DJSharpeCheddar
Banned
Playing through Persona 3 (and a bit of 4), I have been continually impressed with its rich subtext. Well, calling it 'subtext' is maybe a bit generous--the game definitely wears its "meaning" on its sleeve. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Things don't have to be subtle to be meaningful.
Anyway, the idea of high-school students developing Social Links (interpersonal relationships) to power up their magical avatars (strength of character) to do battle with evil demonic forces (the difficulties of growing up/living an adult life) so that they and everyone else don't become mindless, silent zombies (depressed) is very well done. I especially like how, when you max out a Social Link, you get some small artifact that reminds of you the relationship and your time together, and that item then allows you to make the most powerful Persona of that particular class. I bet a lot of us have things like that in real life. I know I do.
So, which games did you find to have metaphors that struck you? What games did you identify as allegory, and for what? Please discuss.
And also, don't be afraid of reading too far into things. Not many games are as straightforward about this as the later Personas. But whether or not these 'meanings' were intended (although it is surprising just how many were), does not make them less important to you, or us.
Anyway, the idea of high-school students developing Social Links (interpersonal relationships) to power up their magical avatars (strength of character) to do battle with evil demonic forces (the difficulties of growing up/living an adult life) so that they and everyone else don't become mindless, silent zombies (depressed) is very well done. I especially like how, when you max out a Social Link, you get some small artifact that reminds of you the relationship and your time together, and that item then allows you to make the most powerful Persona of that particular class. I bet a lot of us have things like that in real life. I know I do.
So, which games did you find to have metaphors that struck you? What games did you identify as allegory, and for what? Please discuss.
And also, don't be afraid of reading too far into things. Not many games are as straightforward about this as the later Personas. But whether or not these 'meanings' were intended (although it is surprising just how many were), does not make them less important to you, or us.