Persona 3 Reload is the acclaimed remake of Persona 3. Although remasters are commonplace in Atlus' strategy of making and releasing games, remakes are an entirely different beast. Though Persona 3 Reload was released to critical and commercial success, it was missing one critical piece of the puzzle: the epilogue chapter known as The Answer, which first originated in Persona 3 FES. Persona has become more and more synonymous with flashy presentation and technical combat ever since the release of Persona 5. However, the storytelling of Persona is what defines the series. This has been the case since the very first entry, and it is a trend that should continue in Persona 3 Reload's DLC, Episode Aigis: The Answer.

Before the global release of Persona 5 in 2017, the Persona series wasn't exactly a household name. The series was fairly niche for a long time, descending from its even more niche mother series, Shin Megami Tensei. However, Persona 5 owes much of its success to Persona 3, the entry which many consider the beginning of modern Persona. Persona 3 was a major innovator for the series, especially for setting the series' standard for groundbreaking narratives. However, the game's original ending was one that left players with a lot of questions, leading Atlus to release Persona 3 FES along with its epilogue, The Answer.

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Persona 3 Reload: The Answer DLC Wish List

Persona 3 Reload will be receiving The Answer DLC later this year, and this expansion needs to include several features to make it a complete package.

Persona 3 Reload DLC Should Address Unanswered Questions

Atlus announced Persona 3 Reload along with the questionable decision to not include The Answer. Even though Persona 3 Reload brought satisfying gameplay, and some of the smoothest quality of life the franchise had ever seen, its narrative was left on the same cliffhanger as the original. For a moment, it seemed like Persona 3 Reload may not provide the definitive experience for Persona 3, due to leaving its own narrative unfinished. This concern was quelled when Atlus announced that Persona 3 Reload would be receiving its own version of The Answer in the form of DLC.

Though The Answer is infamous for its tough boss fights, its real purpose is to conclude the narrative of Persona 3. Persona 3: Reload already did everything possible to smooth out the mechanics of the original, thanks to a mixed bag of FES and Portable, while even taking cues from newer and more polished games like Persona 5 Royal. There is no reason to continue focusing on gameplay features or tweaks when it comes time to release The Answer. Instead, Atlus should do everything necessary to ensure the narrative resonates.

Episode Aigis: The Answer Gives Closure to Reload's Main Theme

After all, The Answer has a lot on its plate. Though Persona 3 Reload had a satisfying ending in its own right, it leaves both the players and the main characters needing a lot of closure. Though Persona 3's main theme centers around accepting mortality, The Answer focuses on how to pick up the pieces when a loved one has passed on. Developing this theme takes a lot of work, and deserves priority over additional gameplay features. Aigis' story is still unfinished in Persona 3 Reload, and Reload's DLC could finish it by prioritizing her narrative over additional bells and whistles.

Though the original version of The Answer requires a lot of dungeon-crawling and grinding, Persona 3 Reload removes a lot of the painful grinding that was so synonymous with even later versions of Persona 3 like Persona 3 FES and Portable. This comes with the exciting promise that Episode Aigis: The Answer could further the original's purpose of concluding the main narrative. Though Atlus may have the temptation to include a litany of new game modes and mechanics, it could instead prioritize other narrative tools.

Persona 3 Reload's Supporting Cast Could Shine in DLC

More cutscenes would certainly be welcome thanks to Persona 3 Reload's spotless presentation and high production value. Though it's unlikely, extra Social Link style content would go a long way in providing clarity to certain character arcs. Yukari Takeba's outlook drew a lot of discussion in the original version of The Answer, and it would be more than welcome to receive extra scenes that allow players to grapple with the depth of what she says.

Despite being essential to the narrative of Persona 3 FES, its version of The Answer is infamous for relying heavily on grinding and boss fights. However, Persona 3 Reload would not be complete without its own version of The Answer. If handled correctly, Episode Aigis: The Answer will provide an opportunity to smoothly resolve Persona 3 Reload's incredible story.