Atlus today revealed some initial details regarding Persona 4 for PlayStation 2. The development team is aiming to create an RPG and a suspense drama at the same time. The game will be a completely new game with a new story and setting. Compared to 2006's Persona 3, the newest series installment will feature more possible endings and a size 1.5 times larger than its prequel. This should translate to 60 or 70 hours of play time. Changing weather has also been added. Weather effects will play an important role in the game, as murders for instance will happen during foggy weather. Players will be able to summon more than 180 different Persona. The game's protagonist is a second year high school student living in a provincial city. His parents are working abroad, hence he is living with relatives of his mother. Two of the protagonist's classmates are Yousuke Hanamura and Chie Satonaka. The former is quite a show-off, but still has very few friends whom he can talk to frankly. The latter is a lively and sociable young lady who loves to chat.

Persona 4 will be available in Japan on July 10th for 6,980 yen ($71.77 USD).

• Syobo Online