Atlus has dropped a bunch of details and information about Persona 3 Reload, their modern remake of the classic JRPG from the PS2 and PSP. Persona 3 Reload is out on 2nd February 2024 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One and PC – it will be on Xbox Game Pass at launch.
In particular, we have a behind the scenes introduction to the voice artists behind the game’s characters, as well as a look at the new S.E.E.S. Combat Uniform for the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad, on social stats, dorm life, and more.
Let’s start with the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad themselves:
Protagonist (VA: Aleks Le)
- Weapon: One-handed short sword
- Initial Persona: Orpheus (Orpheus is the first Persona that the Protagonist awakens. In Greek mythology, Orpheus was known as a heroic poet and master of the lyre.)
- Theurgy: Cadenza, Best Friends, and more.
Normally, a person can summon only one Persona, but he holds the power of the Wild Card—a special trait allowing him to handle multiple Personas and different types of Theurgy.
Yukari Takeba (VA: Heather Gonzalezi)
- Weapon: Bow and arrow
- Persona: Io (Yukari’s unique Persona is Io. In Greek mythology, Io was known as a priestess in service of the goddess Hera, favored by Zeus.)
- Strong Skills: Wind, Healing
- Theurgy: Cyclone Arrow
She specializes in wind and healing abilities, and her Theurgy skill Cyclone Arrow ignores an enemy’s natural affinity to deal heavy wind-type damage.
Junpei Iori (VA: Zeno Robinson)
- Weapon: Two-handed Sword
- Persona: Hermes (Junpei’s unique Persona is Hermes. In Greek mythology, Hermes was known as the messenger of Zeus, revered by travelers and merchants.)
- Strong Skills: Fire, Slashing
- Theurgy: Hack n’Blast
He specializes in fire and slash attacks. His Theurgy, Hack n’ Blast, deals heavy slash damage to a single enemy regardless of affinity.
Turning to the game and character-driven story in general, and Social Stats will come into play for many aspects of daily life. You can be challenged to meet a certain level in three Social Stats – Courage, Charm, and Academics – which can be improved through activities like studying and part-time jobs. Without being levelled high enough, you might lose out on using certain facilities and Social Links.
Dorm Life was featured in another video last week – embedded below – with your free time able to be spend bonding with other students through cooking, studying, reading, watching movies, tending to the rooftop vegetable garden and more. This can raise the Social Stats, as well as earn passive Combat Characteristics to increase their stats and abilities, and open up friends to reveal more about their personalities.
Of course, you’ve also got to go to school and will get to know people outside of the SEES at Gekkoukan High School. getting to know people will increase your Social Links, and can earn some special scenes with people. For this Persona 3 Reload, Atlus has given Social Link characters new portrait illustrations, and their scenes are now fully voice acted.
From left to right, Kazushi Miyamoto (Track and Field), Keisuke Hiraga (Art Club), Nozomi Suemitsu (Gourmet King), Kenji Tomochika (Classmate).
Classmate – Kenji Tomochika (VA: Joe Zieja)
A second-year at Gekkoukan High—one of your classmates. A good friend of Junpei’s who wastes no time asserting himself as your friend as well. He professes his love for older women and soon turns to you for advice on dating.
Gourmet King – Nozomi Suemitsu (VA: Paul Castro Jr.)
A third-year at Gekkoukan High known as the Gourmet King. He has toured restaurants all over Minato Ward, eating everything on the menu—including secret menus. He appoints you as his bodyguard after helping him escape a dispute with a shadowy figure.
Track and Field – Kazushi Miyamoto (VA: Mark Whitten)
A second-year at Gekkoukan High—one of your classmates and a fellow member of the track and field team. He’s a star athlete who has ranked highly in competitions thanks to his hard work, spirit, and perseverance. He recognizes you as a worthy rival who can go toe-to-toe with him.
Track and Field Manager – Yuko Nishiwaki (VA: Shelby Young)
A second-year at Gekkoukan High and the manager of the track and field team. She’s childhood friends with fellow track team member Kazushi, referring to him by the friendly nickname “Kaz.” Kind and caring, she watches over you as a new member of the team.
Student Council – Hidetoshi Odagiri (VA: Austin Lee Matthews)
A second-year at Gekkoukan High, vice president of the student council and head of the Disciplinary Committee. He’s known for his ruthless enforcement of rules, earning him the ire of the other students. Once you join the student council on Mitsuru’s recommendation, he seems to take an interest in you.
Student Council Treasurer – Chihiro Fushimi (VA: Kelly Baskin)
A first-year at Gekkoukan High and treasurer of the student council. She tends to have trouble expressing herself to others, and is particularly uncomfortable around men. Overcoming this struggle is at the top of her mind.
Art Club – Keisuke Hiraga (VA: Griffin Burns)
A third-year at Gekkoukan High and head of the art club, where the two of you meet. As the son of a doctor, those around him believe he will follow in his father’s footsteps—but he himself is torn between medical school and arts study abroad.
Foreign Exchange Student – Bebe (VA: Jeff Berg)
His real name is André Laurent Jean Geraux. An exchange student from France who loves and admires Japan, from kimonos to historical dramas to Japanese gardens. After the two of you meet, he encourages you to join him in the fashion club.
