Xbox at Gamescom ripped out their evoker and shot new information on Persona 3 Reload (2024) left and right! Here’s everything new at Gekkoukan High.
About Persona 3 Reload
Considered the largest stepping stone into what the Persona series is today, Persona 3 (2006) established a new world for both the Shin Megami Tensei franchise and their spinoff Persona franchise. Though Persona would eventually become its own product, Atlus’ feature demons, devils, and mythological creatures are featured in this beloved JRPG. Persona 3 would eventually get remade into Persona 3 FES (2007) and Persona 3 Portable (2009), with different gameplay additions and upgrades, but each missing some things that the other didn’t have. It became apparent that there was no concrete way to enjoy the entire story. Considering the confusion, fans began to demand a remaster after seeing how far the name went with Persona 5 (2017). And to their wishes, Persona 3 Reload provides a scratch to that itch.
Follow Makoto Yuki (the nameable protagonist) as he discovers the mysterious happenings in his new school, Gekkoukan High. Meet with fan favorites such as Yukari Takeba and Junpei Iori to discover details on a mysterious illness, and the forgotten hour between 11pm and midnight, known only as the dark hour. Why do people turn into coffins? What does a full moon mean? What’s at the top of this scaling tower known only as Tartarus? Find out in Persona 3 Reload!
This game contains mature content and themes, including violence and self-harm. You have been warned. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression and self harm, please reach out for help or call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline (988).
Release Date & Release Editions
The most important drop is the release date announced at the end of the Meet S.E.E.S. Trailer; Persona 3 Reload will be released on February 2nd, 2024! Previously only left to “Early 2024,” fans of the series didn’t have any real predictions of when it would come out. Now, fans have the answer! The playable demo at Gamescom 2023 definitely left press in a state of shock, showing just how well done this remake seems to be. Even from just the trailers, it’s easy to see how polished this game is. Soon enough, we’ll get to experience the dark hour once again in a new, fresh, and frankly dread-burning style.
The initial price is listed at $69.99, with a digital deluxe listed at $79.99, and a digital premium package is listed at $99.99. This does not include the collector’s editions, being the box set for japanese fans and the Aigis Edition for english fans. Those physical special editions will be listed at a later date. Currently, Digital Deluxe includes the game, digital artbook, and digital soundtrack, and the digital premium adds on the DLC pack, including costumes and personas from Persona 4 Golden (2012) and Persona 5 Royal (2019).
The Aigis special edition includes DLC codes, a physical artbook, the soundtrack CDs, a collector’s box, the base game, and most importantly, the world’s most attack-ready toaster. The Japanese special edition replaces the Aigis statue with an exclusive armband replica, and has an exclusive game case.
Pre-orders for the base edition and digital deluxe/premium editions are open now, with the collector’s editions coming in the near future.
New Persona 3 Reload Character Art, Scenes, and Voices
The four remaining character features have come to fruition! Shinjiro, Ken, Aigis, and the best boy Koromaru now have exclusive character art, and have been featured in the newest trailers!
Fans can finally appreciate some of the amazing voicework of Dawn M. Bennet as Aigis, Justine Lee as Ken, and Justice Slocum as Shinjiro! These characters all play an important role in the story, so seeing the new cast give them life is quite the improvement. These fan favorites only seem to have gained a heightened sense of emotion, thanks to these new voices. Soon, fans will be able to add these fellow persona-users to their team as they try to topple Tartarus.
Meet the S.E.E.S Trailer
Being released to English audiences, this trailer focuses more on the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad, and how they fare in this intimidating world around them. From their day to day lives and happy memories, to their stylish new combat uniforms fit for the dark hour, fans are in for a cutscene-ridden, exploration-heavy treat as the trailer truly shows the world of Persona 3 in a better way than ever before. With a new and improved armband, the meaning of wearing one only grows.
The cutscenes hint at the entire story of Persona 3, but leave enough out so new fans aren’t spoiled. Long time fans of the franchise get to see their favorites in a new light, while fresh shadow-slayers can take in what beauty the series has to offer. With such high quality animation, it’s no wonder JRPG fans everywhere are raving about this new entry.
Even the new user interface encapsulates the metaphorical meanings behind this game’s storyline while still capturing the flavor that the original games had. Not to mention the amazing sprites and dialogue, seen mainly with Ken’s interaction with the protagonist. With more experience from the minds of Persona 5, it’s no wonder why so much of this game looks beautiful. Atlus really knows how to bake a nostalgic experience into a graphically immersive, long-time loved cake as seen with Persona 3 Reload.
New Persona 3 Reload Battle Song Introduction Video
Released on Atlus’ japanese platforms, one of the newest trailers serves not only to depict more intense battle sequences and the astonishing new “Weak!” attack UI, but to also provide fans with their first time to hear the new battle track: “It’s Going Down Now.”
This track, featuring the beloved Lotus Juice, captures the intensity of Mass Destruction before it, serving to provide a new, funky atmosphere. Persona games are known for their music, after all. With new lyrical holy water to fight alongside, the amazing soundtrack only gets better.
Yet that track was not the only one featured in today’s announcements. A new velvet room theme, a remastered Mass Destruction, another familiar hype-inducing theme, and a calm remaster of Tranquility all make an appearance in the Meet the S.E.E.S. trailer. Along with The Meaning of Armbands, the new soundtrack for Persona 3 Reload can really reach back to those memories previously left untouched.
Where to Play Persona 3 Reload
Along with Persona 5 Tactica (2023), this game’s playable demo is available at Gamescom 2023, allowing press and convention-goers the opportunity to get a hands-on experience with the game. This provided fans across the globe with new screenshots, along with the added information seen on each pre-order page. As the demo reviews constantly flood in, this game garners more and more of a following. So Atlus decided to reach far too, and provide for as many platforms as this game could run on. It feels all too soon that this long awaited remaster will be ready for the hands that wish to wield it.
Think you have the potential to awaken a persona? Pre-Order Persona 3 Reload now for Xbox One, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Steam now! Look out for the release of this long awaited title coming on February 2nd, 2023!
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