Info about G-MODEアーカイブス+ ペルソナ3 アイギス THE FIRST MISSION:

Official game description:
This work features "Aegis" who appeared in "Persona 3" (released in 2006) as the main character.
A 3D action RPG distributed on feature phones as a side story.
The story takes place in 1999 at the Kirijo Ergonomics Institute in Yakushima.
When the Type 7 Aegis arrives on the island, an incident occurs during a training exercise.
The past story of "Aegis", which was never told in the main story "Persona 3", is now revealed...
In addition to original characters, characters that appeared in the main story also appear!
Additionally, the familiar "Persona" system from the series is still alive and well in this game.
Raise Aigis' level, strengthen her equipment, and conquer the shadows that appear on the island.
**_【Game System】_**
As you defeat enemies, you will gain experience points and Aegis will level up. You can also purchase equipment using the money you get along with experience points. In particular, there are three types of weapons, each with their own unique attack methods, so it's fun to switch them out depending on the battle situation and preference.
Equipment can be purchased at the "Workshop" in the "Lab". The workshop also sells other items, which have effects such as restoring Aegis' hit points.
The "persona" that can be said to be a feature of the original work is alive and well in this work. Help Aegis with powerful attacks and support skills. However, once used, "SP (Soul Points)" will be consumed, and it cannot be used until the gauge returns to full through recovery over time.
Persona will learn new skills when Aegis's level reaches a certain level.
**_【Story】_**
The setting of this work is Yakushima, 10 years before the main story "Persona 3". In addition to the original characters of this work, characters that appeared in the main story will also appear and color the story.
Aegis exercises held on an island surrounded by nature. “A certain incident” happened during that time…
A story related to Aegis' past that was never told in the main story will now be revealed.
Original characters with strong personalities just like the original. What kind of relationship will they have with Aegis from 10 years ago?

Release date: Jun 5, 2024

Categories: Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter, Character Progression, Persona Summoning Mechanic, Weapon Customization, Feature Phone Port, Single-player Story

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 0; verdict: Insufficient Linux/Proton Evidence; summary: The supplied reviews do not mention Linux, Proton, SteamOS, Wine, native Linux builds, launch options, anti-cheat, DRM, or Linux-specific performance. Their content is limited to gameplay comparisons with Ys Origin and character/boss similarities, so there is no usable evidence to assess Linux/Proton compatibility.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $9.99 - $12.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews show mixed value. Some players find the game charming and worthwhile, especially dedicated Persona 3 fans, but others criticize it as a barebones port lacking the care of the original version. The only explicit price comment says $15 is too much and that the reviewer would wait for a sale, while the current price is $15.99. This suggests the community fair base-game range is below the current price, roughly around $10-$13 for a short, fan-focused experience.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 5.0h
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple reports give completion/clear times for the target game in the 3-6 hour range, with explicit estimates around 4-6 hours, roughly five hours, 3-4 hours, and about 5.5 hours. This supports an approximate 5-hour gameCompletion. The same reports describe the whole short adventure/flow, so I use the same approximate 5-hour estimate for storyCompletion; there is no separate story-only timing. No review provides session length or endgame/post-game hours, so those metrics are null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Persona 3 Lore Completionist (buy)
    - Motivation: Complete Persona 3 and Aigis lore by experiencing every side story and reference.
    - Playstyle: Plays all Persona 3 spin-offs, hunts continuity details, and tolerates archaic mechanics for story value.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Persona series fan; fan of Aigis; hardcore series fans; collectors
    - Reference games: Persona 3; P3P; P3R; P4AU; P4U
  - Retro Feature-Phone Curator (sale)
    - Motivation: Experience and appreciate a preserved retro mobile Persona side story.
    - Playstyle: Samples the port as a short retro artifact, optionally with CRT-style filters, and tolerates dated controls and visuals.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Value-Conscious Import Skeptic (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Avoid overpaying for a barebones, Japanese-only port while still considering the Persona 3 side story.
    - Playstyle: Researches localization, price, and port quality before buying and likely waits for a discount.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Short Prequel Sampler (sale)
    - Motivation: See a short, easy prequel story tied to Persona 3 with low commitment.
    - Playstyle: Plays in short sessions, expects low difficulty, and treats the game as a quick story sample.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Persona 3


