You know him, you love him, and even if you think you don’t â€?you do. Prolific doesn’t even begin to describe?? Yuri Lowenthal’s voice acting career, as the actor has over 800 credits to his name across movies, TV shows, and video games.

When Lowenthal is not voicing major superheroes and lovable main characters, he’s tackling all sorts of background characters in smaller franchises you may have heard of, like Mortal Kombat, Fallout, Mass Effect, and Final Fantasy. Most recently, he even confirmed his involvement in Helldivers 2, a perf??ormance, "heavily inspi?red by Starship Troopers."

I could write a novel-length piece about Lowenthal’s ridiculous career, but this little overview in??to just a smattering of his best roles will h??ave to do.

Ice-Man/Bobby Drake (X-Men)

It’s hard to really make an impact in the X-Men franchise. There are so many characters with so much history that most fans already have their favorites picked out. Despite that, Lowenthal definitely managed to move the needle when he portrayed Bobby Drake, and he made Ice-Man into a top-tier character for a generation of X-Man fans, myself included.

He voiced Ice-Man in Wolverine and the X-Men back in 2008 and again in 2014’s Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers. The Wolverine series is the only one that’s really worth watching, but Lowenthal is a joy in? both shows.

Tobias Nebbins (Catherine)

This is the first character I think of when I think of Yuri Lowenthal, but admittedly I’m a bit of an oddball. Toby was a supporting character in Atlus' 2011 Catherine, and his cringe-worthy, but somehow charming, obsession with finding love has stuck with me ever since. Toby is a great example of how Lowenthal evokes? pathos, even in his comic relief performances.

More importantly, he’s emblematic of all the other work Lowenthal has done with Atlus, including multiple Shin Megami Tensei and Persona projects. In Persona 4 (and P4: Golden), Lowenthal plays Yosuke Hanamura, a core member of the investigation team. He played the lead character Makoto Yuki in Persona 3: Dancing in the Moonlight, and he recently had a small role as Eiichiro Takeba, the scientist who created Aigis, in Persona 3 Reload.

Ben Tennyson (Ben 10: Alien Force)

If you were a Cartoon Network kid like me, then you know exactly who Ben Tennyson is. In Ben 10: Alien Force, the conveniently named kid got access to an alien armband that allowed him to transform into different creatures. Naturally, he needed to ?take on a new alien form every week to deal with another extraterrestrial and existential threat to the planet. L??owenthal voiced the character through multiple shows and video game tie-ins, and his performance elevated Ben from a goofy cartoon character to a bona fide sci-fi hero. 

Frodo (Lord of the Rings)

Elijah Wood is inarguably our live-action Frodo, but for over a decade, Lowenthal has been the iconic Hobbit’s video game counterpart. Lowenthal first tackled the character in 2009’s The Lord of the Rings: Conquest on PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 36?0,? and �bizarrely �Nintendo DS.

Since then he’s played the character five more times in various video games, but it’s been a while since we’ve gotten to see him sink back into the role. His last outing as Mr. Baggins was in Lego Dimensions all the way back in 2015. Lowenthal’s take on the character is the only one that comes close to Wood’s portrayal, so hopefully, we’ll see him ??back in the role someday.

He-Man

Even when Lowenthal is playing heroes, he seems to gravitate toward characters who rely on brains over brawn. Whether it's Peter Parker or Donatello, Lowenthal doesn't often end up being the voice behind muscle-bound warriors like He-Man. But in Netflix's Master of the Universe, Lowenthal stepped into the shoes of the mightiest?? hero around and nailed it. There’s a definite throughline from Lowenthal’s previous roles to He-Man, but if you aren’t already a believer (and really you should be), then this show will prove to you that Lowenthal doesn’t just play one-note heroes. 

Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)

For a long time, it was easy to say that Sasuke Uchiha was Lowenthal’s most iconic character. Now there’s a certain web slinger who’s vying for that title, but for a generation of anime fans, Sasuke is still the man. Lowenthal started voicing Sasuke when Naruto started airing in 2007, and since then he’s stepped into the vocal booth countless times to pick the char?acter back up.

More than any other character, Sasuke has given Lowenthal the chance to act his way through an entire heroic journey, complete with epic failures and inspiring redemption arcs. I’m not going anywhere near the subs v dubs debate, but Lowenthal’s talent alone is a compelling reason to experience Naruto in English. 

Spider-Man/Peter Parker

Everyone knows that Lowenthal voiced Peter Parker in the PlayStation Spider-Man games, but that franchise wasn’t his first outing as the wall crawler. Lowenthal actually first voiced Spider-Man in two different 2008 video games: ZEN Pinball and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows.

