Sizzling with color and brimming with attitude, Persona 4 Arena burst onto the fighting game scene with an intriguing history hissing behind it. Created from the 2D fighter masterminds at ARC System Works in conjunction with the Persona team at Atlus, Persona 4 Arena tells a story. And it tells this story with lightning-fast combat soaking every match between the chatter. Yet somehow it’s more approachable than you'd think.

Persona 4 Arena continues the story of Persona 4 with a proper canonical sequel, providing insight into the already fascinating cast that dots the sleepy-yet-homicidal town of Inaba. But this isn't just an RPG with troubled students and ravenous shadows. This is a fantastic example of 2D fighting with an impressive online suite.

Persona 4 Arena might have drawn curious onlookers thanks to its bombastic personality, but its rich, newcomer-friendly combat earned it a place among 2012's best.

Developer: Atlus Publisher: Atlus