Highlights

  • Persona 3 Reload brings a satisfying revival of the beloved game, offering updated visuals and new features like Theurgies and Baton Pass.
  • The absence of the Phantom Thieves in Persona 3 Reload may actually be a good break for the characters, preventing overexposure from multiple spin-offs.
  • With Persona 3 Reload shifting focus to the S.E.E.S. group, it gives fans of the series a refreshing change of pace from the Phantom Thieves' constant appearances.

Persona 3 Reload could have provided a hidden benefit for the Phantom Thieves from Persona 5 and its spin-offs. Since Persona 3 Reload is a remake of a game released a decade prior to Persona 5, the latter has no real presence in-game outside of DLC. That doesn't mean that the game won't do anything for the future of Persona 5 and its protagonists, though. There's actually a fair chance that it could end up being a boost for the Phantom Thieves in the long run. It just depends on what happens in the wake of Persona 3 Reload.

Even though Persona 3 Reload didn't include its female protagonist, it managed to provide almost everything that a fan of the game could ask for. The gameplay was faithfully recreated from the original, and even upgraded thanks to the addition of features such as Theurgies and Baton Pass. Even the story got an expansion in the form of a few extra scenes to help build on more aspects of the plot. While Persona 3 Reload is not a perfect game, it's a satisfactory revival of one of the series' most important games. The game's warm reception could be good news for the series' future.

Takaya of Strega from Persona 3 Reload
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Persona 5's Phantom Thieves Have Enjoyed Several Years of Relevance

Persona 3 Reload Did Not Include the Phantom Thieves

Even though there are a few details that Persona 3 Reload continued from Persona 5 Royal, the Phantom Thieves were not among them. While the outfits of the Phantom Thieves are available as DLC cosmetic options, the characters themselves are nowhere to be found thanks to the remakes sticking rather faithfully to the story of the original. However, while the Phantom Thieves are popular characters in their own right, their sitting out of Persona 3 Reload may not be a bad thing in the long run. This is especially true considering how active the Thieves have been in recent years.

Persona 5 Already Has Plenty of Spin-Offs

The Phantom Thieves have appeared in multiple spin-offs since Persona 5 came out. Even though it's clear that Persona 5's Phantom Thieves still have potential, there is a risk for them to become oversaturated. Not counting Persona 5 Royal as it was a remake of the original game, the Phantom Thieves have appeared in:

  • Persona 5 Strikers
  • Persona 5 Tactica
  • Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight
  • Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

This doesn't even count cameos outside of Persona, such as Joker's entry into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The Phantom Thieves have effectively been Persona's representatives for the last few years, and they could use a rest.

Persona 3 Reload Is a Change of Pace for Persona's Recent History

With Persona 3 Reload coming out when it did, a new cast of characters has taken the spotlight for the time being. Considering Persona 3 Reload's upcoming DLC, it seems like the members of S.E.E.S. will be enjoying their time in the sun for quite a while. This is a blessing in disguise for the Phantom Thieves. The break from Persona 5 spin-offs will mean that if another one comes along, fans will not have been overwhelmed by constant appearances from the Phantom Thieves. That would make such a game feel fresher since Persona 3 Reload offered a break for fans.

Persona 3 Reload did more than give Persona 3 a definitive rerelease. It gave Persona fans another game to enjoy after several years of focus on Persona 5 and the Phantom Thieves. While Persona 5 still has its advantages, it's not immune to the concept of overexposure. It's hard to deny that the Phantom Thieves, Joker in particular, have been getting a lot of play since the release of Persona 5. Persona 3 Reload giving attention back to S.E.E.S. gives the Phantom Thieves a much-needed backseat before any potential return.