- Publisher: Sega , Atlus
- Release Date: Feb 2, 2024
- Also On: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
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Jan 30, 2024If the goal of Persona 3 Reload is to modernize a classic JRPG from the PlayStation 2 era for a new generation of players, then it is undeniably a success. While there may be some legitimate disappointment over the lack of content from Persona 3 FES and Portable, what is here is more than enough to cement Reload’s status as a solid remake that delivers the now definitive version of Persona 3.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a fabulous remake, with some of the best graphics and presentation we’ve seen for the franchise. The gameplay is just as addictive as ever, with the improved combat system continuing to complement the various student activities. It is a shame that this game is missing content from FES and Portable, but this is still a meaty JRPG that everyone should check out.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a flawless reimagining of one of the most impactful RPGs of the PS2 generation and manages to carefully preserve just about everything I loved about the original game in a stylish bombastic package. The approach to modernising the gameplay is a masterclass and should be the gold standard going forward for RPGs of this ilk. For players who have only experienced modern Persona through Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal, you would be doing yourself a disservice by skipping this title. An equally wonderful cast and effective story lift this into one of the most impactful games that I have ever played and this new version means it can be enjoyed by a completely new generation.
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Jan 30, 2024While I personally prefer the more textured narrative of Persona 4, the unrelenting focus and intensity of Persona 3 means that it still stands out as one of the greatest and most intelligent video game narratives. The developers haven’t done too much to mess with that (the decision to leave out a “post-game” chapter that was both technically unnecessary but yet well-regarded notwithstanding), and have otherwise focused on modernising both the look and flow of the game to make it the most enjoyable and “clean” version of Persona 3 yet. Persona has a habit of attracting purists, and I foresee the discourse around this remake being particularly volatile. However, personally, I’ll be over there looking forward to the inevitable announcement that Persona 4 will get this treatment too.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is one of the best remakes I’ve ever seen - a faithful but stunning reimagining of a classic JRPG that will please Persona veterans and newcomers alike. With the only small negatives coming from Atlus’ dedication to recapturing the experience of the original, fans will without a doubt debate this being the best in the series after being reminded why Persona 3 is so spectacular.
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Feb 7, 2024Persona 3 Reload is an ideal remake for an unrepeatable game. ATLUS has managed to effectively modernize a unique story that needed to be adapted to current times.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is not a carbon-copied remaster of Persona 3 Portable or even Persona 3. It’s a refreshed perspective of Persona 3 that removes a good bunch of pain from older RPGs while retaining the charm and character of the original. It feels like many thoughtful decisions were made to better the game’s flow without compromising on its core experience or watering it down. My only concern is that owners of 2023’s Persona 3 Portable might feel like there aren’t enough changes to warrant a replay. But, if you haven’t yet experienced its source material, Persona 3 Reload is without a doubt the best version of the game to play.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is the game that all fans of the series have been waiting for since Persona 5 Royal. Thanks to all its mechanics, improvements and narrative, this is the perfect entry point for the series. For those who have never experienced a game in the franchise beyond the fifth installment, this is the title you need in your lives. This experience presents us with a story focused on finding the beauty in our lives, in memories, and the meaning we give to each interaction with other people. Along with this, each of the small vignettes are very worthwhile, since they reinforce the messages of the main campaign, and offer a series of moments with a good range of emotions.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a sensational work that is not just satisfied with being a remake but is, consequently, something that reformulates the development of ATLUS video games for an even wider audience. Choosing one of the greatest and most powerful works of the JRPG genre, thus forging a title to improve and revisit a work of the genre, was by no means an easy and immediate task. Indeed, it was something extremely complex. A great return that can be summed up in the term "Masterpiece".
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 is a masterpiece mainly due to its amazing story. Still, Atlus has managed to improve not only the visual aspect of it, but also every other little thing in order to turn what was once a niche game into a full timeless gem. It basically features the best battle system within the entirety of the Persona series, which is supported as well by a new UI that looks simply stunning. Overall, Persona 3 is a game that will steal the players' hearts both through laughter and tears.
