Persona 3 Analysis (Part 1) - Ultimate Persona Compendium

[@miraclejoe]

When the world needed him the most, He returned 🔥🔥🔥

[@nitumaki3817]

42:57 “It’s only when we have something to lose that we fear death. And it’s only when we fear death that we are truly alive.” I don’t know why but this quote made me stop for a second and think about things. Holy shit this analysis video is god tier.

[@Phoenix_SMT]

Persona 3 may not be my favorite game of all time anymore, but it certainly is the most important game ever for me. It taught me so many lessons on how to live life to the fullest, the importance of bonds and how to best deal with the reality of death. I played it during a very confusing and complicated time of my life and it definitely made me see things differently. I am eternally grateful for Persona 3 for all that, and your amazing analysis did the game the justice it deserved. Thank you.

[@AloyImpact]

Damn right brother!! We must live!

[@GumshoeGamer]

The best P3 video on KZbin just dropped

[@CoolNixto]

Thanks for putting as much time and effort into this series as you do. I find it endlessly entertaining and insightful. Looking forward to whatever else you intend to produce.

[@ReiMizere]

Ok, now I can say it I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!

[@Harbluia]

X: Attack O: Relent

[@redthepale]

Came here to say this 😂

[@KaiboStudios]

OH MY GOD IT'S HAPPENING!!!! EVERYBODY STAY CALM!!! STAY FL*NNING CALM!!!!! EVERYBODY CALM DOWN!!!!!!!!!

[@garisgamergr3833]

Me asf right now

[@AloyImpact]

STAAAAAAAAY CALM!!!!!!!!!!

[@nudrattashfia4060]

" STAY FL *NNING CALM!!!!!"

[@blockhead6887]

Definitely my favorite of the "new" Persona styled games. This game and the P2 duology hold a special place in my heart.

[@DrHackmoff]

They are in one word, fantastic !

[@chrishunter9185]

Watching this truly has made me appreciate P3 a lot more than I already did. Thank you, Snickety. I'm looking forward to what's to come. 2023 is off to a phenomenal start.

[@reiko_u7784]

Man i LOVE your analysys series, you make some great persona content, my fav by far I was reading Jung's "Man and His Simbols" recently and they mention the interview you put during the preface of the video, really interesting i must say.

[@DanielPetryAKATad]

It's a happy new year indeed! I love this series, I only discovered the Persona games a few years ago and was instantly hooked. And this series truly grew my appreciation by helping me discover the earlier parts of the series. I'm actually playing Innocent Sin for the first time and love it. You're awesome Snickety, and I appreciate the hard work you put in to these videos

[@bahamutxero9573]

This game always has and probably always will bring me to tears and shake my body down to it's soul. Thank you for for making me feel that yet again. I look forward to your next part.

[@dantespimp]

Persona 3 remains my favorite game of the series. I know it's a Debbie-Downer for a lotta gamers lol (hence, why it isn't as hyped up as Persona 5 or 4) but Persona 3 really hits you in the FEELS. Just listening to some of its soundtracks play during your analysis video made me want to cry. I played Persona 3 when it first came out during my twenties. Now, I'm a middle-aged gamer. I've lost a lotta loved ones. My body no longer feels the same. Persona 3's message is more relevant than ever for me, as I suspect it'll be for a lotta gamers who eventually grow up. Thank you SO MUCH for doing an analysis of it.

[@kurocomics]

P4G is my favorite, I know there are moments that have aged poorly and probably shouldn't exist but, is that not also true for the rest of human history? I feel as someone who personally would constantly look away from reality and the truth in fear of getting hurt that the message of truth is something that helped me realize many of my own weaknesses.

[@mistahchad220]

Absolute GODSEND, I just recently discovered and finished your Persona 1 and 2 (both Sin and Punishment) analysis vids! While I was more than happy to wait until you released P3, the timing makes this a welcome surprise. Happy New Year and thank you for introducing me to the SMT and Persona series, Slice. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@matteste]

To me, this was the best of the Neo-Persona games. The later ones just couldn't recapture what I felt made this one so great.

[@OneColdRepublican]

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YEAH BABY, THAT'S WHAT I WAS WATING FOR. THAT'S WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT. MY FAVORITE ENTRY!!!!!! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@Samm815]

I still like to believe the evoker hurts. Like it leaves no damage but it still feels like you're blowing your brains out.

[@sparkleofroses]

Ah! These videos are so good. Already an hour in and I am sad to see it ending. Might as well go back and watch the others for a third time. These are some of the most rewarchable videos on KZbin for me.

[@DarkGaia92305]

Though not many people know about or keep up with the compendium, im so glad you posted another, I’ve been thinking about the series a lot recently

[@machoke666]

28:38 - lmao the juxtaposition of you talking about death while the background music is all "ooh yeah dadada baby baby"

[@Witheredleaflet]

Once again I am SO very happy to see you upload! My favourite content on the entire website. Keep up the good work!

