Persona 3 is consistently ranked among the best JRPGs ever made. Reviewing the game on the PS5 last year, the unsettling themes and incredible gameplay still ring through my head whenever I talk about it. Now this beautifully made remaster is being released on the Nintendo Switch 2, so you can take it on the go and experience the beautiful trauma that is Persona 3 all over again, wherever you are.
Even in a series known for mixing bright anime aesthetics with unsettling themes, Persona 3 still hits different. Where later entries slowly ease into their darker elements, Persona 3 confronts players immediately. The opening scene depicts a character alone, gun to her head, contemplating the unthinkable; it is still as shocking as it was the first time I saw it. It sets the tone for a game that explores mortality, grief, and identity in ways many modern RPGs still won’t touch.
For longtime fans, Persona 3 Reload represents a long-awaited return. For those who’ve only played Persona 5 Royal or Persona 4 Golden, it’s a chance to see where the modern Persona formula truly took shape, and what better way to do that than on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Now arriving on the new hardware after launching elsewhere earlier in 2024, Persona 3 Reload is more than a remaster; it’s a complete remake. Atlus has rebuilt the 2006 PlayStation 2 classic with new visuals, expanded character moments, streamlined systems, and a revamped UI that brings it closer to the slick style of Persona 5, without losing the original’s darker themes.
High School Survival
The story here is one of the darkest of the series. You play as part of a group that hunts down demons in a tower called Tartarus. Some pretty heavy themes of death and suicide are among the most intense of the series, particularly if you have just played Persona 5. While this content remains, the story has no issues leaning into this aspect of storytelling, which creates a horror-like atmosphere unique to this title.
The first half of the game sees you going about your day-to-day life, exploring the island city, going to school, making friends and building up your team and abilities. Then the second half sees you climbing Tartarus tower, all while levelling up your party by battling Shadows, the evil creatures that inhabit the tower. As you progress in the game, you power up and activate different Personas. The more you connect with other characters, the more powerful your personas become.
Furthermore, Persona 3 Reload doesn’t shy away from its darker themes and mature storytelling. The game’s narrative delves into complex themes of life, death, and the human psyche, offering a thought-provoking journey that resonates long after the credits roll. With its rich character development, emotional depth, and gripping plot twists, Persona 3 Reload delivers a storytelling experience that is as compelling as it is unforgettable.
The gameplay’s timing revolves around a calendar, and you are limited to the number of activities you can do each day. This allows you to use your free time smartly to create the balance you need on quiet days, as on others, you are forced to join the S.E.E.S. operations against the Shadows that further propel the story forward.
Reload doesn’t just aim to impress with its looks; it also refines core gameplay elements to offer a more seamless experience. Combat, in particular, has been streamlined to be faster and more intuitive, building upon the solid foundation of the original game while incorporating modern controllers. Whether you’re unleashing devastating Persona attacks or strategising with your party members, the revamped combat system keeps the adrenaline pumping without sacrificing the depth that Persona fans have come to love.
Switch 2 Performance
The Switch 2 port is incredibly beautiful. Whether you are playing in docked or handheld, the game looks clean and sharp, with no noticeable compromises. One big improvement is load times, which have been minimised significantly. The main issue I had with the performance is that Persona 3 Reload runs at 30fps on Switch 2.
For a turn-based RPG, it doesn’t hurt gameplay, but given how polished the rest of the port is, the limitation feels a little off. The Switch 2 has already proven it can handle more demanding titles at higher frame rates, particularly other games from this gaming era that have easily achieved 60 FPS on the Switch 2.
Missing Parts
A recurring frustration among longtime fans: Reload does not include content from Persona 3 FES or Persona 3 Portable, including a playable female protagonist and the “Answer / Epilogue” epilogue chapter from FES.
With these elements missing, Reload remains the best way to play the main story, but it isn’t the complete Persona 3 package. If you are relatively new to Persona 3, you won’t notice these missing elements; however, long-time fans wanting to have another playthrough on the new Switch 2 system may take issue with this.
Final Thoughts
Persona 3 Reload on Nintendo Switch 2 is the most beautiful and emotionally rich version of the game that Atlus has ever produced.
If you’ve got the newer hardware and have never played Persona 3, this is absolutely where you should start. The game continues to build its legacy, cementing it as one of the defining experiences of the PlayStation 2 era and still having an impact on modern-day gaming.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: A powerful emotional narrative that still resonates, Great performance on the go, Amazing soundtrack
Lowlights: Epilogue content missing, 30fps cap
Developer: Atlus P Studio
Publisher: Atlus, Sega
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Available: Now
Review conducted on Nintendo Switch 2 with a code provided by the publisher.
Featured header image also provided by the publisher.
