Persona 3 Reload, a remake of the classic 2006 RPG, is due to release on February 2. Between 2013 and 2016, AIC ASTA and A-1 Pictures released four animated films on Persona 3. The question is: are they worth watching before Reload's release?

For many, myself included, seeing your favorite franchises adapted into a new form is thrilling. So when I heard there were four full-length animated films based on Persona 3, I knew I had to watch them. It's too good to be true! Well, in a way, it kind of is.

Spoiler alert for Persona 3 and the films.

What are the Persona 3 movies?

Let's give a bit of context here. The Persona 3 films, under the banner Persona 3: The Movie, were mostly made by A-1 Pictures (with AIC ASTA doing #1). A-1 also tackled the animated scenes in Persona 4, so they've worked with Atlus in the past.

The films came out over four years, starting in 2013 and ending in 2016. They launched theatrically in Japan, and while they never made it to the West in terms of dubbing, you can buy them subtitled off Amazon Prime for around $5 each.

In honor of Persona 3: Reload's release, I decided to watch all four films and collect my findings here for you all to see. I'll talk about how the films adapt the source material and make it better, or in some cases worse.

For Better

As someone who played Persona 3 Portable, which had no animated cutscenes, the movies made up for that. Seeing the events of Persona 3 done justice through the great animation by AIC ASTA and A-1 Pictures is satisfying. The style is consistent with the original game and outmatched the animated cutscenes in-game, in my opinion. The fight scenes are also given a one-up, feeling just as snappy and rewarding.

The films also give Makoto Yuki, the once-silent protagonist, a full voice and lines. This helps speed things up story-wise and gives him more of a personality and arc. His character development throughout the four films is pretty good and goes deep into the themes of life and death. Furthermore, Yuki's humanization in Persona 3: The Movie #3. Falling Down with Ryoji creates some great moments of friendship the game never had, if I remember correctly.

From the start, you can tell the films were made by Persona 3 fans. Throughout the four films, you'll see cameos from Social Links like Akinari and Chihiro, as well as Makoto using fan-favorite Personas like Jack Frost and Thoth.

The S.E.E.S members also have their moments in the spotlight and translate well onto the screen. Junpei is still that lovable goofball, and Akihiko punches anything and everything near him. We even get an "I've been waiting for this", which is a must for any Persona 3 title.

For Worse

The story of Persona 3 is a long one. I mean, the game takes at least 88 hours to beat, and that's just sticking to the narrative. While the base story remains, small character moments and events are shaved to their bare bones or cut entirely. Even still, it hurts characters that didn't get much time in the original, like Shinji and Jin.

While what it adds is good, it doesn't elevate things as much as they could've. For example, the concept of Personas turning on their users is glanced over, being resolved the same way for both afflicted characters.

Another thing that felt off was the unchanged ending. I know some people didn't like the pacing of the ending and the events that transpire. And, while I was confused and surprised, it felt right. Persona 3: The Movie #4: Winter of Rebirth didn't change that, and it's a missed opportunity.

On that note, the pacing was quick and went too fast. This problem came up a lot, as events happen and end within minutes and get pushed to the side. The game had this issue, and to see that adapted doesn't suit the films well.

I do want to point out that each film has a different director. While the visions for them didn't change much from each version, it feels like there wasn't a lot of wiggle room to explore. For example, Persona 3: The Movie #1. Spring of Birth covered the beginning up to Fuuka's entrance, while Persona 3: The Movie #2. Midsummer Knight's Dream gave us the rest of the S.E.E.S squad and villains.

Each film was an hour and a half, give or take. I'm unsure if the plan was always four films, but deep down, I feel like adding a bit more time to each would help smooth the pacing and make them unique.

Consensus

The Persona 3 films are solid showings of the game's narrative. They stay true to the source material and add small yet welcoming changes. That said, condensing the story and translating its pacing problems to the screen hurt the films, especially the last two. As a fan of Persona 3 and its characters, it's great to see them as lively as they were in the game.

So, it begs the question: should you watch Persona 3: The Movie and its sequels before Persona 3 Reload? Personally, I would steer clear of them if Reload is your first. The game looks to correct some of the original's errors and the story flows much better with gameplay. If you're a returning Persona 3 player, the films would help refresh your memory of the story and characters. Plus, it gives some fun moments that fans will enjoy.

Overall, they act as mementos of the original. Whether they'll age well come Persona 3 Reload's release remains to be seen. 

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The Umbrella Academy meets Gekkoukan High. With Persona 3 Reload launching next week, Atlus West's YouTube released an out-of-the-blue live-action commercial with Aidan Gallagher.

