Persona 3 Reload
- February 2, 2024
- SEGA of America, Inc.
Get on PS StorePersona 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.
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Reviews
- The game features a fantastic mix of improved graphics and gameplay while maintaining the original's beloved story and characters.
- Quality of life improvements, such as a rewind system and full party control, enhance the overall experience, making it more enjoyable than the original.
- The deep and engaging story, along with well-developed characters, provides a thought-provoking narrative that resonates with players.
- The absence of a female protagonist and some content from previous versions, like The Answer epilogue, has disappointed many fans.
- Some players have reported issues with region-specific content and pre-order bonuses not being accessible due to version discrepancies.
- While the game is enjoyable, it still retains some dated mechanics from the original, which may not appeal to all players.
- story20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story of the latest Persona game continues to impress with its deep characterization and emotional themes, particularly focusing on darker subjects like death and depression. While it retains the core narrative of the original Persona 3, it incorporates modern mechanics and quality-of-life improvements, making it accessible yet still impactful. However, some players noted the absence of a female protagonist and certain gameplay limitations that could affect replayability.
“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.”
“Atlus has taken the core of the original Persona 3 with its story and themes and improved upon a lot of its fundamentals that were implemented in Persona 4 and 5.”
“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.”
“But this storyline is much more serious and dark than Persona 4 and 5.”
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality, with a complete overhaul of the original soundtrack and the addition of new songs, although some players feel the new female vocalist doesn't quite match the game's mood. While many have grown to appreciate the remixed tracks over time, there are complaints about missing pre-order bonus songs and a learning curve associated with the changes. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's experience.
“Perfect game, combat, music and story.”
“Amazing music and graphics have been touched up to match that of Persona 5 Royal.”
“Lots of quality of life improvements, the new soundtrack is great, and the game's story is just as wonderful as ever.”
“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.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is enjoyable and incorporates modern mechanics from Persona 5, such as full party control and a limited rewind option, enhancing the experience of the original Persona 3 story. While it offers fun and engaging gameplay throughout a lengthy playthrough, it doesn't fully realize its potential as the definitive version of the classic, partly due to hardware limitations and some questionable mechanics. Overall, the updated graphics and streamlined gameplay provide a satisfying experience for both newcomers and series veterans.
“The gameplay is fun with a few things added from P5 along with some things unique to the game.”
“Very slick, the updated graphics look amazing, and gameplay was an absolute blast.”
“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.”
“If you've played Persona 5 or any of the other games in the series, you'll already be accustomed to most of the mechanics in the game.”
“The gameplay is still nothing revolutionary, but it is fun from the start to the end of my 100-hour playthrough!”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics have received significant updates, showcasing a sleek and polished aesthetic reminiscent of Persona 5 Royal, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the graphical improvements alongside quality of life additions, making the game visually appealing and enjoyable for fans of the genre.
“Everything you loved about the original is still here with graphical updates and quality of life additions.”
“Very slick, the updated graphics look amazing, and gameplay was an absolute blast.”
“Amazing music and graphics have been touched up to match that of Persona 5 Royal.”
“From the graphics to the battle system, UI, and music, everything feels underwhelming.”
“The graphics look similar to Persona 5 Royal, but they lack originality and depth.”
“While the gameplay has been streamlined, the graphics fail to impress and feel outdated.”
- 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 strong feelings, alongside well-developed characters that enhance the overall experience.
“The ending made me cry; the characters are amazing, and the combat is pretty good too.”
- 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 is impossible in a single playthrough, encouraging players to dive back in and explore different paths.”
“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 depth during gameplay.”
- 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.
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is considered weaker compared to Persona 4 and 5, with some users feeling it doesn't reach the same comedic heights, though it still maintains a level of enjoyment.
