Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3: FES is a unique game and contains unique trolling of epic proportions. I'd have been laughing histerically if I weren't so surprised to find it. So what am I talking about?
Persona 3 is riddled with Christian imagery and references from the New Testament. From a key enemy who is a charicature of Jesus, right up to the crown of thorns and seemingly returning from the dead and calling himself chosen. A sacrifice on the cross and bringing forth through an evil tower "The Fall." All in a negative light.
Throughout the game, you also go to classes, one of which talks about magic in the game. Throughout these lectures, the idea of Christianity falsely labelling magic as from the devil comes up.
But what I take particular amusement from is the point at which the writers just go ahead and be as blatant as possible. Nearing the end of the game, a group shows up that everyone calls a cult, who litters the city with propaganda posters and graffitti--I'd take that as allegorical of the actions of churches if it weren't for the lack of subtlety that you'll soon see. I'll let the quotes from the game speak for themselves,
"The cult's mantra is 'Believe and you'll be saved.' Ridiculous, isn't it?"
"'Believe and you'll be saved.' Tch, who buys that?"
"'Believe and you'll be saved'... I wonder if anyone actually believes that. It kind of reminds me of those ads in the back of magazines. 'Buy this product and you'll be happier!'"
What's most amazing is that nobody seemed to notice. I tip my hat to you, Atlus; it's not often you get to see a videogame call Christianity a brainwashing cult focused on the end of the world. Bonus points for doing it while letting the player have a team of Thor and Vishnu (I think I just gave Bill Donahue a heart-attack).
Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:54:14
Holy shit, now I actually am somewhat interested in the game.
Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:46:55
Yeah the Shin Megami Tensei franchise is very focused within religion. However I don't think they intended to troll just that they take elements from different religions.
Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:02:46
Then again it seems too much to be called a regular couincidence.
Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:37:13
I saw a video of the game on YouTube. That plus this information is making me think about buying it, though I'm no lover of JRPGs in general (just the Golden Suns, really).
Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:31:19
I did. I even talked about it on gamespot long ago when a guy asked if it had any offensive material and I told him that along with Hulk Hogan bossfight. If I was his daughter I'd sue Atlus for that because it wasn't nice of them.
Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:48:29
Wow. Just wow.
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