Persona 3 Reload
- February 2, 2024
- SEGA of America, Inc.
Persona 3 Reload is an exciting Role Playing Game available for PS5 and PS4. Immerse yourself in a compelling story with complex characters, as you navigate the protagonist's life in a world where shadows come to life in the Dark Hour. With its unique blend of dungeon crawling, social simulation, and turn-based combat, Persona 3 Reload offers a rich and engaging experience that will keep you coming back for more. Buy the game now from PlayStation Store to start your journey.
Reviews
- The game features a fantastic mix of improved graphics, gameplay mechanics, and a deep, engaging story that resonates emotionally.
- Characterization has significantly improved, making the relationships and social links more enjoyable and impactful.
- Quality of life improvements, such as a rewind system and full party control, enhance the overall gameplay experience.
- The game lacks a female protagonist, which could have increased replay value and depth.
- Some fans are disappointed that the remake does not include content from previous versions, such as the FES epilogue and certain character routes.
- The redone soundtrack and voice acting choices have received mixed reviews, with some fans preferring the original versions.
- story12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story in the latest Persona game continues the series' tradition of deep characterization and emotional narratives, effectively blending themes of death and depression with engaging slice-of-life elements. While the updated mechanics enhance gameplay, some players feel the absence of a female protagonist limits replay value, and certain gameplay features could be improved for a more streamlined experience. Overall, the game delivers a compelling and beautifully presented story that resonates with fans of the franchise.
“The Persona series always does a great job with its characters and story, and this game doesn't disappoint!”
“The depth of characterization has improved since the original, but the amazing story still tugs on heartstrings to this day!”
“Great story with beautiful Persona cutscenes.”
“Please note that death and depression are a key point in the story, so if you have a hard time with those topics then this game isn't for you.”
“Overall this game does deliver in that you can get the original Persona 3 story with updated and modern Persona mechanics, but it fails to achieve becoming the 'definitive' way to experience everything that 3 has had to offer in past releases.”
“Dark, gripping story.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its fantastic quality and the complete overhaul of the original soundtrack, featuring new songs and a female vocalist. However, some players feel that the new vocalist does not quite match the game's mood, and there are complaints about missing preorder bonus tracks that have yet to be made available for purchase. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
“From the graphics, the battle system, UI, music, all of it.”
“Perfect game, combat, music, and story.”
“Fantastic music and slick UI elements.”
“The entire OST was redone, along with a few new songs, with a new female vocalist who, while she has a great voice, just doesn't match the mood of the game.”
“I, along with many others, have gotten scammed out of the preorder bonus Persona 4 battle songs that were included in early copies of the game as a code inside the case.”
“I now have to wait for them to eventually add the songs for purchase, likely months from now, if I ever want those songs.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is enjoyable and incorporates both familiar elements from previous titles and new features, such as full party control and a limited rewind option. While it successfully modernizes the original Persona 3 experience, it doesn't fully realize its potential as the definitive version of the game. Overall, players can expect a fun experience throughout their lengthy playthrough.
“The gameplay is fun with a few things added from P5 along with some unique elements to the game.”
“It includes some of the more modern Persona mechanics, like full party control which was not present in the original, and even some new ones like the theurgy system and a rewind option to go back in time without having to reload a save, albeit it is a bit limited in how far back you can go.”
“Overall, this game does deliver in that you can get the original Persona 3 story with updated and modern Persona mechanics, but it fails to achieve becoming the 'definitive' way to experience everything that 3 has had to offer in past releases.”
“The gameplay is still nothing revolutionary, but it is fun from the start to the end of my 100-hour playthrough!”
“It does include some of the more modern Persona mechanics, like full party control which was not present in the original, and even some new ones like the theurgy system and a rewind option to go back in time without having to reload a save, albeit it is a bit limited in how far back you can go.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the graphics are visually appealing and well-integrated with the battle system and user interface, contributing to an immersive experience. The overall aesthetic, combined with the music, enhances the game's atmosphere, making it a standout feature.
“The graphics are stunning, bringing the world to life with incredible detail and vibrant colors.”
“Every scene is beautifully crafted, making exploration a visual delight.”
“The character designs and environments are so immersive, they truly enhance the overall gaming experience.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
“The character models look flat and lifeless, making it hard to get immersed in the game.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is somewhat limited due to the inability to fully explore all social links in a single playthrough and the absence of a female protagonist, which could have enhanced the experience. While the difficulty settings are well-balanced and the nostalgic elements are preserved, minor gameplay mechanics, such as the minimap's lack of detail and restrictions during shuffle time, detract from the overall replay value.
“The game offers a unique replayability factor by allowing players to explore different choices without the hassle of constantly loading save files. The difficulty settings are fair and balanced, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“With a nostalgic setting that preserves early 2000s tech and fashion, the game invites players to experience its story multiple times, each run revealing new aspects and choices.”
“The replay value is enhanced by the challenge of maxing out social links, which encourages players to strategize and explore different paths in subsequent playthroughs.”
“The lack of a female protagonist significantly reduces the replay value, as it limits the variety of perspectives and experiences available in the game.”
“Maxing out the social links in one playthrough is impossible without following a strict guide, which detracts from the natural exploration and enjoyment of the game.”
“The game expects players to memorize the effects of active arcanas based on a tiny image, which can be frustrating and limits the strategic options during gameplay.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the emotional impact of the game, particularly praising the powerful ending that evokes tears and the depth of the characters, which enhances the overall experience alongside enjoyable combat mechanics.
“The ending made me cry; the characters are amazing, and the combat is pretty good too.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the performance in "mass destruction" has been criticized, particularly regarding the new female vocalist, whose rendition is seen as inferior to the original, leading to a disappointing experience for fans familiar with the original version.