During the Xbox Games Showcase 2023, the Persona 3 remake known as Persona 3 Reload was officially announced after it was leaked earlier in the week. It has a new look by P Studio, and it will be released in early 2024 for Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox one and Windows PC.
The official Japanese website has been launched here, with the English one here.
Story
Due to certain circumstances, the protagonist is transferred to Gekkoukan High School, located on the artificial island of Port Island in Minato-ku.
A few days after moving into the student dormitory, the protagonist is attacked by a mysterious monster. The event causes him to awaken to a power called “Persona,” which is a manifestation of his inner self. As a result, he joins a group called the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (S.E.E.S.), consisting of other Persona users. Together with his comrades, they confront the mysteries of the world.
At the end of each day, there is a hidden time known as the “Dark Hour,” which occurs at midnight. During this time, there are enigmatic creatures called “Shadows.” The number of individuals afflicted by the Shadows, known as “Apathy Syndrome,” increases as they are attacked by these monsters, making them lose their sanity.
The Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad continues to engage in battles in order to pursue the mysteries and defeat the Shadows. What fate awaits them in their journey?
Changes
Graphics and System
Persona 3 Reload is compatible with the latest 4K/60 FPS hardware. The characters’ 2D illustrations, 3D models, backgrounds, UI, etc. have all been beautifully renewed.
Gameplay details have been adjusted as well, making the game more user-friendly and functional, including the interface.
Story and Animation
New character side episodes, dialogue, and voiced scenes have been added.
Beginning with the opening, all the animations in the game have been newly produced. The memorable scenes are now more vivid.
Voice Cast
ATLUS is revealing an all-new English voice-over cast for numerous characters in the game. The cast revealed today, includes the following voice actors, listed in alphabetical order by in-game character name.
- Aigis – Dawn Bennett
- Akihiko Sanada – Alejandro Saab
- Fuuka Yamagishi – Suzie Yeung
- Junpei Iori – Zeno Robinson
- Ken Amada – Justine Lee
- Mitsuru Kirijo – Allegra Clark
- Protagonist – Aleks Le
- Shinjiro Aragaki – Justice Slocum
- Yukari Takeba – Heather Gonzalez
Interview
IGN interviewed producer Ryota Niitsuma and director Kazuhisa Wada, who confirmed that Persona 3 Reload will not feature the additional content from Persona 3 FES or Persona 3 Portable.
“So first I’d like to mention that since the basic concept of the Persona 3 remake was to remake the Persona 3, we don’t have the FES and Portable contents included,” Niitsuma said. “We wanted to really genuinely work on recreating the Persona 3 experience.”
“So the basic concept of recreating the Persona story was that we wanted to keep everything from the original version, but update everything to the modern day,” Wada said. “So at the same level of Persona 5, basically. So we have the newest graphics, we have updated the system to the newest usability… We have the voice lines in [both Japanese and English.] We also have the text available in 13 languages. So you should be able to have similar experiences to that of Persona 5.”
Characters
Protagonist (Voice: Akira Ishida)
A second-year high school student who transfers to Gekkoukan High School’s in the spring. He previously lived in Minato-ku during his childhood and returns after approximately 10 years. Suddenly awakening to his Persona ability, he is recruited into the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (S.E.E.S.).
The first Persona he awakens to is Orpheus. However, he possesses a unique ability that allows him to possess multiple Personas, unlike others.
Yukari Takeba (Voice: Megumi Toyoguchi)
A second-year student in Gekkoukan High School and the protagonist’s classmate. She has a bright personality and attractive appearance, which makes her quite popular among the students. Despite her competitiveness and cool demeanor, she is a member of S.E.E.S. as a Persona user, although she has no prior combat experience. After being attacked by grotesque monsters alongside the protagonist, she decides to take a frontline position.
She is a member of the archery club and utilizes a bow in combat. Her unique Persona is Io. She excels in wind-based skills and healing abilities.
Junpei Iori (Voice: Kosuke Toriumi)
A classmate of the protagonist and Yukari. He awakens his Persona ability shortly after the protagonist’s transfer, albeit a bit later. He moves into the Iwatodai Dormitory and joins S.E.E.S. He has excellent communication skills and serves as a mood-maker within the group. However, he has a tendency to get carried away and is treated coldly by Yukari.
In combat, he wields a large sword. His unique Persona is Hermes. He utilizes physical attack skills and fire-based abilities.
