Summary
One of the most beloved role-playing games of all time is getting a next-generation overhaul withPersona 3 Reload. While this may not be the much-awaitedPersona 6, it’s the perfect game to keep the fans busy until it drops.Persona 3 Reloadwill come with features that put it in line with the latest sequel,Persona 5, in terms of core features, graphics, audio, and user interface. However, it lacks some of the additional content thatPersona 3 FESandPersona 3 Portablehad.
Persona 3was initially released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, and it was well-regarded because of its great story, sleek graphics, and cool character designs. The game follows a group of students as they investigate a phenomenon called the Dark Hour, which leads them to clashes against supernatural beings called Shadows. It also tackles the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery as they strengthen the manifestations of their psyches known as Personas by defeating Shadows, building social bonds, and evenansweringPersonaschool quizzesduring their day-to-day lives. The game was a turning point for the franchise in terms of gameplay and graphics, asP3 Reloadproducer Kazuhisa Wada stated in a recent interview, which is why it was selected for a remake.
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This remake will feature character sprites and map models will also be overhauled to match or even surpassPersona 5’s graphics qualityand polish. Players can expect new cutscenes as well as modernized versions of existing ones. There will be additional user interface features as well, like a minimap and moon phases. One can easily track their objectives in a small window below the date. To take advantage of modern hardware, the game will add more NPCs to popular areas like Gekkoukan High School. It also supports a 60fps frame rate and up to 4K resolution.
Persona 3 Reloadwill also take some of the best gameplay practices from previous installments, which include the ability to give direct orders to teammates. This feature was introduced inPersona 4, and it gives players more strategic options during combat.Tartarus will also be revamped forP3 Reload, with a seemingly new structure and more spacious floors. It will also feature breakable objects, but there’s no information about the benefits the players may get from this. The player character can now dash inside dungeons as well, which can be helpful in juking powerful shadows during the early game.
On top of reportedly featuring the most voiced dialogue in aPersonagame to date,P3 Reloadwill feature an all-new, and arguably all-star, voice-over cast. The protagonist will be played by Aleks Le, who is also known for lending his voice toLuke fromStreet Fighter 6, adult Thorfinn fromVinland Saga, and Katsuo fromCyberpunk: Edgerunners. Main cast members Yukari Takeba and Junpei Iori will be voiced by Heather Gonzalez and Zeno Robinson, respectively. Both voice actors have worked on various English dubs of anime and video games.
The Japanese version of the game will have voice lines re-recorded from scratch by the original VAs. WhileP3 Reloadwill be localized in 13 languages, some of them will feature native languages in subtitles only. Fans are also being treated to new music that’s specially arranged forPersona 3 Reload.
This remake will feature some quality-of-life changes as well. The condition system, which causes party members to fatigue over time, is being removed.Social links can’t be broken inPersona 3 Reload, either, although they can still be temporarily reversed. Atlus has taken the term “remake” to heart by adding the best elements of its latest games toP3 Reload. Despite this, it still wants to make it feel as close to the original game as possible. Players will see if this is the case once the game comes out next year.
Persona 3 Reloadis set to be released in 2024 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
