Highlights

  • Persona 3 Reload releases on February 2, 2023, and is a remake of the original game with updated graphics and mechanics resembling Persona 5.
  • The game includes new features like Theurgy, a powerful combat mechanic that unleashes a Persona's ultimate ability.
  • Players can now control each party member's actions and use a streamlined one-button battle menu, enhancing the combat experience.

Fans of the Persona games are in for a treat on February 02, 2023, as it’s the official release date of Persona 3 Reload. This is a remake of the original Persona 3’s engine and graphics, making it look and feel like the franchise’s latest title, Persona 5. Despite this, Persona 3 Reload strives to be its own game, with a unique art style and new mechanics. One of the more interesting additions is Theurgy, a special combat mechanic that unleashes a Persona's most powerful ability.

Persona 3 Reload also adapts multiple quality-of-life features introduced in Persona 4 and Persona 5. Players can control each party member’s actions in Reload, a mechanic that was only introduced in the release of Persona 4 in 2008. The new game also has a one-button battle menu, which streamlines commands, especially if the player likes directing the whole party. This feature was introduced in Persona 5. Combined with the upcoming Theurgy system, these mechanics make Persona 3 Reload’s combat look fluid and exciting.

Changes confirmed for P3 Reload's Tartarus
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How Persona 3 Reload’s Theurgy System Works

Persona 3 Reload Mitsuru Kirijo

Theurgy is a unique attack that a party member’s Persona uses to inflict massive damage on an enemy or support their allies. Each party member in Persona 3 Reload has a Theurgy Gauge. This can be filled up by doing traditional combat actions like using Persona abilities and doing melee attacks.

Gauge Conditions

There are unique actions called Gauge Conditions that each party member can do to fuel their Theurgy up faster. For example, The Protagonist can boost his Gauge by summoning different Personas during combat. Junpei Iori can rack up his Gauge quickly when he racks up critical hits. Yukari Takeba's Gauge Condition fills up her Theurgy faster when she does healing skills. Akihiko Sanada boosts his gauge when he uses a support skill on himself. Players need to take note of each condition to ensure they can build up their character’s gauges efficiently.

Theurgy Effects

The effects of Theurgy skills vary from character to character, as they have different Personas. Some fans theorize that the Protagonist can have an array of Theurgy skills since he can wield various Personas. Here are some of the confirmed Theurgy skills for the main cast:

  • Junpei has the Hack n’ Blast ability, which deals severe Slashing damage to one enemy.
  • Yukari's Cyclone Arrow deals severe single-target Wind Damage
  • Mitsuru has Blizzard Edge, which can freeze an enemy on top of dealing severe Ice damage to it

Some news outlets also revealed that characters like Fuuka Yamagishi have supportive Theurgy skills that can buff other members.

Why Theurgy Skills Are So Powerful

A big advantage of using Theurgy skills in Persona 3 Reload is that they can’t miss, so debuts on party members’ accuracy or evasion buffs for enemies won’t matter. They also ignore resistances, so players don’t have to worry about elements getting in the way of dealing massive damage to opponents. Plus, the Theurgy meter carries over after each encounter, so players can keep their gauge topped up until they want to unleash it.

The Theurgy system adds a new dimension to the Persona franchise’s combat system, as it gives players more ways to clutch difficult fights. One could rack up their gauge and use their Theurgy skills on more powerful shadows and bosses. They could follow this up by targeting weaknesses and triggering All-Out Attacks for maximum damage. While it could be a waste and an overkill, there’s no stopping players from using their Theurgies to rain hell on unsuspecting, low-level Jack Frosts and Pixies just to send a message to the other Shadows in Tartarus.