Visual and Gameplay Enhancements
Persona 3: Reload features modernized visuals similar to Persona 5, offering animated cutscenes that were absent in the Portable version [1:4]. The remake introduces new mechanics such as "Theurgy," which replaces the Fusion spell system from the original game. This mechanic allows characters to perform powerful attacks that ignore enemies' elemental strengths
[1:9]. Additionally, players can now control party members during battles, a feature not available in the FES version
[1:4].
Content Changes and Missing Features
While Persona 3: Reload includes enhancements, it lacks certain content from previous versions. Notably, the Female MC option from Persona 3 Portable is missing [1:2]
[1:4]. The Answer epilogue from FES is available as paid DLC
[1:2]. Some players have noted that the game feels like a reskin of Persona 5, with gameplay elements borrowed from the newer title
[1:5]
[1:6].
Narrative and Character Adjustments
Persona 3: Reload maintains the core plot of the original game but includes new events and dialogue changes [1:1]
[1:2]. Some characters may leave different impressions due to these updates
[1:1]. The narrative structure remains largely the same, though some players feel the story starts slowly compared to Persona 5
[2:1].
DLC and New Game Plus
The DLC for Persona 3: Reload offers additional Tartarus gameplay and character flashbacks, providing closure to the story [5:1]
[5:2]. However, opinions on its value vary, with many recommending purchasing it during sales
[5:3]
[5:4]. In New Game Plus mode, players retain their level, social stats, persona compendium, items, and equipment, although Merciless difficulty limits these carryovers
[4:1].
Overall, Persona 3: Reload offers a refreshed experience with modern visuals and gameplay tweaks while omitting some content from previous iterations. It appeals to fans of the series looking for a polished version of the classic game.
This might sound like a strange question, but to provide a bit of backstory, I was considering getting into the game because I was interested in learning about the gameplay structure of the remake to understand how it worked in things like the battle system. However, I would like to mention that my experience with Persona 3 has been mostly limited with the FES version and some of the PSP version.
Secondly, I would like to know what makes the new remake the definitive version of the game because I was interested in learning about the pros and cons of said remake in case I should be aware of any changes that happened in the remake. To explain, I was wondering how well the core cast of characters themselves were handled in the new one because I wanted to know if there were any major changes that I should know about regarding characters like Junpei and Yukari in the remade version.
Finally, one last thing that I would like to add is that If this post came off as a bit eccentric in the way it was presented, I do apologize as I have a writing condition in how I write my messages as I don’t want to offend anyone, but I just have an odd way of how I write sometimes, so I can explain what I mean if my post is a bit difficult to understand as I really just want to have a simple discussion on the game, so again I apologize if the way I write bothers people as I can explain further what I am looking for if anyone does not understand my post on the Persona 3 remake as I swear it’s not my intention to confuse anyone in any way.
how much of FES and psp did you play? Reload is still structured the same and for the most part still plays the exact same aside from a few new shops, events, and a new combat mechanic in theurgy.
a common complaint of Reload is that its not a definitive version as its missing all of the Femc related content from Portable and The Answer epilogue is paid DLC. There apparently are dialogue changes but i didnt notice anything when i played it, granted its been a while since i touched the older versions. Otherwise the plot is handled the same as the originals.
Just a small amount of FES and PSP for the 3rd game as I was simply curious on how Reload works in the battle system regarding differences.
If you played enough to know how the calender system works and the day to day flow then you already know how the game works
Theurgy has replaced the Fusion spell system from the original. Each character over the course of a tartarus exploration builds a meter (each character builds it faster in different ways) once full they can choose to do a theurgy attack, basically a big special move that ignores enemies elemental/phys strengths. The MC gets access to more than everyone else but he needs to collect specific personas to do so.
I forgot theres also shift, which is basically a nerfed version of baton pass from P5. When you hit an enemies weakness or crit you can choose to pass to any character you want.
To explain, I was wondering how well the core cast of characters themselves were handled in the new one because I wanted to know if there were any major changes that I should know about regarding characters like Junpei and Yukari in the remade version.
I don't think any of the characters were deliberately changed, but due to a combination of the new VAs, the new events, the new localization, new sprites, etc. some of them definitely leave different impressions.
Yukari's probably the most notable.
For instance, in FES during one of the early classroom scenes when Junpei first meets the protagonist, she says
*sigh* At it again, huh? I swear, you'll talk to anyone if they'll listen. Did you ever think you might be bothering someone?
