Persona 3 Reload

About

"Persona 3 Reload is a reimagined RPG where you step into a transfer student's shoes, awakening powerful abilities to explore the Dark Hour and fight for friends. This Deluxe Edition offers cutting-edge graphics, modern features, new scenes, and voiceovers, enhancing the emotional journey of the original game. However, note that in-game music tracks cannot be downloaded in any audio format."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 35,359 reviews

story2.5k positive mentions

grinding508 negative mentions

The music in 'Persona 3 Reload' is widely praised for its emotional depth, blending nostalgic and fresh elements, and enhancing the game's atmosphere.
The story is masterfully crafted with compelling characters and emotional moments, often regarded as the best in the Persona series.
The gameplay has been modernized with new mechanics that add depth and strategy, making it accessible for newcomers while still appealing to long-time fans.

Some fans are disappointed with changes to the original soundtrack and the absence of the female protagonist route, leading to mixed feelings about the story's completeness.
The gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, particularly in Tartarus, which may deter players from multiple playthroughs.
The monetization practices, including expansion passes and microtransactions, have drawn significant criticism, leading to a perception of a cash grab.

story
6,488 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
59%
2%
The story of "Persona 3 Reload" is widely praised for its emotional depth and character development, often regarded as the best in the Persona series. While it retains the core narrative from the original game, it introduces new content and character interactions that enhance the overall experience, making it more accessible to newcomers. However, some players note pacing issues and the absence of the female protagonist route and the epilogue "The Answer" as drawbacks, leading to mixed feelings about the completeness of the story.
- “Fantastic story (seriously will make you cry at times)”
- “The story is masterfully crafted, with compelling characters and emotionally charged moments that will stay with you long after the credits roll.”
- “The story, music, and characters are a huge part of persona games, and 3 reload does not slack here at all.”
- “The story struggles to keep me invested during its +70 hour long runtime.”
- “The pacing is a bit odd at times, and the early game can have the story feel a bit lost.”
- “The story is incredibly lackluster and boring at the first half and takes a while to build towards the ending.”
music
4,266 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
The music in "Persona 3 Reload" has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its blend of nostalgic and fresh elements, featuring both remixed classic tracks and new compositions. While some fans express disappointment over changes to beloved original songs, particularly in terms of vocal performances and arrangements, the overall soundtrack is celebrated for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere. However, there are criticisms regarding the digital handling of the soundtrack, as it is locked behind an application rather than being available as downloadable files, which has frustrated some players.
- “The music is phenomenal, and the overall style and funk this game now has with the stylized menus and ui following p5, this game is most definitely the definitive version of base game p3.”
- “The soundtrack is nothing short of phenomenal, with haunting melodies and catchy tunes that will stick with you long after the credits roll.”
- “The music, the characters, the story; everything is sublime.”
- “The music is a let down, but gods the other sound design is good.”
- “The remixed music are bangers.”
- “The soundtrack was annihilated with no option for the original.”
gameplay
3,160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
63%
5%
The gameplay of "Persona 3 Reload" has received significant praise for its modernization and enhancements compared to the original, incorporating mechanics from "Persona 5" such as the "shift" and "theurgy" systems, which add depth and strategy to combat. While many players appreciate the streamlined experience and improved graphics, some express concerns about the repetitiveness of dungeon crawling in Tartarus and the overall ease of gameplay, suggesting it may lack the challenge of earlier titles. Overall, the game is seen as a compelling blend of engaging storytelling and refined gameplay, making it accessible for newcomers while still appealing to long-time fans.
- “Fantastic JRPG gameplay joined with one of the most classic narratives to ever be released by Atlus or others.”
- “The gameplay is another highlight—it's laid-back yet engaging, allowing players to immerse themselves in the world without feeling overwhelmed.”
- “The gameplay has been modernized, which has mostly been for the better.”
- “The battle mechanics at first are pretty cool but get boring and repetitive over time, sadly.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, grindy and personally I liked Persona 5 way more (haven't played the other ones).”
- “The gameplay loop becomes so repetitive and boring that you will most likely just press auto-play.”
graphics
2,108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
2%
The graphics of "Persona 3 Reload" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visual overhaul, which enhances character models, environments, and animations while maintaining the original's aesthetic charm. Many reviewers noted that the game successfully combines the vibrant style of "Persona 5" with the darker themes of "Persona 3," resulting in a visually captivating experience. However, some players expressed concerns about the loss of the original's atmospheric tone and the occasional graphical inconsistencies, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, they may not fully capture the essence of the original game.
- “A truly stunning game, amazing graphics, amazing soundtrack, main game worth the price.”
- “The visuals are stunning for a remake, with updated character models and environments that stay true to the original while enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The visual overhaul is breathtaking, with modern graphics that still capture the dark, atmospheric tone of the original game.”
