Review – Persona 3 Reload

When SEGA and SEGA announced that it would finally arrive on the Switch 2, expectations were huge. After all, we’re talking about one of the most important RPGs of the last 20 years, now rebuilt from the ground up in the Unreal Engine and available to play both at home and on the go. After trying the version that arrives on Nintendo’s hybrid console on October 23rd, I can say that the experience is solid, but not without its compromises.

Persona 3 Reload is a complete reimagining of the 2006 classic, bringing the dark and philosophical story about mortality, friendship and destiny to a new generation. You take on the role of a transfer student who discovers he has the power to enter the Dark Hour, a hidden period between midnight and the new day, when monsters called Shadows emerge. Together with the SEES group, you need to explore the mysterious Tartarus tower and uncover the secrets behind this phenomenon.

Switch 2 holds the coffin well

The narrative continues to be the game’s greatest asset. Newly added cutscenes, expanded character interactions, and additional voice acting give even more depth to the bonds you form along the journey. It’s impossible not to emotionally connect with each member of the group as you alternate between daytime school life and nighttime battles against the Shadows.

Let’s get straight to the point that matters most to anyone considering this version: performance. Persona 3 Reload on Switch 2 runs at 1080p with 30 frames per second, without reaching the 60fps of other consoles, both in portable and docked mode. The 4K output resolution when connected to the TV offers a clearer image compared to the PlayStation 4, but technically speaking, we are facing an experience very similar to Sony’s last generation and still far from the PS5.

The feeling is that the port was made prioritizing stability over maximum performance. And in that, at least, ATLUS got it right, as I didn’t find any noticeable drops in framerate, screen tearing or loading problems that hindered the experience, even with brief stutters during the loading screen.

During explorations in Tartarus and especially during combat, 30fps remained firm. For those coming from the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series

One of the big questions was how Persona 3 Reload would adapt to the Switch 2 controls, especially considering the game’s complex interface and diverse menus. In practice, the transition was well executed, with the Joy-Con responding perfectly, whether connected to the console in portable mode or separated when using tabletop style.

Navigation through the menus is fluid thanks to the already refined interface design that ATLUS brought from Persona 5. Shortcuts work intuitively, with the top buttons for quickly switching between personas, quick access to the map and save system. In portable mode, the Switch 2 screen displays information clearly, and the text in Brazilian Portuguese makes the experience even more accessible for the national audience.

During combat, responsiveness is also satisfactory. The mechanics of exploiting enemy weaknesses, executing attacks and managing group actions work as well as in versions on other consoles. The only adjustment needed was to get used to the layout of the buttons for quick actions, but after a few hours it became natural.

The Dark Hour returns in style

Persona 3 Reload’s gameplay cycle remains addictive as the franchise likes to do. During the day, you attend school, answer questions from teachers to increase your social attributes (Intellect, Charm and Courage), and spend time with different characters creating Social Bonds. These relationships are not just narrative, as they directly strengthen the power of the Personas you create through fusion.

At night, you can choose between improving your attributes with paid activities, strengthening night bonds or exploring Tartarus. Time management is crucial, as each action consumes specific periods of the day, creating a delicate balance between social progression and combat preparation that sets the pace of the game.

The rewind feature, which allows you to go back to specific days without losing all your progress, is a welcome addition that reduces the anxiety of making wrong choices. On Switch 2, this feature is even more valuable considering many players will be experiencing shorter handheld sessions.

Persona 3 Reload also brought significant improvements to Tartarus exploration. Although the randomized procedural structure of the floors remains, there is now much more visual variety between blocks, collectible objects scattered throughout the corridors, destroyable shadow crystals and interactive mechanics that make the tower more alive.

Rescue missions, where you need to save civilians trapped in Tartarus within a time limit, add urgency to the calendar. You can shoot from a distance in the shadows while exploring, making it easier to hit enemies from behind and start fights with an advantage. The Persona compendium has also been expanded, and the fusion has gained more options and combinations.

Blue is the new black

Persona 3 Reload continues to feature magnificent art direction, with character models completely rebuilt and full of details. The scenes alternate between anime sequences and CGI, which is even more beneficial on the Switch 2 due to the resolution and because it does not depend on photographic realism, so the artistic experience remains intact regardless of the platform.

Persona 3 Reload’s soundtrack also remains addictive, featuring the collaboration between rapper Lotus Juice and vocalist Azumi Takahashi with tracks that stick in your head. The opening song “Full Moon Full Life” perfectly sets the tone of the game, with that energetic, melancholic and memorable feeling. Battle music keeps the energy high during combat, while ambient tracks create perfect atmospheres for moments of rest and social interaction. Everything is crystal clear on the Switch 2, both through the console’s speakers and headphones.

As not everything is perfect, Persona 3 Reload is not without problems, and some of them are particularly noticeable in the Switch 2 version. Running at 30fps even when the hardware could theoretically deliver more, in addition to the criticism about this new edition not solving the issue of Tartarus remaining repetitive, and the removal of the female protagonist (FeMC) who was present in Persona 3 Portable is a felt absence. However, ATLUS’ work for the Switch 2 edition follows what the other consoles received and delivers a good game, maintaining the franchise’s level.

Persona 3 Reload on Switch 2 is a fascinating experience that brings one of the best Japanese RPGs of recent decades to the portable format. The gripping story, memorable characters, refined strategic combat, and exceptional soundtrack make this an essential game for fans of the genre. Technically, however, it’s impossible to ignore that ATLUS could have squeezed more out of the Switch 2’s hardware. Either way, revisiting the Dark Hour has never been more accessible, and even with its limitations, the opportunity to explore Tartarus, strengthen bonds, and face your destiny alongside SEES is worth every minute invested.