The Untold Depths of Persona 3 Reload: Unveiling the Female Protagonist's Powerful Social Link Element

While Persona 3 Reload may not reintroduce its female protagonist, it can still honor her presence in a significant manner within the story. It has the potential to elevate Persona 3 to an enhanced and superior version, even amidst its numerous remakes. While the game seems to be adopting a return to its foundational roots, it should not neglect to bring fresh ideas to the table. One way to accomplish this would be to reintroduce one of the finest enhancements from P3P, the female protagonist, in a manner that enriches the narrative.

From the moment the announcement for Persona 3 Reload surfaced, discussions naturally veered towards how it would differ from the previous remakes of Persona 3. The Answer storyline in Persona 3 FES bestowed quality of life improvements as well as a new campaign that unfolded after the original story. On the other hand, Persona 3 Portable underwent even more significant transformations, most notable of which was the introduction of a new female protagonist, complete with unique Social Links that diverged from the original game. Considering the multitude of iterations Persona 3 has undergone, one can't help but wonder what will set Reload apart. Focusing on the female protagonist and her role would undoubtedly bring a distinct element to the game.

Persona 3 Reload Could Use One of Persona 3 Portable's Storyline Touches

With the recent release of Persona 3 Portable, many fans now have the game and its option to play as the female protagonist fresh in their minds. While Persona 3 Portable did make the sacrifice of removing the Protagonist's ability to use any weapon type, it did offer its own set of upgrades. In Persona 3, players were unable to establish Social Links with the male party members if playing as the male protagonist, whereas the female protagonist had the ability to do so with all of them. This led many to view the female protagonist's version of the story as superior, as it made the party members feel more significant.

Even if not all changes from Persona 3 Portable can be incorporated into Persona 3 Reload, there is one important difference that could greatly benefit the game. In Persona 3, the main story concludes with the main character teetering on the brink of death after defeating the boss. They then experience their last day of school and have a final encounter with their party members and Social Links. However, Persona 3 Portable introduced a unique feature that allows players to choose which character they want to spend their last moments with. It could be their best friend or even their romantic partner, but the scene is always heart-wrenching, regardless of the chosen character.

The change to the story's ending in Persona 3 Reload was an incredible improvement on the original. It would be relatively simple to incorporate this change into the game, as it has already been demonstrated that the game can handle this type of choice. There isn't much reason to overlook it, except perhaps to remain faithful to the original. However, Persona 3 Reload has already announced some changes that will set it apart from the original game. Remakes are intended to enhance the original, and Reload has a perfect opportunity to do so with the story.

Persona 3's ending is widely considered the saddest in the series, particularly after a challenging final boss. However, the added touch in P3P made it feel more meaningful. Persona 3 Reload's new gameplay elements can greatly enhance the original formula, but it would also be worthwhile to bring back the small touch that Persona 3 Portable introduced to the ending. This way, players will have the chance to finish the game alongside the character they formed the strongest bond with, adding to the emotional impact of the ending. Persona 3 Reload may not be Persona 3 Portable, but it can incorporate one of its best ideas.

Persona 3 Reload will release in 2024 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.