Persona 3 Reload (P3R) offers a lot of changes and differences from Persona 3 FES and Portable such as updated visuals and new mechanics. Read on and see a list of differences, improvements, and available mechanics in all versions!

Differences from Persona 3 FES and Portable

Features	Reload	FES	P3P
Overworld Exploration	✔	✔	Tartarus Only
Female Protagonist	⨉	⨉	✔
Full 3D Graphics	✔	✔	Combat and Tartarus
Controllable Party Members in Battle	✔	⨉	✔
Easier Navigation	✔	⨉	✔
Improved Progress Saving	✔	⨉	✔
Co-Op Attacks	✔	⨉	✔
Shift	✔	⨉	⨉

Overworld Exploration

Reload	FES	P3P
✔	✔	Tartarus Only

In both FES and Reload, players can explore the overworld by directly controlling their character. However, this feature is downgraded in the Portable version, which has a static image of the location with clickable points for exploration rather than direct character control.

However, in the Portable version, Tartarus is navigated by directly controlling your character.

Female Protagonist

The male and female protagonists in Persona 3 Portable.

Reload	FES	P3P
⨉	⨉	✔

You have the option to choose the protagonist's gender in Persona 3 Portable, allowing you to play as the Female Protagonist exclusively in the Portable version. The options to play as the female protagonist are not available in Persona 3 FES and Persona 3 Reload.

Can You Play as the FeMC?

Full 3D Graphics

Reload	FES	P3P
✔	✔	Combat and Tartarus

In Reload, animated cutscenes from FES have been remade to match modern graphics. However, the Portable version does not feature animated cutscenes; instead, it uses semi-animated background images accompanied by text and audio to provide context for the scenes.

Additionally, the Portable version's 3D graphics are exclusively visible during exploration within Tartarus and during combat.

Controllable Party Members in Battle

Reload	FES	P3P
✔	x	✔

The Portable version introduced the ability to control your party's actions during battles. In contrast, the FES version does not offer this option; instead, players can only adjust their tactics, changing how party members behave in battle.

In the Reload version, players will have access to full direct commands for each party member during battles, akin to the system featured in the Portable version.

Easier Navigation

Reload	FES	P3P
✔	x	✔

Navigating the world of Persona 3 FES can be tedious, as you'll need to traverse various areas to reach your intended destination. Persona 3 Portable offers easier navigation, allowing you to simply click on a spot to move to different areas of your choice.

The navigation in Persona 3 Reload seems to offer the best of both worlds. You have the option to navigate through the open world, finding exits to access different areas, or use the map to directly select the specific area you wish to travel to. This approach provides players flexibility and convenience in exploration.

Improved Progress Saving

Reload	FES	P3P
✔	x	✔

In Persona 3 FES, your progress can only be saved by interacting with save points within the game. Persona 3 Portable introduced quick saves that you can perform almost anywhere, except during dialogue or combat.

It's likely that Persona 3 Reload, being a modern version, adopts a similar save mechanic to Persona 3 Portable. This quality of life feature enhances the gaming experience by allowing players to save more conveniently.

Co-Op Attacks

Reload	FES	P3P
✔	x	✔

Co-Op attacks were exclusively featured in the Portable version, enabling two of your party members to execute a joint attack on an enemy, dealing high damage and potentially dealing a critical hit.

Though there's no confirmed information regarding the inclusion of Co-Op attacks in Persona 3 Reload, speculation suggests that this mechanic might be available in the Reload version.

Shift

Reload	FES	P3P
✔	⨉	⨉

Shift is a mechanic that allows you to pass your turn to one of your party members when triggering a 1 MORE after hitting an enemy with its corresponding weaknesses.

Persona 3 FES and Persona 3 Portable Explained

Persona 3 FES is an Enhanced Rerelease of Persona 3

Aigis and her party members interacting with the door to Empyrean in Persona 3 FES.

Persona 3 FES is an enhanced version of the original Persona 3, released on April 19, 2007, featuring added content, an expanded storyline, and various overhauls!

This edition is divided into two parts: The Journey, representing the primary Persona 3 experience, and The Answer, an extension of the main story set after the ending of Persona 3's main storyline. In The Answer, players assume the role of Aegis, tasked with freeing the S.E.E.S. stuck in a time loop within their own dorm.

Persona 3 Portable is a PlayStation Portable Port of Persona 3

The Female Protagonist and her Persona, Orpheus, in Persona 3 Portable.

Persona 3 Portable was initially launched as a port for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) on November 1, 2009. Later, an updated version, the Persona 3 Portable Remaster, featuring upscaled images to suit modern consoles with no content changes, was released on January 19, 2023.

While the visuals were scaled down in this version, a notable addition to Persona 3 Portable is the option to play as the Female Protagonist. Playing as the female protagonist alters dialogue options with other characters due to her distinct personality compared to the male protagonist.

Social Links are overhauled, allowing the female protagonist to form romantic relationships with both male and female characters, unlike the male protagonist, who can only romance female characters. However, there are no changes to the battle system when playing as the female protagonist.

Persona 3 Reload Related Guides

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