A staple of turn-based RPGs is being able to control your party members. When a playable character’s turn comes up, the player chooses what they do based on their skills. This might seem unnecessary to explain, but the originalPersona 3was an exception to this rule.

Assuming Direct Control

InPersona 3 Reload, you can control your entire party or allow them to make their own decisions.

Although previous installments allowed direct control, the franchise’s soft reboot instead relied on giving CPU-controlled team members basic tactics. Direct control over party members were introduced again inPersona 4and thenPersona 3 Portableon the PSP. With a remake of the basePersona 3calledPersona 3 Reloadcoming out, this raises the unusual question of whether it allows players direct control over party members.

Article image

Thankfully, this is the case, being a nice carryover from the original’s sequels. Automating party members is still possible, but most players will likely be most comfortable with direct control.

So, what else is new?

There’s quite a bit different, but it’s a toss-up of what the remake is changing from the original. While direct party member control and some gameplay features fromPersona 5carry over alongsidesome new mechanics,Persona 3 Reloadleaves some head-scratching details alone.

Most content fromPersona 3re-releases is absent from the remake. This is largely swathes of story content including the female protagonist route and The Answer epilogue. As far as combat is concerned, it’s more in line with laterPersonatitles, offering a snappiness that many turn-based titles don’t share.

Mitsuru, Yukari, Akihiko, and the Protagonist in Persona 3 Reload with the battle menu for the main character

Meeting the teacher in the admin office in Persona 3 Reload

Promo image for Waffle.

Spanish Wordle Gameplay Screenshot

Promotional image for Smashdle.

Jumble Official Image

Promo image for Contexto.

Board Kings in-game screenshot.

Kevin De Bruyne FUTTIIES card in EA FC 25