Most RPG players have probably played through at least one tower dungeon in their lives. However, none of the towers are as unpredictable as Tartarus in Persona 3.

As a tower, Persona 3 packs in some of the strangest floors of royal architecture, purple underground caves and futuristic alien technology.

Tartarus was named after the world below the underworld in Greek mythology. Technically, the underworld actually was based on an actual section in the vicinity of Greece. However, in Persona 3 it literally takes a life of its own. As a demonic tower, each floor layout always changes upon each visit.

Of course, it really is just a simple dungeon, where each floor is randomly generated by the PS2 system. Yet, the tower is divided in "blocks" of 10 or more floors, each block displaying a different background. It begins as a monochrome dungeon with checkered tiles. As players ascend the tower, each design looks more bizarre and unique than the previous floor.

One of the most radical changes takes place when people reach the fifth block, known as Harabah. Up to this point, the tower took the shape of craggy cave walls and typical palace arrangements. However, Harabah completely changes the decor to a bizarre, futuristic spaceship design. This time, the floor is glowing with colorful patterns of LED lights. Some patterns spread out into a circle. Other designs flow around the floor like a river stream.

At this point, the party members realize that this is a strange, demonic universe like no other. If that wasn't enough, the tower extends farther up a transparent staircase into a blue, arctic cave. The sheer unpredictable nature of Tartarus defies everyone's expectations of what a single dungeon should look like.

Sure, Final Fantasy 4 may have shown a similar backdrop of strange mysticism when the characters soared up to the moon. However, even Final Fantasy 4 wasn't able to change into a flashy LED background in the dark glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.

If that wasn't weird enough, Tartarus only shows up at night, during a period known as the Dark Hour. During the day, it appears as the peaceful Gekkoukan High School. At night, it transforms into a decor that looks more like a clock tower.

On top of the tower, the god of the underworld seeks to obliterate the entire world. I literally cannot spoil all the details of the ending, but the strange mysticism almost progresses to a frightening point beyond disbelief. Let's just say that part of the ending actually involves the moon. It's an apocalyptic end that is even more unbelievably astounding than the final battle in Final Fantasy 4, which also ironically takes place inside the moon.

Honestly, I wasn't surprised that the main character had to take a long rest after the entire ascent of Tartarus. It is one of those strange dungeons where the size and longevity of the dungeon actually amplifies the otherworldly atmosphere of Persona 3.

To make matters worse, the surviving characters didn't even escape from all the unbearably long dungeons after Tartarus. In Persona 3 FES, a desolate desert appears in their basement, known as the Desert of Doors. Now they have to proceed through an even deadlier series of dungeons, filled with only brief flashbacks of happier times in their lives.

Honestly, the environment of Persona 3 is pretty much a horrific hell in itself. It is an almost never-ending journey through bizarre dungeons filled with dangerous shadows. Their journey is an agonizing struggle for survival against all odds. Hey, at least the background decor was diverse enough to make it worth everyone's time and effort.

What do you think of Tartarus? Is it a creative backdrop that fits the the dark tale of Persona 3 perfectly? Or is it a long, exhausting dungeon crawler that focuses too much on grinding? Write your thoughts in the comments below.