Highlights
- Persona 3 Reload stays faithful to the original game by retaining its core identity and tone, as seen in its revamped All-Out Attacks.
- The remake strikes a middle ground between the over-the-top presentation of Persona 5 and the simpler approach of previous entries in the series.
- Persona 3 Reload's stylish yet refined design choices, including its new voice cast, redesigned UI, and graphics, show the developer's dedication to updating the game while maintaining its original charm.
Persona 3 Reload marks the first time the Persona franchise has seen a true remake. Persona 3 Reload seems to be taking full advantage of the opportunity with a new voice cast and totally redesigned UI and graphics. The franchise has changed a lot since the original Persona 3, and while this remake will update the game, its approach to All-Out Attacks shows that it is still faithful to the original vision.
Persona 5's gentleman thief theme informed its over-the-top approach to character design and presentation, and its All-Out and Showtime attacks exemplify this. When the player does an All-Out Attack in Persona 5, they are shown portraits of the participating members and the group zooming around the screen. Previous entries in the series simply showed a white cloud around the enemies during these attacks and had little in the way of extra flair. Persona 5 has set the bar for new fans in terms of presentation, so going back to the simpler approach could prove jarring for those unfamiliar with older Persona titles.
Persona 3 Reload Is Finding A Middle Ground
All-Out Attacks in Persona 3 Reload needed to find a happy medium between adopting the approach of Persona 5 and retaining the original's presentation. P3R's second trailer showcased an All-Out Attack, and it seems the developers have done just that. In the trailer, the characters attack and are surrounded by a white cloud, but upon the attack's completion, the characters have a unique animation. It also showed Makoto Yuki's win screen, which added some flair while still being much smoother and less bombastic than the splash screens of Persona 5. Persona 3 Reload's All-Out Attacks show that Atlus has found a way to make Persona 3 as stylish as P5 while remaining faithful to the original title.
While this homage to the original All-Out Attacks is just one element of the game, it shows that Atlus is aware of Persona 3's tone. Persona 5 presented its characters as vigilantes bordering on superhero status, which was a big departure for the series. Persona 3 is much darker and more grounded, and its characters are presented largely as regular people thrust into an abnormal situation. While P5's over-the-top presentation is beloved by fans, Atlus has smartly deduced that it would not work for Persona 3 and other older titles and has tried to achieve a similar sense of style in other ways. Persona 1 and 2 remakes would require a similar approach.
Persona 3 Reload is Stylish Yet Refined
Persona 3 Reload's All-Out Attacks align with many of the other design choices that trailers have revealed. Persona 3 featured a simple but functional menu system, whereas Reload has opted for a more visually engaging one similar to that of Persona 5. In spite of its changes, it retains the mellow blue color of the original, and while it is more animated, it is refined rather than over the top.
The combat interface is a similar case. The functionality has been brought closer to Persona 5, and its presentation is more stylish, but it retains the subdued and utilitarian feeling of the original. Some Persona 5 features have been carried over as well but have been adjusted to fit P3.
Persona 3 Reload's All-Out Attacks are not only a fun homage to the original, but they are emblematic of the developer's approach to the remake in general and should help to inspire confidence in the game. While Atlus is bringing Persona 3 up to date with modern mechanics and presentation, its approach to All-Out Attacks shows that they are not interested in changing the game's core identity to appeal to newer fans of the franchise. Persona 3 Reload's release date is only a few months away, so it won't be long before fans can jump into this seemingly faithful remake.
Persona 3 Reload is scheduled to release on February 2, 2024, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
