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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video Games

Persona 4

Persona 4 is a Japanese role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the PlayStation 2, first released in 2008.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Persona 4 is a Japanese role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the PlayStation 2, first released in 2008. It is the fifth main entry in the Persona series and follows a high school student and his friends as they investigate a series of murders in the rural town of Inaba. The game combines dungeon-crawling combat with social simulation elements and was later expanded in Persona 4 Golden, which became widely known in Canada through later releases on Steam and modern consoles.

Gameplay

Persona 4 alternates between daily life in Inaba and dungeon exploration in the TV World. Players build relationships, manage time, and fight Shadows using Personas, which grow stronger through social bonds.

Plot

The game follows a group of students who investigate a chain of murders and disappearances in a rural town. Their search leads them into a supernatural realm connected to the Midnight Channel.

Release and versions

Persona 4 launched on PlayStation 2 in 2008. An expanded edition, Persona 4 Golden, later appeared on PlayStation Vita and was ported to other platforms in subsequent years.

Series context

Persona 4 is part of the Persona subseries within Atlus's larger Megami Tensei franchise. It is followed by spin-offs and related media, including Persona 4 Arena.

Key facts

  • Set in the fictional Japanese countryside town of Inaba, where the protagonist moves for a year.
  • The story centres on investigating mysterious murders linked to the TV World and the Midnight Channel.
  • Gameplay mixes turn-based role-playing with social simulation and relationship-building systems.
  • It is the fifth main entry in the Persona series and a spin-off of the Megami Tensei franchise.
  • An enhanced version, Persona 4 Golden, added new content and was released on multiple platforms.
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Canadian context

Persona 4 is widely known in Canada through the PlayStation and PC gaming market, and its later releases on Steam and modern consoles made it more accessible to Canadian players.[2][5]

Frequently asked questions

What type of game is Persona 4?
Persona 4 is a role-playing game with social simulation elements and single-player gameplay.
Who developed Persona 4?
Persona 4 was developed by Atlus.
When was Persona 4 released?
Persona 4 was originally released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2.
Where does Persona 4 take place?
The game is set in the fictional rural Japanese town of Inaba.
What is Persona 4 Golden?
Persona 4 Golden is an expanded version of Persona 4 with additional content and later platform releases.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona_4
    Supports: Gameplay, setting, genre, and series placement.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona_(series)
    Supports: Main-series placement, release year, and setting.
  3. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q568609
    Supports: Basic identification as a 2008 role-playing video game.
  4. Megami Tensei Wiki - Fandom — https://megamitensei.fandom.com/wiki/Persona_4
    Supports: Expanded version and platform release information.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Persona_4_characters
    Supports: Plot premise and murder investigation details.
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona_4_Arena
    Supports: Related spin-off connection.