The JRPG genre is littered with iconic franchises, fromFinal FantasytoSuikoden. It takes something special to enter such esteemed company, and while the first fewPersonagames were a valiant effort, the Atlus-developed IP was always destined for more.Persona 3started a run of a handful of releases that got better as they went on. The franchise made waves in the mainstream withPersona 4in 2008 and itsPlayStation Vitare-release in 2012, but it captured the widespread attention of audiences when the fifth game launched globally in Spring 2017. The future looks bright for the next mainline game.
Little is known ofPersona 6as it’s likely still a while away from even being announced, but that hasn’t stopped theories flying around as to what direction it will take. In the meantime, the release ofPersona 3, 4, and5on modern consoles andXbox Game Passhas allowed fans to go back to previous entries to experience the magic of the past. The dated visuals and gameplay are charming, but seeing as the third game launched 16 years ago in the west, it might be in the series' best interest to givePersona 3a makeover before the sixth game hits shelves and digital storefronts.
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Persona 3 is an Overlooked Masterpiece
In the last few years it’s beenPersona 5that has hogged the headlines. This is for good reason, as it advances over its predecessors in plenty of ways, stretching from its gameplay to its immense presentation and art style. Much of the foundation of the game is recycled from previous entries, though, and the magic ofPersona 3and4is evident from the opening scenes. The problem is that, whilePersona 4captured a small but passionate market in the west and5was a runaway success, many playedPersona 3after its sequels released, and so looked at it from a different perspective.
It’s a game that is instrumental in the way later titles looked, felt, and unfolded. The version ofPersona 3that has rereleased in 2023 isPersona 3 Portable, which has some significant shortcomings compared toPersona 3 FES, which means there’s a chance that it hasn’t stood the test of time as well. It’s a good trip down memory lane, and still does well to highlight how much the series has evolved, butP3deserves more recognition for its quality, and a remake may be the best way to achieve this.
More Games Can Only Benefit Persona 6’s Release
Thestory ofPersona 3is fantastic, with engaging characters and an exciting mystery to solve. It’s the heart and soul of the game – as well as the mixture of dungeon-crawling JRPG and life simulator – that make it stand out from other games of its type. The same can be said of subsequent games, and Atlus has capitalized on its uniqueness and success at every turn. Now, in 2023,Personais one of the most talked about RPG franchises in gaming. Although the sixth game will undoubtedly be the main event when it eventually releases, that doesn’t mean the license has to be dormant until then.
More releases mean more exposure, which keeps the franchise on the minds of fans while they eagerly await a new mainline project. Spin-offs likePersona 4: Dancing All NightandPersona Qare welcome, but they aren’t as exciting as the thought of a full mainline release. The 2006 game is old enough to benefit greatly from a remake as, if handled well, it would not bear too many presentational similarities to the original version.Persona 3holds up well today, but a new release to bring it into modern day would show people the magic that can be found in both Gekkoukan High School and Tartarus.
Persona 3 Portableis available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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