Persona 3 fans are clamoring for Atlus to remake the classic title. Total remake or not, Atlus needs to release a definitive version.
Persona 3 is fractured across multiple games. The time for a definitive P3 release has come. | Source: Atlus
Persona 3 is a gem. One that is worthy of being played by new fans. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t get as much love as Persona 4 or Persona 5, and it’s in dire need of a modern release.
Twitter agrees. The hashtag #Persona3Remake trended this week as fans clamored for Atlus to produce an updated version of the game.
A Persona 3 remake would be a win-win for Atlus and gamers alike.
There’s no denying that the Persona series has been gaining new fans. Persona 5 has reached 3.2 million in sales [Venture Beat]. That number will only climb higher when Persona 5 Royal releases outside of Japan.
After playing these new games, they may dive into the franchise’s back catalog.
But will modern gamers recoil at the antiquated gameplay of the original Persona 3?
Unlike modern Persona games, this one doesn’t give players full control over their party. Instead, they control the main character and suggest strategies to their companions.
Fortunately, this isn’t a hard fix.
Persona 3 Portable, an update to the game that came out for the PSP, adds in the option for full party control. It also spices up the game with extra content, including the option to play as a female [PlayStation Store].
That might make it seem like a P3P remaster would satisfy fans, but that would be a grave mistake. The game cuts out running between areas in the overworld in favor of a menu navigation system.
P3P also lacks The Answer, an epilogue to the main game that came with Persona 3 FES, which – adding to the confusion – is different than Persona 3.
The Answer is a divisive addition to the game [GiantBomb]. Even so, it would only make sense to include it in a modern remaster and address its most controversial flaws.
At the very least, Persona 3 deserves a comprehensive remaster. That would allow Atlus to create a definitive version of the game.
Unifying the fractured parts of the original’s multiple releases would fix P3’s most glaring flaw.
Make these changes, improve the graphics and audio, and the new Persona 3 would be well worth picking up. Even for fans that already own one of the other versions.
Get to it, Atlus!