Persona 3 Reload is an RPG/life sim where you take on the role of Makoto Yuki, a recent transfer to Gekkoukan High. He then becomes a member of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (S.E.E.S) and takes on the many levels of Tartarus during the elusive Dark Hour at midnight.

The almost minute-and-a-half-long trailer, titled "Seal Your Fate", features The Umbrella Academy actor casually taking a stroll through the halls of Gekkoukan High and Tartarus and, of course, monologuing about time. Aidan becomes an in-game character at some points, ending off with slaying a Shadow himself. It's a weird mix and a pretty odd presentation, but seeing it go mainstream is cool, to say the least.

School Days

To be honest, Aiden doesn't strike me as protagonist Makoto, but weirdly Tatsuya of Persona 2 fame. I'm not the only one who thinks so, as YouTube comments repeat the protagonist's name due to his long brown hair and demeanor. Maybe when they adapt Persona into a live-action film, Aidan will take on the role. Though, Atlus would need to acknowledge the original Personas to do that, so who knows?

As I mentioned before, the commercial is a bit weird. It's just Aiden walking in a straight line talking about life. I know that time is linear but maybe the ad shouldn't have been? Still, as a fan of the franchise, it's exciting to see it feel a bit more mainstream.

Celebrities in video game ads aren't new. Just recently, Succession star Brian Cox talked about complicated family lore for Tekken 8. Last year, The Office's Rainn Wilson did a spin on the classic sitcom for Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. While simplistic, I do like that Persona can join those ranks. Perhaps they'll do this again for other Atlus titles? Maybe Kit Harrington for Unicorn Overlord? Or Timothee Chalamet for Metaphor: ReFantazio? Too much?

Persona 3 Reload launches on February 2 to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass. If you're interested, check out our latest preview of the game.

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If there's one thing that makes Persona games special, it’s their ability to make typically banal moments in RPGs feel enthralling.

Back in August, I had the chance to demo Persona 3 Reload. During that session, I got to check out the game's dungeon crawling and one of the early boss fights, both of which impressed me. But one piece of Persona 3 Reload I didn’t get to test was its social systems, which is arguably what makes a modern Persona game... well, Persona. Turn-based combat is fun and all, but spending time with your virtual friends and eating ramen at night just ties the whole experience together.

Fortunately, this was the exact part of Persona 3 Reload I got to try out at another recent event held by Sega/Atlus. Loading a save file in what seemed to be the early-to-mid game, I had an hour to do basically whatever I wanted in Tatsumi Port Island. The experience was mostly what I expected, which I mean in the most enthusiastic way possible. But it's the stuff I didn't expect that really caught my attention.

Explore the space

Hanging out with the bros

Promote Theurgy

Feeling the time melt away

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Persona 3 Reload, a remake of 2006's Persona 3, just released its animated opening ahead of its February release. Not only does it look fantastic, but it pays homage to the game's original theme "Burn My Dread" in a pretty inventive way.

Mixing in the blue/white palette of the original, Persona 3 Reload’s opening movie gives us a taste of what to expect come February 2nd. The two-minute animation introduces us fully to the new song “Full Moon Full Life” sung by Azumi Takahashi and Lotus Juice. There are some subtle nods to the original 2006 phenomenon that long-time fans will adore.

A Way of Life

If you’re like me and watched the opening more times than Akihiko says “I’ve been waiting for this!” (spoiler alert: it’s a ton), you’ll pick up on an audio Easter egg. Sure, there's the not-so-subtle usage of “Burn My Dread” and “Want to be Close” when the protagonist is flipping through his songs. However, the reference is in “Full Moon Full Life” itself. The beat of the song has a striking resemblance to the beginning notes of “Burn My Dread”. It’s a cool homage to the original banger of an opening. 

Persona 3 Reload’s opening visuals look phenomenal. I was a bit scared of how it would translate given the abstract tone of the original openings. However, it worked great and crafted some beautiful shots. It might just be me, but seeing Mitsuru riding her motorcycle like a badass got me 10x more hyped. Plus, the Akihiko/Shinjiro/Ken transitions were super smooth. A favorite shot of mine was with Thanatos and the moon, as it felt pretty iconic given the symbolism behind the two.

Our very own Timothy Monbleau got to play Persona 3 Reload in August and said the game felt “polished to an absolute shine.” As one of my personal RPGs to look out for, Persona 3 Reload looks to be a force to be reckoned with. P3 Reload launches on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 2, 2024.