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Fun Simple Gameplay (weight 0.97): The action gameplay is enjoyable and not boring, with simple mechanics like jump, double jump, three weapon types, and Persona Palladion utilities. The short length keeps repetitive grinding tolerable, and boss fights add variety.
- Aigis Backstory Lore (weight 0.73): The game serves as a Persona 3 prequel that provides valuable backstory for Aigis, including her early years, growth from weapon to person, and the origin of her red ribbon. Fans appreciate this deeper look at her character and what happened before the mainline events.
- Good Story With New Characters (weight 0.64): The story is interesting, surprisingly story-heavy for a mobile game, and features new characters that make a strong impression. The cast is neat and the narrative is a worthwhile prequel.
- Impressive Presentation For Platform (weight 0.57): The presentation is impressive for a feature phone era game, with pixel art full of retro charm, HD Steam version, carefully optimized character design, scene layout, and battle animations. The game recreates Persona 3 UI art and adds a mobile phone frame for authenticity.
- Persona 3 Fan Appeal (weight 0.48): The game is highly recommended for Persona 3 fans, especially Aigis fans, and is considered a must-play. Familiar characters like Mitsuru and Takeba appear as fan-service cameos, adding nostalgia.
- Short And Easy Completion (weight 0.41): The game can be cleared in 3-4 hours and is easy to play, with simple mechanics understandable for an old cell phone game. It can be completed easily even with an on-screen translator and script.
- Charming Retro Experience (weight 0.4): The game is very cute and full of charm, making it worth playing. It is a beautiful and delightful experience that exceeds expectations.
- Good Port And Performance (weight 0.39): The Steam port is surprisingly functional for an old mobile phone game, working wonderfully on Steam Deck and PS5 controller. Resolution can be adjusted and fullscreen works without issues.
- Catchy Persona 3 Music (weight 0.36): The soundtrack includes rearranged and remixed versions of Persona 3 BGM, with new tracks that enhance the atmosphere. The music is small in quantity but catchy, and silence is used appropriately.
- Niche But Worth Trying (weight 0.34): It is a neat and niche game to try if you like Persona 3, described as a peculiar and funny prequel. The game is reasonably fun and acceptable for its scale.
- Familiar Character Cameos (weight 0.27): Familiar main-story characters such as Mitsuru appear as fan-service cameos, and players get to see more of Mitsuru and Ms. Kujima's past. The game also features appearances by Takeba and Eiichiro.
- Old Game Preservation (weight 0.16): It is amazing to see old games preserved like this, and the game's existence again is absolutely amazing. The preservation effort is appreciated.
- Aizawa And Sayama Stand Out (weight 0.15): Aizawa is excellent and Sayama is cute, adding to the charm of the game. These characters are highlights for players.
- Good For Megaten Fans (weight 0.14): Considered a masterpiece worth beating for real Persona or Megaten fans, appealing to dedicated series enthusiasts. It delivers on sincerity and nostalgia for the franchise.
- Nostalgic Aigis Speech (weight 0.09): Aigis's stiff robotic speech in the early Persona 3 style is nostalgic, reminding fans of her original characterization. This adds to the retro appeal.
- Beautiful Sea Setting (weight 0.08): The sea is beautiful, providing a pleasant visual backdrop for the game. The setting enhances the overall experience.
- Price Worth It (weight 0.08): The game is a nice game for the price, offering good value for its cost. It is reasonably priced for the content provided.