Since then, he's voiced the character more than a dozen t?imes in various animated shows and video games. In ??my opinion, Lowenthal is one of the best Peter Parkers that we’ve ever gotten. He’s got the comedic timing that makes the webhead so entertaining, but he also really understands the more tragic aspects of the character. In his performance as Peter, Lowenthal really captures the melancholy optimism that has been a part of the character’s comic book persona for decades. 

The post Yuri Lowenthal’s best roles, from Helldivers 2 to Naruto’s iconic Sasuke Uchiha appeared first on Destructoid.

Persona 4 has a treasured soundtrack with many great tunes that'll get you pumped for battle or grinning from ear to ear as you hear the Junes Theme playing. It also helps establish the season as the school year passes, like "Snowflakes," which plays during the final months of the game. While you're in battle, on the other hand, the rocking beat of "Reach Out To The Truth" keeps you focused on every attack. I am thou, thou art I, here are the best Persona 4 songs, ranked!

Note: This list includes Persona 4 and Persona 4 Golden tracks, no spin-off titles.

10. "Specialist"

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There are very few shopping video game themes that are cooler than this. This piece has a pleasant, chill melody highlighted by a jazzy piano and an awesome percussion beat tha??t will put on a smile on your face. You can't help yourself while you bob your head up and down to the rhythm.

9. "Reverie"

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Honestly, there's not much to say about this piece. "Reverie" plays when Yu and the gang reflect on what just happened. The piano plays a beautiful tune while whirring instrumentals that float above the piece give a melancholy vibe. It's a striking song that perfectly reflects the situation the team is in whenev??er it plays.

8. "Never More"

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This ending credits song is a wonderful track that establishes the strong bonds between Yu and the friends he's made along the way. The vocals are lovely as Shihoko Hirata sings about the memories the investigation team has made over the past year. The piano in the track also gives a neat reference to "A Corner of Memories" from the beginning of the game. As Persona 4 is such a long game, it actually feels nostalgic in a sense as you've known t??hese chara??cters for weeks, maybe months.

7. "Your Affection"

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Rolling through Inaba, it was always a delight to listen to "Your A?ffection." It's a happy-go-lucky song as it encourages you to turn "your misery into meaningfulness" and take "pride from fear." This song is the levity we need after going through all the dungeons during the Midnight hour. During sunny days, it matches perfectly with the colorful visuals of this lovely small town.

6. "The Almighty"

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This song is steeped with so much drama. The strings and heavy bass at the beginning illustrate a great tension, and then the gripping main?? melody from the guitar seeps in. About a minute in, the percussion goes faster, adding stakes to the boss battle. You then get a soothing, echoed piano and guitar taking over the piece, likely showcasing who you're fighting for, like Nanako and all the residents of Inaba. Later on, the main guitar and the soothing section collide in an epic clash that somehow works together. It's a unique take on a boss battle theme as it switches between the two styles constantly; it's like a tug of war about who's winning the fight.

5. "Signs of Love"

//open.spotify.com/track/32NyN0Tby1YpKObfd8nrzN?si=3554fce9e1514d??fc

"Signs of Love" has everything I love about the Persona 4 soundtrack: a funky beat, charming lyrics, and some entertaining jazzy overtones that keep the track riveting. There are also strings i??n the background that reflect the slight tension that befalls the teenage protagonist. It's a great track that I'm happy to listen to over and over again as each in-game day passes.

4. "Reach Out To The Truth"

//open.spotify.com/track/7JR73H8enwnGiYFS2I6eWW?si=183dea8?a012f4691

"Reach Out To The Truth" is a fantastic battle theme. The rocking guitar gives tasty jams, while the jazzy keyboard provides more character to the piece. The drums also keep up the intensity while the Hirata nails her performance. It does get more repetitive than the other battle themes on the list, but it's still an exciting piece for many Persona 4 players.

3. "Snowflakes"

//open.spotify.com/track/3Ybug0??8EbRV4RZfcw8WZMk?si=7f97b3f31c7e4ce9

Persona 4 Golden adds a beautiful track called "Snowflakes" that establishes the journey is almost over. It's a sad, yet calming track that fits into the winter season. It talks about the "friendship that is built to last" and the "laughter from this treasured place" that will stay in each character's memories. Similar to "Never More," it gives us a nostalgic feeling, reflecting on the past year, similar to thinking back on the past year during New Yea?r's Eve. The tune from the piano, vocals, and beats are also stunning to listen to.

