Persona 3 Reload

Persona 3 Reload (abbreviated to P3R or P3RE) is a role-playing video game published by Atlus, who also co-developed the game with P-Studio. It is a modern remake of Persona 3.
Persona 3 Reload has been remade from scratch to match the scale of Persona 5. The remake is specifically based on the original Persona 3, rather than the game's other enhanced ports, FES and Portable. Although it includes changes and additions from these games, it does not include the female protagonist or The Answer epilogue at launch.
The game was officially announced in June 2023, and was released on February 2nd, 2024 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Microsoft Windows via Steam and the Microsoft Store. It is also available from launch on Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
==Changes from the original Persona 3==
===Aesthetic Changes===
*The game's aesthetics have been overhauled, including character designs and sprites, the GUI, the map models and their contents.
**Specific additions include a minimap, an objectives bar below the date and moon phase, and NPCs that fill up areas in the world such as the halls of Gekkoukan High School and the dance floor of Club Escapade.
*The game includes newly arranged music and original compositions, with Atsushi Kitajoh as main composer.Persona 3 Reload Exclusive Developer Interview. Aigis's Aeon Social Link confirmed! Now the ultimate way of experiencing Persona 3, we asked the development team a bunch of questions about Persona 3 Reload that we’re sure you’re curious about, too! Famitsu (川島KG, 2023.08.23)
**Rapper Lotus Juice returned as a male vocalist, and Azumi Takahashi was introduced as a new female vocalist.
**A new player advantage battle theme "It's Going Down Now" was composed. A rearranged version of the original theme, "Mass Destruction," is used for regular battles.
*The game features new animated cutscenes, but some original scenes have been remade in 3D.
**Most of the 3D cutscenes reference Persona 3 The Movie.
*Combat aesthetics have been improved:
**Cut-ins are animated and dynamic.
**The protagonist and the party have different victory poses.
**Every party member has their own Finishing Touch by ending a battle via All-out Attack.
***Shuffle Time interrupts finishing touches mid-way.
**Using a new party member's Persona for the first time plays a unique cinematic of them summoning their Persona.
*After June 13th, all members of S.E.E.S can wear customized equipment which includes new numbered armband designs. Although the gear is applied in animated and cinematic cutscenes, it is optional in combat.
===Story and Gameplay Changes===
*New side stories in the form of "Linked Episodes" have been added for certain characters, separate from the Social Link mechanic. These events are held only with male members of SEES and also Takaya Sakaki and Ryoji Mochizuki.https://p-ch.jp/news/11372/ They are only available during certain periods in the story, and watching specific Linked Episodes will reward with combat and Social stat boosts and unlock special fusion recipes.
*New activities have been added:
** The protagonist can use a computer to increase his Social Stats through bought, single-use software.
** The protagonist can plant seedlings at a rooftop garden and harvest vegetables after several days.
** The protagonist can perform certain activities at the dormitory together with his friends. They can cook, read, watch DVDs and tend the garden. Participating will reward the protagonist with Social Stat boosts or item yields depending on the activity.https://youtu.be/Cn_QnQKAPzc?si=1exjbQj_iyt9o29g
*** If the protagonist spends time doing said activities with SEES enough times, they'll unlock their respective combat characteristics that comprise of passive and unique abilities.
** The protagonist can join in study sessions with his dorm mates at certain dates. This activity is separate from the individual studying activity at the protagonist's room.
** Visiting Be Blue V allows party members to remember old skills.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKaeAFqaO08
** A third floor at the Iwatodai Strip Mall has been added, which includes a few shops: a Manga Net Café for computer software and Umiushi Beef Bowls for takeout.
** At Club Escapade, a fortune teller can allow the protagonist to affect Tartarus in certain ways for a fee. Also, an informant sells notes that can be used when interacting with the computer.
*Pre-existing social mechanics have been tweaked:
**Class questions have been changed.
***Additionally, sleeping in class now increases the protagonist's Courage stat.
**Social Links can no longer be Broken, and criteria for Reversing them have been mellowed.『ペルソナ3 リロード』最新インタビュー。企画の経緯や「どアップ」で見てほしい3Dモデルのこだわりなど、開発者に現時点で訊けることを総まとめ！【スタッフの半数近くがオリジナル版のファン】, Famitsu (川島KG, 2023.07.04)
**Any available Social Links will now message the protagonist an invitation to hang out, rather than approach him during lunchtime at school.
**Romanceable Social Links are now optional, and include friendship ending scenes if rejected.
**The protagonist can no longer have a section choice to choose any club activities for Kazushi (Kendo, Swim) and Keisuke's (Photography, Music) Social Link. The only clubs the protagonist can join are the track and art clubs.
** Tanaka's Amazing Commodities has had its product catalog changed.
** Elizabeth's Requests have been revamped and reordered.
*** Additionally, requests no longer need to be accepted and are open from the beginning based on availability.
*** The amount of Requests that can be accepted at once is no longer limited
** Activities during Sunday mornings no longer take up the entire day's worth of time, and instead take up only the first half.
