeons are boring, while I agree that the game might not be difficult enough (I still play on Normal Mode), on Kaneshiro Palace (3rd palace), I was so busy raising my confidants ranks till about more thab half of them rose to rank 5 or 6, (I have about 10 or possibly more confidants). But shockingly, I finished kaneshiro palace through the treasure hall in one daytime. To be honest, it was diappointing lol.

But imo, P3 and P4 are not great either in terms of dungeon mechanics, you just progress by searching for stairs. I'd say P5 did a better job at dungeon mechs than the predecessors.

[MachineGod]

Originally posted by John Doe:

Originally posted by TheArmoredTitan:

You’re lying to yourself if you think the art place the mafia fly palace and the Egypt palace were good. they’re legit boring and have nothing to do with the story outside of the character joining the team because reasons.

I think the whole mind palace and stealing hearts thing is pretty awful, but after getting haru the game is getting a lot better with the detectives going at each other, people finally dying and our identity being reveled

Like I said you have to find out for yourself if the story is good or not. Have you finished the game yet? How did you know that the palaces are not connected? Even on the orange hair shy girl, the story on the arc was quite pivotal to the plot.

I don't think I lied to myself, I finished the original P5 on PS4, so I know how the story will transpire.

You said the dungeons are boring, while I agree that the game might not be difficult enough (I still play on Normal Mode), on Kaneshiro Palace (3rd palace), I was so busy raising my confidants ranks till about more thab half of them rose to rank 5 or 6, (I have about 10 or possibly more confidants). But shockingly, I finished kaneshiro palace through the treasure hall in one daytime. To be honest, it was diappointing lol.

But imo, P3 and P4 are not great either in terms of dungeon mechanics, you just progress by searching for stairs. I'd say P5 did a better job at dungeon mechs than the predecessors.

100% best dungeon mechanics for a persona game. I’m only judging the first half of the game for being a slog but I started with 3 and 4 so there’s always some bias. I just know after playing what I have it’s gonna be hard to come back to P5 for the story/characters but the dungeons have been a blast if a little on the easy side