Common complaints:
- Japanese-only language barrier (weight 0.67): Many players cannot understand the game because it only supports Japanese, with no Chinese or English translation available. This is the most frequently cited issue.
- Visual bugs and rendering issues (weight 0.54): Players report various graphical problems such as broken lighting, enlarged textures, missing subtitles, and other visual glitches after the first clear.
- Story is thin and simple (weight 0.4): Several players find the story minimal or lacking depth, especially when compared to the main Persona 3 narrative. It ends abruptly and does not cover certain key events.
- Outdated visuals and controls (weight 0.4): The game is criticized for feeling very outdated, with low framerate, janky gameplay, and awkward controls. Some note it is a feature phone port with little improvement.
- Combat is average and lacks feedback (weight 0.39): Reviewers find the combat system shallow, with little feedback, repetitive encounters, and no reason to use other weapon types. It easily becomes tedious in later levels.
- Pricing feels too high (weight 0.36): Reviewers repeatedly mention that the $15 or 1800 yen price is excessive for such a small, short game with limited content.
- Enemies are too tough or slow (weight 0.27): Some players complain that enemies are excessively difficult, requiring grinding, or are very slow, making combat feel sluggish and frustrating.
- Occasional odd bugs and freezes (weight 0.26): There are reports of occasional strange behavior, freezes, and other bugs, such as the game freezing when using Palladion under heavy fire.
- Steam port feels bare-bones (weight 0.22): The PC version is criticized for being a minimal port with issues such as playtime not registering correctly and resolution not adapting well to phone screens.
- Sound design is lacking (weight 0.22): Audio problems are noted, including silent cutscenes, nonexistent sound design for much of the game, and occasionally ear-shattering music.
- No map or hints causes confusion (weight 0.16): The lack of a map or guidance makes it easy to get lost, and old-school inconveniences like backtracking to specific locations add to the frustration.
- First boss difficult with keyboard (weight 0.09): The first boss is reportedly very hard when using keyboard controls, adding to the control issues.
- Awkward mobile button controls (weight 0.09): The controls are awkward due to being adapted from mobile button inputs, making the game feel unnatural on PC.
- Little replayability (weight 0.08): Players feel there is not much reason to replay the game after finishing it once.
- Level design is flat and nonexistent (weight 0.08): Areas are criticized for being flat plains with no real level design, making exploration boring.
- Upgrade system only numeric (weight 0.08): The upgrade system is seen as shallow, merely adding numeric values without meaningful choices.

Gameplay feedback:
- Short Game Length (weight 0.47): Multiple players report the game can be completed in roughly 3-6 hours, making it a very short experience. Completion times range from about 3 to 5.5 hours depending on the player.
- Action Shooter Combat (weight 0.47): The gameplay is an action-based top-down shooter where players move and shoot rather than using turn-based combat. Combat happens directly in the field with a fixed perspective.
- Persona Summoning Mechanic (weight 0.41): Filling the SP gauge allows players to summon Persona Athena or Palladion to deal massive damage and clear the field. Persona skills are crucial in battle and far outdamage normal weapons.
- Aigis as Protagonist (weight 0.36): The player controls Aigis, the character from Persona 3, in this origin story. She is the central playable character throughout the adventure.
- Feature Phone Port (weight 0.35): The game is a direct port of an old Japanese feature phone game, and its simple design reflects the hardware limitations of that era. The interface even simulates a feature phone on a small screen.
- Multiple Weapon Types (weight 0.35): Aigis has three main weapons: a gun for distant enemies, a grenade launcher for powerful single-target attacks, and a drill for melee combat. Weapon upgrades increase gun range and power.
- Easy Difficulty (weight 0.3): Many players find the game pretty easy, with a simple system designed for old cell phones. However, players must still combine Persona skills and items to avoid dying.
- Boss Fights Included (weight 0.27): The game features boss fights, with enemies escalating from early small shadows to familiar Persona 3 shadows. Enemy and boss designs are notable.
- 3D Action RPG Gameplay (weight 0.23): It is a 3D action RPG where the player moves, jumps, double jumps, shoots, and summons Personas. Core gameplay is shooting to complete missions.
- Small Scale Game (weight 0.19): It is described as a small game with basic movement and shooting. The system is simple and somewhat sluggish.
- Compared to Ys VI (weight 0.15): The gameplay feels somewhat like a diet version of Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim, and the player character Aigis plays similarly to Hugo from that game.
- Small Cast and Island Setting (weight 0.15): The game involves interacting with a small cast of characters while exploring an island. The story is set during Persona 3 summer vacation on Yakushima.
- Upgrade Progression System (weight 0.15): The game can be strengthened through upgrades, and the Persona gains more effects as the game progresses. Weapon upgrades increase gun range and power.
- Fun Combat and Drill (weight 0.15): Combat and the drill weapon are reported as fun by players. The direct action combat differs clearly from the main series' turn-based system.
- Learning to Fight (weight 0.14): The game involves learning to fight as part of the gameplay progression. Progression requires specific movements like going to the center of the training ground.
- Controls and Interface (weight 0.1): Controls use WASD or arrows to move, Z to confirm or jump, X to cancel or shoot, and E to summon Persona. ESC opens the system menu and Q opens the in-game menu.
- Bullet Hell Late Game (weight 0.1): Late game features many enemy projectiles, creating bullet-hell style segments. The fixed perspective supports this shooting-focused design.
- PS5 Controller Support (weight 0.08): The game supports the PS5 controller. This is a notable modern compatibility feature for a port of an old feature phone game.