** Returning to the dorm during the day will no longer automatically skip time to the evening.
* Miscellaneous quality-of-life additions:
** An online network feature has been added, where the correct answers of class questions can be reviewed and statistics of players' actions for the day can be seen.
*New combat mechanics have been added:
**A new system called Theurgy has been introduced, where combatants can perform special attacks, requiring a gauge that can be filled by performing actions depending on the party member's personality.
**A new mechanic called "Shift," similar to Baton Passes of Persona 5, has been introduced. The mechanic on its own does not power up party members when used.
*Combat details have been tweaked:
**The combat system is based on the updated version from Portable, which includes the following changes from FES:
***Party members can be directly controlled instead of being fully automated.
***Recovering from Down no longer skips the downed characters turn.
***The party can now Guard instead of simply skipping their turn.
***Getting a One More with an AOE Skill no longer requires downing all enemies. A One More will be granted as long as at least one enemy is downed by the attack.
***The ability to order low HP party members to retreat from battle has been removed.
**Some skills' properties have been changed.
**Damage-dealing Light and Dark skills, such as Kouha and Eiha, are included in the game.［gamescom］「ペルソナ3 リロード」最速プレイ。ビジュアルと演出の向上で，より深く描かれる世界観と人物描写に注目だ, 4Gamer.net (2023/08/23)
**The fatigue system has been removed.
**When party members learn new skills, it is possible to choose which old skills to replace.
**Costumes are now a separate cosmetic option from armor customization.
**Analyzing enemy affinities has been modernized.
***Fuuka's Full Analysis skill resembles how the analysis ability functions in the original game where she can reveal all affinities for one enemy after a turn has passed for all Party Members and Enemies, although this skill costs SP to use.
**The Item menu will move useful items to the top of the list depending on the situation, such as Revival Beads if a party member is KO'd and Agilao Gems if a Shadow is weak to Fire.
**Missing a Melee Attack will no longer cause the character to stumble and get downed.
*The skill pools of party members have been fleshed out and rebalanced.
**Fuuka now has her own SP bar and can perform special Navigator skills such as rendering the party undetectable by Shadows on the current floor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD3TUAnYyME
**Certain signature abilities for certain party members have become substitutes for their Theurgy skills. These include the protagonist's ability to perform Fusion Spells, Fuuka's Oracle skill (which can no longer fail or grant negative effects), as well as Aigis' Orgia Mode tactic.
**Characters' melee attacks have been customized to have variety in the amount of hits and the power each blow can deal. All melee attacks are divided into three stages, and the final attack in the final stage always deals a Critical hit.
*Tartarus has a new map and significantly more details and parts.
**Tartarus now has breakable objects.
**Certain Treasure Chests in Tartarus are locked. They require "Twilight Fragments" to be unlocked.https://news.nicovideo.jp/watch/nw13246455
***Twilight Fragments can be collected by exploring town, given by Elizabeth for progressing Social Links, rewarded for completing certain Requests, or randomly found in breakable objects with a blue glow inside Tartarus.
***Opening a locked chest in Tartarus grants a random chance of spawning The Great Clock Door. Entering the Great Clock allows the protagonist to choose two party members below his level who will instantly level up to the same level as him after they participate in the next battle.
** In addition to regular rare Shadows, huge rare Treasure Hands may be found. This follows a choice-based chasing sequence where the protagonist has to track down the target before initiating battle with them. These enemies have hoarded a majority of the treasure on the respective floor, and they'll drop all of it upon being defeated.
** The Entrance Clock, which fully recovers the party's HP and SP, requires 7 Twilight Fragments to use.
*** Similar clocks can also spawn randomly on any floor inside Tartarus.
** Tartarus has character events that occur at regular intervals.
** Shadows roaming Tartarus can spawn with ailments which affect their roaming behavior. 
** The floor generation for Tartarus will now no longer reset until leaving Tartarus for the day, rather than upon leaving that floor.
*** Breakable objects will reset upon leaving the floor but opened chests will not.
*Traversal has been enhanced:
**The protagonist can dash while exploring dungeons.
**An auto-recovery feature is included.『ペルソナ3 リロード』体験レビュー。圧倒的なグラフィックや新録ボイスにただただ感動。変わらぬ骨太の難度でシリーズ経験者も安心（？）の力作リメイクだ, Famitsu (Garçon Yoshiro, 2023.08.23)
**Fast Travel has been added not only in the overworld, but Tartarus as well. This allows you to fast travel to the next floor if the stairs have been located or to Floor 1 if a teleporter has been located
**The ability to order party members to split up to search the current floor has been removed and replaced with Scouting. There is now a chance for an ally to request to search the next floor up alone. If accepted, they will temporarily leave the party. The ally will hand over any items they've collected upon rejoining the party on the next floor. The map for that floor will also be partially filled out.
