The Untold Revelation: Why Persona 3 Reload's Omission of The Answer Epilogue Leaves Fans Yearning
Persona 3 Reload's missed opportunity to include The Answer epilogue and FeMC content prevents it from becoming the definitive experience fans were hoping for
Highlights
Persona 3 Reload lacks key features like the epilogue and the female protagonist of other P3 versions, making it not the definitive way to experience Persona 3.
Fans are expressing greater concern over the omission of the female lead character rather than the epilogue, highlighting the significance of both elements in the story, which will be absent in the remake. The exclusion of the epilogue in Reload feels like a lost chance to address the frustrating aspects of the original version, while also offering substantial development for Aigis as a character.
Persona 3 Reload is expected to be a significant addition to the Persona series, bringing back its third mainline title. The ongoing conversation revolves around what aspects of the original game will be retained and what will be omitted. The remake appears to prioritize certain elements over others. Notably, the absence of Persona 3 FES' The Answer epilogue and the female protagonist from Persona 3 Portable has disappointed some fans. Instead, the focus remains on Makoto Yuki and the events of the original game. While the remake aims to enhance graphics and make various quality-of-life improvements, the exclusion of crucial content means that it may not be the definitive way to fully experience all that Persona 3 has to offer.
Persona 3 Reload's Lack of The Answer, FeMC Content Keeps it From Being a Definitive Experience
Fans have expressed more concern about the exclusion of the FeMC rather than The Answer in the reception. However, The Answer played a crucial role in the Persona 3 story and its absence in the remake feels like a missed opportunity for reprisal. The epilogue consisted of over thirty hours of content, with a significant portion dedicated to combat. Yet, its narrative was integral in understanding the grief of the SEES Team following the events of Persona 3 FES' The Journey. With The Answer's importance in character development, specifically for Aigis, its omission in Reload is disappointing.
Many fans have suggested that Persona 3 Reload could have been the perfect opportunity to improve upon the frustrations players experienced with The Answer. The epilogue had its drawbacks, such as its excessive focus on Tartarus and constant level grinding without any social link relief. However, the remake has already shown progress in addressing these concerns. Not only will the game allow players to control party members in combat, which was notably absent in Persona 3 FES, but the changes to Tartarus, based on initial observations, seem to offer more engaging exploration.
These improvements could have greatly transformed The Answer's combat, enhancing the storyline's significant boss battles that added value to the overall experience. While the epilogue in Persona 3 Reload does not entirely exclude the events of FES, its depiction of conflict within the SEES Team and their different convictions could have been meaningful for newcomers to the story through the remake.
Unfortunately, FES is not readily accessible on modern consoles, making it unlikely for newcomers to experience The Answer firsthand. This exclusivity means that Reload, despite introducing Persona 3 to a modern audience, does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the original source material. Nonetheless, the anticipation for Reload's release has been exceptionally high, leading to speculation about Atlus' future. With numerous presumed new Persona titles in development, the future of the series is more eagerly anticipated than ever before.
Persona 3 Reload is set to release in early 2024 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