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It's really going down now. The Japanese channel for Atlus, atlustube, released a taste of the 'reloaded' versions of classic Persona 3 songs alongside some new music tracks for Persona 3 Reload.

Released to promote the Limited Edition of Persona 3 Reload, Atlus previews some of its two-disc soundtrack. The video showcases returning classics like Mass Destruction, When the Moon's Reaching Out Stars, and Living with Determination.

Meanwhile, samples for new songs exclusive to Persona 3 Reload are also heard, including It's Going Down Now and Color Your Night. Both sound phenomenal and fit right into the themes of the game.

Changing Seasons

As many have noticed, the original singer for Persona 3, Yumi Kawamura, is absent. Instead, promising newcomer Azumi Takahashi is taking over. Returning to rap is Lotus Juice to put some fresh and familiar spins on the title's already fantastic soundtrack.

If you want to know all of the songs Persona 3 Reload has, you're in luck! The full list of songs for the 2024 RPG remake is in the YouTube video description. Some titles are in Japanese, but once it's translated into English, we'll update them.

Many songs are the same as the original but will likely have some small changes to them. Updated vocal tracks, like Want To Be Close and Master of Shadow, now have -Reload- on them. Curiously, the opening theme for the game has a name: Full Moon Full Life. No preview has been given for it, but if it's anything like the rest, it's going to be a banger. Take a look at the list below:

【Disc１収録楽曲】

• Full Moon Full Life
• 全ての人の魂の詩
• この不思議な感覚
• Want To Be Close -Reload-
• Troubled
• Crisis
• シャドウ
• 避けられぬ戦い
• やすらぎ -Reload-
• When The Moon's Reaching Out Stars -Reload-
• 巌戸台分寮 -Reload-
• The Voice Someone Calls
• tartarus_0d01
• Mass Destruction -Reload-
• 戦いのあと
• Color Your Night
• Deep Breath Deep Breath -Reload-
• Master of Shadow -Reload-
• ポロニアンモール -Reload-
• The Meaning of Armbands
• tartarus_0d02
• 嫌な予感
• Fearful Experience
• Calamity
• 試験中…
• Everyone loves 1989
• Joy
• tartarus_0d03
• 深層心理 -Reload-
• It’s Going Down Now
• The Path is Open
• The Path Was Closed

【Disc２ 収録楽曲】

• Changing Seasons -Reload-
• Basement
• Master of Tartarus -Reload-
• これでいいんだ…
• Living With Determination
• tartarus_0d04
• 京都
• Afternoon Break
• 時価ネットたなか -Reload-
• tartarus_0d05
• 10年前の記憶 -追想-
• 10年前の記憶 -対峙-
• Mistic
• 心の力
• 街の記憶
• 学園の記憶
• Living With Determination -巌戸台分寮アレンジ-
• tartarus_0d06
• 暗闇より出でしもの
• 全ての人の魂の戦い
• Nyx
• 決意
• Burn My Dread -Last Battle Reload-
• 絆
• 私が守るから -Reload-
• キミの記憶 -Reload-
• キミの記憶 -Reload Instrumental-
• Full Moon Full Life -Opening Movie version-

Our very own Timothy Monbleau got to play Persona 3 Reload in August and called the game "faithful to its origins yet modernized." As one of my RPGs to look out for, Persona 3 Reload looks to be a force to be reckoned with. The game launches on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 2, 2024.

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Nothing is more versatile than the timeless greats of the role-playing genre. RPGs transport us to different worlds, giving us the chance to explore and shape a journey on our own terms.

2023 gave us some noteworthy adventures, with the likes of Baldur's Gate 3 and Final Fantasy XVI immediately coming to mind. That said, one can only wonder what 2024 has in store for the genre. So, as we celebrate the titans of this year and look to the next, I've rounded up 10 RPGs that I would definitely keep watch on in 2024.

#1: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Ryu Ga Gotoku/SEGA)

Release Date: January 26 (Trailer)
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

Ichiban and the gang are off to the United States. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a turn-based action RPG picking up where Yakuza: Like a Dragon leaves off. Next year's follow-up sends Ichiban on a dangerous journey to Hawaii to find his mother. Luckily, Kiryu Kazuma, the series' main protagonist, is still here to help as he reckons with his cancer diagnosis.

This one looks as wild as the series is large. I mean, you can ride a dolphin to your own Animal Crossing island, for goodness sake! If you're still on the fence, the upcoming Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Lost His Name comes with a demo to try out. It looks like Infinite Wealth maintains what the series does best: striking a balance between seriousness and fun that you can't help but enjoy.

