Persona 3 consistently ranks as one of the best JRPGs ever made. Looking back at last year’s PS5 games, the unsettling themes and great gameplay still echo in my head every time I talk about this game. Now that this beautifully crafted remaster is released on Nintendo Switch 2, you can take it with you on the go and relive the beautiful trauma of Persona 3 wherever you are.
In a series known for combining upbeat anime aesthetics with disturbing themes, Persona 3 remains a different hit. Later titles gradually introduce darker elements, but Persona 3 confronts the player right away. The opening scene shows a character alone with a gun to his head, thinking the unthinkable. It still shocks me as much as it did the first time I saw it. This sets the tone for a game that explores mortality, grief, and identity in a way that many modern RPGs have yet to touch.
For longtime fans, Persona 3 Reload is a long-awaited return. For those who have only ever played Persona 5 Royal or Persona 4 Golden, this is your chance to see where the modern Persona formula really took shape, and what better way to do it than with the Nintendo Switch 2.
Coming to new hardware after being released elsewhere in early 2024, Persona 3 Reload is more than just a remaster. It’s a complete remake. Atlus has reimagined the 2006 PlayStation 2 classic with new visuals, expanded character moments, streamlined systems, and a revamped UI that brings it closer to Persona 5’s sleek style, without losing the dark theme of the original.
high school survival
The story here is one of the darkest in the series. You play as part of a group hunting demons in a tower called Tartarus. The rather heavy themes of death and suicide are some of the strongest in the series, especially if you’ve just played Persona 5. While this content remains the same, this aspect of the storytelling is fine and creates the horror-like atmosphere that is unique to this title.
In the first half of the game, you go about your daily life as you explore the island city, attend school, make friends, and improve your team and abilities. In the second half, you’ll climb the Tower of Tartarus while leveling up your party by fighting the Shadow, an evil creature that lives in the tower. As the game progresses, you power up and activate different personas. The more connections you have with other characters, the more powerful your persona becomes.
Credit: Atlas
Additionally, Persona 3 Reload doesn’t shy away from its dark themes and mature storytelling. The game’s narrative explores complex themes of life, death, and the human spirit, providing a thought-provoking journey that will resonate with you long after the credits roll. With rich character development, emotional depth, and a gripping plot twist, Persona 3 Reload provides a storytelling experience that’s as memorable as it is captivating.
Gameplay timing revolves around a calendar, with a limited number of activities that can be performed each day. This allows you to use your free time wisely and create the balance you need on quiet days, but on other days you are forced to participate in SEES operations against the Shadows that further advance the story.
Credit: Atlas
Reload’s purpose is not just to impress visually. We’ve also refined core gameplay elements to provide a more seamless experience. Combat in particular has been streamlined to be faster and more intuitive, building on the original game’s solid foundation and incorporating a modern controller. Whether you’re unleashing devastating Persona attacks or strategizing with your party members, the revamped combat system keeps your adrenaline pumping without sacrificing the depth that Persona fans love.
Switch 2 performance
The Switch 2 port is incredibly beautiful. Whether you’re playing on a dock or handheld, the game looks clean and sharp with no noticeable compromises. One of the big improvements is load times, which have been significantly reduced. The main issue I had with performance is that Persona 3 Reload runs at 30fps on the Switch 2.
Credit: Atlas
As a turn-based RPG, this restriction doesn’t negatively impact gameplay, but considering how polished the rest of the port is, this restriction feels a bit off. The Switch 2 has already proven that it can handle more demanding titles at higher frame rates, especially other games from this gaming era where the Switch 2 easily achieved 60 FPS.
missing parts
A recurring complaint among longtime fans: Reload does not include content from Persona 3 FES or Persona 3 Portable, including a playable female protagonist and FES’s epilogue chapter “Answer/Epilogue.”
The lack of these elements means that reloading is still the best way to play the main story, but it’s not the complete package for Persona 3. If you’re relatively new to Persona 3, you probably won’t notice that these elements are missing. However, long-time fans looking to play it again on the new Switch 2 system may object to this.
final thoughts
Persona 3 Reload on Nintendo Switch 2 is the most beautiful and emotional version of the game Atlus has ever created.
If you have new hardware and have never played Persona 3, this is the place to start. The game continues to build on its legacy, cementing it as one of the defining experiences of the PlayStation 2 era and continuing to influence modern gaming.
4 stars (out of 5)
Highlights: A powerful emotional story that still resonates today, great performances on the go, and a great soundtrack
Key points: Missing epilogue content, 30fps cap
Developer: Atlas P Studio
Publisher: Atlas, Sega
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Available: Currently
Review was conducted on Nintendo Switch 2 using a code provided by the publisher.
A featured header image is also provided by the publisher.
