Unveiling the Ultimate Persona 3 Reload Ending: A Thrilling Call to Action
Persona 3 Reload's ending may require improved foreshadowing as the game removes certain content from previous versions, necessitating Atlus to provide clearer clarification for new players
Warning: This article includes significant spoilers for Persona 3, so proceed with caution. After the immense success of Persona 5, Atlus has shown the series the attention it deserves by releasing modern ports of Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden, as well as the upcoming remake, Persona 3 Reload. As the series becomes more accessible to new fans, many players might experience the story of Persona 3 for the first time through Persona 3 Reload. Consequently, Atlus should approach the game's ending cautiously to ensure that the implications present in the original are clear to new players.
Persona 3 Reload is already set to deviate from the original Persona 3 with a new voice cast, improved social links, and modernized combat mechanics. With these adjustments, it wouldn't be unreasonable for some of the story elements to be altered in order to more effectively convey the game's ending. Persona 3 is one of the darkest games in the series, and it would be unfair to new players if the impact of the game's ending was diminished due to excessive ambiguity.
Persona 3 Reload Needs Clearer Foreshadowing About the Game's Ending
Persona 3 revolves around the themes of life and death, with the protagonist sacrificing their life to save humanity from the final boss, Nyx, who represents Death. This ending may surprise first-time players, as the game does not thoroughly explain the reasons behind it. While there are subtle clues and foreshadowing throughout the game regarding the fate of the protagonist, Persona 3 Reload can provide a clearer explanation.
In order to prevent the Fall of humanity brought about by Nyx, the protagonist uses the power of the Universe Arcana to become the Great Seal. This act, essentially self-sacrifice, seals Nyx away and averts the end of the world. Although it may seem like Nyx has been defeated and the protagonist survived, they gradually show signs of fatigue in the days leading up to their graduation from Gekkoukan High. At the farewell gathering on the rooftop with the rest of the SEES cast, the protagonist eventually falls asleep for the last time with their head resting on Aigis' lap.
The ending is emotionally powerful, but lacks clarity on why the protagonist dies and how they defeat Nyx using the Great Seal. Persona 3 FES offers a better explanation through The Answer epilogue, revealing that the Great Seal is meant to prevent Erebus, the collective negative feelings of humanity, from reaching Nyx and causing the Fall. The protagonist sacrifices themselves to create the barrier, with their body serving as the Seal.
Unfortunately, Persona 3 Reload does not include content from Persona 3 FES or Persona 3 Portable, including The Answer. To address this, Persona 3 Reload could incorporate short dreams or premonitions depicting the protagonist's body as the Great Seal, providing glimpses of what's to come without spoiling the ending entirely. This approach maintains the element of surprise while still offering an explanation for the protagonist's fate.
Persona 3 Reload releases in 2024 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