#2: Persona 3 Reload (Atlus)

Release Date: February 2 (Trailer)
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S (Xbox Game Pass)

Shin Megami Tensei is a staple of the genre, which extends to its spinoff series, Persona. However, we haven't seen it brought to the new generation of consoles. This is where Persona 3 Reload comes in. As a remake of the 2006 PlayStation 2 game, it looks like everything that made the original great. From its turn-based gameplay to the life simulation, Reload takes old P3 staples and modernizes them, including refreshing the cast.

As someone who played Portable on Xbox Game Pass, I can't wait to see how the world really feels instead of text blocks and pointers. Regardless, Persona 3 Reload is shaping up to be the next big RPG that fans and newcomers alike can enjoy.

#3: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix)

Release Date: February 29 (Trailer)
Platforms: PS5

It's no secret that Final Fantasy VII is one of the best games of all time. Check any list of the best RPGs, and you're sure to find it in there. So, of course, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, is among the most anticipated.

Taking place after Remake, Cloud and the AVALANCHE gang are out of Midgar and ready to stop Sephiroth. As a huge lover of Remake, believe me when I say Rebirth is high on my want list. The gameplay looks spectacular, still utilizing open combat, and its vast landscapes are exciting. Plus, Cloud can ride a segway. What more could you ask for? While Final Fantasy VII Rebirth may chart its own path with the story, I'm 100% along for the journey.

#4: Unicorn Overlord (Vanillaware/Atlus)

Release Date: March 8 (Trailer)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S

The creators behind 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim are back with a medieval take on the tactical RPG. Unicorn Overlord is set to be Vanillaware's biggest game yet, and it's easy to see why. Story-wise, we follow Alain as he reclaims his rightful place on the throne with the help of the mystical Unicorn Ring. The gameplay feels reminiscent of Fire Emblem and other strategy games, not to mention a beautiful 2D art style. Perhaps Unicorn Overlord might be a sleeper hit, much like 13 Sentinels was in 2019. However, there's a reason Vanillaware is among the masters of the genre.

#5: Avowed (Obsidian/Xbox)

Release Date: TBA (Trailer)
Platforms: PC and Xbox Series X/S (Xbox Game Pass)

Tired of Skyrim? You may want to keep an eye on this one. Avowed is a first-person action RPG from the team behind The Outer Worlds and Pillars of Eternity. You play as an envoy holding the power to change the course of the Living Lands forever. The game takes place in Eora, which is also where Pillars of Eternity is, so fans of it will feel right at home. Already masters of their craft at open-world narratives, Obsidian bringing that classic Elder Scrolls flair to players way before Elder Scrolls 6 is a bit of a power move.

#6: Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)

Release Date: Summer 2024 (Trailer)
Platforms: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S

The Journey to the West is becoming a Souls-like RPG. Black Myth: Wukong, with its beautiful graphics and AAA quality, is actually from indie Chinese studio Game Science. Announced in 2020, the game shot to popularity due to its stunning visuals, and for good reason.

The gameplay looks similar to your typical FromSoftware game but is filled to the brim with Chinese mythology. You play as Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, as he fights a number of vicious foes. Being that he's one of the most powerful warriors, it won't be a walk in the park. With Elden Ring starring as the belle of the ball for peak combat, it might be time for Black Myth: Wukong to usurp it from the throne.

#7: Hades II (Supergiant Games)

Release Date: TBA (Full) Q2 2024 (Trailer)
Platforms: Consoles (unknown) and PC

It's a good day in Hell: 2020's best indie game is getting a sequel. Revealed at last year's Game Awards, Hades II is a rogue-like RPG that follows Zagreus' sister Melinoë. As Princess of the Underworld, you'll use your dark magic to destroy the forces of the Titan of Time. Fans of the original will be pleased to know that the gameplay and mechanics will remain the same.

Is more Hades a bad thing? No, no, it isn't. You know it's something special when this is Supergiant Games' only sequel. It's the same team that made Bastion and Transistor, yet they gave Hades another game. If the studio is confident enough to do another game, it must mean it's got something really special.

#8: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Studio Zero/Atlus)

Release Date: TBA (Trailer)
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S

The creators of Persona 3, 4, and 5 are venturing into new territories with Metaphor: ReFantazio. From the trailer shown in June's Xbox Games Showcase, the game looks like a mix of open-world and turn-based combat, much like its spiritual successors. Metaphor marks the first original game Studio Zero has made since its establishment in 2016. Story details are a bit vague at the moment, but its medieval and fantasy-inspired setting feels reminiscent of Final Fantasy XV and Treasure Planet (especially with the floating skateboard).

