"Persona 3 Reload" is a remastered version of the original "Persona 3" game, developed by Atlus. The remaster brings various enhancements and changes to the game, including improved graphics and gameplay that are on par with the newer entries in the series, such as "Persona 5" and "Persona 5 Royal". However, it does not include the content from "Persona 3 FES" or "Persona 3 Portable", particularly the female protagonist option from "Portable". The voice cast for the English version has been entirely replaced due to various reasons, including controversies surrounding one of the original voice actors, Vic Mignogna. The original Japanese voice cast for the main three characters remains unchanged.
The game's story is set in the "Dark Hour", a hidden time between one day and the next, known only to those with the potential to summon "Personas". The main character, after transferring to Gekkoukan High School, joins the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (S.E.E.S.), a group of students investigating the Dark Hour and fighting the Shadows. The game features a group known as "Strega" that operates in the Dark Hour and poses a challenge to the S.E.E.S. team.
In terms of gameplay, "Persona 3 Reload" offers an evolved turn-based combat system that makes battles more thrilling. Players can exploit enemy weaknesses to gain an additional turn ("1MORE") and launch all-out attacks when all enemies are downed. The game introduces a new special ability called "Kougeki", which can be activated when a gauge is filled during combat, offering powerful attacks. Additionally, the game removes the "physical condition system" from the original, so characters no longer suffer from statuses like "tired" or "sick".
The game also includes new side stories and character interactions that weren't present in the original game, allowing players to delve deeper into the characters' backgrounds and relationships. New chapters focusing on the "Strega" organization are added, revealing more about their background and motivations.
"Persona 3 Reload" is scheduled for release on multiple platforms including Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam, with different editions like the Standard Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and Digital Premium Edition available for pre-order. The Digital Premium Edition includes additional costumes and music tracks from "Persona 4 Golden" and "Persona 5 Royal".
For more detailed information, you can visit the official pages and related resources