**The Reaper can now follow the party up to the next floor if it is currently chasing them, only stopping at border floors.
**Shadows can now climb the elevated platforms scattered throughout Tartarus if chasing the party.
* The behavior and resistances of nearly all Full Moon Operation bosses are altered to various degrees.
** The countdown for Arcana Priestess will only start once the boss encounter is initiated instead of inside the train cabs.
** Arcana Chariot and Arcana Justice now have Restore ability instead of Samarecarm.
** Arcana Fortune no longer allows manual control over its Wheel of Fortune. 
** Arcana Hanged Man has an ability to summon a giant statue if its HP is reduced to 40%. Also its ability to summon and sacrifice a Devious Maya is excluded.
** Nyx Avatar's movesets are now completely revamped to resemble the twelve Arcana shadows and it gains new signature attacks in place of others.
* The battles against Strega are altered to various degrees.
** During Jin and Takaya's battle, they can also coordinate their attacks after exploiting their enemy's weakness.
** Chidori's battle has been changed; instead of defeating her, the battle will end abruptly.
** During Jin's battle, Jin is given the ability Potent Stim Injection. This ability can be used if Jin's HP is low.
** During Takya's battle, Takaya can use Theurgy. This only can be used if Takaya's HP is low.
*The Monad Depths have been repurposed:
** The "Monad Door" can appear sporadically. It contains a Treasure Chest with valuable items and a powerful Shadow that protects it. Winning will also activate a special Shuffle Time that grants the opportunity to obtain Major Arcana cards.
** The "Monad Passage" is instead a long hallway with several Shadows, and defeating them will reward weapons, costumes, and exclusive items.
*New Personas have been added.
**Some of the Personas have been renamed, such as Pyro Jack being renamed to Jack-o'-Lantern.
**However, some of the Personas present from the original version of the game and the Personas who were added in FES and were able to reappear in Portable have been removed, such as Nandi, Ares, Taraka, and Ghoul.
*Personas have had their stats and skill pools altered.
**Additionally, one of the Personas required to use Scarlet Havoc has changed from Ares to Mithras.
**Certain Fusion Spells have been removed from the game, such as Justice and Last Judge.
*Velvet Room mechanics have been modernized. Quality of life changes, such as the ability to select inherited skills, have been added.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBAiXTk8opo
* Most bosses now have scripted events that trigger during a certain HP threshold. All attacks that would exceed the damage threshold are automatically blocked, preventing the party from instantly killing them in a single turn, even with attacks such as Armageddon.
*Shuffle Time's cards are manually selected.
**In addition, accumulating Major Arcana cards will give the party lingering effects that last until leaving Tartarus. Reaching the maximum number of Major Arcana cards (which gradually increases to a capacity of 5) will result in an "Arcana Burst," causing the Minor Arcana cards to rank up and have their effects strengthened.http://p-ch.jp/news/12013/
**The Sword Minor Arcana card now gives a random Skill Card instead of a weapon for a party member.
**Picking a Persona Card that the protagonist already has in his stock will now give increased experience to all Personas with a matching Arcana in his stock.
*Incense Cards, Plumes of Dusks and Vision Quests have been removed from the game.
===Voice Direction===
thumb|right|250px|The first episode of Reloaded - The Voices of Persona 3.
*The voices of the Japanese dub were recorded from scratch.
*The English version features a mostly entirely new voice cast:Persona 3 Reload Announced, Launches in Early 2024 Final Weapon. (June 11, 2023)
**The protagonist, Pharos, Ryoji Mochizuki, and the Nyx Avatar are now voiced by Aleks Le.
**Yukari Takeba is now voiced by Heather Gonzalez.
**Junpei Iori is now voiced by .
**Mitsuru Kirijo is now voiced by Allegra Clark.
**Akihiko Sanada is now voiced by .
**Fuuka Yamagishi is now voiced by .
**Aigis is now voiced by .
**Ken Amada is now voiced by Justine Lee.
**Shinjiro Aragaki is now voiced by Justice Slocum.
**Shuji Ikutsuki is now voiced by Jake Green.
**Takaya Sakaki is now voiced by .
**Jin Shirato is now voiced by Chris Hackney.
**Chidori Yoshino is now voiced by Merit Leighton.
**Igor is now voiced by , reprising his role from Persona 5.
**Isako Toriumi is now voiced by Katelyn Gault.
**Natsuki Moriyama is now voiced by .
*With the exceptions of , the original voice of Junpei, as well as unknown voice actors from the original game, the original English voice actors for S.E.E.S now voice other characters in the game:Persona 3 Reload True Ending & Credits - YouTube
**, the original voice of the protagonist, voices Eiichiro Takeba.
**, the original voice of Yukari, voices the owner of Mayoido Antiques.
**, the original voice of Akihiko, voices Kurosawa.
**, the original voice of Mitsuru, reprises her role as Elizabeth from the original game, making her the only character whose English voice actor from the original game reprises their role.
