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Persona 3 Remake: Is it Really Happening? And What Can We Expect?

Yes, a Persona 3 remake, titled Persona 3 Reload, is indeed happening. Announced to much fanfare, the game is slated for release by the end of the year and aims to recreate the original Persona 3 experience with updated graphics, gameplay mechanics, and modern flourishes. However, there’s a catch: it won’t be the “definitive” version many fans have been hoping for, leading to both excitement and some degree of disappointment.

Understanding Persona 3 Reload: A New Coat of Paint, But Familiar Bones

The announcement of Persona 3 Reload sent ripples of excitement throughout the gaming community. Persona 3, a cornerstone of the modern Persona formula, has long been a popular title, ripe for a remake.

However, the devil, as always, is in the details. While Reload promises a complete graphical overhaul, refined gameplay mechanics, and a generally updated presentation, it seems it is intentionally focusing on the core Persona 3 experience centered on the male protagonist, Makoto Yuki. This means the additional content from Persona 3 FES (specifically, The Answer epilogue) and Persona 3 Portable (the female protagonist) will not be included.

This decision has led to mixed reactions. On the one hand, fans are thrilled to revisit the beloved story and characters with a modern facelift. On the other hand, the exclusion of FES and Portable content feels like a missed opportunity to create the ultimate Persona 3 experience.

The producer, Ryota Niitsuma, has stated the reason for this is they wanted to remake Persona 3, rather than Persona 3 FES or Persona 3 Portable. This has frustrated many fans who feel that Persona 3 Reload will be incomplete.

What Will Persona 3 Reload Offer?

While some content may be missing, Persona 3 Reload is still aiming to be a significant improvement over the original. Expect:

Completely Remade Visuals: Updated character models, environments, and UI elements will bring Persona 3 into the modern era.
Enhanced Gameplay: Modernized combat mechanics and quality-of-life improvements from later Persona titles will make the gameplay more fluid and engaging.
Re-recorded Dialogue: A fully voiced cast will bring the characters to life like never before.
Reworked Social Links: Social Links, a crucial element of the Persona experience, are expected to be refined and expanded upon.
Faithful recreation of Persona 3 with some modern flourishes: There is new side content, new battle mechanics and new voice-acted lines.
Target Platforms: The title is slated for release on Game Pass, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Windows PC, Steam, and PlayStation 4/5.

The Upsides and Downsides of Leaving Content Out

The decision to exclude FES and Portable content isn’t without its reasons.

Focus and Fidelity: By focusing on the core Persona 3 story, Atlus can deliver a polished and cohesive experience without diluting the original vision.
Preservation: Some argue that recreating the exact experience of the original Persona 3, flaws and all, is important for preservation purposes.
Potential Future Content: Excluding certain content could open the door for future releases or expansions that explore those elements in more detail.

However, the downsides are also considerable:

The “Definitive” Edition Dilemma: Many fans were hoping for a single, definitive version of Persona 3 that includes all content from previous releases. Reload doesn’t deliver on this promise.
Missing Perspectives: The absence of the female protagonist from Portable removes a significant perspective and gameplay option for players.
Story Gaps: The exclusion of The Answer leaves a potential narrative gap for those seeking a complete conclusion to the Persona 3 story.

Is it Worth Playing?

Despite the omissions, Persona 3 Reload is still shaping up to be a worthwhile experience for both newcomers and veterans of the series. The graphical overhaul and gameplay refinements alone make it a compelling reason to revisit or experience Persona 3 for the first time. If you value fidelity to the original story and are primarily interested in the core Persona 3 experience, Reload is a strong contender.

Ultimately, whether you choose to play Persona 3 Reload depends on your expectations. If you’re seeking a definitive version that encompasses all content from previous releases, you may be disappointed. However, if you’re eager to experience the classic Persona 3 story with modern visuals and gameplay, Reload is likely to deliver a satisfying experience. It also may be worth revisiting the Games Learning Society to see if you can apply something that you’ve learned about Persona 3 to something real-world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to the Persona 3 remake, Persona 3 Reload:

1. Will Persona 3 Reload include The Answer from FES?

No, Persona 3 Reload will not include The Answer epilogue from Persona 3 FES. The remake focuses primarily on the original Persona 3 story.

2. Will Persona 3 Reload have the female protagonist from Persona 3 Portable?

Unfortunately, Persona 3 Reload will not feature the female protagonist that was introduced in Persona 3 Portable.

3. Is Persona 3 Reload a remaster or a remake?

Persona 3 Reload is a full remake, not just a remaster. This means it features rebuilt graphics, updated gameplay mechanics, and re-recorded dialogue.

4. Will Persona 3 Reload be released on Nintendo Switch?

No, currently, Persona 3 Reload is not planned for release on the Nintendo Switch.

5. Is Persona 3 FES or Persona 3 Portable being remastered?

The article mentions that Persona 3 and 4 would be remastered. However, Persona 3 Reload would not feature the extra content of Persona 3 FES or Persona 3 Portable.

6. Should I play Persona 3 or Persona 4 first?

It doesn’t matter which you play first since they are unconnected narratively. However, Persona 3 is generally considered harder and more “clunky” than Persona 4 due to its age. Many would suggest playing Persona 3 first so you don’t become accustomed to the modern conveniences.

7. Why didn’t Atlus include FES or Portable content in Reload?

The producer stated the reason was a focus on remaking the original vision of Persona 3 and that FES and Portable content was not intended.

8. Is Persona 3 Portable worth playing?

Yes, Persona 3 Portable is considered an essential JRPG despite missing some gameplay elements from its PS2 predecessors. It’s an excellent way to experience the story, particularly with the female protagonist.

9. What are the key differences between FES and Portable?

FES added The Answer epilogue, while Portable focused on streamlining gameplay, most notably by allowing direct control of party members.

10. Is Persona 3 better than Persona 4?

Both are great RPGs but cater to different tastes. Persona 3 has a more serious story, while Persona 4 is generally lighter in tone.

11. How many years separate the events of Persona 3 and Persona 4?

The events of Persona 3 take place from 2009 to 2010, while Persona 4 is set from 2011 to 2012, about two years apart.

12. Is Persona 3 canon to Persona 5?

Yes, all Persona games are considered canon, with the re-released versions (FES, Golden, Royal) overwriting the base games.

13. Which Persona 3 protagonist gender is considered canon?

The male protagonist is generally considered the canon protagonist since he’s the original and featured in Persona 3 FES.

14. Who is the most powerful Persona in P3P?

Orpheus Telos is the Ultimate Persona, resistant to almost all elements, making it incredibly powerful.

15. What year does Persona 3 take place?

Persona 3 takes place in the year 2009.

Is a Persona 3 remake likely?