Today, we live in the best time for remakes and remastered versions of classic video games of all time. Some clear examples of how the developers have created excellent remakes and kept the best features of the originals are Final Fantasy VII: Remake, Dead Space, Resident Evil 4, and Persona 3 Reload.

The last title is a new version of the classic RPG Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, originally released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2 console. Now we can enjoy the definitive version of Persona 3, released a few weeks ago, which, at first glance, looks incredible.

For fans of the Shin Megami Tensei saga and newcomers to the genre, I wrote this Persona 3 Reload review to analyze and discuss the new gameplay features, improvements, and shortcomings compared to the original game.

• Release Date : February 2, 2024

• Developer : P-Studio

• Publishers: Sega | Atlus

• Platforms : PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

• Metascore : 89

As I briefly mentioned in the introduction, Persona 3 Reload is the highly anticipated and solid remake of the classic role-playing game Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, released eighteen years ago. In general terms, Reload is a brilliant remake from several points of view, integrating some well-welcomed quality life and mechanical adjustments.

Persona 3 follows the path of a high school student who joins SEES, a group of students who investigate a nocturnal anomaly known as the "Dark Hour." During the anomaly, students are able to enter "Tartarus," a parallel version of the school that is filled with shadows and monsters. Students confront these threats using some physical manifestations called “Persona.”

This now definitive version of Persona 3 Reload features some unforgettable and memorable moments from the Persona series, as it was the starting point for many of the classic mechanics that currently characterize the saga. Fortunately for you and players eager to experience an authentic anime-style school adventure, Reload can be easily obtained and played thanks to RoyalCDKeys, simply by clicking the link below!

Persona 3 Reload EG Xbox One/Series CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

Like any remake (reload) worth its salt, Persona 3 Reload represents a clear improvement in terms of visuals and graphic capabilities, modeling, animations, and world-building. From the first moment I witnessed the new version of Persona 3, I noticed a truly impressive graphical leap compared to the original version released in 2006. How could it be otherwise?

However, Reload is more than just a visual uplift. Developers did a great job reinventing all the classic locations and conceptions of the world where the events occur. Persona 3 Reload is more than just a face-wash version of the older version; instead, it’s a reimagination of the original ideas experienced in 2006.

The remade visuals of Reload give a more mature semblance to the title, providing the anime-style aesthetics that the franchise looks for. Moreover, a clear success of this outstanding Persona 3 version is the conservation of that dark setting that characterized the original game and even the entire saga.

No doubt that Reload is a faithful but stunning reimagining of this classic JRPG of all time and a memorable game boasting countless quality of life. Reload will please Persona veterans and newcomers alike.

The gameplay, in general, is pretty similar to the original title, involving role-playing elements such as entering into dialogue with multiple NPCs and party members and exploring a vast city either during the day or night. Persona 3 Reload also brings to the modern era of consoles the simulation elements that characterize this franchise, such as the school life where you must fulfill your duties.

Reload also delves into the bonds you can create with your teammates and schoolmates. These links impact the possibilities of creating social ties and, in the long term, the possibility of creating a specific Persona according to the natural Arcana of your interlocutor.

Although the new Reload maintains much of the spirit of the original title, the artists have gone further and provided the game with several animation panels that function as a reminiscence of the manga and anime. The colors, lights, shadows, and cel-shading style really fill Reload with a soul full of vitality.

Like never before in the Persona series – or any of the Atlus video games – in Reload each Persona is introduced into the battle in a striking way, focusing on drama and histrionics. This way, the modern remake builds an altar for each Persona, highlighting the aspects that make them unique.

Persona 3 Reload is a truly seminal RPG not only for being a fantastic remake from the general “Persona” concept point of view but also for featuring an incredible battle system that motivates new and existing fans.

In all fairness, Reload's battle system is quite similar to what you can find in the original Persona 3 and even other Persona games. It means classic turn-based combat but improved for the new generation of players who are not used to slow-paced combat. Even though the combat system is largely the same, it has been profoundly reinvented in terms of visuals, dynamics, animations, voice acting, and more.

The artists behind this title did an excellent job treating the old graphics and converting them into a totally new combat presentation. Battles are a spectacle from the very beginning, which will make you participate in more and more battles, independent of the dungeon you are in. Visual enhancements during battle are also life improvements and storytelling enhancements since they will keep you focused on what will happen to continue your adventure.

However, the combat system in Reload has no gameplay enhancements. Still, its strongest point is the overall feeling of magnificence it provides due to impressive animations, the speed of interactions, and the multiple options you and any party member have. The fighting moments in this Persona game are a delight to behold and can be enjoyed by a completely new generation despite its turn-based mechanics.

In terms of fighting and school activities, Reload remains fundamentally unchanged compared to the original 2006 title. The exploration outside of school and the general activities you can do in your free time are largely the same, which can be a legitimate disappointment for many players looking for new content and an expansion of tasks.