[@rogergzz3849]

I was just telling my cousin on christmas how long I've been waiting for this video, what a damn good way to bring in the new year :)

[@bread9175]

Holy shit, hes back. My 2nd fave persona game (after Eternal Punishment) finally got the analysis.

[@blizzred2143]

Say it LOUDER for the PEOPLE 🗣

[@iroquoispliskin9566]

A perfect gift for the new year! Thank you for your work, snickety.

[@OrenjiArms]

how the heck did I miss this release. I had to literally double check my youtube history to make sure It wasn't in my watch history. Oh well now I can binge both parts in one sitting

[@KristophGavinSolitaryCell13]

Glad to see more of your lovely videos, Snickerdoodle. A great way to start off the New Year! You're the ultimate gift we all wished for more of.

[@TheDaphinator]

Persona 3 is singlehandedly the most impactful story I have ever experienced, and you did it justice in this analysis. Awesome video.

[@whodatninja439]

Persona 3, one of the most important games ever made. One of the strongest contenders for video games as art. One of my favourite games ever.

[@spacefes7365]

My eyes are watering. I am so excited

[@Teiran42]

I only found you recently, and you dropped this video just as I finished catching up on the rest of this series. Thank you!

[@gabrieldevoogel6225]

I’m so happy this is out, I’ve been waiting for so so long and I’m ecstatic that it’s finally here, thank you Snickety

[@AnaLolaaa]

This was beautiful worded video!💙 Thank you🦋

[@PunchinBag01]

Let’s goo the biggest W of 2023 already 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

[@whiteraven3025]

Finally! Best series on KZbin. Keep up the amazing work.

[@dhorinfireheart99]

What a masterpiece of a video! So amazing 💖

[@The4thSnake]

YO, SICK!

[@HeatedDeath94]

Love the video. Never noticed the leitmotif playing in that scene. Thanks for the hard work!

[@JKR-ln2de]

I've got an 8-ish hour road trip coming on the 6th so that gives me an excuse to re-listen to this series! Thanks for your hard work!

[@StarsAndSticks]

Holy hell, such a long time since your last entry in the compendium. What a pleasant surprise for my KZbin feed. Welcome back friend.

[@Jaebird88]

I was determined to finish Persona 3 FES before watching this, and I'm glad I did. This analysis helps to enhance the experience of the story and its elements that I otherwise never would have thought on their meaning.

[@theodoregeorgiou4565]

Also i like the fact that mechanically in the end the game shows you what is about to happen. If you notice, The Great Seal has a cost of 100% HP, always. That shows MC will not live through this. And i like these little details.

[@Blarglesnarfe]

Such a flair for aesthetics and presentation, I love it. I am *SO* ready.

[@steelblake]

What a great way to start the year. Really great analisys as always Snick. The Meguro comment truly cracked me up. Also really interesting interpreting P3 hero's journey as the one of the sun. Since Persona 3/4/5 are all the journey of the fool it makes me wonder what are the other ones going to be. In any case really looking foward to the next parts. Have a happy new year man.

[@luckybadatvideogames2307]

this is great! there were a lot of little things i noticed in this game but discarded because theres so much game, so many things to look at and do and experience, its a really rich text. thanks for explaining the symbolism i missed or that i didnt dive deeply into enough!

[@TatsuHaven]

Been super looking forward to this!

[@Ikcatcher]

Oh hell yeah, what a way to start off the year

[@jazzmousz5992]

Been watching your videos for a few years, since the episode on P1 on the PlayStation Classic. Another excellent watch from you, your quality is top notch and your analysis is both entertaining and informative. I have loved these games ever since I played P4 Arena which drove me down the rabbit hole into playing 1,2,3,4 and then 5 when it came out. I had such an amazing experience with this series, those first 4 games remain some of the finest storytelling the medium has to offer and although they are different in style and gameplay I truly believe that 3 is a worthy successor to the Persona’s of yore. 4 and 5 remain fantastic games in their own right and in many ways are superior to the outdated combat of the originals however 3 exists in the perfect centre between the dark and intriguing storytelling and writing of the first games and the updated gameplay of the later ones, including ingenious additions like the social links and the calendar system. What a brilliant game.

[@sandflamingo1000]

I am so excited for this video, snacks and drink acquired, let's goooooo!

