Unleashing the Full Potential of Persona 3 Reload: The Inclusion of Haru from Persona 5 Royal Sets the Standard

Highlights

Haru Okumura's story arc in Persona 5 Royal provides a lesson on how to tease latecomers to the party, which can help fix similar issues in Persona 3 Reload.

Persona 3 Reload could enhance its narrative by providing greater foreshadowing and buildup for its late party members, taking inspiration from Persona 5's approach with Haru's subtle appearances preceding her integration into the group. By incorporating early introductions or cameo moments for characters like Ken and Koromaru, Persona 3 Reload can make their entry into the playable cast more organic and significant, akin to the effective establishment of Haru's presence.

Haru Okumura in Persona 5 Royal serves as a valuable example for the game to learn from. Despite not being a part of the party for the majority of the game, Haru benefits from a unique approach that sets her apart from other characters in similar situations. This approach, inspired by her storyline, could be utilized to address some of the story issues encountered in the original version of Persona 3 Reload. While Persona 3 was a significant success and contributed greatly to the series, there is still room for improvement in certain areas.

Within Persona 5 Royal, Haru plays a powerful role as a member of the party, wielding imposing battleaxes and grenade launchers that make her presence intimidating even before utilizing her Persona. As the heir to a prominent corporation in the culinary industry, Haru becomes part of the Phantom Thieves after discovering her father's involvement with the game's main antagonists. Despite joining late, she seamlessly fits into the group, showcasing a sweet personality complemented by an unexpectedly eager attitude towards battle. Despite her late arrival, Haru maximizes her screen time and leaves a lasting impression.

Persona 3 Reload Could Mimic a Part of Haru's Presentation in Persona 5 Royal

Haru's development in Persona 5 was insufficient, but the game does establish her relevance before she officially appears. She briefly appears in a few school events prior to her arc, creating a presence for her character. In Royal, her introduction is even earlier, appearing when Joker joins his new school and making occasional background appearances until her chapter. Although these previous appearances are not significant, they serve to establish her presence in the plot rather than having her suddenly enter.

However, Persona 3 does not succeed in foreshadowing some of its party members as effectively. While the playable characters in Persona 3 are interesting, a few of them seem to emerge unexpectedly. Ken and Koromaru are introduced shortly before the player recruits them, with little to no buildup. Their lack of involvement in the overall plot further weakens their impact. Even Aigis, who plays a vital role in the plot and is the focus of The Answer, does not have much buildup before joining the party, thus diminishing her significance.

Introducing these characters before adding them to the playable cast would greatly improve Persona 3 Reload. Shinjiro's character development before joining the team serves as a good example. In Reload, they could establish Koromaru as a dog who lives nearby from the beginning, or introduce Ken earlier to set up his subplot. Ken's story is particularly significant as it intertwines with Shinjiro's. Making minor changes to the game's events would help integrate these characters more naturally.

Although Haru may not have the same presence as other characters in Persona 5, she still receives decent foreshadowing before her story arc. While Persona 3 Reload seems to follow the original story, a few adjustments to facilitate the flow wouldn't hurt. By including earlier introductions or cameo appearances, the later additions to the party can seamlessly integrate into the narrative. Haru's early cameos in Persona 5 can serve as a guide for how Persona 3 Reload should handle its party members.

Persona 3 Reload will be released in 2024 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.