#9: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo)

Release Date: TBA (Trailer)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Ready to return to the world of Paper Mario? 20 years after its release, a revival of The Thousand-Year Door is making its way to Nintendo Switch. It's unclear if this is a remake or remaster, but the story seems to remain intact, as Mario must save Peach from the alien group X-Nauts and find a long-lost treasure.

I've never gotten the chance to play the classic, yet when it was revealed, I still held a strange sense of nostalgia. Just looking at the bright colors, crafty art direction, and playful aesthetic put me right back into the GameCube's heyday. The 2004 original was lauded by critics when it launched, so hopefully, this one is just as good of a time.

#10: Rise of the Ronin (Team Ninja/PlayStation)

Release Date: TBA (Trailer)
Platforms: PS5

While Ghost of Tsushima 2 is in development, another swordsperson enters the arena. This time, though, we've got guns. Rise of the Ronin, announced in 2022, is an action RPG set during the end of the Edo period. As a ronin, you'll carefully choose alliances and live the life of a freelance samurai. Developer Team Ninja created titles like Nioh and Ninja Gaiden, so the team knows how to craft a good action game. There's not much on the Edo adventure out there yet, but from what we've seen, Rise of the Ronin looks to fill that sword-swinging fantasy niche perfectly.

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After revealing the release date for Persona 3 Reload in August, Atlus is back to begin a series of character trailers. Get ready for regular doses of the remake, starting with the key to the RPG's cast. The protagonist is in the spotlight first, and you can sample Aleks Le's voice acting in the video below. 

Persona 3's protagonist was previously voiced by Akira Ishida (Kaworu in Evangelion) in Japanese and Yuri Lowenthal (Peter Parker in Insomniac's Spider-Man games) in English. New VA Aleks Le has pulled in some big roles over the years, including Zenitsu in the Demon Slayer anime and Luke in Street Fighter 6. He leads a full refresh of the English voice cast behind the original.

It's Tartarus time

We still have a few months to go until the launch of Persona 3 Reload, so look for a bunch of these to follow shortly after. Atlus said it will be unveiling new character trailers every week on the Atlus West YouTube channel. Persona 3 is a fan-favorite that could definitely do with a touch-up, so it should be fun to see how everything develops as we get closer to release.

We'll find out how the changes shake out when Persona 3 Reload launches on February 2, 2024. In addition to Game Pass, the remake will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC. You can check out our hands-on impressions for more on what to expect in the meantime.

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Tokyo Game Show 2023 is just around the corner, and it looks like Atlus is already aiming to impress. Notably, a new trailer for Persona 3 Reload has debuted, including an English dubbed version for those of us across the pond.

Any new footage is a treat for Persona fans. However, what makes this trailer unique is its focus on the Persona rival team Strega. While they did appear in the original version of Persona 3, their emphasis here hints at some surprises for even seasoned fans of the series. Also, perhaps more importantly, we can see Elizabeth climbing up a descending escalator. I hope she finally turns the Velvet Room into a nightclub too.

Strega people, ah oh ahhhhhh

For added context, the trailer coincides with a new blog post with more details and images for fans to peruse. Through this, we can see Persona 3 Reload will include new story content, including “A new episode focusing on Strega.”

For Persona fans, this is pretty big news. There has been quite a bit of unrest over the confirmed cut content from Persona 3 Reload, which includes The Answer campaign and the Female Protagonist route from Persona 3 Portable. So the confirmation of all-new story content at least softens the blow a bit there. This means longtime Persona fans will have reason to check out this remake beyond the prettier graphics.

Truthfully, this lines up with what I hoped to see when I demoed Persona 3 Reload last month. I had already observed some lines and mechanics not present in the original game, so I’m glad to see Atlus is going further in that direction. Additionally, the blog post also briefly details the new Shift battle mechanic, which I also got to see. It looks like it is indeed Persona 5’s Baton Pass without the added stat buffs. Taking a look at the fan reaction to this, it seems like there was much rejoicing.

Given what we’ve seen so far, who knows what else is hiding in Persona 3 Reload? We’ll see how it all shakes out as we get closer to the launch of the game on February 2, 2024 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

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Officially revealed back in June, Persona 3 Reload now has a release date. Those looking to dive into the full remake of the PlayStation 2 RPG can mark their calendars for February 2, 2024. If this one has been living rent-free in your head since 2006, you can celebrate its return with the deluxe Aigis Edition.