In Reload she says
There you go again, acting like everybody's best friend... Try not to make him uncomfortable, okay?
They're the same idea, but the latter (especially with the different voice acting) gives the impression that she's just mildly exasperated by Junpei's antics and is concerned for the MC while the former makes it sound like she wants to rip out Junpei's testicles.
Junpei himself also looks a lot friendlier with his new sprites and his new voice acting is also a little more laid back, so he comes across as more genuine in this encounter.
I will mention that allegedly the Reload script/VA direction is actually closer to how the original Japanese version of FES was. I'm not fluent in Japanese so I can't confirm for myself, but I wouldn't be surprised considering that the English FES script has a lot of stark localization changes (ex. saying "junior" instead of "second-year," or the fact that Yukari calls Mitsuru "Mitsuru-senpai" earlier in the game in FES whereas in Reload she only calls her "Kirijo-senpai" until they become closer late-game, with the latter seeming a lot more appropriate).
Now I understand what you meant by the changes regarding Yukari as I was confused because I believed you meant that Reload Yukari was more aggressive in her interactions with Junpei, but it looks like she is a bit more forgiving with him in the remake.
Fes doesn't let you control your party members, Portable has no animated cutscenes. Reload has both and totally modernised visuals similar to P5. It has hangout events witht he male party members, not social links but at least more than FES had. You can gain skills and boost with dorm activities.
The Answer from Fes is playable as paid DLC and was not in Portable. Rescue missions like Portable had were added in Tartarus as well as extra stuff like doors with extra challenges and rewards.
The only thing missing is the Female MC option that portable had
Gameplay is just Persona 5 reskin, plays the same and feels the same. That's why many call it soulless. Instead of refining the unique mechanic from OG P3, Atlus instead completely abandons it. Copy and pasted P5 gameplay because that's what the modern audience is familiar with.
So basically the remake just copies aspects of the modern Persona games such as the 5th one.
Yea, mostly P5 as the game is targeted for P5 fans. If the gameplay isn't enough of a proof, just look at the DLC personas and the secret boss in the Answer.
Yo why did you blocked me u/Slybandito7 lmao
Anyways
Theurgy is an even more broken version of showtime. Players can use it almost everysingle time because it charges up quickly and it has pierce effect, meaning you can use it without any failstate just like showtime.
P3 FES is the only modern Persona where i didn't need to deliberately handicapped my self in battle nor did i need to play it at the hardest difficulty. Each mechanic has it's own strengths and weaknesses, it's up to the players to use it effectively.
Dungeon crawling in Reload is a significant dowgrade compared to P3 FES. In Reload Tartarus is wider has a lot more space for players to just run past the shadows without getting jumped. Reload's shadows are complete idiots, they're not only slow but a quitter. They'll easily give up and atop chasing you, they don't even try to make the players uncomfortable
In P3 FES, Tartarus was narrow players can't just run past the shadows without getting it's attention. Shadows was relentless, they won't get baited and actually knows the ins and out of Tartarus, the place that they should know very well. For example if you try to lure the shadow out so in an attempt to progress to the next floor of Tartarus, the shadow actually won't give in and instead stand their ground.
You only have two options, still trying to walk past them but at the risk of getting jumped by the shadows and potentially die and lose all your progress or you take the low risk route and just fight it. Tired mechanic also come in with this, it's basically the game telling you to stop grinding and go back home.
But what if a shadow was blocking your way of using the exit portals on the next floor? Are you willing to take the risk trying to run past it? Or are you going to fight it but your attack is weaker than usual? Giving players something to consider. This is missing from newer Persona games, HIGH RISK HIGH REWARD.
These mechanics are what makes P3 distinct, people actually like the tactics mechanic because it feels more rewarding felt like you're a leader giving your party commands. People actually use various weapons as they aren't only for shows, each and every one of them has their own strengths and weaknesses. We actually expects Atlus to refine these unique mechanics in a Remake of the game not throw it away.
I get it, modern audience like you lot don't like it when a game tries to make you uncomfortable or strat asking questions. You just want to faceroll on your controller and win whilst watching flashy attacks that have no failstate. But that's what the difficulty option is for, lower your difficulty and you can achieve that. Don't make us also lower our standards so that it matches yours.
what do they copy? aside from Shift and theurgy (which wasnt in P5 and is more an evolution of fusion spells) its still basically persona 3, they even have the different phys types.