**, the second voice actress for Fuuka, voices Mrs. Terauchi.
**, the original voices of Shinjiro, Kurosawa, and Jin voices Takeharu Kirijo.
**, the original voice of Aigis and Natsuki, and , the second voice actress for Ken, provide additional voices.
*Social Link events (except for Maya's) are fully voiced and almost all of them have been given new voice actors:https://p-ch.jp/news/11763/https://gamerant.com/persona-3-reload-social-link-characters-voice-actors/https://personacentral.com/persona-3-reload-details/
**Kenji Tomochika is voiced by & Joe Zieja.
**Nozomi Suemitsu is voiced by & Paul Castro Jr.
**Kazushi Miyamoto is voiced by & Mark Whitten.
**Yuko Nishiwaki is voiced by & .
**Hidetoshi Odagiri is voiced by & Austin Lee Matthews.
**Chihiro Fushimi is voiced by & Kelly Baskin.
**Keisuke Hiraga is voiced by & Griffin Burns.
**Bebe is voiced by & Jeff Berg.
**President Tanaka is voiced by & , the former of whom reprises his role from appearances as early as Persona 3's 1st Drama CD.
**Mutatsu is voiced by & Aaron LaPlante.
**Mamoru Hayase is voiced by & Yong Yea.
**Maiko Oohashi is voiced by & Grace Lu.
**Akinari Kamiki is voiced by & .
**Bunkichi Kitamura is voiced by & .
**Mitsuko Kitamura is voiced by & .
**Maya communicates purely through text and has no voice actor.
*Several Japanese voice actors from Persona 3 The Movie reprise their role, replacing the original game's voice actors:
**Koromaru is now voiced by Shinya Takahashi, who was uncredited in the films.
**Natsuki Moriyama is now voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki.https://twitter.com/p_kouhou/status/1743754565181456814
**Eiichiro Takeba is now voiced by Kanehira Yamamoto.
*Igor is now voiced by Bin Shimada in Japanese, making this the first instance of archived recordings by the late from the original game not being used for Igor's Japanese voice.
===Other Changes===
*Additional story and roaming events have been added. Some events involve fleshing out Strega and non-hostile encounters with Takaya Sakaki.
*The dialogue is specifically based on the revised version of Persona 3 Portable.P3P EN: https://youtu.be/dW1y7FdGhxc&t=314P3RE EN: https://youtu.be/40AOBLPw1Ds&t=50P3P JP: https://youtu.be/_W2gul_N-A4&t=613P3RE JP: https://youtu.be/ObeZ9aQmX7w&t=57NOTE: Any differences in the English dialogue of P3RE are from an additional revision. Read list of changes further.
*The English version's dialogue was slightly changed. P3R JP: https://youtu.be/-nXZAS0CLVA&t=1041P3P JP: https://youtu.be/775V8mEA3Rk&t=1986The P3R dialogue above was changed to better suit the Japanese version's transcript.https://youtu.be/2qNw3qottOg?t=17682 "All right class, settle down. You can show your scores to one another later." in Persona 3 FES, but Reload uses "each other" instead." The line hasn't been changed between FES and Persona 3 Portable.https://youtu.be/2qNw3qottOg?t=838 "I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya." in FES, but has been changed to "Call me Junpei. Junpei Iori." Also, Junpei's title has been changed from "Student" to "Friendly Student."https://youtu.be/pxO3p-bJivo?t=24 Kenji's first Social Link event: both the dialogue and its responses were changed.
**However, the English version preserves the original game's naming conventions: for example, the name of the skill Bash is kept as is instead of being changed to "Lunge."
* Parts of Operation Babe Hunt event at Yakushima have been rewritten in Japanese and translated accordingly.
*The protagonist's narration is now in first-person, rather than second-person.
*Barring the members of Strega, as well as characters without a surname, the English version refers to the characters by their full name in their dialogue boxes, like in the Japanese version, instead of just their first name.
*Most of the characters are now referred to by their last names instead of their first names like in the original English version of previous remake games and spin-off games. For example, Ken is no longer addressed by his first name except in-gameplay.
*All stores have had their names changed in the English localization to better reflect the Japanese names. Game Panic is now Game Parade, Shinshoudo Antiques is now Mayoido Antiques, Power Records is now Kenneth Arnold, and Wild-duck Burger is now Wilduck Burger. 
*Both the English and Japanese versions of the game include lip syncing in both the dialogue portraits and character models.
*Musical presentation has been slightly changed: the exam theme now persists when days pass instead of resetting each time, the Persona leitmotif from Megami Ibunroku Persona that originally played during an animated cutscene on November 4 is no longer present, and the bad ending option on December 31 is now followed by a proper bad ending credits instead of simply using the same credits sequence as the true ending.
*The game has been localized in 13 languages, only in subtitle form. New languages include Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian and Turkish.
*The frame rate has been improved from the original's 30FPS to a stable 60FPS, and the resolution has been increased to support 4K. 
