The grand holdover from RPGs of the past - random encounters - is in full swing while exploring the game's labyrinthine environments. Like current games in the series, you aren't forced to fight in every battle. During fights, you can contact demons, hopefully recruiting them to your side. All demons have traits and mood. Performing actions will appease these traits, raising their affinity towards you. Sometimes this is as easy as bullying or joking with the demon, though there are times where you may need to offer it a gift from your inventory (like health potions) to seal the deal. If you can make the demon happy, it will leave and drop an item. However, your ultimate goal is to make it eager, causing it to join your crew.
Story-wise, Persona is every bit as mysterious and "otherworldly" as other games in the series. It all begins with a group of students playing a "Bloody Mary"-like game (you know... where you perform stupid actions attempting to summon a spirit) in the school's basement. The game doesn't work - or at least it seems like it doesn't work - and the students go about their day. Soon after, you pass out and wake up in the infirmary thinking of your friend Maki, who has spent most of her life in-and-out of the hospital. After your visit, demonic forces consume the hospital, trapping you inside. The attack also awakens your personal demon, a persona, giving you a fighting chance of getting out.
