MTV Multiplayer:"Atlus has a hardcore following that snaps up all of their games. They are not a Square Enix, but Atlus knows that and caters to their fans.

While checking out a demo for 'Persona 4' last week, I noticed it was shipping on December 9, a date before Christmas but after the Thanksgiving sales rush.

I wondered whether a release date matters for a game like 'Persona.' Why not just wait until January or February, when people might have gift cards, etc.?"
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GP Reports: "A few weeks back, Atlus released four webisodes to tease all Persona fans out there with some short clips of the game. Since we're getting close to the launch of the game, Atlus has released more webisodes of Persona 4 that will surely get you excited even more!

Well, don't forget folks, Persona 4 comes out in December! Just a month and a half away and we can finally experience an all new Persona experience..."
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GamersPlatform Reports: "...Atlus today released the first six Persona 4 webisodes, short video clips showing different aspects of gameplay and story."
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Atlus has announced that these three titles will ship with soundtrack CDs in the box. Pretty sweet. They still want you to pre-order their games though, and are offering massive art books to gamers who do. It's like two pre-order bonuses in one! The Luminous Arc 2 soundtrack features the composers from Breath of Fire III and Kingdom Hearts, so watch for it.
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WorthPlaying writes: "Shortly after being revealed at the Anima Expo in Los Angeles, Atlus sent out an official press release announcing it is bringing Persona 4 to North America, scheduled for Dec. 9, 2008. Set two years after P3, you once again assume the role of a high school student investigating mysterious murders that happens once night falls. First trailer also released."
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Dale North says: "I'm here covering the Shin Megami Tensei panel at Anime Expo here in Los Angeles (more coverage on that later), but I wanted to drop in now and say that Persona 4 does have a US launch date now. I'm so happy!

After hearing the full history of the Shin Megami Tensei games (awesome, by the way), Atlus surprises us with the screen you're seeing above. Just in time for the holidays, P4 will hit shelves on December 9th, 2008. This will also include a bonus soundtrack CD!

I know some of you haven't finished Persona 3: FES yet, so you better hurry!

Are you ready for P4 yet?"
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411mania gives a rundown on this week's game releases. Highlights include Phantasy Star Portable, The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match, and Sukashishipanman DS: Shokotak Koto Nakagawa Shouko Produce!

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Phantasy Star Portable (PSP)
With Phantasy Star Portable, Sega basically took Phantasy Star Universe, fixed a lot of the problems people had with it, tweaked it to be more single-player friendly, and added more story elements. Some of those who hated PSU are actually saying that they like this version of the game. I find that hard to believe, but it's possible. If anything, this will at least give us something to do while waiting for Phantasy Star Zero.

Here is what you can expect from PSP:

- New story missions that take place between the original Phantasy Star Universe and Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus
In Phantasy Star Portable you will team up with a Cast named Vivienne as she investigates recent terrorist attacks on the colony as well as animal outbreaks on the surface of some of the planets. Space adventure and mayhem follow. I thought that PSU's story was ok; it wasn't groundbreaking or very memorable but it was still decent. So, if Sega was able to craft a story that is at least on par with the first game's, these missions could be worth plaything through at least once.

- Local as well as online play (with the help of a PS3 or your PC)
As expected, you can play with three other friends locally using the PSP's ad hoc mode. Those wishing to play over the Internet have two options - one that requires a PS3 and another that requires a computer. To use your PS3 you have to download the Ad-Hoc Party application from the Japanese PSN store and do a little tinkering. You can find instructions on how to do this at the PSO-World forums here. If you want to use your PC there's XLink Kai. Note that these two options work for the Japanese and English dem...
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On July 31, gamers based in Japan will be getting Phantasy Star Portable for Sony's PSP. Now any fan of the game knows that waiting for approximately one month can be hell. Thankfully, gamers in the aforementioned region won't have to wait that long.

Apparently, Sega has announced plans of releasing a demo for the game on July 14. According to the reports, the demo will probably be available via the Japan PSP Browser page and will allow players to try out both Story (single player)and Multi Mode (co-op with up to four players) .

So it looks like we're going to have to wait for around two weeks before we can try out the demo. while waiting, why don't you check out some screenshots courtesy of Gpara, by following the full story link.
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Dec 5, 2007 The latest issue of Japanese Famitsu magazine reveals Phantasy Star Portable for the PSP. Excellent news we thought, then noticed that it's just a port of PS2 and 360 Phantasy Star Universe... without the good stuff. Phantasy Star Portable (to avoid confusion we won't refer to it as 'PSP') is based on the PS2 and 360 - which was only cool because of the online multiplayer - with the addition of new missions and story points. Unfortunately the online mode has been reduced to ...
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Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus on the Xbox 360 is an expansion to the epic sci-fi action role-playing game, Phantasy Star Universe, and will be available for download via Xbox Live exclusively on November 20, 2007 for 1600 Microsoft Points.

The PC and PS2 versions of Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus are stand alone releases. The PC and PS2 versions will be available across Europe on the 11th of January, 2008 for £19.99 or €29.99.

Whether tackling quests online with a party of up to six adventurers, or fighting through the next chapters of the exciting online story missions from the original game, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus enables gamers to experience the wonders of the Gurhal System through the eyes of a personalised avatar. The expansion pack allows gamers to experience an even richer and more varied Phantasy Star experience. Players will explore exciting new levels, such as the Ruins of Old Rozenom City and the subterranean Granigs Mines, where they will encounter new and more powerful enemy types and bosses, and master additional versatile class types.
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