Aigis and Metis about to perform an all-out attack in Persona 3 Reload Episode Aigis
Persona 3 Reload’s final DLC is here, with Episode Aigis bringing players back for another trip to Tatsumi Port Island – only this time, we’re controlling the eponymous android Aigis instead of the stylish remake’s silent protagonist. Set after the events of the main game – which I won’t spoil here – this expansion offers new ornate dungeons to explore, challenging bosses, and extra insight into its cast. Sadly, the new offerings feel less like they should be part of their own separate entity, and more like an epilogue that’s stretched out over too many battles. In a year full to bursting point with huge RPGs like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Atlus’ remake of the PS2’s original Persona 3 holds its own against these heavyweights thanks to its heartfelt story, captivating characters and thrilling turn-based combat. However, it’s not without its flaws.Faithful to a fault Up for a fight Persona 3 Reload is my first JRPG and I’m fast-forwarding through all the RPG bits to get to the combatFor the uninitiated, Persona 3 already had the rework treatment on two occasions. There’s Persona 3 FES, an expanded edition released on the same console. Years later we got Persona 3 Portable, which embraces visual novel elements that strip it back in a sense, but the inclusion of a female protagonist as an alternate option to the traditional male lead added a new dimension to the experience (along with some banging new soundtrack additions). So when Atlus announced Persona 3 Reload back in 2023, fans were eager to know which iteration the remake would most closely resemble. When it was revealed the game would be faithful to the initial version, it was hard to hide the disappointment. I mean, why not include content from the later versions?That’s not to say Reload doesn’t add new things. The visuals have been overhauled, the voice actors replaced and the soundtrack rerecorded, so it is very much a remake. There’s also new combat elements, like the theurgy attacks (basically super moves), and you control all characters whereas your supporting party members kind of did their own thing back in the OG title. So, why stop there?Reload adds these quality of life changes, but doesn’t include the other main character. In fact it takes a bit of a step backwards in a sense, with some social elements limited. For instance, you used to be able to choose between swim, kendo or track clubs. In the remake, you can only join the latter. This may seem like nit-picking, but such cutting of corners adds context to the decision to take ‘The Answer’, the epilogue of Persona 3 FES, and remake it as the paid Episode Aigis DLC. Atlus has a history of releasing extended editions of games and charging the same amount as for a full new release. As well as the Persona 3 entries, Persona 4 was followed by Persona 4 Golden, while Persona 5 gave way to Persona 5 Royal. Even Shin Megami Tensei 5 has been outdone by this year’s release of Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance. All of these later versions add something new to make fans like me invest time, money, and so on. However, with Persona 3 Reload the content seems less worth the cost of admission, and this is even more obvious with Episode Aigis.Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter