Persona 3 Reload, while a pivotal part of the RPG series’ history, has always been the black sheep with its oppressive ambiance and somber storylines. As Atlus revisits the past, the looming shadow of Persona 5, the series’ most approachable game, becomes more apparent than ever.
The game kicks off with a high schooler plunged into “the Dark Hour,” a surreal 25th hour where streets are filled with coffins and Shadows, and Tartarus, a towering structure, dominates the island. Juggling school life and forming bonds in a calendar-based structure, players ascend Tartarus with the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES), facing otherworldly bosses during full moons.
Persona 3 Reload Review: Nostalgic Journey with Modern Flair
Impressions of Persona 3 Reload: Exploring Early Levels
Our journey into Persona 3 Reload during Atlus’ preview event provided insights into two early levels of the story. The first showcased a traverse through Tartarus, a towering multi-level structure integral to the narrative, while the second immersed us in a battle within the game’s initial major dungeon—a spooky train amidst a full moon.
Persona 3 Reload shares fundamental elements with its successors, featuring a battle system centered on exploiting enemy weaknesses for added moves and incorporating the renowned demon fusion system synonymous with both Persona and Shin Megami Tensei. The narrative revolves, in part, around social links, fostering connections with party members and the inhabitants of Gekkoukan High (and a fox). While character similarities exist with the main casts of Persona 4 and Persona 5, Persona 3 distinguishes itself with a darker tone.
This darkness becomes evident through the exploration of philosophical themes concerning life and death. The controversial inclusion of Evokers, guns used by main characters to summon Personas, adds a unique layer to the game. Despite its discomforting nature, this thematic choice amplifies the game’s distinctive narrative approach.
The Tartarus stands out as a significant divergence. Comparable to Persona 5’s Mementos, it is a randomized tower where players ascend through nondescript floors. While opinions on The Tartarus may vary, with some finding it less elaborate than Persona 5’s dungeons, its enigmatic nature and the mystery of what lies at the top make it a compelling element—albeit an acquired taste.
Persona 3 Reload impresses not only with its adherence to the series’ core mechanics but also with the distinct tone that sets it apart. The dark philosophical explorations and the controversial use of Evokers contribute to an immersive experience. The Tartarus, while not as extensive as Persona 5’s dungeons, presents a unique and intriguing challenge for players. As we delve into Persona 3 Reload, the blend of familiar elements and distinctive nuances promises a compelling journey into the depths of the Dark Hour.
Persona 3 Reload: Revitalized Destruction
The highly anticipated remake, Persona 3 Reload, fulfills the longstanding desires of fans by delivering exactly what one would expect. Utilizing the Unreal Engine 4, the game recreates the entire experience, drawing inspiration from the sleek aesthetic of Persona 5. Character designs receive modern updates with a touch of flair, and environments appear brighter and cleaner than ever before. However, despite these visual enhancements, certain areas of Persona 3 Reload may strike players as surprisingly barren and lacking in personality.
The dormitory, a central space where players return each night before venturing into Tartarus or spending time with friends, particularly suffers in terms of ambiance. It seems to lack soul, a feeling that extends to the corridors of Gekkoukan High School and Iwatodai Mall. While the music, characters, and general mechanics remain largely intact and often improved, the nostalgic connection to the original may hinder the appreciation of Atlus’ efforts, preventing some from embracing it as the definitive version of this classic.
Despite the initial visual shortcomings, the lack of soul becomes easier to overlook after spending considerable time in this updated rendition. Although lacking the additions of FES or Portable, Reload successfully narrates a complete tale with characters that players have come to admire. Witnessing these characters brought to life with updated designs and stellar new vocal performances adds a fresh layer of depth. While the transition to Unreal may have impacted the artistic vision, the emotional core, built on poignant themes and exceptional character arcs, remains true to what made the game a classic 18 years ago.
Notably, Atlus avoids unnecessary updates to preserve the original tone, even though some characters, like Junpei Iori, change for the better. Additional scenes and expanded social links push Persona 3 to its storytelling potential, exploring morbidly hopeful ideas in greater depth.
Players may find themselves exploring the campus extensively to catch optional conversations, although the upgraded mobile phone proves helpful in keeping track of social interactions. Life improvements are evident, with contextual alerts for new items, social links, and part-time work opportunities from familiar shopkeepers and businesses.
A significant portion of the gameplay involves battling Shadows in Tartarus, a massive tower emerging during the Dark Hour. While Persona 3 is known for its gritty and repetitive dungeon design, Reload acknowledges this and excels in enhancing the battle system. The foundation remains true to the original, with a quartet of high schoolers summoning Persona, each with elemental strengths and weaknesses influencing the strategic flow of encounters. The addition of ‘Theurgy’ introduces a welcomed sense of spectacle to the familiar routine, showcasing the enduring strength of Persona 3 Reload’s core elements.
When Midnight Strikes: Persona 3 Reload’s Pioneering Impact
Persona 3 Reload serves as a significant milestone, not merely as the first Persona game but as the title that truly resonated with a Western audience. The predecessors, Persona and Persona 2, remained obscure late-1990s oddities overshadowed by monumental RPGs like Final Fantasy VII. However, in 2006, Persona 3 emerged with remarkable enhancements in presentation and mechanics, introducing revolutionary social interactions that garnered widespread attention. This installment not only captivated RPG enthusiasts globally but also laid the foundation for the extensive recognition and fervor the series enjoys today.
Embarking on the narrative journey in Persona 3 Reload, players assume the role of a second-year transfer student at Gekkoukan High School. The story unfolds as you find yourself running late for your move into the new student dorm, thrusting you into the enigmatic phenomenon known as the Dark Hour. Transpiring between 11:59 p.m. and midnight, the Dark Hour is a mysterious period marked by an odd green sky, the emergence of a peculiar tower in the distance, and the transformation of most individuals into motionless coffins, oblivious to the unfolding events. Those unaffected by this phenomenon risk falling prey to Shadow monsters unless they possess the potential to summon a persona—a psychic manifestation of their will.
Persona 3 Reload revitalizes this captivating narrative, breathing new life into the exploration of the Dark Hour’s intricacies. The enhancements introduced in this remake promise to elevate the experience, blending the familiarity of the original with modern improvements. As players delve into the mysterious world of Gekkoukan High School and the enigmatic events of the Dark Hour, Persona 3 Reload aims to rekindle the intrigue and wonder that made the original a landmark in the RPG genre. The unveiling of the Dark Hour’s secrets in this enhanced rendition is poised to captivate newcomers and seasoned fans, solidifying its place as a definitive and enduring entry in the Persona series.
Social Links and Side Stories in Persona 3 Reload
Persona 3 Reload reintroduces the integral element of Social Links, offering players a nuanced and enriching character interaction beyond the confines of S.E.E.S. (Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad). Each character outside of S.E.E.S. that players can spend time with is referred to as a Social Link, each intricately connected to a major Arcana card. As relationships with these characters deepen, the player’s relationship level increases, opening the door to a plethora of engaging experiences.
In the realm of Persona 3 Reload, personas are aligned with specific arcana, and fusing a new persona connected to a maxed-out Social Link yields a substantial experience boost. The culmination of a Social Link journey results in the acquisition of a valuable item, granting the ability to fuse the ultimate persona of that particular arcana. This mechanic not only enhances gameplay dynamics but also adds layers of depth to the overarching narrative.
Navigating the intricate web of Social Links in Persona 3 Reload requires strategic planning and patience. Not every Social Link can be pursued immediately, with some unlocking gradually over the in-game year. Prerequisites, such as elevating one of the three social stats (Academics, Charm, and Confidence) through activities like studying, working, and leisure pursuits, add a dynamic aspect to the progression. Some Social Links become accessible only after achieving specific milestones in other links or uncovering particular items or information.
Each Social Link introduces a unique and compelling story, delving into the character’s personal plot, goals, and challenges. For instance, the Chariot Social Link involves a high school sports teammate grappling with a knee injury that jeopardizes his athletic aspirations. In contrast, the Hanged Man presents the story of a young girl near a shrine coping with her parents’ divorce. These narratives are intricately crafted to be absorbed and enjoyed, contributing to the rich character interactions central to the Persona series. In Persona 3 Reload, the balance between character development through Social Links and the dungeon-crawling elements remains a hallmark, ensuring that both aspects are equally worthwhile and integral to the overall gaming experience.