* The characters from Persona 4 and Catherine who made a cameo from the Portable version have been adapted out.
==Special Editions and Downloadable Content==
===In Japan===
The Persona 3 Reload Limited Box edition is sold for 17,380 yen, including:
* New S.E.E.S Armband replica
* P3RE Artbook (64 pages, A4 Hardcover)
* P3RE Limited Box Original Soundtrack (60 songs, 2 CDs)
* Persona 4 Golden Costume and Persona DLC: the cast can wear the school uniforms of Yasogami High School from Persona 4 Golden. Also, the Personas Izanagi, Magatsu-Izanagi and Kaguya can be summoned.
In addition, an Aigis figurine, as part of the Aigis D-Shop Limited Edition, can be bought alongside the Limited Box Edition (22,800 yen) or separately with a physical copy of the game only (15,180 yen)
Alternate offers include the Digital Premium (15,730 yen) and the Digital Deluxe (12,408 yen) edition, both omitting the S.E.E.S armband and the Aigis figure. The Digital Deluxe also excludes the DLC pack.
A pre-order bonus includes the Persona 4 Golden BGM Set, only available as a pre-order bonus: includes "Reach Out To The Truth," "Time To Make History," "I'll Face Myself -Battle-", "A New World Fool," "The Fog" and "Results."
In addition to the Persona 4 Golden BGM (pre-order only), Costume & Persona DLC, the game has DLC based on Persona 5 Royal:
* Persona 5 Royal Persona Set 1: includes the primary Personas of all playable party members: Arsène, Captain Kidd, Zorro, Carmen, Goemon, Johanna, Milady, Robin Hood and Cendrillon.
* Persona 5 Royal Persona Set 2: includes the party members' second Personas: Satanael, Seiten Taisei, Mercurius, Hecate, Kamu Susano-o, Anat, Astarte, Loki and Vanadis.
* Persona 5 Royal BGM Set: includes "Last Surprise," "Take Over," "Rivers in the Desert," "Jaldabaoth," "Throw Away Your Mask" and "Victory."
* Persona 5 Royal Shujin Academy Costume Set: based on the uniform of Shujin Academy.
* Persona 5 Royal Phantom Thieves Costume Set: based on the Phantom Thieves attire of the Persona 5 Royal cast.
===In North America===
The special physical version of the game, Aigis Edition, is similar to the Limited Box Edition in Japan, but omits the S.E.E.S Armband: instead, the Aigis figure is sold by default. The Digital Premium and the Digital Deluxe packs function the same way as their Japanese equivalent: with the Digital Deluxe omitting all DLC.
==Development==
===Background & Premise===
The development is headed by younger staff at Atlus, with Takuya Yamaguchi as the director and Ryota Niitsuma as producer, both taking over the prior roles of Katsura Hashino. Within their development process, they pursued "deepening" rather than evolution when defining their game.『ペルソナ3 リロード』日本メディア最速インタビュー。オリジナル版のフルリメイクだが『フェス』で追加された本編内の要素が『リロード』にいっさい入っていないというわけではない【週刊ファミ通先行掲載】 Famitsu. (川島KG; June 12, 2023) Research of the game started in 2019, and started the actual development late in the same year.Why Persona 3 Reload Is Set to Be The Series New Best Entry Point | Summer of Gaming 2023 Youtube. (IGN; June 23, 2023)
One of the key elements of their goals in developing the game was to have it be played on a similar scale as Persona 5, as it has become the standard for play for fans of the series at that time, both in local Japan and overseas.［インタビュー］「ペルソナ3 リロード」は，どのような考えでP3を“再装填”した作品なのか。開発のキーマン3名に話を聞いた, 4Gamer.net (2023/06/16)
The subtitle "Reload" was chosen for the abbreviation of "R" similarly to Persona 5 Royal, the definitive edition of the game. It also implies the meaning of a remake, but "Persona 3 Remake" was not chosen as it wasn't interesting. Aside from the abbreviation, Reload was specifically chosen as "RE" is commonly used in games, but to match the aesthetics of the Persona series, Reload was also picked due to the Evoker having the form of a gun. "Reloaded" would be grammatically correct as a title, but it would focus too much on the image of actually using a gun. According to developers, it took a lot of time to reach an official decision, but the team immediately agreed on the final idea.
According to Kazuhisa Wada, although staff are normally uncertain about whether fans will accept their work or if they could've improved on it after finishing a game, they instead found themselves satisfied with P3R and the final result they've produced.
===Game Design===
The purpose of the additional side stories was to flesh out certain characters as individuals better, as the main story based their roles around an "ensemble drama."
