Earlier this year, Atlus released the remake of Persona 3 called Reload and a week before we had learned that Sega was already working on a reimagining of the epilogue of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Known in our region as P3 FES. In the end, this story has been named Episode Aigis —like the original Japanese version— and its release is on Tuesday, September 10. So in our review of Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis We will return to Tartarus to tell you if Aigis’ story satisfactorily closes the work seen in the base game.
Atlus released it for the PlayStation 2 in April 2007 in Japan as Episode Aigis the expansion of the original game. However, a year later, in our region it arrived as Person 3 DOa game that included The Journey —the base game with improvements— and The Answerwhich is the story that has received a reimagining in the latest DLC of Persona 3 Reload called Episode Aigis. At the time, the release of the epilogue of Persona 3 included a number of improvements to the original release. However, in the case of Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigisno changes in gameplay. In this regard, the latest DLC of Persona 3 Reload has the same combat system. In the case of exploration, the changes are superficial and our opinion does not differ from the one we shared in the review of P3 Reload.
Some new additions to a formula that doesn’t really need them
Metis, the new playable character of Episode Aigis has two Theurgies. On the other hand, Aigis loses the ones she had in Persona 3 Reload and now he can do some of the same as the protagonist of the base game, but he also has his own combinations. Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigiswe don’t have to upgrade any features or improve social links. Now we have small events with each of the SEES members that are unlocked, when we get some items that are in chests that guard the most powerful enemies of the floors of the different doors that we find in the abyss of time.
In Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigisthe exploration does not take place in a tower, but in a desert full of doors. These have between 10 and 30 floors and follow the same structure as in Tartarus. Of course, it should be noted that in Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis leveling up is faster. Since, during our exploration, while we were making this review we saw how in Episode Aigis The appearances of Monad Gates and special shadows are increased. Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigisevery time a Monad door appears we have the option to choose the difficulty of the confrontation between three different doors with one to three flames.
Leveling up is very simple in Episode Aigis
In the hard option we will have to face three waves of enemies and we will obtain objects, equipment or materials. Additionally, Shuffle Time and the clock mechanic to keep the characters we do not use as much leveled up are still as we saw in the base game. However, it should be noted that in Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis The focus is on exploring the abyss of time. Since it is the only engine we have to move the game’s story. However, if you are not a big fan of the Tartarus structure, you will have a predictable experience in this regard. However, being objective, after spending more than 60 hours in the base game, the only thing you look for when you start Episode Aigis are answers at the end of Persona 3 Relaod.
In the case of graphics and music there is not much to say. This is because in Episode Aigis The original tracks are mixed and some new ones are introduced. All with an indisputable quality. Something we can add is that this review of Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis It has been made with the Xbox Series version, which as you know is Xbox Play Anywhere. Which means that our progress can be shared and played on PC. This is a feature, which we made quite a bit of use of and the performance of the game on console and PC is simply outstanding.
The search for the meaning of life is the perfect ending for a game that has death as its main theme.
Personally, I usually write about the story of a game I review first, but with Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis I wanted to leave this topic for last. This is because the main purpose of this DLC —or expansion as it was in the past— is to give the player the answers to what happened at the end of the base game. It is for this reason that from the beginning there is an air of melancholy, which spreads through each of the events that move the plot as each door of the abyss of time is completed.
During the 20 hours that we spent Episode Aigiswe accompany her – and the members of SEES – on a journey of self-discovery to find out what the meaning of life is. In the case of Aigis, this leads her to understand the reasons of Makoto Yuki (the protagonist of the base game) and to see if what she thinks will happen when she gets her answer is the end of the road or the beginning of a new one.
At this point, Episode Aigis features new animated cutscenes, new dialogue, and events featuring each of the characters. All of this gives a better resolution to the story and expands the development of all the members of SEES. Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis It’s a great ending to the remake of the game that we have to thank for the expansion that the franchise has had Persona in the West. Now the question is, will our next destination be Inaba-shi, Sumaru City or a new location?
Reviewed with a digital copy of Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis for Xbox Series S|X and Windows provided by Sega Latin AmericaThe game is also available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Steam.