Performance notes:
- Low FPS but playable (weight 0.17): Framerate is low overall, but the game's action is not demanding and manages to remain playable. However, framerate drastically decreased compared to the original.
- Freeze when using Palladion (weight 0.1): The game freezes when using Palladion while being hit by many projectiles, causing a hard lock.
- Credits black screen bug (weight 0.1): After repeated completions, the credits fail to load, resulting in a black screen.
- Subtitle drop after first playthrough (weight 0.1): Subtitles fail to display after completing the first playthrough, affecting narrative clarity on subsequent runs.
- Enemy palette swap persists (weight 0.1): After reloading a save following a Game Over, enemy sprite palettes swap and remain incorrect.

Recommendations:
- Best for Persona 3 fans (weight 0.53): Multiple reviewers say the game is primarily for existing Persona 3 fans, with many calling it a must-play for that audience. It is often framed as a worthwhile experience for loyal series followers.
- Only for hardcore fans (weight 0.41): Several reviewers restrict their recommendation to diehard Persona or Megami Tensei fans and collectors. They suggest casual or ordinary players may not enjoy it.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.36): Price is a recurring concern, with multiple reviewers advising waiting for a discount or considering the cost carefully. Some say it is only worth buying on sale.
- Recommended with caveats (weight 0.3): Several reviews give a qualified recommendation despite flaws, suggesting it is worth trying or experiencing. They often emphasize that it is not for everyone.
- Fans of Aigis especially (weight 0.22): Some reviews highlight Aigis fans as a key audience who will get the most out of the game. This is a narrower recommendation within the broader Persona 3 fan base.
- Use English translation patch (weight 0.17): A few reviews recommend using the English translation patch for a better experience. One suggests waiting for the fan translation instead of playing the current version.
- Awkward controls and dated feel (weight 0.17): Reviewers warn that the controls are awkward and the experience does not hold up well for non-fans today. Players are advised to be prepared before buying.
- Highly recommended by some (weight 0.15): A few reviewers give an unqualified recommendation, calling it highly recommended or simply recommending it. These are positive but lack detailed reasoning.
- CRT filter recommended (weight 0.08): One reviewer specifically recommends using a CRT-esque filter to improve the graphics. This is a niche tip for enhancing the visual experience.