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Feb 16, 2024Persona 3 Reload hits the remake sweet spot, honoring its roots with a stunning visual upgrade and fun new content, making it a must-play for veterans and newcomers alike.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is by far the best game in the franchise. With plenty of new content, significant visual and performance improvements, fine-tuned adjustments in all gameplay systems, and a captivating story, it feels fresh on today's consoles. Addictive and stylish, Atlus's JRPG is more than just a well-crafted remake, it's one of the greatest games of the decade.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload shines in new splendor over 15 years after the original: with a completely renovated look and many small adjustments that make the fantastic basic structure even better, it is an absolute must for fans of Japanese role-playing games.
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Jan 30, 2024Although it is missing two key pieces to be the "definitive version", Persona 3 Reload modernizes a classic until it is at the level of today's great RPGs and includes enough new features to once again tempt those who already knew it. The best of both worlds, as they say.
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Apr 4, 2024Persona 3 is one of my all time favorites and all I wanted was a full remake for it, I got it with the beautiful P5 style as well, re recorded soundtrack and revamped character designs, this remake is a love letter to all the fans of the series.
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Mar 15, 2024Persona 3 Reload is the best edition of the game and DLC promises to bring some additional content that was featured in other iterations of the game. The story has been preserved while the gameplay has been renewed and enhanced. Persona 3 Reload is closer to being the next mainline entry than simply a remake, making it a must-play game for all RPG fans.
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Feb 5, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a must-play for Persona fans, old and new, revitalizing a beloved classic into a modern JRPG worth revisiting or experiencing for the first time.
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Feb 5, 2024Persona 3 Reload has everything you want from a modern remake. New content, better voice acting, new events, a big graphics and music update, and more. A perfect mix of style and substance make sure Persona 3 Reload never gets boring for new and recurring players.
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Feb 1, 2024Persona 3 Reload is the best kind of remake: it honours the core of what makes the game great, but isn’t afraid to modernise the experience at the same time. It’s nostalgia done well, because it plays onscreen the way the original felt in my memory (without having to squint at a 4-inch PSP screen). It’s honestly a joy to see a game I loved brought to a whole new audience, while still giving me a deluxe version of something I already know I’ll enjoy. While it may not include every ingredient that every version of Persona 3 has ever had, it’s a confident and complete version all its own – and I can’t wait to keep climbing that tower.
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Feb 1, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a masterclass in remakes and it makes you feel like you're playing it for the first time. It substitutes the original, offering a complete RPG experience. You're not missing out on anything.
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Jan 31, 2024Atlus should be applauded, and I can’t think of another remake that has walked that fine line so well between keeping true to the source material and adding just enough to bring it more in line with modern games. Persona 3 Reload is a spectacular example of a remake done right - and hopefully if we get an enhanced version of Reload one day, we will finally get a definitive version of the Persona 3 experience that includes both the female protagonist and The Answer epilogue.
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Jan 31, 2024A remake that is outstanding on every level. The pacing is nice, the combat system is good, the story is strong, graphically it is beautiful, the soundtrack is cool and the voice-acting fine. It's a shame though that the FES and Portable content is not present, because that would have really completed the package. Also, in terms of design, the dungeons can get a bit monotonous over time, but that's literally the only 'downside'. In short, Persona 3 Reload is not something you want to miss!
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Jan 30, 2024Revisiting a classic is an exciting proposition, yet there are always concerns about respecting the original. Persona 3 Reload doesn’t quite address all the shortcomings of its previous renditions, nor does it include all the extras added over the years. However, it’s another incredible take that stands proudly alongside the other stellar versions of the game. With all of its new additions and features, especially the updated visuals, rewind function, and new battle mechanics, Reload is the best way to experience Persona 3.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is one of the best examples of what it means to bring back a title as complex as this into our hands. With all its changes, it feels fresh without losing its originality and sets a precedent for how to seamlessly blend so many gameplay styles into a perfect mix that looks, plays, and sounds top-notch.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era with cutting-edge graphics and gameplay.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic — if safe — remake of an excellent game. The updates to the mechanics and visuals do a lot to bring it in line with Persona 5, and many of the game's rough edges are smoothed out. At the end of the day, it's still Persona 3, with all of its strengths and weaknesses, and it does a great job of recapturing the feel of a 2009 game in 2024. Fans will find a lot to like in Reload, and newcomers to the franchise will find a fantastic start to their journey.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a model in terms of a role-playing game remake. The title takes everything that makes the charm of the original game to modernize the experience and correct its flaws by drawing inspiration from Persona 5. Thanks to comfort options, the formula combining daily management and dungeon exploration becomes one of even more addictive. As a result, we are even more captivated by its cast of endearing characters and especially its perfectly oiled combat system. Add to this a fabulous graphic and musical overhaul and the adventure is all the more pleasant to navigate. In a nutshell, Persona 3 Reload is a great way to (re)discover Persona 3 and the perfect game to wait for Persona 6.
