Summary
Every RPG fan needs to try eitherPersona 5 RoyalorPersona 3 Reloadat least once. Both titles are masterpieces in turn-based combat, social simulation, and storytelling. However, this begs the question: which game is better?
Persona 5 Royal wowed JRPG fans with a stylish art design and a thrilling plot about a group of phantom thieves. Meanwhile, Persona 3 Reload remakes a beloved classic from the ground up, adding quality-of-life updates toAtlus’smost emotional and powerful title. Both games are massive turning points in the role-playing genre, but only one can be the best.
If you want to learn more about Persona 3 Reload, check outour review of the game!
5Story
As a semi-visual novel series, it’s essential forPersonato deliver a gripping narrative in each game. A good plot should be well-paced and enthralling, with bonus points for an interesting structure.
Persona 3 Reload hooks you in immediately, beginning with Makoto departing the train to find the station littered with coffins and bloodstains. It’s a captivating way to introduce the world and set up the game’s macabre tone.
The mystery of the Dark Hour, a bizarre 25th hour of the day when Shadows roam, makes for an engaging plot. Plus, the theme of mortality tugs at the heartstrings, creating the series' darkest and most emotional story.
Persona 5 Royal’s Story
Diverting all expectations of the RPG genre, Persona 5 Royal is about reforming villains instead of killing them. The plot switches between the past and present, centering around the phantom thief, Joker, confessing to his many heists.
This narrative structure is used excellently, with Joker’s interrogation sparking intrigue and foreshadowing later events. The concept of the Metaverse, where humanity’s evil is personified, is a refreshing take on the demon-fighting nature of JRPGs.
Winner - Persona 3 Reload
Persona 5 Royal has a more interesting narrative structure, but Reload’s mystery and powerful theming create a more exciting and impactful story.
4Gameplay
Persona games have a lot to juggle, featuring dungeon-crawling, turn-based combat, social simulation, and visual novel segments. Which one balances these elements better?
Reload’s gameplay centers around exploring a single dungeon called Tartarus, which is made of randomly generated floors. While each of the tower’s blocks incorporates new twists, things can feel a bit repetitive after seeing the same corridors and rooms dozens of times.
Combat-wise, the game offers many opportunities for strategies. Each S.E.E.S. member hasat least one Theurgy skill, which can be used after meeting certain conditions in battle. Also, the Shuffle Time mechanic has been updated, allowing you to choose an award after defeating an enemy with an all-out attack.
Persona 5 Royal’s Gameplay
The Phantom Thieves infiltrate various palaces, ranging from Madarame’s art museum to Kamoshida’s castle. Each dungeon is unique, leading to plenty of memorable environments and puzzles. Plus, fans of Tartarus can have a similar gameplay loop by exploring Mementos.
The turn-based fights stay true to the phantom thief theme, allowing you to rob, recruit, or destroy enemies after knocking them down. The gun mechanic gives each party member a limited amount of ammo to use in combat, creating a new, refreshing element of strategy.
Winner - Persona 5 Royal
Both games have excellent combat and social simulation, but Persona 5 Royal stands out due to its dungeons. While Tartarus provides a satisfying gameplay loop, it can’t compete with the diverse nature of the Metaverse’s palaces.
3Characters
Every great story needs a three-dimensional cast. The best characters have motivations, distinct personalities, and total agency over their actions. Most importantly, they must drive the plot forward.
The S.E.E.S. members have no shortage of emotional character arcs, from Akihiko’s struggle to overcome grief to Aigis’s journey to discover her purpose. Plus,the new S.E.E.S. activitiesallow you to spend quality time with your peers, fleshing out their characters more than ever.
However, Reload’s social links focus more on the supporting cast than your party members. The interactions with the NPCs are hit or miss, ranging from the touching story of the couple that runs the bookstore to Tomochika’s bizarre romance with his teacher.
Persona 5 Royal’s Characters
Each party member in Persona 5 Royal is a singular Confidant, allowing you to spend plenty of time with them and learn their stories. This does wonders for exploring each character’s personal stakes, such as Ryuji’s violent past with Kamoshida and how the story’s events affect Yusuke as an artist.
Overall, the Phantom Thieves excel as characters for two simple reasons: you understand what motivates them and what happened to get them to this point. Even NPCs like Takemi and Sojiro have enough depth to carry intriguing plotlines.
The stories of Reload’s S.E.E.S. members are engaging and heart-wrenching, but the extra screen time devoted to exploring each phantom thief makes them a bit more nuanced.
2Graphics
Recent Persona games are known for having gorgeous anime art styles and eye-catching menus. But is it better for UI to be stylish or practical?
Taking a page from Persona 5 Royal’s book, Reload adds a new, snazzy coat of paint to the visuals. All cutscenes have been reanimated, and the environments are brought to life with more details, vibrant colors, and a much better lighting engine.
The menus and UI are dazzling without being too busy, creating a nice balance between presentation and practicality. The color palette’s blue, calming nature makes for a nice contrast with the unsettling, sickly green of the Dark Hour.
Persona 5 Royal’s Graphics
Persona 5 Royal has the flashiest art style of any JRPG. Everything from the menus to the user interface is pure eye candy, providing plenty of things to look at while you check your stats or choose your next method of attack.
However, the extra visual pizzazz comes at the detriment of easy navigation, since there’s often too much going on at once. Regardless, the beautifully animated cutscenes, bustling environments, and stylish UI create a delightfully unique experience.
Winner - It’s A Tie
Ultimately, it boils down to preference. While Persona 5 Royal has a flashier art style, Persona 3 Reload’s visuals are less busy, providing more intuitive navigation.
Persona 3 Reload
Story
There’s a reason why Reload borrows heavily from Persona 5 Royal. Joker’s adventure set a new standard for the series by producing thrilling gameplay and endlessly endearing characters. It’s not justthe best Persona game. It’s a must-play JRPG.
That being said, Persona 3 Reload is phenomenal in its own right. The mystery, combat, and graphics are top-notch, breathing new life into a timeless classic. It’s absolutely worth your time, but Persona 5 Royal is the best way to go if you must pick only one.