- “Returning players may find it repetitive aside from updated graphics and visuals.”
- “They have not done much and the graphics are the plain Atlus graphics which at their best can almost be called not bad.”
- “The subdued, bleak aesthetic of the original game has been destroyed, and replaced with persona 5 blue edition.”
emotional
1,184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Persona 3 Reload" is overwhelmingly praised, with many players reporting that the game made them cry multiple times due to its deeply engaging narrative and character development. Reviewers highlight the masterful storytelling, poignant themes of friendship, loss, and self-discovery, as well as a powerful soundtrack that enhances the emotional impact of key moments. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster that resonates long after the credits roll, making it a must-play for fans of emotionally charged storytelling in video games.
- “The story is masterfully crafted, with compelling characters and emotionally charged moments that will stay with you long after the credits roll.”
- “This game is an emotional journey filled with joy and sadness that leaves you aching for more, with plenty of opportunities to both smile widely and sob uncontrollably in equal measure.”
- “The emotional depth of the story and the unforgettable characters remain intact, while the new features, like voice acting for every line of dialogue, elevate the experience.”
- “Boring story, boring dungeon (Tartarus), and boring daily tasks (eating burgers and studying) - how riveting.”
- “The emotional depth is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I felt no attachment to the storyline; it was just a series of mundane tasks.”
grinding
532 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
95%
The grinding aspect of "Persona 3 Reload" has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the quality-of-life improvements that make grinding more tolerable compared to previous versions, such as the removal of the tiredness mechanic and the introduction of the shuffle time system, others find the repetitive nature of Tartarus and the extensive grinding required for character progression to be tedious and overwhelming. Overall, players who enjoy grinding in JRPGs may find it rewarding, but those who dislike it might feel burdened by the game's demands.
- “Merciless should be merciless for a reason, and yet I was able to beat the entire game solo using only Orpheus with no grinding.”
- “Similarly to the original, Tartarus gets extremely boring and tedious for me at around 75% of the way through the game to the point that I checked out and set the difficulty to the easiest just to get it over with faster, which I don't usually do for Megaten games.”
- “It is advertised as a 25-ish hour epilogue, yet 22 of those hours are spent grinding through Tartarus-lite, and the story beats aren't worth the grind.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, grindy, and personally I liked Persona 5 way more (haven't played the other ones).”
optimization
308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
51%
14%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While many players report smooth performance on high-end PCs and commend its optimization for current hardware, others have experienced significant issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, where performance drops and stuttering are common when ray tracing is enabled. Some users suggest that turning off certain graphical features can alleviate these problems, but the game still shows variability in performance across different setups.
- “The game runs smoothly with minimal bugs.”
- “This is how you do a remake, well optimized, amazing new voice cast, modern mechanics.”
- “The game is optimized and runs extremely well, better than many other games I play.”
- “The release itself is utterly pathetic, being riddled with performance issues, and outright preventing some individuals (myself included) from playing the game on PC.”
- “Badly optimized FPS drops not worth 70 dollars; if you bought this at max price, you are on crack. Wait for a sale or buy a cheap game key.”
- “Terrible optimization (but that's nothing new for Atlus games on PC :|| )”
atmosphere
234 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
64%
3%
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its captivating visuals and engaging soundtrack that enhance the overall experience. However, a significant number of players feel that the remake lacks the darker, more haunting qualities of the original, resulting in a less impactful emotional tone. While some appreciate the modernized aesthetics, others argue that the vibrant art style detracts from the game's intended atmosphere, leading to a sense of disappointment for fans of the original's eerie ambiance.
- “The haunting melodies and energetic battle themes perfectly complement the game's atmosphere.”
- “Every moment, from wandering the halls of Gekkoukan High School to facing down powerful shadows in Tartarus, is visually stunning, while retaining the atmosphere and charm that fans fell in love with in the original.”
- “The evocative soundtrack further elevates the atmosphere, seamlessly complementing the story's emotional depth.”
- “The atmosphere has definitely gone, with the game being a lot less horror-y and the dark hour being way less scary in general.”
- “For better or worse, reload keeps the gameplay and story beats mostly intact, but something crucial is missing: the atmosphere and vibe is severely watered down.”
- “The eerie, brooding atmosphere of the original is entirely absent.”
humor
210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever balance between drama and comedy, with many players highlighting the witty dialogue and amusing character interactions. Fans particularly enjoy the comedic moments involving characters like Junpei and the humorous situations that arise throughout the story, making it a memorable and entertaining experience. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with emotional depth, leaving players both laughing and reflecting on their journey.
- “There are a lot of subtle details in the new dialogues maintaining balance between drama and humor.”
- “Great music, funny characters, thoughtful combat, all rolled into one addictive package.”