According to Yamaguchi, he felt like the 1 More! system has not been fully utilized in boss battles in the series in general as you cannot exploit their weaknesses, hence the introduction of the Theurgy system. Aside from that, the Showtimes of Persona 5 Royal have been well-received, and wanted to add a similar action to that. Additionally, Theurgy encourages variety in playstyle past simply exploiting weaknesses and performing melee attacks if impossible: the criteria for filling Theurgy faster is rewarded through actions that stray from the general routine of exploiting weaknesses. Because the requirements differ between party members, the mechanic also gives them a sense of individuality.https://www.famitsu.com/news/202310/05319339.html
===Art Direction===
Azusa Shimada, the game's main character designer, explains the thought that was put into the box art of Reload. On the composition, she struggled with choosing whether to have the artwork consist of a group picture like with recent entries in the series, or whether to focus on the protagonist only like with the original Persona 3. After collecting various packages from the series, films included, and using them as reference to contemplate the direction of Reload, she focused on a composition that brought the main character to the forefront, but after that she needed to focus on distinguishing it from Persona 3's box art, which also comprises of just the protagonist and Thanatos. In finding a balance between being too ephemeral and being too cool, Shimada wanted to express the protagonist, who possesses a Persona, resolutely confronting his inevitable fate. The team, as they pursued a composition that stood out, they ended up with a form that was a homage to the original version.
Sprite work and overall art direction was improved, as Shimada wanted to express the clear impression that it's a new, improved work, and the final result was achieved by exploring various possibilities and pursuing the latest painting techniques. This time, realistic lighting was incorporated, such as changing the color of the sprites as well as the rim light depending on the environment.
The new uniforms were also designed by Shimada. When approaching the remaster, she wanted to incorporate accents that would visually lift the player's mood, consulting original designer Shigenori Soejima in the process. Compared to before, where the cast was only equipped with an armband and holster, Shimada aimed for a sense of realism by adding more equipment. Although the team at first considered having the cast wear their uniforms evenly, they've decided to accent their individuality through how they wear their uniforms, with Shimada consulting Soejima and the development team. As it takes a lot of courage to come up with new designs for a remake of a game everyone loves, there was a lot of trial and error.
The character models' head-to-body ratio has been raised to add to the realism, and Shimada supervised and cooperated with the modeling staff. That being said, rough image of the bust up of the characters has been drawn before modeling the characters in 3D.
While upgrading the visual expression of the game through the head-to-body ratio, one of their goals was to recreate the image of the original version in everyone's minds while under the feeling of an increased resolution. The developers were conscious with modifying the head-to-body ratio as to not take away from the atmosphere of the original. The concept for Tartarus' design was completed early on, as they had assumed they'd need to revamp it to fit the characters' redesigns. In addition, new locations were added, such as Strega's hideout: a lot of thought was put into depictions like this without having the original version as reference, so none of them were finished easily.
===Menu & Logo Design===
Art Director Tomohiro Kumadai formerly worked as a developer elsewhere, and as a player of Persona 3 was inspired by its UI and how it has the power to represent and symbolize the overall image of the work. During his work on Reload, he thought about how to capture the charm when he played the game using modern technology. The blue color of P3 left an impression on Kumagai, reminding him of water and bubbles, only to realize that the original developers had this exact image in mind in a recent discussion.https://www.famitsu.com/news/202311/29325647.html
He not only enhanced the menu's water motifs for Reload, but would portray depth within the protagonist's psyche, evoking the feeling of "sinking into your own mind to check information and your relationships with others" when accessing the menu screen. Also, P3R combines the beauty of the sea seen in Tatsumi Port Island and Yakushima alongside the protagonist's sea of soul. Other conscious elements include the shimmering and gradation of water, and the sparkle and reflection of glass.
While cooperating with the motion team, who worked on the protagonist's movements on the screen. They produced a unique and detailed model for the menu, using made animation skeletons and polygons to portray the delicacy of his facial expressions, the shimmering music player and the feeling of floating underwater. Poses and expressions are changed to find the best way to show each item. They were careful with the shadows, the facial expression and the swaying of the hair. Kumadai humorously made demands on making the protagonist more ephemeral and so beautiful that he can hear the voice actor.
On the direction of the game's logo, the "Persona 3" part of it was kept as is to convey the message that the fundamentals of the game have not changed, but because it is not purely an "HD remaster," the look of "Reload" was made to look more modern to emphasize that there are new elements to the game. It is explained that even the Gothic font was a point they were particular about, incorporating both the modernity of Reload and the idea behind the original.
Around 50 logo ideas were made before finally settling on the current idea, all gradually with consideration rather than at once. Also, beforehand, the developers have considered updating the original P3 logo, but kept it as is after settling on the game's direction.
==Gallery==
===Box Arts===
File:Persona 3 Reload KV.jpg|Persona 3 Reload key visual.
File:P3RE BoxArt.jpeg|Persona 3 Reload box art.
File:P3RE Extended Box Art.png|Extended box art.
File:P3RE Extended Box Art 2.png|Extended box art.
File:P3RE_Digital_Deluxe_Art.png|Digital Deluxe Edition Art.
File:P3RE_Digital_Premium_Art.png|Digital Premium Edition Art.
File:Persona_3_Reload_KV2.jpg|Persona 3 Reload 2nd Key Visual.