2. "Time to Make History"

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Goodness, I love this song! The bass absolutely slaps as the delightful vocals get us hyped to "step on up to the plate" and "time to make history." It's an absolute jam.  It's fun how all of the instruments ramp up together during the chorus, and the drums once again make their presence known in the best way. When I played Persona 4 Golden, I was always more excited to hear this number over "R??each Out To The Truth."

1. "I’ll Face Myself (Reincarnation)"

//open.sp??otify.com/track/1PraA0??CrjHLo16lwUw6NSq?si=814328a804dd47bd

Drama. Intensity. High stakes. This is what "I'll Face Myself (Reincarnation)" brings to Persona 4. You have a slow unassuming beginning that ramps up quickly to an intense battle theme. The emotional strings play well with the intense drums. The flow also keeps changing, giving you unexpected twists and turns in this epic boss battle music. Composer Shoji Meguro wasn't afraid to include slower pieces to this boss battle theme, adding an emotional element to the track. He went all out with the ebb and flow of this piece. It's remarkable and is one of the best Persona 4 songs, absolutely.

The post Best Persona 4 songs, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

There definitely are no other Persona games

Atlus has announced that they’re offering a discount on every one of the mainline Persona games on every new platform they’re?? available on. Except for Switch.

In a celebration of the entire series�success, Atlus has released an accolades trailer to highlight the newest ports of Persona 3: Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal. Hm. They seem to have overlooked including a quote from our esteemed publication. Hold on; I’ll find one. Here we go:

“We exist in the darkest timeline where g??ood things don’t happen.�?- Destructoid

//youtu.be/ZNTl9FhykBw

As for the sale, here are the details provided:

• PlayStation Essential Picks Sale - March 15 to March 29
  • Persona 3 Portable - 20% off
  • Persona 4 Golden - 20% off
  • Persona 5 Royal - 30% off
• Xbox Publisher Spotlight Series - March 14 to March 27
  • Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden bundle - 25% off
  • Persona 5 Royal - 30% off
• Steam Spring Sale - March 16 to March 23
  • Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden bundle - 5% off
  • Persona 3 Portable - 20% off
  • Persona 4 Golden - 20% off
  • Persona 5 Royal - 35% off

Heaping heaps of sarcasm aside, the Persona series is terrific. If you haven’t tried one yet, now’s a decent time to give them a try. If you’re wondering where to start, Persona 4 Golden is my top pick. Should you decide you want all three, just a word of warning: they are massive time commitments. 80+ hours for each game at the minimum. They’re worth it, though, especially if you like your dating sims ?mashed together with RP??G dungeon crawling.

Persona 3: Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal are available on PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.

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The beloved RPG is officially greenlit

Another RPG got its green checkmark on Valve's portable PC today. Persona 4 Golden is now categorized as Verified on the Steam Deck.

The change is visible on Valve's storefront, as noticed by Wario64. Though previous reports had noted Persona 4 Golden was playable, the life-sim RPG is now fully Verified to work on Steam ?Deck through Valve??'s own metrics.

//twitter.com/Wario64/status/1521480225602736128

The distinction is an interesting one. Valve has been sl?owly, steadily working to verify games on Steam as either Deck compatible or incompatible. Its criteria ranges from functionality, like everything accessible with the default controller configuration, to showing Deck icons and legible text?. It also tests for whether the default graphics option performs well on the Steam Deck.

Essentially, the Verified program is Valve's way?? of letting prospective buyers know how a game will run on the Deck.

Getting the checkmark

If that sounds like a certification process, well, it'?s not all that dissimilar. The Deck isn't a PC after all, so some games might run into issues or need additional functionality.

The Verified process has also been steadily rolling on over the last few months. One month into the launch of Valve's Steam Deck, there were already 2,000 games verified as playable on the Deck. It's a pretty hefty number of games, though Steam is a pretty e??xpansive platform.

As more handhelds roll off the manufacturing line and into the hands of pre-order holders, it'll be good to know whether sought-after games like Persona 4 Golden run well on the Steam Deck.

And I mean, Persona 4 Golden is the kind of game you want to play on the Steam Deck. Valve's handheld PC might just rekindle that PlayStation Vita-era fire for handheld RPGs. As for the other Persona games, well, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax also just recently launched on Steam. As for the other Personas, you're on your own for now.

The post Persona 4 Golden is officially Steam Deck Ver??ified appeared first on Destructoid.

P4AU is still an excellent game, even if it could use some modern touch-ups

The nice thing about the new re-release Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is that it's just how you remember Persona 4 Arena in the first place. It is still the RPG-infused fighter that has the stellar cast of characters from Personas 3 and 4. It's still fast and fun, with a lot of depth and a good variety of playstyles. If ??any of that's your chief concern, then don't be too worried.

