Persona 4 Golden recreates the magic of the 2008 smash hit. How does it stack up four years later? Well, it just may be this reviewer’s Game of the Year. Get an impression of this giant handheld adventure from someone who did not play the original. 10/10
For me it is just as or even better than it was when the game released in 2008. About to start NG+ after spending over 100hrs on the first playthrough.
Great story, great characters, great music, great voice acting, great gameplay, great game!
At its core Persona is of course a JRPG but underneath it is sort of a life lesson. As the main character you basically live out your daily life meeting friends, going to school, stuff most normal teens do.
Yes there is the rpg mechanic by going into dungeons, killing stuff, leveling up that sort of deal. However the stronger your ties to your friends & the people you meet the stronger your 'Persona aka. Pokemon' can get granting you more abilities & stats.
If you read the article above the reviewer does a good job describing his experience as a first time player of the franchise.
Personally although i love the Final Fantasy series the Persona series is a deeper, more engaging, engrossing experience cause it deals with more realistic issues.