Things To Know Before Playing Persona 3 Reload

This article is part of a directory: Persona 3 Reload: Guide Hub and Walkthrough

Table of contents

Highlights

Persona 3 Reload includes small quality-of-life changes that will surprise even seasoned players.
The inclusion of Twilight Fragments in Persona 3 Reload adds a new gameplay element. Players should collect them to open chests in Tartarus and can earn them through various locations in the game.
Players have the option to choose from 5 difficulties in Persona 3 Reload, but they should be cautious when selecting the Merciless difficulty, as it cannot be changed once started. It's best to play it safe for the first playthrough.

With the success of the Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royal ports to PC, the next step was obvious: a remake of one of the fan-favorite games in the franchise, Persona 3. Like other entries in the series, Persona 3 Reload players take on the role of a predetermined protagonist who has the ability to summon Personas, humanity's only line of defense against the shadows that hide in the world.

persona-3-reload image of protagonist during opening

Persona 3 Reload: All Editions Explained

There are several editions of Persona 3 Reload to choose from, and here is what is included in each one.

Persona 3 Reload is quite a faithful remake of the original, but small quality-of-life changes will come as a surprise to even the most seasoned players. Those who have never played a Persona game are in for a surprise, as these JRPGs are wholly unique.

6 Twilight Fragments

These Collectibles Are Scattered Across The World Map

Twilight Fragments are needed to open chests in Tartarus.

One new notable change Persona 3 Reload players should be aware of is the inclusion of Twilight Fragments. These are small collectible items that can be scavenged from multiple locations in the game that will glimmer blue, so it is fairly hard to miss them. Elizabeth will also gift them to the player periodically for spending time ranking up Social Links.

The fragments do have multiple uses, so players should definitely invest time into earning them as well as gathering them across the map. They can appear in places such as the dorm, Iwatodai Strip Mall, Gekkoukan High School, and Paulownia Mall.

5 More Difficulties

The Addition Of Merciless May Be Tempting, But Should Players Beware

The Merciless difficulty cannot be changed after starting a playthrough.

As with most games and particularly JRPGs, players are free to choose what difficulty they wish to play on. Persona 3 Reload arrived with a total of 5 difficulties, ranging from Peaceful to Merciless. Players who are seasoned Persona or JRPG fans might feel as though they are up to the challenge, but for the first run of Reload, it might be best to play it safe.

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Once players choose Merciless, there is no turning back. The difficulty cannot be changed, and it will certainly challenge players who will need to think tactically about every decision they make, and even then, that might not be enough. Players can move the difficulty up or down with any of the other options, so it might be wise to avoid Merciless for a first playthrough.

4 Take Control Of The Party

Persona 3 Reload AllowsThe Player To Assume Direct Control

Persona 3 Reload tactics party direct control

Controlling each character allows for more strategic gameplay.

The shadow-infested Tartarus is a dangerous place and one best explored with a few friends. Other members of SEES will accompany the main character on the quest up to the top of Tartarus, where the answers about the Dark Hour, shadows, and Tartarus itself may lie. With many shadow mobs and strong bosses guarding the upper levels, it is imperative that the members of SEES coordinate to conserve as much SP and HP as possible while taking down enemies.

Fortunately, players can take matters into their own hands and directly command their allies, taking control of them during combat. That way, they can ensure that an enemy's vulnerabilities are always targeted, and they can heal others when it becomes necessary. Also, the new Shift mechanic allows the player to pass their turn to another character, permitting them to pass a baton to a character who might have a way to target the shadow's weakness.

3 Striking The Right Balance

The Player Must Be An Astute Student, Reliable Friend, And Shadow Fighter

Players won't have time to do everything each day.

Persona games are all about balance, as much is always expected of the teenage protagonist as they balance school, friendships, part-time work, and fighting shadows. Managing time is tricky, and it is up to the players to find the right balance to ensure they are not slacking in any corners of their lives.

P3R Calendar Guide & Walkthrough (What You Should Do Everyday)

Persona 3 Reload: Calendar Guide & Walkthrough (What You Should Do Everyday)

Plan your Social Links, Tartarus runs, and social stat raising in Persona 3 Reload with this calendar guide.

Traveling to Tartarus will take up one block of time, meaning that the protagonist won't have time to do anything in the evening, but they can still choose to do things after school, like investing time in Social Links, working, or raising stats. Players can also opt to head out in the evening to work on their stats at Paulownia Mall. What's more, players no longer need to worry about their health, which was a mechanic in the original game that could rise or lower depending on how they spent their time, particularly at nighttime. With more activities added to the dorm, such as gardening and cooking, players will have even more things to juggle in their very limited free time.

2 New Classes And Questions

The New Game Makes Changes To The Curriculum

Knowing the right answers can increase the player's charm.

One of the main aspects of Persona games is school, which plays a major role in the series, particularly in Persona 5. Players will have to attend lessons, listen to lectures, join clubs, and forge new Social Links to further aid their nighttime endeavors in Tartarus. They might also occasionally be quizzed during their classes by classmates or the teachers for answers to their questions. Providing them with the right answer will increase the main character's charm.

Those familiar with the old curriculum will find their knowledge of little use, as Persona 3 comes with a host of new questions the player will be asked, so they had better pay attention in class if they are to provide the correct answers.

Spending Time With Friends Benefits The Player

Choosing incorrect dialog options will not punish the player.

Social Links are the bonds players forge with other characters across the game, from classmates to shopkeepers and members of SEES, the shadow fighting group the player leads. Each link is represented by a Major Arcana from Tarot decks, with Personas being sorted into these Arcanas. The more time they invest in these links, the stronger the corresponding Persona groups are.

In previous iterations of Persona 3, Social Links could break or revert down a rank if the player acted in a way the character disliked, but now, this mechanic has been scrapped, so players can rest assured they won't lose out on precious Social Link ranks.