Shift is baton pass neutered and theurgy it self is an even more broken version of showtime, just overpowered skills that the players can use whenever wherever since it will cost you nothing. Those two can't be ignored since they are the main combat mechanics that the game wants the players to use often. Resulting in the game plays and also feels like P5.
The complete abandonment of the tactics mechanic, being able to use not only just one weapon, tired mechanic also removed, Tartarus and shadows behavior are also nerfed. Unfortunately that's how modern audience wants it. Next thing is Atlus gonna butchered the remake of classic persona starting with changing the demon negotiation mechanic to the barely existant one like in P5.
I'm actually thinking about buying Persona 3 Reload in the future, the only thing that worries me is that it's very different from what I've seen or heard (I've already played Persona 5), I really like the games in the series but I'd like to know if you think Persona 3 Reload is a good game in your experience (Mechanics, gameplay, etc.).
Ir’s not really different just not as good “game” as p5r. More grind, less things to do etc.
But p3 has better story and characters. Story starts very very slow.
I like it better then p5 because if the story so i definitely recommend it but understand that it’s basically polished ps2 game so expect some pretty outdated choices.
I do have to say, for me personally, I enjoy the simplicity of it compared to P5R. I tend to not like gimmicky puzzles and lots of nuanced activities, I like some interesting elements but not too simple or complicated, and P3R fits this well.
Not to mention that the Tartarus (P3 dungeon) grind fits in with the narrative, and I actually find it still rather fun
What story?. Waiting till the last 8hrs of the game to get any sort of story is nowhere near “a better story than P5”.
Last 8 hours? I say at the beginning of October is where everything really picks up.
Me when no media comprehension
Why don’t you ask the persona 3 reload sub where everyone hates the game?
If you're on pc or Xbox you can do a month of gamepass to try it out.
yes
Disturbing the peace 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥
Hey guys, I decided to discover the universe of Persona with the spring sales of Steam, I took P5 because the game was considered as a masterpiece and I wanted to give it a try… but what about P3?
Could you please give me arguments of “why P3R is also a good choice or if it’s not”
Yes! I played SMTV:V before and thought persona is boring because of daily life stuff. Turns out I was totally wrong. Finished p3R and immediately bought p5R after. 40hrs in so far and I am still not bored of the franchise
Yes. Though if P5 was your first you should also try P5R and P5S
Yup I just started P5R, I thought it was the same as P5.
The beginning is the same but it's basically the same game with extra content and an extended ending. Though you need to max out some social links to get that ending
Honestly I think P5R ruins the original story, although the gameplay is better
I played the original so I knew the entire story. Even so, they added extra content, better graphics, new music and the answer is a resounding yes!
Reload slaps, I might even like it more than 5
P3R was my first persona game, and yes, its absolutly worthy, the gameplay is very good, the music its awsome, the plot is very good, all of the game is Just almost perfect.
I havent played the DLC because wasnt on my xbox gamepass, but As I heard, its also very good, so yeah, give it a shot.
Im also playing P5R and both are so fking good c':
I finished persona 3 reload last year and I’ve been feeling really nostalgic about it and was wondering if there’s any differences when you start a new game +
In most difficulties you are the same level as when you beat the game and you keep your social stats, persona compendium, items, and equipment.
In merciless, you keep the cosmetic outfits. That’s it.
You also get access to I believe the super boss too in New Game+
The super-boss can be fought on NG.
No compendium in Merciless? I was counting on that…
I just finished my first playthrough of P3R . And i liked it so much, i am thinking of getting the DLC but it's 40$ !? Is it worth the price
Sorry if the question was asked before.
The dlc is a real grind, just constant tower exploration with some story bits here and there. And there's no social sim stuff. But the story is enjoyable and gives closure to it all.
I loved it but I could see how some people could hate it.
Yes but pick it up on sale, I’d never pay full price
not even close to worth it. 14.99 max probably 9.99
no.
I liked the dlc, but its essentially just more tartarus gameplay with some story in the beginning, some character flashbacks, with the majority of the intersting story/gameplay being at the last few hours of the dlc. I would get it when its on sale, but if you like the dungeon crawling part of the game, then you'll like it, otherwise you could just watch some yt videos that cover the story parts
I was wondering is persona 3 reload worth getting 31 dollars or is better get the cheaper persona 3 portable instead alswo how is persona 3 is it better persona 5 i played persona 5 i enjoyed it but how do characters compare to it also hows the story is it better persona 5 or should just wait for year or two when probably go for cheaper
Reload. It has all the content of all versions of the old Persona 3 games except for the female protagonist and male romance options.