In retrospect, and especially compared to Persona 4 and 5, Reload doesn't have much to offer in terms of city activities, which may be a drawback for most Persona fans. However, this modern Persona title expands on that situation, but only in the dormitory.

These new features related to activities that you can do at home range from cooking to watching television in the company of your friends. They even let you increase bonds with specific characters, which, in the long run, offers a boost to social stats for special items or buffs that can be important in battle. The best incarnation of this situation is the buff Yukari gains, which allows her to use healing spells with a lower MP cost.

Most of this life-sim RPG is dedicated to Social Links, as I mentioned above. Still, the option to visit certain zones and work in the Changall Cafe, for example, makes maxing out social stats easier in Reload. However, these activities can become a bit repetitive soon, although their inclusion is always a good source of material for the story.

In any case, this excellent remake also includes interesting new features that enhance relationships with the characters. For example, Persona's seasoned modern storytelling and English voice cast live up to the classic legacy of previous titles. Social events are also enhanced thanks to new scenarios with all the voices that nourish this safe remake from various angles. The newly added character scenes also help create this feeling. This aspect of the title makes it feel really alive!

Other nice improvements are optional romances (except when playing as the exclusive female protagonist of Persona 3 Portable) and text messages that will help you keep track of school and other activities that make Reload a gem of the entire genre.

Persona 3 is probably the best and most fun title in the Persona series – at least in my opinion – with an unforgettable story and female and male party members.

In this full-on remake, most stories, whether personal or group-based, are executed with greater finesse thanks to freshly written characters. The game boasts an equally impressive cast and an enhanced narrative that interweaves their stories for a deeper and more emotionally resonant plot. Group dynamics have also seen improvement, blending seamlessly with modernized visuals and a bombastic package of unique situations that tug at the heartstrings, making the storyline an experience not to be missed.

In terms of cast, Reload is probably the best game of the series –or the second one after Persona V. It will likely generate a doubt debate about what is the more compelling group.

Reload has added more things to do and see within Tartarus so that dungeon crawling doesn't become so monotonous. I know Tartarus is an extremely complex dungeon, which can be a problem since the developers didn't know how to solve most of the problems with this important building.

The "dungeon crawling" situation in Tartarus Tower has pretty much the same problems as in the original game, with stages and floors that aren't equally connected to the plot and even the characters. There can still be randomly generated floors, which can be really interesting for replayability, but adding some variety to a game location could have been a great solution.

However, Tartarus, in terms of visuals, atmosphere, and the feeling of a “dark place,” is impeccable. Here, Tartaru is essential and an integral part of the game, so its visual improvements were necessary. The shadows are always in better shape, and the battles here look more impressive thanks to the nice environment and aesthetics.

Something that will cement Reload’s status is its incredible soundtrack, which is very common in the Shin Megami Tensei series. Like previous versions and subsequent titles, Reload features incredible music and sound effects for exploring, battling, and even regular activities.

Every crucial moment on your way through the different locations and dungeons of Shin Megami Tensei Persona 3 is integrated with a special musical atmosphere and an exciting soundtrack. All the songs you will experience during your trip have a cold, smooth, and funky expression that really gets the heart racing and fuels the desire to play. In other words, the Persona 3 soundtrack works as inspiration or motivation to unleash your Persona and beat this turn-based RPG.

Persona 3 has a controversial mechanic: every time a character wants to summon a Persona, they shoot themselves in the head with an object very similar to a gun. That's why, at the beginning of the game, you will witness a warning screen informing you that Persona 3 has several scenes of violence, shooting, and self-harm.

Persona 3 Reload also retains many of the stereotypes you might experience in the original 2006 title. A good example is the Athletic club manager Yuko, who wants to lose weight by picking up her male charges. Female main characters are also often treated as sexist trophies and usually depicted as bug-eyed man-hunters. Still, I can understand this since Persona 3 Reload is a Japanese RPG; thus, it was born in a totally different culture.

Last but not least, the worst problem I see with Persona 3 Reload is a major feature missing from its portable version: you can't choose to play as a female main character. From my point of view, this is a shame, not only because the female characters are equally great as the male characters, but also because an option like this can offer the game great replayability.

Although Persona 3 Reload may not be one of the most impactful games of the current generation – games like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Dragon’s Dogma II, and Baldur’s Gate III are almost perfection – it is still a unique video game with incredible mechanics and a unique visual style. Persona 3 Reload also has only minor negatives, like insignificant design problems, most of them typical of the JRPG genre.

Despite the fact that it can be the same game as the original, it’s also a clear improvement to the general gameplay experience. This highly anticipated remake, one of the most impactful RPGs of current years, undoubtedly will warm many hearts of fans and not-so-fans of anime and classic RPGs.