There are some players who want a slice of realism in their gaming. Simulation games offer a great mix of thrill while keeping things as real as they get. While these mostly stick to a subject matter and nothing else, there are standouts that can merge parts of real life with something fantastical.

The time management aspect is a big part of the Persona series’ gameplay. Properly splitting the day between school, a part-time job, hanging out with friends, and taking down creatures in bizarre alternate worlds takes a hefty chunk of the challenge in this Sim RPG.

Since the game tries to cover several slices of life, how well does the Persona franchise capture reality?

The best social hub: School

Persona games have everything a player needs to recreate a familiar sense of school living. Random student banter, teachers with different attitudes towards the current generation of youth, school organization, and club dramas, and the uncommon head-wracking quiz question a player usually resorts to the internet for answers. There’s a feeling of accomplishment in every feat of scholastic proportions – and don’t forget those sporting events and when they are won. The player will feel busy juggling academics, fulfilling club duties, meeting up with friends, being the lonely school worker’s companion, and having enough time to train for the next big match or game. There’s a plethora of NPCs with hidden quests and even social links for the player to discover and complete. It is pretty much like what you’d expect school to be when translated as anime material.

Paving the path to adulthood

Improving personal attributes is a matter of sticking to a routine. Preparing for a big exam day? Not only do players need to increase the knowledge attribute, but they also have to remember the answers to the previous quizzes. They are expected to appear once the game enters the later stretches. These areas for improvement do not stop at the school. Being better in a job requires more than just waiting on an attribute gauge to be fully leveled. Some feats are presented as a mini-game targeting player responsiveness and control reflexes. Just like in real life, getting good at a line of work involves constant exposure and practice.

Getting to know people involves a lot of talking – and a few surprises

The sim aspect of Persona games has gone a long way from its P3 origins. Other characters, from your soon-to-be teammates, friends, and lovers, all the way to random folk the protagonist helps along the way are written the way a player expects of actual people. Dialogue choices also feel organic, with every reaction different based on how a cast member is written. The romance aspects are presented as special lines that elicit reactions based on the target of affection. Of course, these best bits do need the highest requirements for the player to get a shot at confessing feelings for whoever one chooses. Mushy and cushy rewards await those who are most willing.

The Persona game series has always been relatable to players when the gaming parts are removed from the equation. Every installment adds emotional depth and realism that players can reminisce about. Whether it be time management or simply finding the best answer to what can be awkward real-life scenarios, there’s always something to smile, laugh, and cry about. This shot at a realistic portrayal of teenage life knows no age limits.

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