As someone who started with Persona 4 Golden then played Persona 5 Royal.. go for Reload.
I haven’t played the 3s yet but I can’t see myself going back to outdated mechanics. P4G is an exception since I really love this game.
It’s almost like the equivalent of trying a first class flight and going back to economy
definitely persona 3 reload. I think p3r has the best cast of characters out of all persona games and story is fantastic as well
Get P3P if you are interested in playing as a girl, other than that it doesn't offer too much now that Reload is out.
Definitely Reload. Exploring Tartarus is awful in the old one, which is why they made some changes to it. Also i know you couldn't control your teammates in the PS2 version, not sure if that's the case for the portable one as well. You can control them in Reload. Now compared to Persona 5, might be a hot take for some, but the social links aren't good in 3, with a few exceptions. 3 is darker in tone and more tragic. 5 is more engaging at first, 3 is more of a slow burn, but it does get really good as it goes. 3 has the best ending of all Personas as well. I do like dungeons and combat more in 5, but 3 Reload is still pretty fun
You can control your party in Portable.
I recently completed P5R, and I also finished P4G last year. Now, I'm interested in playing P3, but I've heard that P3 is being remade. So, I'd like to ask for everyone's opinions. Should I buy Persona 3 Portable and play it now, or should I wait for the release of Persona 3 Reload and play that instead?
Depends on how well you can handle older game mechanics. Though P3P is closer to P4 than to original P3 in that regard, so if you played P4, I don't see you having too much issue with P3P. Also, it being a PSP game originally means they made a lot of sacrifices to the everyday exploring and cut scenes, in order to make it fit. It's a whole lot more Visual Novel now, so it depends how you feel about that sort of game as well. The dungeon and battles are unaffected by this change though.
However, IMO, the English VA's in P3P are really good overall so it'd be a real damn shame to miss out on that. P3P is also the only way to play a female character as the main protagonist in Persona series (so far) as well.
I am a firm believer that playing the original game enhances the experience of a good remake exponentially.
Remakes are made because the majority of people don't want to play games with outdated graphics or mechanics.
What you're saying makes no sense.
How so? I'm not saying that you can't play a remake without having played the original, I'm just saying that people that played the original are going to have a better experience with it than people that played the remake first.
What you're saying makes no sense.
That's not true at all. I always play an original before a remake, and know many others that also do.
It's nice to be able to see the comparison between the two, and appreciate the biggest improvements.
Resident Evil 2 was a big one everyone was replaying the original before the remake. Who the fuck are you speaking for??
Nope remakes are made because it's super safe to take something people like and just do it again.
That's why we're getting those Disney live action remakes and why nobody'll remake bad games even if they had potential.
Too bad P3P isn't the original, but a severely cut down version of it.
It's good enough, if they use a mod to restore the animated cutscenes they aren't missing anything major.
Neither. Play Persona 3 FES.
Watch some footage and think about if you’ll be fine with moving a cursor over a flat world. If so go for it. I played it for the first time as FEMC and really enjoyed it.
P3P is great and a worthwhile game by itself. It’s going to be very different than P3R. I’m very happy that I replayed portable this winter with Reload coming because I got to see the female protagonist route again.
Whether or not you want to spend the money on the game and want to play through what is broadly the same story twice is up to you. It’s worthwhile to me but may or may not be to you.
I've never played p3 but I wanna ask the community who has.
Do you think this game will be a over hype? Just as good as p3. Better than p3 or worse.
I just wanna hear some opinions
It's gonna be better then persona 3, og persona 3 was lacking alot (e.g. party member social links, forced romances, poorly paced plot, tartarus) just improving on any of these things make it better then the original
I only played P3P.
It has controllable party members so it’s going to be better than base P3, but most of us wanted more than just base P3 and some QOL improvements.
"Do you think this game will be a over hype? Just as good as p3. Better than p3 or worse."
About the same as the OG
P3P fans will get mad about femc but idgaf
With no FeMC I am not hyped; but will play once released.
i'm extremely excited since p3 is my favourite game of all time
it's looking like it won't replace the original in both good and bad ways, it's frustrating to not have the answer or femc but the new voice actors, portraits, art style, lighting style and (presumed) gameplay changes were already never going to make the originals obsolete in my heart
Never beat Nyx when playing Portable last year, but after playing 5 and reaching Niijima's place after getting burned out throughout 2024, I'm just tired of Persona 5. I don't enjoy it as much as 3 or 4, 4 being my first game and the only one I've completed.