[@AlbedoAtoned]

The issue with non party member control isn't that the AI is bad. The game was built around the player properly using the tactics menu and scanning the enemies. But players expected that the ai would largely make the right decisions if they just left them to their default tactics setting, or sometimes one of the more other general ones. And a part of it is also likely looking at how Persona 4 and 5 works with the AI, where there is a lot less in terms of options on how your party members act, since those games were made with player's selecting party member's actions. Obviously the reason they made the party members choose their own actions was because they wanted the player to feel like they were a person in the group and we as people can only choose our own actions. The challenge they had as developers if they wanted this was to give the player options on how to direct their allies without giving them direct control. This conveys that the party is communicating during battles, but are giving each other enough autonomy that they can work within the suggested tactics. Personally I think they did a really good job, because the alternative would have been to make the AI so competent that it would generally always take whatever action was needed with minimal player input, but this would lead to it feeling like the party is not actually communicating with each other. Instead of a team, it would come across as a bunch of random characters just happened to be in the battle together. And while direct control is more convenient, it does feel like something was lost. Persona 4 and 5 more or less contextualize this as the team leader literally telling their allies what skills to use, which kind of sucks because it makes it seem like your allies have no autonomy and therefore little to no personality in battle. But because the combat was developed with direct control in mind, you would be heavily restricting yourself and making things way harder since the AI in those games aren't as adjustable.

[@subb9011]

yeah i agree

[@PersTG]

I feel as though that it's a glorified handicap, and there weren't enough options to justify not giving us direct control. Even then, the code for these AI are OK at best and serviceable at worst....

[@andimjustalex]

STARTING THE NEW YEAR STRONG LETS GOOO

[@Pinoy.]

THE KING

[@thepyrostickfigure7637]

Truly the perfect way to start off the new year.

[@MaverickHunterXZA]

What a gift to start the new year with

[@TheRockinBR]

I started with Persona 3, didn't knew that I would got into SMT as a whole... Nice video!

[@princegriddle7963]

Best series on KZbin, do not stop until this is done, and then move on to mainline smt

[@jamilgonzaga7081]

First time stumbling upon your channel. You have a great analysis, the best one I've seen so far! This is why this game has so much personal attachment to me

[@funninoriginal6054]

Part 1 and it has 1 and a half hours of video. I cant wait.

[@dafire9634]

Oh this is gonna be good

[@SinsDoFade]

Terrific analysis! Thanks for another great video!

[@julianrobertson1869]

I've been waiting for this!!!

[@brownout100]

ill watch later. just liking and commenting for algorithm because this series is a favourite.

[@simonfisher4592]

This series is definitely one of the best at explaining the symbolic meanings, metaphors, etc of the persona series but there are other people who do a good job of it too. The Ultimate Persona 4 Analysis video/series by hiding in public is really good as well, for example.

[@daisythegoddes3483]

Huh, i didn't know people used this series as means not to play the games. Your analysis is literally the push I needed to play Persona 2!

[@MatthewDadoun]

Absolutely love this series, awesome work as usual snickety

[@NonupleKnives]

Well done. Bravo.

[@OathOfPapi]

This is an amazingly put together analysis and video! I’m looking forward to seeing more from you on this topic as Persona 3 is one of my favorite games of all time! 👍🏽

[@kaokeron3538]

Yay, it's finally here! Still in time for the new year

[@Vlayer]

I always saw the decision to make the protagonist a wild card as a metanarrative tool to represent how they are the avatar of the player, i.e. they represent millions of potential people and therefor don't fall under the same rule of only holding a single Persona.

[@Austin_Soares]

What a great New Years present, Thanks Snickety! :)

[@noob123411]

I love these soo much and now we on P3! Looking forward to this 😌

[@isaacplays8545]

Here watching Part 1 for the thirtieth time. Waiting patiently for part 2.

[@smgofdvld]

I could watch these all day 😁

[@HowardHeyman]

Excellent video like usual. Haven't played Persona 3 since almost 10 years ago, so I think I may be due for a replay. Will be interesting comparing my own analysis and my memories of playing the game back in 2014 with some of the interesting philosophical parallels you've brought up in this video.

[@linkrrohcs7874]

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

[@lotticello]

I'm so excited to watch this!!

[@Gazeta2nd]

I've wanted to do one of these myself for the longest time so I'm definitely looking forward to what you have to say about the game!

[@corey9784]

The time has come

[@cosmicspacelatte471]

He’s back baby!

[@gladius4487]

In the words of the man himself: "I've been waiting for this!"

[@0uttaS1TE]

"Did ya see that, Shinji?"

[@Crecentful]

Return of the King

[@juliododd860]

Oh my god, the absolute unit is alive

[@brydyne3379]

I did not realize P3 was this dense. I'll have to watch this multiple times for it all to really sink in

[@blizzred2143]

YOU’RE ALIVE ❤ Edit: By the time you do P5 I’ll probably be middle age but I’ll be expecting the video 😂

[@Scout-Fanfiction]

A fantastic analysis. I can't wait to replay P3P on pc (even if Atlus releases a barehones port, i love the gsme enough that i'll replay it regardless).

