In the small town of Inaba, nestled in the Japanese countryside, a young man settles in with his uncle and cousin. Sudden circumstances have forced the arrangement, but it is for the most part an agreeable place to live, if a little boring. Everything changes when a shocking and mysterious killing leaves a town aghast and searching for answers. As all signs point to involvement of a twisted serial murderer, a young hero and his friends will discover hidden powers and use them to save innocents from certain death. Together, they must find the trail of the unknown attacker… before they strike again!

Atlus says Persona 4's story is driven by "exceptionally well-written and voiced characters" (quite a pat on the back, innit?), and with that reveal the protagonists of the game, including...the Protagonist. Shockin'. Read on:

PROTAGONIST

The main character of Persona 4. He recently moved to the countryside to live with his uncle and cousin. After awakening to his potential as a Persona user, he opens the door to a mysterious world.

CHIE SATONAKA

A classmate of the Protagonist’s who was born and raised in Inaba. She is a cheerful, energetic girl, but what dark burden does she bear within herself? And what could her talents as a Persona-user be?

YOSUKE HANAMURA

The Protagonist’s classmate at Yasogami High School. He has an amicable personality and is adept at reading social situations. He, too, awakens as a Persona user, but what triggers his awakening?

YUKIKO AMAGA

Yukiko’s days are occupied with helping her family run the historic Amagi Inn. She joins the group of Persona users, but how is she involved in the murder case?

TEDDIE

A mysterious creature that the Protagonist and his friends encounter inside the TV. It seems to have some power in the other world, but is it friend or foe?

Persona 4 differs from the previous series titles in many ways and is described as "a suspenseful countryside murder mystery". It is scheduled for release December 9.