Persona 3 Reload was my first foray into the absolute banger JRPG Persona 3. The OG game was released on PlayStation 2 in 2006. Last year, Persona 3 Reload was released on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X| S. Now, ATLUS and P Studio’s stylish remake has finally made its way to the Nintendo Switch 2, and as expected, is just as slick.

Before even getting into the action, the anime-style menu cutscene with the absolutely perfect gee up song in “Full Moon, Full Life” sets the tone for the overall vibe to expect from Persona 3 Reload. There’s an incredibly clear boost in polish that OG Persona 3 fans will notice right then and there, with the ultra-stylised menu being just the beginning of a full-blown feast for the eyes.

Gamers who experienced the incredible Persona 5 will recognise its signature style blended seamlessly into the original Persona 3’s setting. The massive steps forward Persona 5 slayed at, included updated gameplay, revamped audio, and striking visuals in Persona 3 Reload, taking a game from all the way back in 2006 and making it fresh and modernised.

Persona 3 Reload’s story retains that glorious ATLUS storytelling. Yet again, our protagonist (whom you shall name whatever you desire) arrives as a transfer student who gets sucked into much more drama than they bargained for. Arriving fresh off the train to Tatsumi Port Island – there is very clearly something sinister happening, evident due to the obviously ominous full moon, green skies, and streets adorned with coffins.

That’s a problem for another time; the Persona series loves its slice of life moments between the bizarre. My protagonist still needed to be a model student, managing their busy schedule of classes and socialising.

I’m a massive fan of how Persona 3 Reload feels almost like a high-school simulation game at times, but with much more practical applications. What you do in the real world impacts the realm visited outside of school hours. Time management is one thing, but using daily life activities and social events to boost stats really makes time management paramount to success.

Investigating the strange happenings as part of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (S.E.E.S.), slayers of the supernatural, is incredibly satisfying. The whole squad bring their own charm, deep storylines and ways to bond, which makes Persona 3 Reload a masterclass in character-building. It delves into some deep, sometimes disturbing subject matter, including depression and grief, so it may be confronting for some, but despite the somewhat triggering material, it’s all handled in a way that is respectful and only adds to the incredibly observant story of Persona 3 Reload.

ATLUS and P Studios are considerate; these issues may be too confronting for some, and will warn you. Cutscenes and dialogue can be skipped or fast-forwarded if needed. New scenes and social encounters added to the remake only add to an already amazing series of events, and it’s damn near impossible not to get emotionally invested in the squad. 

The affliction impacting residents of Tatsumi Port Island, Apathy Syndrome, can only be cured by S.E.E.S. travelling to the source during The Dark Hour. Tartarus is where it’s all going down, where the S.E.E.S. squad strike at the source.

Personas, various weird and wonderful monstrosities are summoned in combat and return to fight in massive multi-level dungeons brimming with Shadows. Persona 3 Reload has an addictive kind of “gotta catch them all” thing going for it.

Engaging in fights gives opportunities to capture Personas to fight on your side as summonable allies. Collecting Personas is addictive, even more so when it comes to their potential, from gaining new abilities or fusing Personas to make new ones in the Velvet Room. For even more depth, building bonds with characters gives corresponding Personas another nice boost.

Persona 3 Reload’s approach to battles is insanely satisfying. The battle system has been upgraded to match the improvements Persona 5 introduced. With fast-paced turn-based combat and a focus on using Personas to exploit enemy weaknesses, there’s enough need for strategy in choosing not only the S.E.E.S. members, but the loadout of Personas you’ll take to the dungeons each time.

Persona 3 Reload seems fairly daunting and complicated early on, with quite a few mechanics and moves introduced throughout. With enough experience in the field, I’ve managed to get pretty good at combat, and learning the best tactics to go all-out on enemies is extremely rewarding.

Where Persona 3 tends to lose some of its lustre is in how slow-paced it can feel. Early on, the game is quite exposition-heavy and takes some time to pick up the pace. The dungeons of Tartarus are not a one-and-done in one in-game night; with upward of 50 floors in each section of Tartarus, it can be an exercise in perseverance. 

While each area is small, exploration can get quite tiresome; there are plenty of opportunities to take a break and return to the real world, where activities outside Tartarus can act as preparation for the dungeon through levelling up Social Links, which directly impact the strength of corresponding Personas and selling obtained valuables to purchase provisions and gear. 

The game nails visuals, from the super crisp in-game world and characters, stunning anime-esque cutscenes and ultra-stylised user interface. It looks and runs flawlessly on the Nintendo Switch 2, with it performing and looking just as amazing when playing both handheld and docked on the big screen. For anyone familiar with JRPGs, controls are pretty standard for navigation, interaction, and the turn-based battle system is super easy to use with no issues. Audio is as expected, just as polished.

Persona 3 Reload includes brand-new tracks into the original soundtrack and reprised versions of songs from the original game, so catchy that combat encounters have that little extra edge, running around town has a poppy, sometimes rap-like vibe, and the tone shifts to a more serious one when needed. The new English and Japanese voice casts lend their voices perfectly to each character, making dialogue with the S.E.E.S. squad all the more interesting with their personalities shining through in each interaction.

Persona 3 Reload is a must-have addition for any story-driven or JRPG fans for the Nintendo Switch 2. Persona 3 Reload is perfect on the go or during a chill night at home and is a super addictive time, whether you’re exploring the streets or traversing Tartarus. It’s super stylish, super funky, and super fun and worth every minute.

Written by: Yasmin Noble