Summary
Persona 3 Reloadcould have provided a hidden benefit for the Phantom Thieves fromPersona 5and its spin-offs. SincePersona 3 Reloadis a remake of a game released a decade prior toPersona 5, the latter has no real presence in-game outside of DLC. That doesn’t mean that the game won’t do anything for the future ofPersona 5and its protagonists, though. There’s actually a fair chance that it could end up being a boost for the Phantom Thieves in the long run. It just depends on what happens in the wake ofPersona 3 Reload.
Even thoughPersona 3 Reloaddidn’t include its female protagonist, it managed to provide almost everything that a fan of the game could ask for. The gameplay was faithfully recreated from the original, and even upgraded thanks to the addition of features such as Theurgies and Baton Pass. Even the story got an expansion in the form of a few extra scenes to help build on more aspects of the plot. WhilePersona 3 Reloadis not a perfect game, it’s a satisfactory revival of one of the series' most important games. The game’s warm reception could be good news for the series' future.
Persona 5’s Phantom Thieves Have Enjoyed Several Years of Relevance
Even though there are a few details thatPersona 3 Reloadcontinued fromPersona 5 Royal, the Phantom Thieves were not among them. While the outfits of the Phantom Thieves are available as DLC cosmetic options, the characters themselves are nowhere to be found thanks to the remakes sticking rather faithfully to the story of the original. However, while the Phantom Thieves are popular characters in their own right, their sitting out ofPersona 3 Reloadmay not be a bad thing in the long run. This is especially true considering how active the Thieves have been in recent years.
Persona 5 Already Has Plenty of Spin-Offs
The Phantom Thieves have appeared in multiple spin-offs sincePersona 5came out. Even though it’s clear thatPersona 5’s Phantom Thieves still have potential, there is a risk for them to become oversaturated. Not countingPersona 5 Royalas it was a remake of the original game, the Phantom Thieves have appeared in:
This doesn’t even count cameos outside ofPersona, such as Joker’s entry intoSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. The Phantom Thieves have effectively beenPersona’s representatives for the last few years, and they could use a rest.
WithPersona 3 Reloadcoming out when it did, a new cast of characters has taken the spotlight for the time being. ConsideringPersona 3 Reload’s upcoming DLC, it seems like the members of S.E.E.S. will be enjoying their time in the sun for quite a while. This is a blessing in disguise for the Phantom Thieves. The break fromPersona 5spin-offs will mean that if another one comes along, fans will not have been overwhelmed by constant appearances from the Phantom Thieves. That would make such a game feel fresher sincePersona 3 Reloadoffered a break for fans.
Persona 3 Reloaddid more than givePersona 3a definitive rerelease. It gavePersonafans another game to enjoy after several years of focus onPersona 5and the Phantom Thieves. WhilePersona 5still has its advantages, it’s not immune to the concept of overexposure. It’s hard to deny that the Phantom Thieves, Joker in particular, have been getting a lot of play since the release ofPersona 5.Persona 3 Reloadgiving attention back to S.E.E.S. gives the Phantom Thieves a much-needed backseat before any potential return.
Persona 3 Reload
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour “hidden” between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI. Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes, character interactions, and additional voiceover. Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters. Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
