Persona 3 Reload Reviews
Annoying visual issues aside, which I hope can be patched with a future update, I had a great time playing Persona 3 Reload on the Switch 2. It’s an odd case of a Persona game where the gameplay kicks off right away, but the plot takes a while to show up. Once it does, you’re in for a ride.
Persona 3 Reload is a triumphant return of a classic that defined generations. It masterfully balances the everyday with the supernatural, delivering an emotional, stylish, and meaningful experience. Even with issues of repetitive exploration, the game remains one of the best examples of how an RPG can combine strategy, narrative, and visual identity in such a unique way. Ultimately, it's an invitation to look within and discover that, like its characters, we all have a bit of light and shadow, and it's up to us to decide what to do with it.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The visuals and melodies of Persona 3 Reload are incredible. The harmony between the fights and the slice-of-life moments pace the adventure without making it boring. The story unfolds unhurriedly, introducing, at its own pace, not only the characters who are part of SEES, but also ordinary people and their plights. People who help build a vast web of relationships that directly impact the young heroes' mission. It's not just about battling monsters: it's about creating bonds! Because it's precisely these bonds that give us the strength to fight.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Although the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Persona 3 Reload has some technical limitations compared to other platforms, it’s still a highly competent port of one of the best JRPGs I’ve ever played. With a deep and impactful story, charismatic characters, and an engaging, fun combat system, Persona 3 Reload is a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Persona 3 Reload breathes new life into one of Atlus’s greatest classics, preserving everything that made Persona 3 such a special game for fans of the franchise while updating many of its mechanics, making this remake the definitive version of P3. The Nintendo Switch 2 version turned out to be a port that definitely had room for better optimization, but it still fulfills its purpose of bringing the SEES journey to Nintendo’s hybrid console.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Persona 3 Reload is simply incredible on the new hybrid, it's impressive to see how well the game runs on Nintendo's console.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Persona 3 Reload can be considered a fully-fledged remake in every sense, crafted with great care and precision. It preserves the soul of the original and the unique charm of the sixth generation, resulting in a timeless classic that’s rare to come by in today’s gaming landscape.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
P3R is an incredible game in its own right, and it is an experience that has encouraged me to venture back to the original release to truly appreciate all the quality-of-life improvements this remake offers. It contains a phenomenal soundtrack, a memorable story with a brilliant cast of characters, as well as the fantastic side stories provided by the Social Links on offer. The turn-based combat delivers high-quality fun to both Persona ventures and new players alike, but exploring Tartarus eventually does become an extremely repetitive task.
A kind of magic
Persona 3 Reload is the remake that every game deserves. The title doesn't try to alter the game design frantically but instead carefully tweaks the audiovisual side of the game and slightly enriches its already unique gameplay. It offers an incredibly fun gameplay loop that even in the middle of the game comes up with new gameplay mechanics, and above all a great story and characters that you'll enjoy almost every dialogue with. While the game fails to eliminate all the oversteps of the original 2006 game, it mixes up as unique a recipe as you'll ever taste in the gaming world.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Persona 3 Reload is a must for all fans of the series and a good entry point into the franchise. With its philosophical themes and touching, reflective messages, the title has become one of my favorite games of recent years.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Persona 3 Reload is the best way to relive the third chapter of Atlus' saga, despite narrative gaps that might be filled with future DLCs. The alignment with Persona 5 Royal has made it a pleasant and fun experience, with excellent art and music.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic product, showcasing meticulous attention to the original material and providing a solid narrative foundation. Mature, nuanced, and filled with thought-provoking themes, the story remains relevant today, offering much to both new players and longtime fans. Whether through its refreshed aesthetics or modernized combat system, Atlus consistently delivers excellence.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Persona 3 Reload more than exceeded my expectations. Its original emotionally charged story, themes, and setting were followed to a T with new moments throughout that fleshed out its villains and various members of SEES was a welcomed surprise. Its renewed combat system was refreshing and Tartarus felt more alive and enjoyable to explore. There is a ton of replay value with its new game plus and an emotional ending I can never forget. There is not a single thing I would change about this game in the slightest and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
When the source material is already a masterpiece, a remake capable of further improving the formula can only achieve the same status. Even nearly two decades later, the third main installment in the Atlus series proves that it is still an excellent JRPG with a phenomenal storyline and addictive gameplay. Persona 3 Reload takes all this and elevates it to the nth degree, with a new look, smoother dungeon management, and an endless series of improvements. After Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, another SEGA-signed masterpiece in this exhilarating early 2024.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Persona 3 Reload is the best way to get started with Atlus' JRPG series. Its mysterious story with the improvements of the following chapters is a great recipe for this remake. And it's not far from perfection. Unfortunately, Tartarus is still empty and the developers did not have the temptation to add the additional content already present in past re-releases. However, the excellent new aesthetics, improved gameplay and Italian translation are factors that make Persona 3 Reload an unmissable purchase for JRPG fans.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Persona 3 Reload feels like a first draft of the intricately crafted stories, characters, and social sim elements of latter Persona games. While the visual and technical overhaul makes it pretty to look at, satisfying to hear, and fun to play, its story, characters, and social sim elements feel inadequate. Still, it's not difficult to appreciate Persona 3 Reload for what it is as long as you keep your expectations in check.
There are many ways to make a great remake, but Persona 3 Reload is probably one of the best examples of a faithful remake done right. Even though this game doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to its core gameplay mechanics and systems, it adds small changes and enhancements that add up to make the experience feel fresh and engaging. Thanks to its great visuals, various quality-of-life changes, and updates to Social Links and other scenarios, Persona 3 Reload is now the definitive way to experience what is perhaps the best entry in the Persona series.
"Persona 3 Reload is a commendable and polished remake that revitalizes a classic RPG. With improved graphics, Quality-of-Life enhancements, and engaging Social Link gameplay, it offers a highly enjoyable experience. While it retains the strengths of the original Persona 3 and adds features from Persona 5, it falls short of being the ultimate version due to missing content from Persona 3 FES and Persona 3 Portable. Still, it’s a must-play for both series veterans and newcomers."
Review in Dutch | Read full review