Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4/Gameplay

Persona 4 takes place in a small, rural Japanese countryside town called Inaba. The game begins with the Protagonist--the player--moves in with his uncle, Ryotaro Dojima, who is a police detective. Strangely enough, many murders begin to occur once the protagonist moves into Inaba. The murders do not particularly affect the Protagonist until the second murder is committed... the victim was a fellow high schooler. This is when the story really takes off with the Protagonist and his new found friends start to take interest and try to figure out the truth behind the murders and the rumor about the MIDNIGHT CHANNEL. While the premise seems simple enough, like all students you--the Protagonist-- must still keep up grades, build relationships with people in Inaba, and keep your uncle from figuring out your role in the murder cases.

Beginning of the game
In the very beginning of the game there are three different difficulty levels to choose from.

Normal--Provides 10 Moon Tsukubame items which allow you to avoid a Game Over once the Protagonist has fainted. Another interesting thing about the Moon Tsukubame is that once activated they bring back all the characters with full HP and SP bars. The AI in the game seem to be a lot nicer, though their stats remain the same.

Beginner--This setting is for default game play.

Expert--This is for more advanced players. It provides for more aggressive AI and therefore more difficult battles.

PLEASE NOTE that the difficulty levels does not affect events, cut scenes, or endings. The difficulty setting is just to change the difficulty of battles.

Stats
There are five important status in Persona 4: Understanding, Knowledge, Courage, Expression, and Diligence. Out of these five status, only four of them need to be maxed out. Knowledge, Courage, Expression and Understanding are crucial for day-to-day activity opportunities. Diligence is important but it does not necessarily need to be maxed out.

Activities to Upgrade Stats Faster
Courage is upgraded by: 1. Working part time at the hospital. 2. Eating the special ramen from Aiya's on rainy days. 3. Reading The Man Series on your sofa. 4. Eating rotten food from the fridge. 5. Defeating the bonus bosses at dungeons.

Knowledge is upgraded by: 1. Studying at your desk at night. 2. Studying at the Library after school. 3. By paying attention during lessons at school. 4. Giving the right answer to questions in class. 5. Reading Bug Encyclopedia and Number Series on your sofa. 6. Eating special ramen at Aiya's on rainy days

Expression is upgraded by: 1. Working as a tutor. 2. Reading the Application series on your sofa. 3. Working as a translator. 4. Going to culture club after school. 5. Giving the right answers in class.

Understanding is upgraded by: 1. Reading the Mister Series on your sofa. 2. Working part-time at folding origami. 3. Eating special ramen at Aiya's on rainy days. 4. Working at the daycare after school.

Diligence is upgraded by: 1. Eating special ramen at Aiya's on rainy days. 2. Working part time at folding envelopes. 3. Going to the sports club

Benefits of Upgrading Stats
Courage 1. It helps establish the Moon Arcana S.Link 2. Naoto's S.Link can only begin after you max out Courage 3. Ability to make bolder answers to other characters

Knowledge 1. Get high or top marks on exams 2. Begin Margaret's S.Link 3. Naoto's S.Link can only begin after you max out Knowledge

Expression 1. Leveling up in the Hierophant and Justice S.Link

Understanding 1. It helps establish the Hang-Man S.Link

Diligence 1. Ability to fish more times per day 2. Apply to work for the janitor job 3. Apply to work folding cranes