History VideoGame / PersonaQShadowOfTheLabyrinth

* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler: Rei]] or rather [[spoiler:Niko]] turns out to be [[spoiler:the spirit of a deceased girl who is basically living in her own personal purgatory due to Zen/Chronos' ill-thought-out attempt to cheer her up]].

** Right before fighting the Queen of Hearts she says she won't give up her treasure, not even if her "king" demands it. Naoto only ponders what she means by that for a second and there's no explanation post-boss fight. When you get to the beginning of the final arc and learn that Zen [[spoiler: is an avatar for the god of time that created the labyrinths and guardians with the intention of eternally locking away Rei's memories of her life and death (as well as his own memories about his identity) to protect her from existential sorrow]], it becomes very clear who the Queen was referring to. It takes a while to link these together as the Queen of Hearts is the only entity to make direct reference to the labyrinth mastermind.

*** Rei's dialgoue during her wedding route at the end of the Group Date Cafe. She's notably excited when observing the fake wedding photo (compared to other characters who normally act with embarrassment or confusion), which makes more sense once you know the dungeon represents [[spoiler: Rei's desire for romance before her death]]. She also states that she wishes "she could've worn a dress like this" - in PAST tense. Considering Rei is unaware [[spoiler: she is dead]], it's almost like her subconscious ominously knows. Rei then immediately goes on to blurt out information about bridal-style poses and princes and princesses in children's stories (the first food-unrelated topic she seems knowledgeable of), which links to both her [[spoiler:desire for a Prince Charming and Labyrinth 1's representation of her memories reading story books]]. Shortly after she questions the protagonist about whether Prince Charmings really exist and if she'll be able to be a princess someday.

''Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth'' is a UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS SpinOff of, interestingly, two franchises: Creator/{{Atlus}}' ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' and ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey'' games. The story is written by members of the ''Team Persona'' development group, and features a CrossOver between the casts of ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}''. But other aspects, such as gameplay and visual design, are taken [[DolledUpInstallment directly from]] ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey''. In fact, most of the production staff is from the ''Etrian Odyssey'' team, including character artist Yuji Himukai.

* GirlsAreReallyScaredOfHorrorMovies: Yukari, Chie, Rei and even Mitsuru are all terrified of the third labyrinth, and Naoto also admits to being scared despite not outwardly showing it. Subverted with Yukiko, [[NightmareFetishist who finds the whole thing fun and, in some cases, hilarious.]] Downplayed in that most of the guys are scared too. (Aigis says Shinjiro and Kanji are the only two who don't have accelerated heart rates there.)

** To Rei's status [[as a spirit, and the turmoil that led to and came from it]]:
*** Right in the opening, we get a SurpriseCreepy moment of what seems to be a girl holding clumps of her hair with blood on her hands and TearsOfBlood. A little into the game and the only character this figure could be representing is Rei; [[spoiler:Rei lost bits of her hair in life when fighting her disease, and the first thing she did after pouring her heart out to Chronos was to try and gouge her own eyes out.]]

** The opening song "Maze of Life" hints at [[spoiler:the labyrinths being a metaphor for Rei's life and death]].
** If you look carefully enough, it's pretty much all over the place; in conversations between characters, the labyrinths themselves, the songs, etc.

* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: Naoto, and ''only'' Naoto refers to FOE as "enemy FOE", as though there are some who would rather be your buddy. Also counts as BreadEggsBreadedEggs for veteran ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey'' players, where the [[FunWithAcronyms FOE acronym]] had a different meaning, and in the original Japanese release was simply [[{{Engrish}} "Field-On Enemy"]]. It's also a case of WrongGenreSavvy, as passive [=FOEs=] that will never chase you exist in the ''Etrian Odyssey'' series. There's even one type that runs ''away'' from you.

** Parodied in one skit. In the third stratum of ''P4'' route, ''P3'' hero remarks the dungeon is especially obstructive, he might have to use his right eye. Yosuke latches at the idea said right eye is some kind of MagicEye, only to be told that the dungeon is so dark and his PeekABangs only makes things harder.

* BonusBoss: In the first playthrough, there are multiple battles against Elizabeth and one battle against Margaret ([[spoiler:which unlocks everyone's Ultimate Personas]]). In NewGamePlus, there is [[spoiler:a battle against Elizabeth, Margaret ''and'' Theodore at the same time and one where you fight against Elizabeth who is possessed by Zeus.]]

