Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES
I'm in my thirties. I've spent an entire slice of life playing computer/console role playing games. Final Fantasy, Everquest, Dragon Quest, you name it... if there was a way for me to kill a goblin and steal his loot, I was in the line to do it.
Even so, I'm totally burned out on them. Just the mere mention of a vorpal blade which would grant me 10+ attack and 4.5+ critical chance makes me want to turn off the game and never come back. For years, I've been trying to find that spark again, to come upon a game that would make me feel like when I was a kid. And, through an emulated version of a PS2 game, available over the playstation network, I found it.
Persona 3 is not...
Even so, I'm totally burned out on them. Just the mere mention of a vorpal blade which would grant me 10+ attack and 4.5+ critical chance makes me want to turn off the game and never come back. For years, I've been trying to find that spark again, to come upon a game that would make me feel like when I was a kid. And, through an emulated version of a PS2 game, available over the playstation network, I found it.
Persona 3 is not...
Perhaps I should try this. I've found myself in the same boat as you lately. JRPG's (though that genre is getting harder to define) just don't hold my interest the way they should. I tried to replay one recently and some of the core mechanics just annoyed me to no end.
I've heard some good things about the series, and that it really kinda creates its own genre, and based on what you're saying that's true.
While I've never completed a Persona game (or any of the Shin Megami games, for that matter), I'm a huge fan of the gameplay and style. I think I've started Persona 3 five different times, just to revisit the soundtrack! That and the artwork; I love, love, love Soejima's artwork. I agree with caffo, these are great games, and worth your time. The combat can be a little repetitive; fairly standard turn-based attacks, spells are cast through your Persona, but gathering and "upgrading" the Personas (almost like spell forging) can be quite fun. Building Social Links is more than just dating simulation, but it has some of those aspects (when communicating with certain characters).
I'd personally recommend Persona 3 FES for Ps2 rather than the portable version for PSP/Vita, as the mobile version doesn't have the beautifully animated cut-scenes or the freedom of movement around the environments.