This week, Atlus’ and P Studio’sPersona 3 Reloadhits shelves around the world. Want to get in on the hype? Here’s everything you need to know about this anticipated title.
What isPersona 3 Reload?
Persona 3 Reloadis a remake of the 2006 RPGPersona 3. It’s the third entry in the spin-off series from its mother franchise,Shin Megami Tensei. Several versions of the game, likePersona 3 FESandPersona 3 Portable, came out over the years, as did newer mainline entries likePersona 4andPersona 5. While the series has had remakes beforeP3R, it’s notable as a full-on remake, rather than a re-release likePersona 4 GoldenorPersona 5 Royal.
Who’s directingPersona 3 Reload?
The remake is directed by Takuya Yamaguchi, who previouslyworked as a designerforPersona 4andPersona 5. Producing the project is P-Studio head Kazuhisa Wada and designer Ryota Niitsuma, with SEGA and Atlus handling the publishing. The game is developed by P-Studio, a division of Atlus.
This will be Takuya’s first directorial position, as original director Katsura Hashiro left to start a new division at Atlus, Studio Zero. Hashiro’s joined alongside original composer Shoji Meguro and original character designer Shigenori Soejima. The new studio’s title,Metaphor: ReFantazio, releases in Fall 2024.
In the game, you take on the role ofMakoto Yuki, a recent transfer to Gekkoukan High. After learning to summon his inner spirit Orpheus, his Persona, he becomes a member of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (S.E.E.S). Along with a colorful cast of characters, he takes on the many levels of Tartarus during the elusive Dark Hour at midnight, all while living the life of a typical student. It is a straight adaptation of the originalPersona 3, sonoFESorPortablecontentwill be in the game.
What isPersona 3 Reload‘s gameplay like?
Persona 3 Reload, like it’s predecessors, juggles turn-based RPG combat with life simulator elements. During the day, you’ll attend school, meet up with social links, and do everyday tasks. At night, you can explore Tartarus and engage with fierce shadows in turn-based combat. For more in-depth looks into the gameplay, we did two previews:one focused on combatandone on the life simulation.
Who’s in the cast ofPersona 3 Reload?
I did write afull cast articlea month or so ago, but expect to hear some new and promising voice actors here. SincePersona 3 Reloadis a remake,none of the original cast is returningto voice their characters. Still, you do have big names like Aleks Le (Street Fighter VI), Heather Gonzalez (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom), Zeno Robinson (Fire Emblem Engage), and Suzie Yeung (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth).
Persona 3 Reloadis releasing onFebruary 2. This is a worldwide release date, so everyone will get the game on the same day. In the past, somePersonagames were released first in Japan, but due to its rising popularity, it’s shifted to a simultaneous worldwide release. Just recently,Persona 5 Tacticawas released on the same day everywhere, a first for the series.
Nintendo Switch owners unfortunatelydo not get access to the game. While arecent interviewwith Spanish outlet Atomix might have raised some hopes about its potential, nothing has been definitively locked in forReloadmaking it to the Switch.
For those who want to purchasePersona 3 Reload, you have a few options. The base game is$69.99, with digital pre-order bonuses including songs fromPersona 4as background music. The Digital Deluxe Version,$79.99, adds on a digital artbook and soundtrack while the Digital Premium Edition,$99.99, tacks on a DLC pack. The DLC pack includesPersona 4&5themed costumes, music, and Personas. For PlayStation, if you purchase the game digitally, you can play on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.P3Ris also on the Xbox Play Anywhere program, if you buy it rather than Game Pass it.
Physically, players can get the Collector’s Edition, called theAigis Editionfor $199.99. The edition comes with a physical soundtrack, an artbook, and a figure of the robotic S.E.E.S companion herself, Aigis. It’s a pretty hot ticket item, so if you want to get your hands on them,GameStop has them in stockfor pre-order, as doesAmazon.
