September 10, 2024 saw the release of the 3rd update for the Persona 3 Reload Expansion Pass: Episode Aigis. This addition brings the original Persona 3 FES “The Answer” epilogue with new dungeons to explore, along with returning characters like Metis from the original Persona 3 FES.
With Episode Aigis finally out, our friends at SEGA were kind enough to give us an opportunity to review both the P3R base game and this latest expansion. Take note that while this article does not contain any spoilers for this particular episode, this review assumes that you have played and completed P3R.
For those who want to try the game out, Persona 3 Reload is now available on Steam, PlayStation 4 and 5 and XBox Series X/S.
The Scenario
The story begins on March 31 of the in-game calendar, following the ending of the main game.
After the SEES crew eliminated the Dark Hour and the 12 Shadows, the group’s remaining members decide to spend the last day of high school at the Iwatodai Dorm. However, they immediately realize that the day does not progress. Instead, March 31 becomes a never-ending time loop exactly at midnight.
To further complicate things, another Anti-Shadow weapon, Metis, appears and warns the crew of a new threat.
With the previous protagonist, Yuki Makoto having passed away, the anti-Shadow weapon Aigis becomes the playable character. She awakens to the Wild Card, the same power that Makoto used, allowing the use of multiple Personas.
While it’s recommended to finish P3R first, you may also jump straight into the epilogue. Simply hit “Change Episode” in the game’s main menu to get started. Any DLC you have will also be ported over, including outfits and background music.
The Gameplay
Episode Aigis is mostly centered around the dungeon-crawling aspect of the Persona games. Instead of Tartarus, the SEES crew will explore a new area right under the Iwatodai Dorm: The Abyss of Time, where there are a number of doors leading to different dungeons.
The turn-based combat system is something any Persona veteran is familiar with. Hit the Shadow’s elemental weaknesses or land critical hits, knock everyone down and finish them with the signature all-out attack. If more firepower or support are needed, the Theurgy mechanic is also present to give the party a boost.
In keeping with tradition for Fool Arcana Persona users, the player also has access to the Velvet Room to fuse, register and summon Personas from the Compendium.
The Good
It’s nice to know that your progress from the main game can be ported to this epilogue. This includes whatever Personas you fused or obtained. Your team’s Personas are also fully evolved from the start, though not all abilities may be usable.
Fuuka’s “Full Analysis” ability is available right off the bat as well, which can be handy for knowing a Shadow’s weaknesses. However, it’s important to use this conservatively as SP items are hard to come by as usual.
The only catch is that summoning Personas is more expensive this time around. It’s recommended to simply stick to acquiring them from the dungeons and save money for when I’s needed.
Lastly? You’re playing as a character voiced by Maaya Sakamoto. Enough said.
The One Issue (for PC)
Unfortunately, conflicting control schemes are still present for PC players. It should be noted that this issue is specific to those who use a wireless keyboard/mouse setup and mainly play the game with a DualShock PS4 controller. As mentioned in my previous review, players with this specific peripheral setup may sometimes find that the key bindings switch between PlayStation and PC controls repeatedly.
During gameplay, I observed that this happens whenever both the mouse and keyboard entered and exited sleep mode multiple times. This may cause accidental double clicks and unneeded camera movements.
Preventing this issue is an easy fix, thankfully enough. Entering Big Picture Mode on Steam and launching the game from will often solve the problem. Disabling sleep mode or power saving is also an option if your own KB/M management software allows it.
Final Opinions on the Story
Much like the Persona games, taking responsibility for your actions is the central theme. Persona 3 on the other hand, ups the ante by having the player contend with one’s own mortality. Without going into spoilers, the story adds on to this theme by making the player grapple with one question: “What will you do when you know things are coming to an end?”
Dealing with death and grief are never easy, even more with choosing how to live when you know your own life is ending.
With Episode Aigis, the other half of that equation is presented in full: Once your pass on, what will those left behind choose to do? Will they try to cling to the past, or find a way to honor your sacrifice? This is seen a lot when the remaining SEES members debate on how to live with Makoto’s sacrifice at the end of P3R.
Ultimately, choosing to move on is the hardest thing to do. Even so, remembering fallen friends and honoring them by living on is, in my opinion, the one thing to take away from Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis. Maybe that’s the final answer and lesson from all this.
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