The Persona 3 remake, Persona 3 Reload, is the perfect example of how to modernize an iconic game for new generations, offering veteran players an experience as legendary as when they played the PlayStation 2 version, and impressing at first glance those diving into the franchise for the first time.
It’s been several months since we reviewed the enhanced version of the P3 classic, and now we’ve had a chance to play Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis, a DLC that feels like a completely standalone game thanks to its solid mechanics and lengthy gameplay. So extensive is it, it could easily be mistaken for a new game inspired by the franchise’s third installment.
What is Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis about?
After the final events of Persona 3 Reload, where you defeated the incarnation of death and closed an unforgettable school year, a new threat arrives. It’s March 31, and the SEES team members are preparing to say goodbye to their dorm room for good. However, the farewell is interrupted when the clock strikes midnight and time begins to repeat itself. No one is allowed to leave, and a mysterious attacker emerges out of nowhere: an android named Metis, who claims to be Aigis‘ sister.
As Aigis and the SEES team try to unravel the mystery behind the time loop and the strange doors that have appeared in the bedroom, they must venture into the sinister Abyss of Time. Facing new challenges, Aigis takes on the role of leader, acquiring the power of the Wild Card to summon and change Personas, while dealing with the strange occurrences surrounding her and delving deeper into the emotional conflicts left over from the initial battle.
With a new set of abilities and formidable enemies, Aigis must uncover the truth behind Metis, the time loop and the doors that hide the origin of this threat, all while fighting to protect her companions and herself.
More Persona 3 content with new additionsMore Persona 3 content with new additions
Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aegis stays true to the basics of the original game, as is to be expected in a DLC, and offers approximately 20 additional hours of content that will surely please fans of the main story. Although this time we do not have the usual protagonist, Aegis acquires the ability to summon various Personas, which introduces a key tactical component, seen in the main story, when organizing our team to face various enemies.
The main challenge of the DLC is found in The Abyss of Time, a dungeon reminiscent of the iconic Tower of Tartarus, seen in the base game. The combat system continues to excel, encouraging players to strategically use enemies’ elemental weaknesses and choose teammates carefully. This allows each confrontation to be tactical and exciting, offering a solid and entertaining experience throughout the adventure.
One of the highlights of the DLC is the addition of Metis, a new character that plays an important role in the narrative and replaces Aigis, who now assumes the role of protagonist. This change in dynamics not only enriches combat, but also deepens the relationship between Aigis and Metis. In addition, the DLC improves the mechanics of the Monad doors, which now appear in groups of three on each dungeon floor, each with different challenge levels and rewards, thus increasing the variety and challenge of exploration.
Artwork is as polished as the base game
The DLC features a highly polished visuals that maintains the quality of the base game, as it is an add-on and not a completely new installment of the franchise. Don’t get us wrong; the aesthetics of Persona 3 in its original version is exceptional, and we were delighted that the DLC follows that same line.
On the sound side of things, it’s important to note the addition of new songs that bring a refreshing twist to Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aegis. Among the new additions and new versions of classic songs from the video game are tracks such as “Don’t” “Disconnected,”. “Mass Destruction -P3fes Reload-,” ‘P3 fes -Reload-,’ among other songs, which enrich the listening experience of the remake.