When I heard Atlus was bundling a two-disc bonus OST with their new PSP version of the first game in the Persona series, I thought to myself: “not again!” You see, the full soundtrack for Persona has been printed not once, but twice! First by “First Smile” (now out of business), and again by King Records. The last thing I needed was a separate printing of these familiar tunes.
But when I got my hands on the soundtrack, I made a startling discovery: this was an entirely new soundtrack! Though a few pieces were brought over from the original PlayStation game (and re-arranged for this new version), the vast majority (I’d say somewhere between 65% and 80%) of the music here is entirely new compositions. Seriously, I was shocked.
This may not come as welcome news for fans of the game who want to re-experience it on the PSP. But as a game music collector, I was quite pleased with the prospect of new Persona music. And I have to say, this soundtrack delivers. There’s a little something for everyone. For example, if you like the vocal stylings of Persona 3 and 4, know that this OST includes a whole bunch of new vocal tracks. I’m estimating again, but I’d guess there are about seven vocal tracks across the two discs (including the new version of the Satomi Tadashi Drugstore song). Songs like “School Days,” “Dream of Butterfly,” and “Voice” have that same, signature Meguro pop sound you heard in later Persona titles.
But the instrumental tracks pay respect to the days of old. I have fond memories of the original Persona soundtrack; and though the melodies aren’t the same, and even though the style is slightly refined, I think I can safely say that the music remains true to the “feel” of the first Persona. Your creepy school, the shopping mall, the dungeons (including that awful hedge maze), and even the hospital where we find Maki–all of these places feature music that somehow manages to “fit” my expectations, while still sounding new and fresh to my ears.
If you’re reading this review and thinking “I need to import this soundtrack, and it’s a promo? What a pain!” I have good news for you. Atlus USA issued this same soundtrack when they brought the localized Persona PSP to we happy English-speaking gamers. So don’t fret: just get the September 22nd American release and you’ll be in business!
