I’ve never been a fan of anime games, but Persona 3 Reload has changed my mind. I had already sunk 10 hours into Persona 3 Portable on Xbox Game Pass in preparation for Gamescom 2023, and I was already starting to warm up to the characters and story.
Persona 3 Reload combines the classic charm of the original with the slick UI, splashy animations, and fixed camera angles of Persona 5 Royal. I was expecting this, but it wasn’t until I actually played Persona 3 Reload that I realized how much I was enjoying it.
The game is split into two sections: New Moon and Full Moon. New Moon takes place during the day, when you can explore the city and interact with the characters. Full Moon takes place at night, when you venture into Tartarus, a dungeon filled with monsters.
I’ve never played the original Persona 3, so getting to experience the game in full 3D is a treat. The graphics are impressive, and the animations are fluid and stylish. The combat is also a lot of fun, and I appreciate the fact that the evoker moves have been kept in.
After playing a few rounds in Tartarus, I load into the second half of my demo session. During Dark Hour, protagonist Makoto Yuki and his fellow SEES members explore an abandoned monorail, with all of the individuals on board converted into lifeless coffins. Running through the train in proper animated style feels great, as does watching the full cutscenes splicing together the action.
This first boss battle is a little tougher than I remembered, but with a clever mix of abilities and melee attacks, I bring down the Priestess guardian with my crew.
Overall, I’m very impressed with Persona 3 Reload. It’s a faithful, polished remake that will appeal to newer and long-time fans alike. My only complaint is that Atlus has decided to remove the option to play as a female protagonist, which was a popular feature in Persona 3 Portable.
If you’re a fan of JRPGs or anime games, I highly recommend checking out Persona 3 Reload. It’s a well-crafted game with enough to offer.
I’m glad that I gave Persona 3 Reload a chance. It’s definitely turned me into a JRPG fan, and I can’t wait to see what else the series has to offer. Read Full Reviews, Guides and Tips & Tricks of the Latest Games Click here.