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Jan 30, 2024A complex and great remake with only small weaknesses, but the age difference to the masterpiece Persona 5 can be seen in the game structure.
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Jan 30, 2024Yes, Persona 3 Reload is missing some content, but it more than makes up for it with the new additions and improvements, especially to Tartarus. And the beautiful presentation, voice acting and equally unforgettable characters are also reasons enough to pull the trigger.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a pleasure to play. Throughout the adventure you switch between fighting and school activities with great fluidity, and it is safe to say that the 2000s JRPG that defined the entire genre is back in better shape than ever.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is an excellent remake and truly modernize the game by harmonize it with Persona 5. A truly impressive graphical leap that which brings new perspectives and brings some new features. The Tartarus still feels outdated and could have benefited from some tweaks. But Persona 3 Reload is still a memorable game and one of the best of the beginning of the year.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload definitely still feels dated in some areas, which isn't always expected from a modern remake. Despite this, some of these older aspects of Reload are what I came to appreciate the more that I played. Atlus isn't trying to create the best all-around modern Persona game with P3R, it's instead simply trying to create the best version of Persona 3 by combining everything from the original with some enjoyable new mechanics and aesthetic tweaks. To that end, I have a hard time believing that newcomers or veterans of Persona 3 will be anything other than delighted with Reload.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic package that offers enough new content to satisfy fans of the original, while remaining faithful to what made that entry so special. It's also an incredibly approachable entry for newcomers thanks to the myriad of enhancements to the Persona series' combat and social mechanics. It's clear that Persona 3 Reload isn't just a remake of an outdated game, it's an entry that is entirely its own and signals a bright future for the franchise in the post-Persona 5 era.
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Jan 30, 2024Whether you’re a lifelong Persona fan or a total newcomer, Persona 3: Reload is well worth your time as both a stunning remake and a unique masterpiece.
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Jan 30, 2024The JRPG legend is back with a remake that build up the best way to play it.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a brilliant remake. In terms of gameplay, it's easily the best incarnation of a classic RPG, boasting countless quality of life and mechanical adjustments that place it alongside the outstanding Persona 5 Royal. Storytelling enhancements make the plot even more impactful, and the remade visuals are a joy to behold. Reload is borderline essential if you're yet to experience Persona 3, while also providing a near perfect way for existing fans to relive a seminal release.
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Jan 30, 2024Even if it’s not quite the best possible version of itself thanks to some missing content from its past versions, Reload is the definitive way to experience Persona 3. It’s a remake that will keep fans of the original happy, while bringing series’ newcomers a smoother RPG experience built on the bones of one of the genre’s best games.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic remake of an already great cult game. All kinds of clever gameplay innovations and an enormous amount of style make this a gripping JRPG that you shouldn't miss out on. The remake of the PlayStation 2 classic is even now a hot contender for the best role-playing game of the still quite young year.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is an excellent remake of a classic JRPG whose social and emotional themes are more relevant today than ever. Aspects such as the battle system or the staging of the locations could have benefited from a stronger modernization, but the strong story with its excellently written characters makes it easy to overlook this. What's more, the light-footed audiovisual style manages to bring us closer to heavy topics such as bullying, depression and suicide without underplaying their weight.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a confident remake of a truly seminal RPG that cements itself as the definitive way to play Persona 3. It's clear that careful thought and deliberation has gone into every aspect of Reload to respect the legacy of Persona 3 while preserving its timeless charm and atmosphere. An absolute must play for any fan of the franchise, and a great point to jump in for those looking to take the plunge into Persona.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is an imperfect remake in which, although the lack of content from previous expanded versions is annoying, its new features and the necessary (and very well executed) reformulation of combat make this the best way to play the best narrative that series already had in a package with a great localization to PT-BR.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is the epitome of what developers should be striving to offer their players.
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Jan 30, 2024You sort of think that once the second and third versions of a game appear, one of those is probably the “best” version of it. Yet somehow, that isn’t the case here. I feel like Persona 3 Reload is the best version of Persona 3 so far.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a dream come true for Persona fans. With far more than just a visual uplift, this is very much the best possible edition of the game, even if it can’t quite be called ‘definitive’.
