Here is my critique on your review.
One of the main problems I see with this review is that it doesn't really capture what Persona is about. There is effort put into the review, obviously, but it falls short of being something of value to an interested reader, and at some points is actually misleading in regards to the game elements. As I understand it, this review is made for a mainstream gaming perspective, so it tries not to go too much into the details....but casual friendly should not mean casually written.
For one, several details of the game are just wrong, or not very accurate.
There is no actual "time limit", rather, the game works on a calendar system. Each day is split into day and night phases, with your character being allowed to roam freely and choose one "action". You basically have the option to grow one specific statistic each phase. You can level S-Link (your personal connection to other characters), level your character stats such as "courage" and "diligence" by working, reading, or even by eating super spicy noodles. S-Links also have some possibilities to raise character personality stats, and some S-Links aren't available without high-enough personality. You can't hang out with the scary old lady without enough courage.
Additionally, you can walk around and do quests freely, which do not use up the day or night phase, though some require going to the dungeon which will take up the phase. There are also some little bonuses you may discover while playing that help level up stats faster. Stats grow differently depending on day and time, and sometimes even through luck. S-Links can grow faster if you interact more appropriately with the friend, with rating based on how many chimes appear over their head.
Another problem is that dunegeons are not actually completely random, but rather are mixed with random and design. There are at the very least, 2 floors in each dungeon which are not randomized, but created as a puzzle or maze. Playing through a dungeon a second time reveals a different boss, different rewards, a unique boss item, and a series of additional quests perfect for explorers and completionists. However, it's true the dungeons can be a bit repetitive. But it also should be mentioned (which it wasn't in the review) that you can buy items that allow you to run through the dungeons quickly.
And at last, the review just doesn't seem to encapsulate what the persona game is about. While it extolls the mechanics, it really lacks any description of the game. Persona 4 is a story-driven game rooted in the over-arcing murder mystery happening in Inaba, and compounded with inter-personal relationship stories of the characters. Persona would most clearly be described as a psuedo dating-sim mixed with jrpg elements. While the crust of the game really focuses on finishing the story and besting its dungeons, your ability to progress quickly is interesting as it really depends on who YOU, as a player, are. Because each character has their own personality, and their own unique interactions, your own personality will sync up with some characters better than others. You'll share mutual understanding with some, and shake your head at others...This really makes persona such a brilliant concept.