Climbing Tartarus in Persona 3 Reload: Enhanced Turn-Based Action
In the realm of Persona 3 Reload, the experience of battling Shadows in Tartarus and during full moon nights revives the classic turn-based Shin Megami Tensei-style action, infusing it with new life and enhancements. Elemental weaknesses and status effects continue to be pivotal in combat, a hallmark of the meta-series, where exploiting these vulnerabilities not only knocks down enemies but also grants an extra turn. The strategic depth is further accentuated by the opportunity to unleash a devastating whole-party attack after incapacitating every enemy.
Drawing on 18 years of refinement, Persona 3 Reload stands as a testament to the evolution of the gaming landscape. Significant improvements contribute to a smoother and more dynamic gameplay experience. The ability to directly control every party member, akin to Persona 3 Portable, marks a departure from the original release where the party was entirely computer-controlled. This enhancement, coupled with the ability to switch to a different character for an extra turn after defeating an enemy, mirrors the mechanics introduced in Persona 5, elevating the strategic possibilities in combat.
The inclusion of damage-dealing spells for light and dark elements, as opposed to relying solely on unreliable instant-death spells, represents a thoughtful evolution in combat mechanics. This alteration empowers players to strategically deploy these elements alongside electricity, fire, ice, and wind, expanding the tactical repertoire available during encounters.
Persona 3 Reload introduces special, extra-powerful Theurgy moves, adding a layer of spectacle and potency to the combat system. These moves unlock by filling up a meter through character-specific actions, such as healing or inflicting status ailments. This dynamic feature not only enhances the visual flair of battles but also provides players with strategic advantages based on their chosen actions.
The persona-fusing action in the Velvet Room undergoes notable improvements in Persona 3 Reload. Players can now select the skills that new Personas inherit from the ones they combine, adding a level of customization and control over their persona creations.
In essence, Persona 3 Reload redefines the experience of climbing Tartarus, infusing the classic turn-based action with modern enhancements. The game’s evolution, both in terms of mechanics and presentation, ensures that returning players and newcomers alike can engage in a revitalized and immersive adventure through the intriguing and perilous labyrinth of Tartarus.
School’s Out in Persona 3 Reload: A Hands-On Impression
Atlus’s upcoming remake of the classic PS2 game, Persona 3 Reload, had already generated excitement, but experiencing it firsthand was a different level of engagement. The visual novel meets point-and-click adventure stylings of Persona 3 Portable, which have been largely set aside, retaining the classic blue and white color palette. The on-screen dialogue, a hallmark of the series, remains, enhancing conversations with characters.
The Gamescom preview session unfolds in two parts: the first section, named New Moon, takes players through a night in Tartarus, while Full Moon features the initial major boss battle in Persona 3 Reload. For those who haven’t played the original Persona 3, the chance to explore the dark halls of Tartarus with proper animations is a delightful treat. Combat, reminiscent of Persona 3 Portable, maintains its slick feel, now enhanced by more impressive graphics.
Notably, the evoker moves, a rather taboo detail where playable heroes shoot themselves in the head to summon personas, make a return in Persona 3 Reload. This idiosyncratic charm, a concern during the game’s modernization, remains intact.
The second half of the demo session sees protagonist Makoto Yuki and SEES members exploring a deserted monorail during Dark Hour, with all the humans transformed into coffins. Animated exploration and full cutscenes enhance the experience, especially during the challenging boss battle. Despite the absence of the option to play as a female protagonist, Persona 3 Reload impresses as a faithful and polished remake that caters to both new and longtime fans.
While the removal of the female protagonist option may disappoint some, the overall impression of Persona 3 Reload suggests a well-paced, beautifully animated game with challenges that make it accessible for newcomers. As a latecomer to the Persona series, the hands-on experience with Reload convinced the player of its appeal, making it a promising entry point for those new to the series. Persona 3 Reload’s launch early next year is eagerly anticipated, promising an engaging JRPG experience for players old and new.
Verdict on Persona 3 Reload: A Masterful Remake
Persona 3 Reload stands as a remarkable visual overhaul with numerous subtle changes and additions that significantly enhance the beloved RPG. While certain aspects may retain a dated feel, the incorporation of quality-of-life improvements and new features revitalizes its engaging turn-based combat and enriches the emotional depth of its poignant story moments. With an outstanding new voice cast bringing these unforgettable characters to life and a captivating soundtrack redefining its identity, Persona 3 Reload narrates a compelling, timeless tale of tragedy and hope with profound emotional sincerity. This remake fulfills the expectations for the kind of overhaul many have desired, and even after investing 70 hours to reach its conclusion, it remains astonishingly surreal.
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