Other player notes:
- Fan translation patch available (weight 0.5): An English fan translation patch has been released by translators, allowing English speakers to play. It is recommended for those hesitant to get the game.
- Port of old mobile game (weight 0.43): The game was originally a feature phone game from the 2000s, now ported to PC and Switch via the G-MODE Archives project.
- Persona 3 prequel about Aigis (weight 0.4): The game is a prequel story focused on Aigis's backstory, covering her awakening and first mission. It is set before the formation of SEES.
- Brought to Steam by G-MODE (weight 0.34): G-MODE and Atlus brought the game to Steam as part of the G-MODE Archives, which ports old feature phone games without modifications.
- Canon conflicts with Persona 4 (weight 0.32): The story conflicts with Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, particularly regarding the first activation date. Licensed mobile game stories are often not considered official canon.
- Retro visual presentation (weight 0.15): The visual presentation is very retro, simulating the feature phone interface. Some feel the port lacks detail compared to the original.
- Important for lost media preservation (weight 0.13): The game's return is seen as a big step for lost media preservation, bringing an obscure mobile title to modern platforms.
- English localization in progress (weight 0.13): An English localization is reportedly in progress with unknown completion, and a fan translation is planned by the same team behind past G-MODE translations.
- No microtransactions included (weight 0.08): The game provides the full experience without microtransactions, as it was made before they became common in mobile games.
- HD remake desired (weight 0.08): Some reviewers express that an HD remake would be cool, indicating interest in an updated version.
- Translation patch fixes port issues (weight 0.08): The fan translation patch addresses some issues present in the port, improving the overall experience.
- Port includes resolution options (weight 0.08): The port includes options to adjust resolution and supports fullscreen, enhancing playability on modern systems.
- Music well preserved (weight 0.08): The music is well preserved, though there are changes to the sound font. Reviewers appreciate the audio quality.
- Outsourced development supervised by Atlus (weight 0.08): The game was outsourced with Atlus only supervising, which may affect its quality and canon status.
- Minor impact on main story (weight 0.08): The original story has little impact on the main Persona 3 story, serving as a side story.
- Characters Takeba and Eiichiro appear (weight 0.06): The game features characters Takeba and Eiichiro, adding to the Persona 3 lore.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.15): Players are disappointed by the bare-bones port quality, including silent cutscenes, poor sound design, outdated visuals, and visual bugs. Combat is average, the story is thin, and the lack of English or Chinese support makes it inaccessible for many.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Players enjoy the interesting story and strong impressions from the small cast, especially the glimpse into Aigis's past. The gameplay is pleasurable and fun, often exceeding expectations.
- Frustration (weight 0.09): Frustration stems from awkward keyboard controls, high first boss difficulty, and getting lost due to lack of maps and hints. Technical issues like lighting bugs, lost subtitles, freezing, and language barriers also contribute.
- Amusement (weight 0.06): Players find amusement in the game's peculiar and funny nature as a prequel to Persona 3, including its strong similarity to Ys Origin and its jank gameplay. The ear-shattering music is often described in a joking tone.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.06): Mild disappointment arises from the lack of reason to use other weapon types, low replayability, and the inability to read most Japanese text. The price also feels a bit high for such a small game with simple feature phone gameplay.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Players feel satisfied because the game works wonderfully and provides valuable lore for Aigis. Many enjoyed it without regret, appreciating its story-heavy nature and prequel status for fans.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.06): Nostalgia is triggered by rearranged Persona 3 BGM tracks, familiar old characters, and the retro pixel presentation. The feature phone style and Aigis's robotic manner also evoke fond memories.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciate G-MODE bringing the game to Steam and expanding Aigis's backstory. They are grateful that the game reached a new audience.
- Amazement (weight 0.03): Amazement comes from seeing an old game preserved and playable through the Steam port and fan translation. Players are astonished that the game exists again.
- Pleasant surprise (weight 0.03): Players are pleasantly surprised that the port is surprisingly functional for an old mobile phone game. The game turned out really nice despite expectations of it being hollow.
- Caution (weight 0.03): Caution is advised regarding the controls and price, as well as the lack of localization and outdated design. Players warn others to consider these factors before purchasing.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement is driven by getting Aigis's backstory, which some find more compelling than for Persona 3 Reload. Finally being able to play the game after years of it being lost adds to the thrill.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the beautiful experience the game offers.
- Endearment (weight 0.02): Players find the game very cute and charming, which endears it to them.
- Concern (weight 0.02): Concern is raised about the price being high for the amount of content provided.
- Preference (weight 0.02): Some players prefer the action gameplay over turn-based combat, finding it more fun.
- Acceptance (weight 0.02): Players accept the awkward controls as long as the game remains playable.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is high for learning more about Aigis and the events before Persona 3.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom sets in due to repetitive labor in later levels.
- Fatigue (weight 0.02): Fatigue results from repetitive late-game combat.}