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Jan 30, 2024Atlus did a masterful job with Persona 3 Reload. It's not just a visually appealing game; it breathed new life into an already excellent title. Those who have already enjoyed this game will feel right at home. At the same time, newcomers will have an experience that efficiently blends dungeon crawler elements with a life simulator.
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Jan 30, 2024A great remake that updates the Atlus classic to modern times with a new and stylish audiovisual section and with a multitude of interesting novelties and improvements. It is not the definitive version of this wonderful RPG, but it is the best and most enjoyable one, with an unforgettable story and characters, although the “dungeon crawling” in the Tartarus tower may not connect equally well with everyone.
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Jan 30, 2024We disagree with the people at Atlus and their decision to leave Tartarus as it was, but nonetheless this is one of the best JRPGs of the modern era, and this remake makes it shine like it deserves. The one for this review was our fifth run in eighteen years and we still didn't feel any fatigue playing it. Let's just hope the devs will include Persona 3 FES and Portable content later down the road.
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Feb 21, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a complete reimagining of the original. It feels just as modern as Persona 5, although it is less complex it does not feel rushed or less engaging. The developers managed to combine the best elements of the third and fifth episode into a remake that feels completely fresh. Beyond the grindy nature of Tartarus there are no real negative aspects to mention. Persona 3 Reload looks better, works better and plays better than the original, making it a must play for the fans of the series.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is an old-fashioned Japanese RPG that places a heavy emphasis on routine gameplay and collecting experience points. Fortunately, there is light at the end of the infamous Tartarus Tower, because those who play through the game until the final minutes will be rewarded with a fantastic story with intriguing characters that you will not soon let go.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is undoubtedly the best way to recover the masterpiece made in Atlus. The excellent artistic direction, an excellent sound system and a greater depth of the protagonists of the story place this remake among the best exponents of the saga. The gameplay sequences set in Tartarus would have benefited from a few more creative twists capable of breaking up the repetitiveness, but in any case we are faced with an obligatory purchase for every lover of the Persona saga and for all fans of old-style JRPGs.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a highly-anticipated remake that doesn't deliver on all fronts. Still, it tries to do so with plenty of meticulous care. The added character scenes and new activities make the experience even more compelling, while the modernized visuals and new English voice cast live up to this classic's legacy. However, some of the new gameplay features make the experience too easy and forgiving. Additionally, the exclusion of some elements, like The Answer from Persona 3 FES, make this launch less definitive than it could have been.
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Mar 11, 2024Persona 3 Reload is exactly what we all wanted it to be: a modern take on an incredible story, taking just enough from the masterpiece that is its last titular installment to date, and giving it a slight twist that makes it worthy of asking full price. It's all here, so I'm delighted to sign this Contract with Igor once again.
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PLAYMar 5, 2024Torn between multiple Personas, this is a great remake that should entice newcomers, while a missed opportunity to expand on the occult classic. [Issue#38, p.78]
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Feb 20, 2024While it hasn’t changed much from the original 2011 game, Persona 3 Reload managed to hook us and keep us glued to our screens for almost 100 hours. It may be a long and repetitive game at times, but it’s still a fun and funky experience.
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Feb 12, 2024Persona 3 Reload feels simultaneously like it has been adequately modernised and yet also remains stuck in the past. While the updated combat and visuals make the game a lot more approachable for fans whose first game in the series was Persona 5, the monotonous procedurally generated dungeon that takes up half the game is hard to look past. Furthermore, for players who are existing fans of Persona 3, it is a definite shame that so much of the new content introduced in other versions of the game isn’t present here. Despite those shortcomings, Persona 3 Reload remains an excellent (if not necessarily definitive) version of a groundbreaking JRPG that is still a joy to play in 2024, and Persona and general JRPG fans are sure to have a great time.
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Feb 1, 2024Persona 3 Reload is an excellent remake of the cult JRPG that rewards the patient with compelling stories, engaging gameplay, and a detailed high school simulator. Despite pacing issues, Persona 3 Reload retains its stylish flair and serves as an excellent entry point for those who have been avoiding the series. Playing it is worthwhile, especially for its fantastic soundtrack.
