Special Screenings is a feature introduced in Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth.
Appearances
Details
Special Screenings are similar to a fusion between Strolls and Requests from Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth. In order to unlock this feature, the party must meet Yosukesaurus. After helping him fend off a few Shadows, Futaba Sakura will notify the party that Elizabeth was huddling the ticket machine as it was glowing. The party will be automatically leave Junessic Land and Elizabeth will begin to manage the service.
Each Special Screening indicates one to three "cast" characters. Should any of those characters be in the party for that Screening, they will be Motivated, increasing their Sub-Person's bonus HP and SP, and raising their experience gain. This encourages experimentation with different party combinations. Some Special Screenings will also mandate participation of the indicated cast.
Although there are a few exceptions, each labyrinth will contain triggers for Screenings for the previous labyrinth. Junessic Land contains Screenings in Kamoshidaman, A.I.G.I.S contains Screenings in Junessic Land, the fourth labyrinth contains Screenings in A.I.G.I.S, while the Theater District will contain Screenings in Hikari. No Screenings will take place in the Theater District itself.
Special Screenings will commonly alter the labyrinth's environment to suit the setting. Any areas of the labyrinth that are out-of-bounds will be indicated in red; blockages may be added and shortcuts or doors may be sealed off to force the player into detours. FOEs and Treasure Spots may also be placed where they normally aren't. The player is also given a set of icons for express use in a Special Screening which will not appear during normal labyrinth expeditions.
Each Special Screening will also hold at least one treasure chest that contains a rare item that is either only available much later in the game or cannot be found anywhere else. In Screenings where there are multiple bonus chests, only one will contain the rare item, while all the other chests will contain varying amounts of money. The chests are only available for the duration of the Screening, and will become inaccessible once the Screening is completed.
Special Screenings are highly beneficial for one's progress in the game, as their experience rewards are issued to all of the playable cast at once so that even unused characters will not fall too far behind. They also offer unique rewards, ranging from unlocking Unison Attacks, shop item recipes, and even special fusions.
For every ten Special Screenings completed, Elizabeth will issue a unique Special Screening that mandates the participation of one of the protagonists and involves hunting a strong Shadow at the final floor of one of the labyrinths. Completing this fight yields a Sooty Film, which in turn unlocks a fight with one of the Velvet Room attendants. Defeating each attendant increases the Persona stock and awards a key item that improves the rewards of an All-Out Attack's Finish Bonus. After defeating Elizabeth herself in the final Sooty Film request, the four protagonists' Personas will upgrade into ultimate Personas. The rest of the party will also do so when they reach level 55; if they already are, then the upgrade takes place on the next level-up.
Clearing all Special Screenings will unlock the Velvet Rangers fight where the party must face four waves of Attendants. At first only Caroline and Justine will be present, but after defeating them they will be accompanied by Margaret, Theodore and Elizabeth respectively, in-order. Defeating them for the first time will reward the party with the Omnipotent Orb and subsequent victories will yield a Soma.
Being defeated by a Velvet Attendant in a Sooty Film Screening or being defeated by the Velvet Rangers will not merit a Game Over, allowing any number of attempts to challenge them without fear of losing progress.
List of Special Screenings
- Main article: List of Persona Q2 Special Screenings