Persona 5 Tactica, a strategy spin-off of Persona 5 similar to XCOM, is available for $10 at Best Buy. The game features grid-based combat, takes place during the original story, and includes DLC with familiar characters. It's a great deal for fans or newcomers interested in the Persona universe.
Atlus developers share their aspirations for 2026, celebrating the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Persona series with new initiatives, ongoing projects like Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5: The Phantom X, and exciting future plans, while expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
During the Xbox Games Showcase, Atlus announced Persona 4 Revival, a remake of the beloved RPG, with ongoing plans for future Persona series development by P-Studio, aiming to delight both new and longtime fans. The game will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass upon release, though no release date has been announced.
The producer of Persona 3 Reload, Kazuhisa Wada, explained that the epilogue, Episode Aigis, is being released as DLC due to initial hurdles in development and fan feedback. The expansion pass, priced at $34.99, will also include additional DLC waves. Despite fan requests, there are no plans to add Persona 3 Portable's female protagonist due to development constraints and the team's focus on new projects.
Persona 3 Reload has become the fastest-selling game in Atlus history, reaching 1 million sales globally within a week of its release. This milestone surpasses the sales pace of Persona 5 Royal, which took two months to reach 1.3 million units sold. The success of Persona 5 has prompted Atlus to revisit its back catalogue, with ports and spin-offs in the works, and the upcoming release of Persona 5: The Phantom X and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Atlus' success in creating slick and sexy UI designs for games like Persona 3 Reload is attributed to retaining key staff and paying them appropriately, according to Persona 5 director Katsura Hashino. By entrusting UI work to senior designers and compensating them well, the company has set itself apart from Japanese development norms, where UI design is often handled by new employees. Hashino believes that in JRPGs, the interface itself is part of the game, and Atlus' approach reflects this understanding.
Atlus has assured fans that there are no plans for an expanded edition of Persona 3 Reload, stating that the game offers a complete experience. This announcement comes amidst the publisher's negative reputation for DLC practices, particularly regarding the lack of a free upgrade path for Persona 5 players when the Royal Edition was released. Despite rumors of a potential epilogue, fans are encouraged to trust that Persona 3 Reload is the definitive version of the game.
Developer Atlus has stated that Persona 3 Reload will not receive an expanded edition similar to Persona 4's Golden or Persona 5's Royal in the near future, assuring fans that the current release offers a complete experience. The original Persona 3 had received expanded versions with significant changes and additions, but the remake of Persona 3 Reload does not include these extras. The game has been released on various platforms, with a potential Nintendo Switch version not ruled out.
The upcoming Persona 3 Reload is not initially planned for the Nintendo Switch, but the director and producer have hinted that the idea is not entirely off the table. They mentioned that it's a matter of discussing it with the team, leaving the possibility open for a potential port down the line. The game is set to release on Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam on February 2, 2024, with the potential for a Switch port on a future console.
IGN's preview of Persona 3 Reload highlights the game's updated graphics, added gameplay elements, and revamped social interactions, making it feel like a fresh experience despite covering familiar ground. The tower of Tartarus has been reworked to create a more unsettling atmosphere, while the battle mechanics have been modernized with seamless actions and new finishing screens. Changes to the outside world, including the ability to physically explore locations and take on part-time jobs, add depth to the gameplay. Overall, the preview suggests that Persona 3 Reload is a well-thought-out and updated game that can stand on its own in the competitive Persona lineup.
A Persona data miner has revealed that the Persona 3 Remake will be announced soon, possibly at the Xbox Games Showcase, and that Atlus is planning to release its Persona games on all platforms instead of just PlayStation systems.