Where Persona 4 Arena Ultimax earns an asterisk on its recommendation is how it is, still, a game from 2013 and 2014. The re-release of Ultimax occasionally feels out-of-time in less-than-desirable ways, like? lacking explanation on certain mechanics and netcode that will eventually be rollback, but isn't at launch.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBbtdKZoqlA

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (PS4 [played], Switch, PC)
Developer: Arc System Works, Atlus
Publisher: Sega
Release: March 17, 2022
MSRP: $29.99

For those who never took the plunge in the first place, I'm mostly there with you. I played a handful of Persona 4 Arena matches in college, but most of my experience with these characters was with their guest appearances in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. It's exciting to finally play as the Persona crew in their own fighting ga??me, and in the systems made specifically?? for them.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a one-on-one fighting game, with the anime fighter aspects of air-dashing and potentially long combos. The big distinction is the Persona system; every fighter can strike with their own weapons or use their Persona, their spirit companion, to attack the enemy. Personas can do some pretty big attacks with some devastating effects, but they're limited both by the number of cards available an??d can be stuffed—hit by the opponent—to be?? temporarily taken out of the action.

With an SP meter and, for most characters, a number of individual meters to watch alongside the universal ones, this is a knowledge-heavy game. Playing Aigis means keeping an eye on my Persona usage, SP, number of bullets, and Orgia meter alongside my health. Others like Yukiko or Akihiko just have simple counters, but stil??l have a resource to consider and adapt to.

I don't think this required knowledge is a fault; I actually like that each character has their own sub-system that they make decisions around, and it's interesting seeing how those decisions interact with the actual fight on-screen. When I fight Junpei, I'm not just considering my own game plan, ??but his efforts to score runners on a miniature baseball game playing out on the bottom of the screen. I?t's fun and rewarding to master, and it really encourages newcomers to get familiar with one fighter at a time. Not a bad habit to reinforce.

What still feels lacking is lessons on how this all works. Some techniques, like Aigis' Orgia mode, get explained in special tutorials. Others, like Junpei's baseball? gameplay, get a little learn-by-playing m??oment in challenges, but not many laid-out explanations. I found out a few quirks and mechanics just from having a Wiki page open while practicing different characters, and that really seems like the way to learn this stuff.

I don't hold this against Persona 4 Arena Ultimax too much, as it's really just trying to bring forward a game from 2013 to modern systems. But if you're a newcomer used to the more in-depth tutorials and missions in games like Mortal Kombat 11 or Guilty Gear Strive, you might want to have a second monitor handy.

The absent modern convenience that's a little more annoying, and the actual concern for checking out Ultimax at launch, is the netcode. Atlus has said that rollback netcode is coming to Persona 4 Arena Ultimax not at launch, but later on down the line, targeting this summer.

When I was playing the pre-release version on PS5, with friends on wired connections, all on the same continent, we only had a few hiccups and stutters. But once wireless connections got introduced, lobbies grew, and distances widened, we started to notice a lot more hitching and errors. Considering netplay against friends is a big selling point for a re-release like Ultimax, it's worth knowing that it's not ??using rollback right out of the gate.

Even if it's a bit daunting at times for fresh players, I've been really enjoying my time with Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. Its style hasn't faded at all in the years since its first release. The sprite art really brings these characters to life, and I love seeing the updated versions of Persona 3 characters in particular.

Every fighter has their own approach, as well as a Shadow version to mess around with, so there's a lot of variety in the roster. And despite how intimidating so many meters and mechanics to notice might seem, actually playing a match of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is fast and? breezy in a good w?ay. Auto-combos can help with early building blocks into personalized mix-ups, and it only took a few matches with each character to get a feel for how they should handle.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax makes a solid case for why this deserved a re-release. And if you're a solo fighting game player or even just a Persona fan, there's a huge wealth of single-player content to dive into here. Ultimax has a ton of single-player op?tions, which is nice for? those who aren't looking to just try and climb the ladder.

Even more than that, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a strong argument for why a Persona 5 Arena would be absolutely phenomenal. Heck yes, I want to see Joker and the Phantom Thieves duke it out with the casts of previous Personas. It might be a dream right now, but let ??me have it, okay?

If you've been eager for an easier way to play Persona 4 Arena in the year 2022, the good news is that Ultimax delivers exactly that. Nitpicking of some of the external features aside, the gameplay is still good, and I haven't missed an opportunity yet to boot P4AU up and run a couple matches with others. It might sound a little odd to gleefully declare that Ultimax clears the bar of simply being Persona 4 Arena Ultimax on modern systems, but when it's a fighting game like this one, t??hat's a good bar to clear.

_{[These impressions are based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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