Unleashing the Ultimate Persona Fusion: Why Persona 3 Reload Should Have Incorporated Persona 5's Game-Changing Mechanic

Highlights

The addition of Persona 5's Baton Pass mechanic to Persona 3 Reload is a highly useful tactic that enhances gameplay and boosts the party's damage output.

Baton Pass is a valuable inclusion in Persona 3 Reload; however, the game missed a chance to integrate Persona 5's Confidant system. This missed opportunity resulted in the absence of unique bonuses and a weaker sense of empowerment for players. Adding the Confidant system to Persona 3 Reload might have posed challenges, considering certain Social Links departing upon completing their storyline. Nevertheless, its incorporation could have greatly enriched the game with enhanced depth and a greater range of experiences.

While Baton Pass is a positive addition to Persona 3 Reload, there is another feature from Persona 5 that would have been an even better inclusion. Atlus' efforts to enhance Persona 3 Reload, as seen in previous trailers, show their dedication to making it the best version of the game to date. However, there are still some features that could have further elevated the game compared to previous versions of Persona 3. With the potential for numerous positive changes in the remake, it is possible that some good ideas may have been overlooked.

The addition of Persona 5's Baton Pass mechanic to Persona 3 Reload introduces a highly advantageous strategy for players. Originally introduced in Persona 5, Baton Pass allows characters to transfer their remaining turns to another party member after defeating an enemy, thereby increasing their strength for that turn. This technique proves effective when dealing with groups of enemies who possess different weaknesses, leading to a significant increase in the party's overall damage output. It stands out as one of the most significant improvements announced for Persona 3 Reload thus far and is poised to greatly benefit players. However, Persona 5 also boasted another major improvement that deserved consideration: Confidants.

Upgrading Social Links to Confidants Could Have Been Great for Persona 3 Reload

Social Links are a crucial aspect of Persona, and Persona 5's Confidant system took them to a whole new level. Not only did players receive the usual benefits associated with a Social Link for a specific arcana, but each Confidant also offered a unique bonus that couldn't be acquired elsewhere. This innovative system greatly enhanced the player's sense of power as they developed deep bonds with the characters, surpassing the impact of previous games. Managing time effectively to maximize these Confidant relationships became even more vital due to the significant power they bestowed. It's evident that Confidants are a significant improvement over the older Social Links.

Having Confidants as a feature in Persona 3 Reload would have been an incredible asset. Persona 3 already boasts a wide range of captivating Social Links, many of which could have easily granted players Confidant abilities. For instance, Tanaka the salesman could have provided the ability to earn more yen, while Nozomi the gourmet could have enhanced the healing effects of food items. Considering the introduction of the Baton Pass mechanic, it's disappointing that Persona 3 Reload did not take the opportunity to update its Social Links, alongside enhancing combat elements.

While Persona 3 Reload will benefit from the addition of Baton Pass, the inclusion of Confidants could have greatly enhanced the game. With its abundance of content, Persona 3 Reload is sure to excite fans. However, the opportunity to transform the Social Links into Confidants and make a significant impact was missed. Although Persona 3 Reload took inspiration from the successful innovations of Persona 5, it failed to incorporate one of its best features.

Persona 3 Reload will be released on February 2, 2024 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.