Summary
With the release ofPersona 3 Reload, it’s understandable that you’re wondering whether it’s better thanPersona 3 Portableor not. The games are similar, but two distinct installments of the beloved franchise. Which version of Persona 3 is better and why?
While both games have their merit, one is generally better than the other, though both offer unique perspectives on the gameplay mechanics and characters. We’ve thankfully gone through both for you to help you decide what aspects of the game are most important to you and which version you should play first (until a definitive version of Persona 3 is released).
8Music - Persona 3 Reload
The music in a Persona game is a major aspect to consider when comparing games, as a great soundtrack will either make or break the title. Persona 3 Portable has catchy, upbeat songs, but Persona 3 Reload adds a jazzy element to them and shakes up the original score. It’s both more solemn and vibrant in the way that music accompanies the protagonist throughout the story.
While many of the songs can overlap, and the intro even plays a bit of the original score, Persona 3 Reload takes the music in a new direction. This establishes something entirely new.
7Social Links - Persona 3 Portable
Persona 3 Reload revamps many of the Social Links from the original release, but Persona 3 Portable takes the cake since it technically has almost twice as many social links if you play the game as both protagonists. Additionally, you can actually get to know all of your team members, helping explore their personal journeys alongside the main story.
Persona 3 Reload focuses more on getting to know the people at school and around the town, but neglects the relationships with anyone in your own party (minus theromanceable female members of SEES).
6Velvet Room Attendant - Persona 3 Portable
Persona 3 Reload has Elizabeth, and while she’s a wonderful attendant, her brother Theodore is the best. Exclusive to Persona 3 Portable, though acknowledged in canon, he is the attendant you can choose as the female protagonist. He thoroughly enjoys exploring Tatsumi Port Island with you and engaging with all the things he’s never seen before.
The delivery of his lines is near perfection, and it makes you wonder what it would be like if Theo could live outside the Velvet Room. However, his exclusivity means that he’s completely absent from Persona 3 Reload.
5Combat - Persona 3 Reload
The combat for Persona 3 has always been a bit difficult. While Persona 3 Portable allowed you to finally take direct control over your teammates, Persona 3 Reload overhauls the combat entirely. It makes combat much more cooperative and strategic, aligning with the idea that the team must work together to stop the shadows.
Implementing ideas like the Baton Pass from Persona 5 allows you to easily dominate the battle. While Tartarus can still be a grind-based dungeon, a lot of that repetitive feeling has been streamlined to be more engaging.
4Voice Acting - Tie
Both voice casts do an amazing job at portraying their characters. The original cast from Persona 3 Portable is iconic and has become a nostalgic group of voice actors, irrevocably tied to the game and their characters. However, thenew voice castis just as talented and balances paying homage to the previous voice actors' styles while also giving each character a fresh take for a new generation.
In the same thread, Tara Platt reprises her role as Elizabeth, and her delivery is splendid. Tto choose one voice cast over the other is like trying to compare two identical gems.
3Gameplay - Persona 3 Reload
As far as gameplay goes, Persona 3 Reload has much more to do than Persona 3 Portable’s simplistic point-and-click adventure. From more things to do during your free time, likegardening on the roof, to getting to fully explore each area of Tatsumi Port Island, the entire experience feels more engaging.
It can be overwhelming to have so many things to do and so many places to go, but there’s plenty of time in-game to explore all of it. There’s no rush, and while it can seem like a lot, you’ll find a flow which activities you like most.
2Menus - Persona 3 Reload
While one could argue that the pink menus in Persona 3 Portable are a breath of fresh air from the memorable blue, the menus in Persona 3 Reload are something else. They’re dynamic and fluid, constantly flooding your vision with bright blue visuals and images of the protagonist. The party menu in particular is impressive.
You’ll get lost in the menus just looking at the different art. Even the All Out Attack design and battle screens are over-the-top and high energy, which only adds a lot more excitement to the game.
1Protagonist - Persona 3 Portable
Hands down, Persona 3 Portable has the best protagonist: the female main character. While Persona 3 Reload has made the male protagonist feel more engaged with the world around him, there’s nothing compared to the lively and bubbly female protagonist who bursts with energy and positivity (not to mention a healthy dose of sarcasm when needed).
She makes many meaningful connections with the people in the dorm and around Tatsumi Port Island. She can be flirty, and her fighting style with a naginata gives her unique battle animations. Her absence is quite noticeable in Persona 3 Reload.
Conclusion
While both versions of Persona 3 are great, there are distinct differences that set them apart. Persona 3 Reload can be considered better than Persona 3 Portable objectively, but there are plenty of things that Persona 3 Portable does better. Here’s the breakdown:
Voice Acting
Protagonist
If you want to experience Persona 3’s story for the first time, then Persona 3 Reload is a perfect way to do so with modern gameplay mechanics. If you already know about Persona 3’s story and want something new or you want to play as the iconic female protagonist, than Persona 3 Portable is a must-have.
