Summary
Persona 3 Reload’s producer, Ryota Niitsuma, recently explained why the developers at Atlus decided to remake the original game.Persona 3 Reloadlaunched on February 2 after much anticipation, with the title being a full recreation of the original 2006 JRPG that adds a number of quality-of-life improvements to bring it closer to games likePersona 5, while also adding extra material from past re-releases.
Though remasters and other re-release collections are an easy way for newer fans to experience older games, some video game developers have pursued creating full-on remakes. ThePersonacommunity had wanted the later for years, with many fans being vocal about their support online, especially in surveys submitted to Atlus. This demand was heightened afterAtlus re-releasedPersona 3 Portableon modern platforms in 2023. Niitsuma recently commented on how this fan support ended up influencingReload’s conception.
In an interview withGame Informer, Niitsuma commented that thePersonadevelopers were motivated by fans demanding a remake ofPersona 3. After development onPersona 5 Royalwas completed, the developers were ready to work on another title and were racking their brains about what to do next. They then realized that it was the perfect opportunity to remakethe originalPersona 3and bring it to modern systems. “We had a lot of input from our fans and from players of our games and it seemed like everybody really wanted to see a remake ofPersona 3,” said Niitsuma. “Once we finishedPersona 5 Royal, internally, we were ready for another title, and we were trying to figure out what it was, and it just seemed like the right moment. It seemed like all the stars had aligned.”
What was changed in Persona 3 Reload?
The overall story and structure ofPersona 3 Reloadremains mostly the same when compared to the original. Niitsuma explained that the developers went for a “one-to-one” approach in recreating the original game, but made somesmart changes inPersona 3 Reloadto modernize it. Most of these changes were based on feedback provided by staff who played the originalPersona 3, asking them what they felt was missing or had bothered them when they first played the game. This led to the removal of mechanics like the fatigue system and the playable characters' skill sets being reworked.
The announcement of a full-scale remake ofPersona 3came a few months after the aforementioned port ofPersona 3 Portable, which caught many fans by surprise. If recent rumors are to be believed, there are more re-releases being worked on by thePersonadeveloper. According to notable leaker Midori,Atlus might have aPersona 4remake and remasters of olderPersonagamesin the works, with the latter being another popular demand from fans. These are just rumors, so fans should take this information with a grain of salt. That said, perhaps fan demand could lead to these rumored re-releases becoming real, much like it did forPersona 3 Reload.
Persona 3 Reload
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour “hidden” between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI. Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes, character interactions, and additional voiceover. Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters. Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