** The Omnipotent Orb returns as a reward for defeating [[spoiler:The Reaper]], in a quest that's only unlocked after beating the game. It makes the holder immune to everything except Almighty... of course, all the [[BonusBoss Bonus Bosses]] frequently use Almighty attacks, and equipping it during [[spoiler:the final Velvet Siblings]] fight will, like in all previous games, result in them insta-killing you. Meaning the Orb is only really useful against regular enemies, which should pose no threat at this point.

* ButThouMust: No, you cannot prevent [[spoiler:the Diarahan Zeus uses in his BonusBoss fight even when dealing massive damage to his last digit]] to skip his more powerful form [[spoiler:unless you Magic Bind him, he tries to use Diarahan but can't, and removes the invincibility flag himself to get pummeled down with ScratchDamage]].

** The Omnipotent Orb is an accessory that nulls all attacks completely, excluding almighty ones. It becomes a BraggingRightsReward, albeit only if you didn't defeat [[spoiler:a Zeus-possessed Elizabeth]] beforehand, or if you're generally playing the game on Risky. It's useful for power-leveling your party too. [[spoiler:However, if you have it equipped during the BonusBoss fight against all three Velvet Room siblings, they'll bypass its powers]].

** The BonusBoss [[spoiler:Zeus]] is a huge nod to the ''Etrian Odyssey'' side of the game. He was designed by ''EQ'' artist, Yuji Himukai and was given a unique boss theme by ''EQ'' composer, Yuzo Koshiro. Finally, after being defeated, he invites the cast to go to a world under Yggdrasil of combat and ''odyssey''; all of which describing the ''EQ' series in general.

* DreamTeam: You can make a team of five composed of playable characters from both ''P3'' and ''P4''.

* CartographySidequest: Each floor save for the last one of each labyrinth has a chest that opens only when you cover every tile on that floor. You have to physically step on every tile, besides ones inhabited by stationary FOEs (which you won't be strong enough to defeat the first time you come across).

--->'''Kanji:''' H-He fits in my hand... *''picks up Teddie''* Aaaaagh! Oh, I'm gonna die of sugar shock!
--->'''Teddie:''' Noooooo! Please don't toy with meeee!

-->'''Aigis''': He says that you are a wonderful person, Teddie. He has a newfound respect for you.
-->'''Teddie''': R-Really!? How much!?
-->'''Aigis''': If we say that he started out with zero respect for you, now it is at a three.
-->'''Teddie''': H-How much of an improvement is that?

%%* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler: Rei]] or rather [[spoiler:Niko]].

* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment:
** Naoto, and ''only'' Naoto refers to FOE as "enemy FOE", as though there are some who would rather be your buddy.
** Also counts as BreadEggsBreadedEggs for veteran Videogame/EtrianOdyssey players, where the [[FunWithAcronyms FOE acronym]] had a different meaning, and in the original Japanese release was simply [[{{Engrish}} "Field-On Enemy"]].
*** It's also a case of WrongGenreSavvy, as passive [=FOEs=] that will never chase you exist in the ''Etrian Odyssey'' series. There's even one type that runs ''away'' from you.
* DevelopersForesight: The Group Date Café's dialogue options are all filled with questions that determine who your "Destined Partner" are based on the choices. Thus, picking different choices each time you do it will result in different characters being your "Destined Partner". This includes males, and even [[TeamPet Koromaru]]. For example, the first question asks if sexes matter, at which point you can say Yes or No. Saying Yes shuts down all male options while No allows guys to be picked. The developers even had the idea to allow you to do it again in case you didn't get the characters you wanted.

** The fourth dungeon "Inaba Pride Festival" require you to light torches to proceed. Considering the time of the day festivals tend to take place (the floors are called "nights"), you could say that you must [[BattleThemeMusic "light the fire up in the night"]] to clear the last dungeon.

A sequel named ''VideoGame/PersonaQ2NewCinemaLabyrinth'' was announced for November 2018, featuring the [[VideoGame/{{Persona5}} Phantom Thieves of Hearts]] teaming up with SEES (now including the female protagonist from ''Persona 3 Portable'') and the Investigation Team.

-->'''Mitsuru:''' All right, time for your [[FateWorseThanDeath execution]]. [[SadisticChoice Now which would you rather be]]: [[ForcedTransformation a welcome mat]] [[HarmlessFreezing or an ice sculpture?]]