I just find Persona 5 too easy with all the mechanics, which are cool, convenient and flashy, but just cause me to switch off my brain and mindlessly play.
I've been playing P3P again from the start, I've only done the FemMC route so I've been contemplating buying Reload because its on sale and I haven't played the original route. But if its as easy as 5 in terms of gameplay, do the other additions make up for that or should I just run P3P as I have been?
It's just a little harder than P5, since there's no technical damage, nerfed baton pass (shift), no showtime attacks, party doesn't take a hit for you, they don't remove ailments early during combat. But you have theurgies, which is a super move similar to fusion spells, the difference is every companion has one as opposed to only the protag.
Is this fusion spell you've mentioned like the co-op moves in 4, like what Chie and Yukiko would have?
Also thanks for the answer on the difficulty side, would you advocate for buying it anyways difficulty aside?
No. The fusion spells were a thing in P3P, P3 original and FES, the protagonist summons two personas at the same time to perform a special move. In P3Reload it's called theurgy, the protag still summons two personas, but you need to wait for a special bar to fill up to use it.
I do recommend you buy it, but play on Hard or Merciless.
5 royal is still the easiest persona game by a landslide, but p3r is about on par with base p5 in that regard
which is to say, it's a pretty chill game. i went in doing additional grinding because 1) it's persona 3, i'm pretty conditioned to, and 2) it's persona 3, what else are you gonna do at night?, and i quickly had to switch from normal to hard and stop grinding as much to avoid curbstomping the game lol
Is Reload challenging? No, not really. FES is the most challenging p3 experience, in my opinion. That being said, it's still an amazing game.
I'll probably get reload anyways given that, but on the topic of FES, I've heard its the definitive way to play 3 bar the lack of party control. Would you rank Reload above it nowadays? Obviously I've stated I've only played through portable.
I'd say most people would put it above FES. Primarily because of its accessibility, quality of life changes, and because it's more player friendly. Personally, I love all 3 versions, so they're all equal to me.
Fes is harder, because of shit of piece named Answer
Fes and the original is the intended difficulty. Which of all versions is best/definitive comes down to what you want most, content and graphics: Reload (FEMC aside), FEMC: P3P obviously, gameplay: P3FES, overall difficulty: Original P3
Trust me when I say that FES and og will not let you turn off your brain if you plan on beating the game, specially if you actually use Tactics and manage SLs, status, and fuse Persona with the right attributes to face the bosses. Every release after FES became easier by taking out the aspects P3 introduced to the series
Wait its on sale? Where? The steam sale ended like 3 days ago for me
Harder than 5, easier than 3 and 4.
I think P3R is at the same level or even better than original P3(and FES/P) Reload sure has some direction changes, the game may seem "P5-fied" but I think it's a sign of progress from Atlus part.
I didn't like "reloaded" tracks much, and the overall atmosphere surely is brighter than before, since P3 supposed to be the "darkest" game
But the pros really override the cons—I continue to marvel about how much content is voiced, from random hangouts to SLs. Usually if something is voiced in Persona that means it's important somehow. So I was kinda surprised that the characters were talking pretty much regularly.
Overall, I think this is a well made remake, I hope Atlus will manage to do the same job in P4R
>PC version
>No "change episode" option
I know what kind of man you are... 🏴☠️🦜
(for those who don't know, there's a method to pirate the game where you access all of the content from the demo, just like in SMT V)
If they fuck up heartbreak heartbreak Im not playing
and in the DLC the fights are worse, like in a romantic novel :-:
Spoiler Tag Please
nothing was spoiled though
Yeah it is lmao literally spoils what happens to the main character.
I can hear the music
We can hear the music
When I finished p3r I honestly felt extremely underwhelmed and thought the game was a solid 6/10
How does Persona 3: Reload differ from Persona 3
Key Differences Between Persona 3: Reload and Persona 3
Graphics and Visuals:
Gameplay Mechanics:
Quality of Life Improvements:
Expanded Story Elements:
New Content:
Voice Acting:
Recommendation: If you enjoyed the original Persona 3, Reload is likely to enhance your experience with its modern updates and improvements. If you're new to the series, this version serves as a great entry point, offering a polished and engaging RPG experience.
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