Summary
WhenPersona 3 Reloadwas first unveiled at the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase, its announcement was met with great excitement, since fans of thePersonafranchise had been waiting nearly two decades to see the originalP3be remade. However, after Atlus later revealed thatP3Rwould be missing the extra content added inPersona 3FESandPersona 3 Portable, many were disappointed over the fact that the remake wouldn’t deliver a definitivePersona 3experience, regardless of how great the base game might be. Fortunately, though, Atlus eventually responded to the feedback from fans, as the developer announced in March 2024 that it would be addingP3 FES’sThe Answer epilogue toPersona 3 Reloadas part of a paid expansion pass.
This $35 DLC, dubbedEpisode Aigis - The Answer, not only remakes the missing content fromPersona 3 FES, but it also adds a wealth of new features to the epilogue, such as Fusion Spells and Linked Episodes. Furthermore, the expansion gives players access to new Theurgies they can use in combat, in addition to all-new interaction events that will let them get to know the protective android Metis. Additionally, the DLC contains remixed soundtracks, new cutscenes, and significant quality-of-life improvements. These aren’t the only features being added in the expansion, however, as during Gamescom 2024, Atlus revealed thatJoker fromPersona 5would be included as a challenge boss inEpisode Aigis. With this major addition to the game,Persona 3 Reload’s expansion pass bringsP5’s downloadable content full circle.
Atlus Released Various DLCs for the Original Persona 5
AfterPersona 5was released on PS3 and PS4 in 2016, Atlus supported the title post-launch with numerous paid DLCs. UnlikePersona 3 Reload’sEpisode Aigisexpansion, these add-ons didn’t contain any brand-new story content and instead brought more cosmetic features to the game. Variouscostumes for the Phantom Thieveswere included in these DLCs, the majority of which were based off of other titles in the overarchingShin Megami Tenseifranchise, such asSMT 4,Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army,Persona 4 Arena,Persona 2: Innocent Sin, and more. Atlus also released new, powerful Personas as paid downloadable content forPersona 5.
Some of the more noteworthy post-launch content that Atlus released for the originalP5were the Challenge Battle DLCs. These standalone missions weren’t present in the main game, butwere rather part of an alternate game mode in which players were tasked with defeating waves of enemies in time-limited trials that grew progressively more difficult. The Challenge Battles were accessible via the Velvet Room after reaching thesecond Palace inPersona 5. Although five of them were included in the base game, eight of the missions were sold as DLCs.
Players Could Fight the Protagonists of Persona 3 and Persona 4 in P5’s Challenge Battle DLCs
In two of the Challenge Battles, players could face off against Makoto Yuki and Yu Narukami, the protagonists ofPersona 3andPersona 4, respectively, in one-on-one duels. These boss fights didn’t just serve as mere novelties, they were also some of the most difficult ones in all ofPersona 5. Outside of spin-off games likePersona 4 ArenaandPersona Q,the protagonists of mainlinePersonagamesalmost never got a chance to interact with each other, so the fact that Joker could actually fight Makoto and Yu in these Challenge Battles was a big deal.
Considering that theplayer characters ofPersona 3andPersona 4were added as boss battles in paid DLCforPersona 5, it’s fitting thatP5’s protagonist will now be featured as an optional boss fight inP3R’sEpisode Aigisexpansion. While some may have preferred to fight other characters in the game instead of Joker, many fans will likely be happy to see Atlus let players challenge the leader of the Phantom Thieves inPersona 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.