[@SassynSaxy]

WOOOOOOO! I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS! 😍😍

[@obeysquirrel]

I’ve been waiting for this😈🙇🏻‍♂️

[@Maakeys]

I'm trying to patiently wait, IM TRYING for part 2

[@peste4592]

l really loved your persona 1 and 2 ones, and l highly think l will love this too since l love your work, never change

[@MrLoganrayne]

This channel is amazing

[@daehan8227]

Honestly when I first played through P3 after 1-2ep I hoped that Ikutski was to be a boss. Was kind of disappointed that he didn't have a Persona. After knowing how most of the Personas (in the story) were Greek and Roman I always had thoughts of Ikutski summoning the Moirae sisters regardless if he became a boss or not. Loved his as a villain along with Strega and its Takaya.

[@Samm815]

My favorite persona game. I watched Super Jeenius's LP of this game during high school and felt immersed in it.

[@slothrop9345]

Another note to add in regards to Jesus parallels is that when taken from the perspective of a Gnostic Jesus the decision to make the main character's persona Orpheus just strengthens that link. Within many of the most famous forms of Gnostic Cosmology involve an emanation of God called Sophia (Nyx in this case) descending into the abyss and giving birth to the demi-urge who in turns births the material world, and traps Sophia in it as the spirit of humanity. Emanations of God in Gnosticism come in male-female couplets known as syzygies and Sophia's consort is Christ who descends to the material world (what was once the Abyss) to save her. This is quite a clear parallel with the story of Orpheus descending into Hades. The Fallen Sophia archetype appears quite a bit in Japanese media. Evangelion specifically even had its Fallen Sophia (Lilith) represented by the "Black Moon" which was her vessel and reclaims the souls of humanity. The Japanese seem to have a distinct fascination with Gnosticism (as did Jung, mind you), and I believe it has to do with its parallels with the Shinto creation myth. In the Japanese creation myth, Izanami and Izanagi were the last in a series of male-female couplet deities, much like in Gnosticism. Izanami eventually gives birth to Kagutsuchi who kills her upon his birth and signified the end of the creation of the world (and would also signal the beginning of death). Izanagi must descend into the Underworld to retrieve Izanami but, much like Orpheus, fails specifically because he looks at her. He closes off the cave to Yomi, separating life and death, as well as Izanagi and Izanami, and whilst Izanami vows to kill 1,000 people every day, Izanagi insists he will give life 1,500 people every day. So they also take on this duality of life and death.

[@pugmcmuffins9282]

Me: *sees this video* I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!

[@skunthundler]

I feel like I've always missed the Jungian theming in Persona 3 since it's not as overt as the other 5 games in the series. Really excited to see a new perspective on this game.

[@pedroamaral3816]

Nice, i love the ultimate analysis Happy new year

[@jscoutfly801]

Finally, it has arrived

[@dramaticdrummer0397]

Phenomenal vid!

[@100Servings]

This was excellent. Very well done. I'm looking forward to the second part. My favorite SMT game is actually Digital Devil Saga. There's a lot to unpack there relating to the symbolism relating to Hindu beliefs and the cycle of Samsara. It's hopefully on your agenda for a deep dive in the future. The second game even has my favorite law/chaos/neutral routes, even though the game doesn't actually give you a choice. They all have good merits and represent a choice with much more moral implications than simple "law good, chaos bad" dynamics that several other SMT games have. The other game that requires disection is MONARK. While it's not a particularly "good" game from technical or gameplay perspectives, they did a lot with a small budget, and the writing and characters are complex and realistically cynical. My personal favorite is the one who spends all her time in study and reading but only has mediocre grades, since she only studies and learns out of personal curiosity, not out of a need to achieve academically. That kind of sounds like me: I spent much of my formative years in libraries and have read and retained thousands of encyclopedia entries, but went to summer school every year and was a total academic failure. School was a waste of time for me. The only benefits it held was a place to eat lunch and meet girls. I'm retired and middle aged now, and I still spend most of my time reading. I'm probably one of the most well read and least educated people you'll ever meet. Anyways, I'm a big fan of your work. Keep it up!

[@Jack-nj9pi]

Digital devla saga is one atlus best spin offs i hope he tackles that one and eventually some of the other series too

[@lemonov3031]

Digital Devil Saga is not SMT.

[@100Servings]

@@lemonov3031 Oh, well if you say it isn't, it obviously isn't. I forgot that you're the foremost expert in these things, considering your decades-long time working for the company. It's amazing that you've graced us all with your presence. Thank you for shining your brilliant wit and intellect down on us plebians with your well researched and referenced argument. I guess the discussion is complete and can never be argued again. What a momentous day!

[@lemonov3031]

@@100Servings You mad?

[@100Servings]

@@lemonov3031 Not really. Just sarcastic.

[@Babis_2003]

Let's go boys, now that's a beautiful late new years present

[@zeropointer125]

Litterally started rewatching your vids yesterday. What are the chances. Wooooooooo :O