While we spent some hands-on time with the remake, Atlus shared a new trailer to showcase more of the fresh updates. You can check it out below to see how the overhauled visuals give new life to a fan favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax-u7i2_6nQ

If you're curious about the updated music, there's also a trailer highlighting the new battle theme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTdrcvnqDjE

Persona 3 Reload goes beyond tweaks to the visuals and music. Changes have been made to mechanics like Shuffle Time, for instance. The voice cast is also new, including the likes of Zeno Robinson as Junpei Iori, Aleks Le as the protagonist, and more. It looks like a solid mix of modernization and the type of overall faithfulness hardcore Persona fans expect. 

[caption id="attachment_398444" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Atlus[/caption]

Aigis ain't nothin' but a number

In addition to the standard $69.99 digital and physical release and two extra tiers of digital editions — Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Digital Premium — Persona 3 Reload's centerpiece is the Aigis Edition. There's no price at the moment, but this one packs in a bunch of physical and digital bonuses. The game comes in a collector's box along with an art book, two-disc soundtrack CD, and an Aigis figure. All the DLC available at launch will also be included in a DLC pack voucher. You'll be able to grab this one on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. 

Persona 3 Reload is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam and Microsoft Store). It also has its sights set on Game Pass, so get ready to evoke in February! 

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Persona 3 Reload proved to me just how much Persona 3 has needed a remake.

Originally released in 2006 (2007 in North America), Persona 3 marks the start of the “modern” Persona series. Sure, the first games featured students summoning demons like they’re Pokémon. But your social links, life sim elements, and more – that all started with Persona 3. I know many who still consider it a series high, but honestly, Persona 3 has always been a bit hard to come back to. On PS2, the game is missing essential quality of life, such as being able to even control your own party members. And while the PSP version fixes some of this, it comes with the caveat of feeling very much like a condensed PSP game.

As someone who has tried and failed to get deep into Persona 3 myself, I’ve been deeply curious about Persona 3 Reload. On the surface, just slapping Persona 3 on top of the foundation of Persona 5 would have been enough. But after getting to test Persona 3 Reload for myself at a recent event held by Sega, I’m hopeful that Persona 3 Reload will be even more than that.

[caption id="attachment_398165" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Prepare to dungeon crawl

At the event, I was able to demo two small slices of the game. The first section gave me roughly 15 minutes inside of Tartarus, the game’s dungeon crawling hub.

Right off the bat, I can’t stress enough that Persona 3 Reload is a very, very pretty game. While it might not look too special compared to Persona 5, the new character models alone are a huge jump from Persona 3. Similarly, just as Persona 5 oozed with style via its UI, Persona 3 has much the same flourish. Everything from your main menu to your victory screens are just what you’d expect from a Persona 5 successor, even if this is a remake.

The inside of Tartarus felt familiar at the outset. Just like the original, you’ll make your way through corridors while you aim to get preemptive attacks on roaming enemies. The dungeon layout was kind of generic, but floors were brief with roughly three battles on each if you fight everything you see. The inclusion of a dash button helped minimize backtracking, and overall, the exploration felt well-paced.

Of course, this is based on the very early game. Tartarus could feel repetitive after a while, so we’ll only know how well this portion of the game holds up in the full release. I will say that, after comparing footage of the original game, the version in Tartarus in Reload does look quite a bit different with its sharp blue and green aesthetic. It felt familiar despite being new, which was a recurring theme with much of this demo.

[caption id="attachment_398166" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Returning battle mechanics

Combat in Persona 3 Reload felt immediately familiar to me, which I’d consider a good thing. You’ll strike enemy weaknesses via physical or elemental attacks, which will knock them down. Knock downs give you extra turns, and knocking the entire enemy party lets you trigger bonus all-out attacks. Reload retains the three physical elements from Persona 3, meaning that you’ll delineate between Slashing, Piercing, and Striking damage. My demo tools mostly focused on the magical end of things, though.

I was happy to see the return of Shuffle Time, which I really enjoyed in Persona 4 Golden specifically. Cards will stay face up here, making it really easy to pick which boon you’ll take following combat. I love the dynamic of wondering what cards you’ll find after a battle, especially if you, say, want to conserve healing items and hope you’ll find a card to heal you instead. It’s a small thing, but it really makes the happiness chemicals fire off in my brain.

