Unlocking the Hidden Connections: Persona 3 Reload's Ultimate Tribute to Persona 5

Highlights

The dilemma lies in how Persona 3 Reload can acknowledge Persona 5, set 7 years in the future, considering that the main characters of Persona 5 would have been mere youngsters during the events of Persona 3.

While referencing Persona 5 with its distinct setting and notable characters may seem easier, it could be more challenging to reference Persona 4, set in small fictional towns. However, subtle Easter eggs can still make it possible.

For the first time, Persona 3 Reload is a remade version of a Persona game. Balancing between new and old, it has the opportunity to maintain faithfulness to the original while modernizing it. Past Persona titles have often referenced each other, with characters making cameo appearances and places being mentioned. The remake should strive to continue this tradition, even while staying loyal to the original release. However, a challenge for developers is how Persona 3 Reload can reference Persona 5, considering it takes place 7 years after the events of the latter.

How Can Persona 3 Reload Reference Persona 5?

While Persona games are standalone, they all exist in the same world, and the timeline of the Persona series spans over 20 years. The story of Revelations: Persona and the Persona 2 duology is essentially one, featuring many shared characters. However, the connections become more tenuous afterwards. Persona 3 takes place a decade after the second entry, and although it references characters from Persona 2, they are not directly involved in the plot. This loose interconnection is how the Persona series continues to make references to itself. For example, in Persona 5, multiple characters from Persona 3 and 4 make appearances on television.

The remake of Persona 3 will likely need to acknowledge the protagonists of Persona 5, who would have been young children during the events of Persona 3. Thankfully for Atlus, some of the most impressive palaces in Persona 5 were created by characters who are renowned in the Persona universe. By the time Persona 5 begins, Kamoshida, Madarame, and Okumura have all garnered some level of fame, while Shido has established himself in the world of politics. Tokyo, the setting of Persona 5, also presents an opportunity to reference notable landmarks familiar to characters from previous entries.

Persona 5 is jam-packed with hidden surprises, and Persona 3 Reload could follow suit by making nods to both Persona 4 and Persona 5, just like how Persona 5 refers to its predecessors. Set in 2009, Persona 3 takes place a year after the 2008 Olympic Games, so it could be hinted that Kamoshida, the Olympic volleyball player from Persona 5, participated in the games. Madarame's artwork could also make an appearance, maybe through an exhibit at a museum. Additionally, Okumura Foods could be easily referenced, either by featuring a location with its name on a sign or by having a store that players can visit. Given the fame of these characters in the Persona world, incorporating references to Persona 5 should be fairly straightforward.

Could Persona 3 Reload Reference Other Titles?

Comparing Persona 5 and Persona 4, it is easier to draw references from the former's setting and memorable antagonists. On the other hand, Persona 4 poses a greater challenge. This is because Persona 3's Iwatodai and Persona 4's Inaba are fictional locations, with Inaba being particularly small and lacking distinguishing landmarks. Nevertheless, the characters in Persona 4 are not without their fame. For instance, Rise from Persona 4 references her performances at the school in Persona 3. This element could potentially be incorporated back into Persona 3 Reload. Additionally, Naoto, a notable child detective in Persona 4, may have been quite young during the events of Persona 3 but could still potentially make a television appearance.

Persona 3 Reload, set to release in early 2024 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, provides ample opportunities to incorporate references to its successors, Persona 4 and Persona 5. By doing so, the game can expand its world in a way that delights fans. While striving for faithfulness in its adaptation, the inclusion of subtle Easter eggs would be effortless. Additionally, if rumors of remakes for Persona 1 and 2 come to fruition, these titles too could incorporate nods to later entries. By referencing the newer titles in the franchise, Atlus has the ability to foster a deeper connection to Persona 3 Reload and future remakes among newer fans, but caution should be exercised to avoid overwhelming these references.