Highlights

  • If Persona 4 gets a remake like Persona 3, it should use the expanded Golden edition instead of remaking the base game like P3R.
  • Persona 4 Golden adds new characters, social links, locations, and a sinister ending, making it the definitive version of the game.
  • Persona 3 Reload disappointed many by not being its own definitive version of P3, so a Persona 4 remake shouldn't follow in its footsteps.

The release of Persona 3 Reload is right around the corner, with fans already pre-ordering the game ahead of February 2024. The trailers and recently uploaded gameplay footage show how Atlus breathed new life into the decade-old game by giving it modern graphics and exploration that rival the franchise's latest game, Persona 5. Therefore, fans also call for a remake of the 2008 sequel Persona 4. However, if this were to happen, it shouldn’t make a crucial mistake that P3R is about to commit.

Like the other games in the franchise, Persona 4 follows a protagonist who recently transferred to a new school away from home. However, this time, he and his friends go on a supernatural journey triggered by mysterious serial killings in the area. Despite its darker tone, Persona 4 was a hit among fans, with its Golden edition receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam. Like P3, it continues to be played by players old and new despite its age. As such, it only makes sense for Atlus to remake this classic as well.

Persona 4 Golden Key art
Related
Persona 4 Golden Getting Surprise Physical Release

Persona 4 Golden is slated to have a surprise physical version a few years after its PC release and port to consoles earlier this year.

Why Atlus Should Remake Persona 4 Golden Instead of its Base Game

Persona 4 Golden Title

The Persona franchise is a big fan of creating expansive definitive editions that add a ton of story and gameplay content, like Persona 5 Royal, Persona 3 Portable, and Persona 3 FES.

  • Persona 3 Portable includes the ability to play as a female protagonist with different social links and interactions.
  • P3 FES, on the other hand, adds The Answer, an epilogue that adds additional gameplay hours and expands upon the story’s ending.
  • Persona 5 Royal adds a new Phantom Thief, Palace, section of Tokyo, and semester, which drastically expands its story and offers new ending options.

Persona 3 Reload will only remake the base game, which means it won’t feature P3 Portable's option to play a female protagonist or The Answer content. This fumble shouldn't be repeated if P4 gets remade. After all, its definitive version, Persona 4 Golden, also adds some significant changes to the game as well, like new characters, social links, locations, and even a sinister ending.

Persona 4 Golden Adds an Important New Character

Perhaps the biggest story change in Persona 4 Golden and its base game is the addition of Marie, one of Igor’s assistants in the Velvet Room. Players can boost their Aeon Arcana and summon the new Persona Kaguya when they improve their social link with Marie. She also unlocks an extra dungeon, which adds an entirely new storyline to the game. This can only be accessed if the player maxes out her Social Link before defeating one of the final bosses.

Persona 4 Golden Lets Players Choose a Sinister Ending

Although players can finish Marie’s dungeon in Persona 4 Golden to get the true ending and a new epilogue, there's further ending options. Here, they also find out who the killer is, but they can choose not to reveal their identity. They can even help the culprit in covering up their tracks to ensure that the investigators never find out who’s behind the murders.

Persona 4 Golden Features a Winter Slice of Life Story

The Persona 4 story skips towards the end of the school year in March after the players finish the game in December (based on the game’s calendar). However, Persona 4 Golden’s additional winter months allow fans to explore the events in between these months. During this time, they can improve their social links further and even go into dungeons they haven’t finished before. Perhaps the most important part is the skiing trip storyline, which features a lot of funny slice-of-life anime moments, which is a wonderful respite from the game’s dark main story.

The Persona games’ definitive editions offer the best story and gameplay experience. As such, it only makes sense to use them for a remake instead of the base game. While P3 Reload is still exciting, fans will miss the option to play as a different protagonist and The Answer’s storyline. If a Persona 4 remake is in the works, Atlus should add Golden’s great gameplay and story expansions.