The world of Persona 3 Reload is a place where you have to suspend your disbelief, but not for the supernatural realm hidden in the fictional Japanese town of Tatsumi Port Island. It’s the idea of regularly eating at restaurants and all your friends being free on the same days that you have to accept. This remake of the iconic game features an upgraded locale and a new Theurgy system. As a student at Gekkoukan High School, you experience a slice of life during the day, hanging out with friends, keeping up with schoolwork, and exploring the town. By night, you and a group of students journey into the Dark Hour to slay shadow monsters and save the town.
The game’s latest hands-on preview shows a modern-day graphical overhaul with an enhanced lighting system. The town looks better than ever, and there is plenty to do. Players can buy weapons from a new merchant, explore new areas, meet with friends and acquaintances, squabble with misogynists, or simply have a fortune told in a nightclub. Don’t worry; you can still join an online fan club for a restaurant, as you could in the original game.
While the remake seeks to maintain elements of the original game, there are new elements and changes to please even the most devoted veteran of the series. There is a new Theurgy system, where each member of SEES can now use powerful moves in battle. They’re unique to each character and can take effect when emotions run high during combat. The game now looks better, has a more stylish aesthetic, and vastly improved turn-based combat.
Producer Ryota Niitsuma explains that the remake takes the soul of Persona 3 and uplifts it every way. Some changes are small, such as the improved running system in Tartarus, while others, like the removal of the Tired system, making exploring Dark Hour tedious, are game-changing. The preview only had an hour of gameplay, but the signs point to this being a phenomenal remake.
Players eagerly await Persona 3 Reload’s release on February 2 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
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