- “I will say P3 has been great and hilarious with the dialogue options. I always get a good laugh since the main character's demeanor is reserved and laid back for the most part. My favorite response so far: 'just shut up and eat.' So direct! It's a different flavor from P5 with regards to character casts and villains in the game.”
- “Not funny, cried”
- “Not funny, cried”
- “Slight negatives are combat, a bit of grinding, nostalgia cash-grab DLCs, and that most Persona fans are unfunny weirdos.”
character development
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
Character development in "Persona 3 Reload" is widely praised for its depth and integration into the narrative, with many players noting that each character undergoes significant growth throughout the story. The game effectively weaves together personal backstories and themes of loss and acceptance, allowing for a more cohesive and impactful character arc compared to previous titles in the series. However, some critiques highlight that certain characters may feel underdeveloped or sidelined, particularly in relation to the plot's pacing and structure.
- “Every character, Yukari, Junpei, Mitsuru, Akihiko, Fukka, and Aigis get their own character development throughout, as well as having to face the reality of Persona 3 Reload's finale and how they will choose to live on after these events.”
- “The game's theme is always present, and instead of regulating character development to just a short portion or the social links, every character's development is spread evenly throughout the story in a way that feels natural.”
- “All SEES members are highly relatable and charismatic in their own ways, and the character development that unfolds as the story progresses is simply brilliant.”
- “Being a game by Atlus, it has terrible storytelling and character development as well as the best art and UI design.”
- “You'll get a better story and character development reading the back of a bottle of soap than this.”
- “A big flaw I find in the later titles in the series is that by moving the character development of the main characters to their social links, they lose a lot if not all of their impact in the story.”
monetization
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
26%
70%
The monetization practices of Atlus and Sega have drawn significant criticism from users, who describe them as "scummy" and akin to a "cash grab." Many reviewers express frustration over the inclusion of expansion passes and microtransactions for content that should have been part of the base game, leading to a perception that the companies are prioritizing profit over player experience. Despite the game's quality, the monetization strategy has left a negative impression, with some recommending against supporting it financially.
- “While I don't agree with the monetization model of the game, I recommend it nonetheless.”
- “Persona 3 Reload is a magnificent remake of the original PS2 classic JRPG that is only hindered by Atlus forcing microtransactions.”
- “I am also okay with the $70 price tag, but the inclusion of an expansion pass and all the microtransactions for things that really should be in the game at release (or released later for free or at least much lower price) is not appreciated.”
- “One thing I can't overlook is Sega's way of monetization to nickel and dime their fans.”
- “I love the game, but Atlus truly grinds my gears with its monetization practices.”
- “This should have been the definitive edition of Persona 3, but at this point it just looks like a massive cash grab on Sega’s and Atlus’ part to cash out on nostalgia, given that to have the entire experience of Persona 3, with the expansion pass and 3 portable for its excluded content, it's in the ballpark of $125.”
replayability
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
69%
6%
The replayability of Persona 3 Reload is a mixed bag; while the game offers multiple story paths and social links that enhance replay value, the lengthy and tedious grind in Tartarus may deter some players from multiple playthroughs. Many reviewers note that despite its engaging story and characters, it is considered the least replayable entry in the Persona series, with some wishing for additional features like a female protagonist option to boost replayability further. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable enough to warrant revisiting, but not without its drawbacks.
- “With multiple story paths, social links, and the addictive nature of the gameplay, Persona 3 Reload offers incredible replay value.”
- “One of the highlights of Persona 3 Reload is the expanded content that adds depth and replay value to the experience.”
- “It's honestly pretty short but a fun experience that's really replayable.”
- “Definitely not much in the way of replayability though, Tartarus is just far too long and tedious for me to ever face it again, even for a story that good.”
- “My only gripe with Reload is the decision to not include the female protagonist option from Persona 3 Portable. Including this inclusive and loved feature would vastly improve this game's quality and replayability immensely; this would make this the true definitive way to play and experience Persona 3.”
- “Social links add replay value, but the grind in Tartarus may deter multiple playthroughs.”
stability
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
41%
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly with minimal issues. However, some users have reported significant problems on PC, including crashes and freezing, often requiring hard reboots. While there are workarounds available, they are not universally effective, and some players have experienced occasional bugs and performance dips.
- “The game runs great on the Steam Deck, which has been the primary system that I play my games on for almost 2 years since my PC hasn't been working for 3 years.”
- “Regardless, the game runs great with no issues that I could notice.”
- “Phenomenal story, amazing quality of life changes, and the game actually runs great, which is a crazy achievement for any game released in the 2020s.”
- “Every time I try loading my game, it freezes my computer and I have to perform a hard reboot to get my PC back to a working state.”
- “On top, the PC version has no support for widescreen, buggy resolution settings, poor lighting in lots of areas, and has a messy family sharing system (perhaps due to the included mandatory DLC that cannot be shared).”
- “Apart from all of the DLC shenanigans going on and numerous crashes and troubleshooting before the game would function again, it's pretty damn good.”