Persona 3 Reload Reviews
Persona 3 Reload is a treat for not only fans of the 2000s classic, but newcomers as well. ATLUS does an excellent job at preserving everything that made the original game special while modernizing it for those that may be experiencing it for the first time. It’s JRPG excellence at every turn, and one I’ll be sinking many hours into between now and the release of the next mainline Persona game.
Persona 3 Reload is a win-win of a remake for old and new Persona fans alike.
Persona 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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Persona 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'.
Persona 3 Reload is a remake done right. Everything you love about the original game is improved upon, leading to a new experience that feels fresh and brand new while not forgetting its source material. Visual enhancements, inclusions of addicting combat mechanics, more enjoyable social links -- this game has it all. This is the definitive way to play the beloved JRPG, and once you get your hands on it, you won't ever want to return to the original.
Persona 3 Reload has done a fantastic job reimagining Persona 3 for modern consoles. The revamped combat system is fun, the improved graphical presentation is a sight to behold, and the story and characters have been refined with new scenes that flesh them out more than the original game. If you’re a Persona fan or JRPGs, this game is a must-have for your collection.
The original Persona 3 was a game that solidified the overall formula the franchise is renowned for today. Reload is a JRPG that stays true to its essence and is a great and approachable choice for fans of the genre.
Review in Russian | Read full review
As a remake of one of my favorite games of all time, Persona 3 Reload had a lot more to live up to than it was reasonably expected to accomplish. Despite the lackluster PC port and not including all the desired content in the original package, P3R marks a significant improvement from the original across the board, providing the best way to experience this timeless tragedy for the first or fifth time.
Persona 3 Reload marks an excellent return to the game that really started the love for the franchise. Bringing in many of the elements that made later games great, modernising the original, it makes for an excellent way to introduce yourself to a classic, or to go back and re-experience the classic in a new way.
In an era where video game remasters are saturating the market, Persona 3 Reload is the epitome of what developers should be striving to offer their players. Those who choose to give this a chance are likely to be adding a new favorite to their list.
No matter how you play it, Persona 3 is more than a worthwhile experience. Reload can be accused of being a little too faithful for its own good, with some of the inherited flaws slightly holding it back, but it is still an excellent way to enjoy this classic.
If 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.
Persona 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.
I loved this game when it first released on the PS2. It felt almost too cool for console gaming, too crisp for the era in question. Even now, Reload carries a timeless charm that keeps me engaged. The battle system has been polished, the visuals are totally overhauled, and the game is bigger than ever. There’s pacing problems to be sure, and the gameplay loop isn’t for everyone. Plus, fans of certain versions will find this edition somewhat lacking in features. But maybe that’s okay? I’d rather judge this game on what it is, rather than what it isn’t. And Persona 3 Reload is an excellent evolution of a PS2 classic that fans new and old will almost certainly love.
Persona 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. An incredible great return that can be summed up in the term "Masterpiece".
Review in Italian | Read full review
Persona 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.
Persona 3 Reload is, as I said, the absolute textbook idea of what a remake should be. I'm super happy that this generation gets to experience this game and look forward to eventually seeing the same approach to Persona 4 and the Persona 1 and 2 duology. Now I must dive into Persona 4 Arena Ultimax after finishing Reload to take in the whole story!
Like Akihiko Sanada, fans who have been waiting for this remake will be happy to know that Persona 3 Reload definitely does the original game justice while also adding improvements for a new generation of JRPG fans. P3 Reload rebuilds the game completely from the ground up, emulating the modern look of the last two franchise entries while also improving the turn-based combat. Admittedly, the repetitive Tartarus dungeons don’t quite stack up to Persona 5’s palaces and the game is also missing some content like the epilogue from P3 FES and the female protagonist from P3 Portable. Overall, however, Persona 3 Reload is another worthy addition to the franchise.
Persona 3 Reload is undoubtedly the best way to recover the masterpiece made in Atlus.
Review in Italian | Read full review