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Jan 31, 2024As with all Persona games, Persona 3 Reload takes its time, both with its 80 hour story and its slow progression throughout the ingame months. If that's your thing, then there's an amazing game here with an interesting story, fun characters and outstanding music. The combat doesn't always hold up, but it mostly does and it's fun when it works.
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Jan 30, 2024Even with the issues you can pick at in this remake, though, there's no denying that Persona 3 Reload is one hell of game. Its story is as engaging as ever, and now its gameplay has been notably improved, giving you more options in combat and out. Along with the new visuals and soundtrack, Persona 3 has never looked, sounded or played as good. It's just silly that it's arrived so close to the remaster of Persona 3 Portable: if you've played that recently, it might not grab your attention throughout due to its authenticity. For those who are yet to jump in or are keen to relive the classic yet again, however, simply play and enjoy.
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Jan 30, 2024A solid, if strangely incomplete, remake which matches Persona 5 for presentation and has some of the most interesting and varied social link options of the whole series.
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Jan 30, 2024The issue that most Persona 3 fans will have is that Persona 3 Reload is another incomplete version for them to play. However, if all you know of the Persona series is Persona 5, then this is the version you will want to play, with all the modern conveniences thrown in. One day, we dream of the extra episode from FES, the dual protagonists of Portable, and the updated battle system of Reload all in one package, but until then, I think Portable remains the best version.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload makes all the changes and improvements you'd expect a worthy remake of a cult title. The original is vastly improved in almost every respect, with far more satisfying and dynamic gameplay, richer social and relatively modern graphics. This almost perfect if a massive amount of content hadn't been left out. been left out. The lifespan remains massive, and it's an excellent way of discovering or rediscovering Persona 3, but it's far far from being the complete version of the game we've been dreaming of for years.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 needed a facelift, and Atlus has delivered. This adaptation respects the source material, and brings an iconic title that now has the opportunity to reach many more people into the modern age.
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Jan 30, 2024Inconsistent graphics and the lack of a female protagonist we had in Portable aside, however, this remains a solid means of enjoying one of the finest RPGs of the past two decades. Its writing is sharper, combat is more satisfying, and it brings this world to life in ways that just weren’t possible several generations ago. Reload might lack its signature rough edge, but those coming around for the first time will find plenty to love.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is an exceptional tale of friendship, mortality, and what it means to be human. A slew of fantastic stories, wrapped in a gloriously gothic mystery, makes this an unmissable remake for RPG fans.
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Jan 30, 2024Persona 3 Reload is a stunning remake of a must-play role-playing game, boasting fantastic improvements to the battle system and quality-of-life. However, it’s let down on the whole by a couple of missed opportunities.
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Jan 30, 2024Atlus delivers a great upgrade of Persona 3 that would have been even more impressive if it wasn't going up against the truly astounding remasters and remakes we've seen the last few years.
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Feb 4, 2024It’s odd to say, but I felt sad playing Reload. Not for anything occurring within it. Rather, it reminded me that I had fallen out of love with Atlus. If anything, it’s fitting that Persona 3 Reload helped me realize that. Much of it is about learning to move on, and I’m going to do just that.
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Feb 20, 2024If you’re already a Persona fan, there’ll probably be enough sheer Persona-ness for you to forgive all the shameless grinding and recycling. For curious newcomers, a lot will depend on whether or not the look and sound of the game push your buttons. If it doesn’t, steer clear, as I definitely wouldn’t recommend it as a gameplay experience. And if it does, you might enjoy it, but the more refined Persona 5 would still be a better entry point to the series.
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Jan 30, 2024Reload is the best version of this story, and only makes me appreciate the bold steps it took even more.
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Feb 1, 2024The fact of the matter is that Persona 3 was a masterpiece in 2006, and remains a masterpiece in 2024. (For all that we wish Atlus had chosen to include the new content from either the Portable edition, or updated re-release Persona 3: FES, in this fancy new version; alas.) Those who missed the first game once upon a time, but who fell in love with Persona 4 or 5, will find themselves in for a dark, sometimes somber treat: Wonderfully written, craftily designed, and featuring a soundtrack that remains somewhere close to best-in-class, it makes you feel every flip of the calendar page, every cruel tick of the running clock. You only have so much time, it asserts, again and again, from a dozen different angles; how will you choose to spend it? There are much worse ways we can think of than revisiting an old friend like this.
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