Near the end of my time in Tartarus, I got a glimpse at a mechanic that Persona 3 Reload calls Shifting. Basically, when you knock an enemy down and earn a One More, you can donate your extra turn to a party member. In other words, it’s similar to Baton Pass in Persona 5. This side of the demo ended shortly after I uncovered this, so I couldn’t get into the specifics of how Reload handles this mechanic. However, in a game that originally stripped party member control away from the player, getting Shifting so early almost felt like an apology from the developers.

[caption id="attachment_398170" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Some old, some new

The second section I got to test in Persona 3 Reload involved the sequence leading to the Arcana Priestess boss. I initially thought this sequence stayed perfectly faithful to Persona 3. However, I didn’t realize that a few changes were made when I compared it to footage of the original game.

For starters, the path to the boss in which the party rushes through train cars featured a bit of added dialogue. The text that I could identify as new wasn’t exactly riveting, but I did find the inclusion exciting. It showed me that Persona 3 Reload isn’t afraid to expand on the original game, even if it was in a smaller capacity.

The boss battle itself was where I noticed the starkest change. In both the original Persona 3 and Persona 3 Portable, the party is given a little more than six minutes to finish this battle. As long as you keep up a solid pace, you can take the boss down with time to spare. Reload, on the other hand, gives you a much more generous window of about 30 minutes. However, as the battle progresses, the boss will spend turns accelerating the train, cutting minutes off your time.

This kept me on edge the entire battle, since I could never tell how much time I really had to work with. Once I put an end to the boss, I had about 40 seconds to spare. This certainly wasn’t a major change to the battle. Mechanically, I could see Atlus handling this encounter this way so your timer doesn’t matter until the final stretch. Still, it marked a deliberate change, which left me excited for what the full game could bring.

[caption id="attachment_398172" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

I’m so ready for more Persona 3 Reload

Persona 3 Reload certainly has a bit of baggage weighing its own hype down. Specifically, the news that the game wouldn’t include The Answer or the female protagonist route from Persona 3 Portable doesn’t make Persona 3 Reload as definitive as many would like. I think these are valid criticisms, and my time with the game certainly didn’t change that.

That said, after my session with Persona 3 Reload ended, I knew that this was the version of Persona 3 I was going to finish. What I played was polished to an absolute shine, without a single boring second in sight. Everything from combat to exploration was engaging, to the point that I forgot I was at an event and just wanted to keep playing it for another three hours.

And the music. Oh man does this game sound good. Getting an initiative in normal battles triggers a new battle theme that riffs on Mass Destruction, which was so catchy that would have spent time in battles just listening to it if not for the time limit. I hope Atlus uploads this track early to sate my ears.

All in all, for anyone who likes Persona, Persona 3 Reload looks like an essential playthrough. Whether the final product will stay faithful to the original or take risks here and there, I’ll be excited to play this one when it comes out on February 2, 2024.

The post Hands on Persona 3 Reload: Baby baby baby yeah! appeared first on Destructoid.

FES Up

We now have confirmation that Atlus' upcoming remake Persona 3 Reload will be coming to PlayStation and Steam platforms alongside its previously announced Xbox and Windows editions. The new ports appeared on the official site in a CERO ratings listing, which was then followed by an updated trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RycGltKqjg

While this will hardly come as a surprise to most, there were still many only panicking that perhaps the black-and-blue brand would not be making the return journey to Tartarus. Frankly, this wasn't going to happen, not when there is so much cash to be made, but at least those who were concerned can rest easy that they will be revisiting The Dark Hour with Messrs Makoto, Junpei, Mitsuru, and company.

First leaked during Summer Game Fest, before being officially announced during Sunday's Xbox Game Showcase, Persona 3 Reload is a full remake of the 2006 PS2 classic. While fans have been craving this title for some title, the hype has been somewhat quashed by the revelation that Reload will not feature any of the content from expanded edition Persona 3 FES, nor the Persona 3 Portable release, which included the much-loved female protagonist, known to the community as "FemC".

Persona 3 Reload will launch in early 2024 on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. Additionally, Persona 5 Tactica will launch on the aforementioned platforms and Nintendo Switch.

The post Persona 3 Reload finally confirmed for PlayStation and Steam PC appeared first on Destructoid.

Burn my Hype

Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the biggest and most exciting announcements of Summer Game Fest has been Atlus' reveal of Persona 3 Reload, a full remake of the classic 2006 PS2 RPG and a title for which fans have been pleading for the longest time — Unfortunately, however, the reveal came with some caveats that have left some in the community a tad disappointed.