=== In-Game Screenshots===
File:P3RE Aigis.gif|Aigis in Persona 3 Reload
File:P3RE GekkoukanHighOutdoors.png|Gekkoukan High School in Persona 3 Reload
File:P3RE GekkoukanHigh.png|Gekkoukan High School in Persona 3 Reload
File:P3RE Dialogue.png|Gekkoukan High School in Persona 3 Reload
File:IwatodaiStation P3RE.png|Iwatodai Station in Persona 3 Reload
File:P3RE Menu.png|The menu screen in Persona 3 Reload
P3RE Cooking2.png|The protagonist spending time cooking with Shinjiro
File:SEES Attire P3RE.png|S.E.E.S in their new attire
File:P3RE Weak.png|The protagonist exploiting an enemy weakness
File:P3RE Aigis battle.jpg|Aigis in combat
===Downloadable Content===
P3RE DLC P4G Yasogami High Costume Set.png|Persona 4 Golden Yasogami High Costume Set
P3RE DLC P5R Shujin Academy Costume Set.png|Persona 5 Royal Shujin Academy Costume Set
P3RE DLC P5R Phantom Theieves Costume Set.png|Persona 5 Royal Phantom Thieves Costume Set
===Merchandise===
File:P3RE Aigis figure.png|Aigis Edition Aigis figure
===Illustration===
File:P3 Reload illustration of SEES by Raita Kazama.jpg|Promotional artwork by Raita Kazama
File:P3RE Official Illustration of SEES and Strega.jpg|Official Illustration of SEES and Strega by Azusa Shimada
File:P3R Famitsu1834.jpg|Official illustration of the protagonist on Famitsu Vol.1834
File:P3RE special illustration of Yukari and Mitsuru by Keiko.jpg|Special Illustration of Yukari Takeba and Mitsuru Kirijo by Keiko
File:P3RE special illustration of Aigis by Kuvshinov Ilya.jpg|Special Illustration of Aigis by Kuvshinov Ilya
File:P3RE special illustration of Fuuka by mellco.jpg|Special Illustration of Fuuka Yamagishi by mellco
File:P3RE special illustration of the Protagonist and Koromaru by Azusa Shimada.jpg|Special Illustration of the protagonist and Koromaru by Azusa Shimada
File:P3RE special illustration of the Aigis and Mitsuru Kirijo by Shigenori Soejima.jpg|Special Illustration of Aigis and Mitsuru Kirijo by Shigenori Soejima
 
=== Collaboration===
 
File:Makoto Sea Paradise Collab.jpg|P3 Reload Sea Paradise Collab
File:Makoto Sea Paradise Collab Clean.png|P3 Reload Sea Paradise Collab Clean
==Videos==
;Trailers
『ペルソナ３ リロード』発表映像-日本語版- ー Xbox Games Showcase 2023 ー|Persona 3 Reload PV01 (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』PV02|Persona 3 Reload PV02 (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』PV03|Persona 3 Reload PV03 (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 PV04|Persona 3 Reload PV04 (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』新バトル曲紹介映像|New Battle Theme Introduction Video (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 Anime Expo 公開映像|Persona 3 Reload Anime Expo Trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』ブラジルゲームショー 公開映像|Brasil Game Show Trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 The Game Awards公開映像|The Game Awards Trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』ベルベットルーム紹介映像|Velvet Room Trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 学園生活映像|School Life Trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 街中施設紹介映像|City Facilities Introduction Video (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』発売告知ムービー|Launch Trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』TVCM映像|TVCM (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 オープニング映像|Opening Movie (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』-TVCM 志尊淳＆川口春奈ver-(30秒)|Persona 3 Reload TVCM 30s (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』-TVCM 志尊淳＆川口春奈ver-(15 秒)|Persona 3 Reload TVCM 15s (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』本編冒頭映像|Persona 3 Reload Gameplay Opening Sequence (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』本編冒頭映像 ダイジェスト版|Persona 3 Reload Gameplay Opening Sequence / Digestible ver. (JP)
LotusJuiceのペルソナ・ミュージックナイト RELOAD|Lotus Juice's Persona Music Night Reload (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』発売記念スペシャルミニライブイベント|P3R Release Commemorative Event (JP)
アトラスDショップ限定版 『アイギス』フィギュア紹介動画|Aigis D-Shop Figure (Introduction Video)
Persona 3 Reload — Announcement Trailer - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Persona 3 Reload Announcement Trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Meet the S.E.E.S. Trailer - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Meet the S.E.E.S Trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Conflicting Fates Trailer - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Conflicting Fates Trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Battle BGM & Gameplay Reveal - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows|Battle BGM & Gameplay Reveal Trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload - English Gameplay Reveal - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Gameplay Trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Iwatodai Dorm Life - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Iwatodai Dorm Life (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — The Meaning of Life - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|The Meaning of Life (EN)
Persona 3 Reload - special trailer|TVCM (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Opening Movie - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Opening Movie (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Battle Strategy Trailer - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC|Battle Strategy Trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Fan Reactions - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC|Fan Reactions Trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Launch Trailer - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC|Launch Trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload - SEAL YOUR FATE - Live Action Trailer (ft. Aidan Gallagher)|SEAL YOUR FATE - Live Action trailer (ft. Aidan Gallagher)
Reloaded- The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes - Episode One|Reloaded - The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes (EP1; EN)
Reloaded- The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes - Episode Two|Reloaded - The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes (EP2; EN)
Reloaded- The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes - Episode Three|Reloaded - The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes (EP3; EN)
Reloaded- The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes - Episode Four|Reloaded - The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes (EP4; EN)
Reloaded- The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes - Episode Five|Reloaded - The Voices of Persona 3 - Behind the Scenes (EP5; EN)
;Character Trailers
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 主人公(CV.石田彰) キャラクターPV|Protagonist's trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』岳羽ゆかり(CV.豊口めぐみ) キャラクターPV|Yukari Takeba's trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 伊織順平(CV.鳥海浩輔) キャラクターPV|Junpei Iori's trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』真田明彦(CV.緑川光)キャラクターPV|Akihiko Sanada's trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 桐条美鶴(CV.田中理恵) キャラクターPV|Mitsuru Kirijo's trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 山岸風花(CV.能登麻美子) キャラクターPV|Fuuka Yamagishi's trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』 コロマル(CV.高橋伸也) キャラクターPV|Koromaru's trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』アイギス(CV.坂本真綾) キャラクターPV|Aigis' trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』天田乾(CV.緒方恵美) キャラクターPV|Ken Amada's trailer (JP)
『ペルソナ３ リロード』荒垣真次郎(CV.中井和哉) キャラクターPV|Shinjiro Aragaki's trailer (JP)
Persona 3 Reload — The Hero's Arrival - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Protagonist's trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Enter the Huntress - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Yukari Takeba's trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — Gekkokan’s Class Clown - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC| Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Junpei Iori's trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — The Undefeated Brawler - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Akihiko Sanada's trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — The Empress of Execution - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Mitsuru Kirijo's trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — The Vigilant Navigator - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Fuuka Yamagishi's trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — The Loyal Companion - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Koromaru's trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — The Eternal Protector - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Aigis' trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — The Youthful Spirit - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Ken's trailer (EN)
Persona 3 Reload — The Lone Wolf - Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X-S, Xbox One, Windows PC|Shinjiro's trailer (EN)
==Trivia==
*Before it was officially announced, early footage of the game was originally leaked on April 4th, 2023. It featured footage of Yukari's first-tier Theurgy being used.
*With the addition of the side stories and fully voiced Social Links, Persona 3 Reload has the largest amount of voice lines in the Persona series.
*In all versions of the announcement trailer of Reload, there are several Latin phrases used, and they translate as follow: 
**Hora tenebrosa – The dark hour;
** – While I breathe, I hope;
**Renascere – To be reborn.
*The English versions of certain promotional material of Reload has been slightly censored:
**Pools of blood seen during the Dark Hour, especially during introductory cutscenes, have had their colors muted to be a blacker shade.
**In earlier trailers, scenes where Evokers were used were replaced with different footage.
**In the third trailer, during Strega's work during the Dark Hour, Takaya's quote, which translates to "You squeal most magnificently!" has been cut alongside him raising and pointing his revolver at the teenager.
*This is the first Persona game to be remade in full 3D.
*Persona 3 Reload is the first game in the Megami Tensei series to be localized in Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian and Turkish.https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2254740/view/3971679674367250379?l=englishPersona 5 Tactica was localized in these languages, but only as part of a localization patch in March 2024.
*Promotional material of Reload uses the protagonist's canon name, Makoto Yuki, from Persona 3 The Movie under necessary circumstances such as when displaying his in-game name.
==In Other Languages ==
Language 	Title 	Abbreviation
Japanese 	ペルソナ3 リロード 	P3R / P3RE
Korean 	페르소나3 리로드 	P3R
Traditional Chinese 	女神異聞錄３ Reload 	P3R
Simplified Chinese 	女神异闻录３ Reload 	P3R
French 	Persona 3 Reload 	P3R
Italian 	Persona 3 Reload 	P3R
German 	Persona 3 Reload 	P3R
Spanish 	Persona 3 Reload 	P3R
Brazilian Portuguese	Persona 3 Reload 	P3R
Polish 	Persona 3 Reload 	P3R
Russian 	Persona 3 Reload 	P3R
Turkish 	Persona 3 Reload 	P3R
==External Links ==
*Official Japanese Website
*Official Japanese Website (English)
*Official Western website
*Official Korean website
*Official Traditional Chinese website
*Official Simplified Chinese website
*Steam page
==References==
Category:Persona 3
Category:Persona 3 Reload
Category:Games