First and foremost, Persona 3 Reload is a remake of the vanilla Persona 3 release. As such, it will not contain any of the updated edition content — such as story expansion The Answer, or the additional difficulty options. Reload will also not feature the content of Persona 3 Portable, which means no playable female protagonist, lovingly referred to by the community as "FemC". In addition, Persona 3 Reload will also have a re-recorded English voice track, featuring some very notable and talented VAs such as Allegra Clark, Aleks Le, Heather Gonzalez, and Zeno Robinson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIIPXA2A6cM

Producer Ryota Niitsuma and Director Kazuhisa Wada confirmed the above in comments to IGN.

"First I'd like to mention that since the basic concept of the Persona 3 remake was to remake the Persona 3, we don't have the FES and Portable contents included," said Niitsuma. "We wanted to really genuinely work on recreating the Persona 3 experience [...] So we have newly recorded voices, we have new scenes and events. We also have both new and arranged music. We'll be kind of releasing that information, following everything. So please look forward to that."

The news has put a damper on the project for some fans in the community, who took to social media to express their displeasure. The general consensus for aggrieved parties runs along the lines of "If it's not The Definitive Edition, then what's the point even remaking it?" — A stance that is, quite honestly, difficult to oppose. The loss of the epilogue, a much-loved player protagonist, and the voices that the player has become accustomed to somewhat undercut the initial excitement that greeted the original reveal.

Added to this is the fact that people are assuming Atlus is preparing to simply release a Persona 3 re-remake somewhere down the line, with the original content added. A Re-Reload, so to speak. It should be noted that this is pure guesswork on the players' part, but Atlus has never been shy about courting the big bucks of expanded editions, DLC content, and other post-release add-ons. Ultimately, Persona 3 Reload does look like a great remake, and remains an exciting release, but these revelations have, undeniably, cast a bit of a shadow over one of the summer's biggest announcements.

Persona 3 Reload launches early 2024 on Xbox and PC. More platform announcements are expected.

The post Persona 3 Reload has new voice cast, no FES content, no FemC appeared first on Destructoid.

Evoking Hype

Look, let's all just look surprised, ok? It's no one's fault. As part of this afternoon's Xbox Games Showcase, Atlus revealed its long-requested remake of one of the most iconic and beloved RPGs of all-time, in the form of Persona 3 Reload, which you have never heard of before.

Persona 3 Reload is a full remake of the classic PS2 social-sim-cum-demon-catcher, which wowed western fans in 2006 and took the Shin Megami Tensei brand practically mainstream. The story concerns a party of school students who uncover a temporal anomaly known as "The Dark Hour". The students in question form the "Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad" (SEES), with the aim of getting to the root of the anomaly and the strange creatures that lay within.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIIPXA2A6cM&ab_channel=Xbox

Persona 3 was praised for its vivid visual style, attractive and likable cast of characters, and wild soundtrack. The marriage of dungeon-crawler with supah-anime social sim was a huge hit, and would lead to greater success in sequels Persona 4 and Persona 5, as well as an array of multi-genre spin-offs. Fans have been asking for a remake of P3 for many years, and this news will be 100 Christmases for those folks.

Persona 3 Reload launches early 2024. It will arrive on Xbox Game Pass day one.

The post Persona 3 Reload is coming to Burn Your Dread early 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.

Uh oh!

Try to act surprised later this week when this gets officially announced, but apparently, the Persona 3 remake is real. It's titled Persona 3 Reload, and if you look quickly, a trailer has been disseminated around the internet.

https://twitter.com/ScrambledFaz/status/1666934712412131330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1666934712412131330%7Ctwgr%5E17a14df9fc20ca028b9e94daa02ecf1d40c0c56c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pushsquare.com%2Fnews%2F2023%2F06%2Fpersona-5-tactica-launches-17th-november-persona-3-reload-early-2024

A remake of Persona 3 has been rumored for quite a while. Some have speculated that it was partially the reason that we got Persona 3 Portable remastered for modern consoles instead of Persona 3 FES. There were even further leaks later on, but their credibility was somewhat in question. Not totally unbelievable, but not proof positive.

However, it looks like someone on Atlus' Instagram account hit post instead of schedule, and the cat got out of the bag. Not only is Persona 3 Reload on the docket, but there is also another spin-off title headed our way called Persona 5 Tactica.

Persona 3 Reload looks to be a top-to-bottom remake of the classic PS2 title. Currently, it's slated for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in early 2024. Since this looks like it was going to be part of a Microsoft stream, I wouldn't take that as the gospel. They just wouldn't advertise it being on anyone else's platform.

The post Whoops! Persona 3 Reload announcement was leaked appeared first on Destructoid.