When it comes to grinding, Persona 3 Reload has some odd choices that can seem outright contradictory when placed together. Since Persona 3 Reload is an RPG, it is almost inevitable that players will try to find some way to grind experience. However, there are a few things that set the game apart from others in the genre, and they make grinding for levels a more complicated matter. At the same time, Persona 3 Reload doesn't appear to be entirely against the concept either. When it comes to the topic of grinding, Persona 3 Reload's stance seems somewhat unclear.
Among the many mechanics seen in RPGs, grinding for levels has seen use across the genre. The reason for this is simple. Gaining experience quickly means that the player will level up faster, increasing their stats as well as unlocking more powerful abilities. The main downside to extensive grinding is that it can bring the player's story progress to a standstill, as well as potentially take the challenge out of future encounters. Grinding is still a common tactic in many games for a reason, though. Heavily training to get stronger is a simple but effective way to gain an advantage.
Persona 3 Reload Removes Some Grinding Obstacles While Creating Others
Healing in Tartarus Has a Cost in Persona 3 Reload
One easy thing to notice while exploring Tartarus in Persona 3 Reload is the clock at the entrance. Players can fully heal their party at this clock, but it requires spending 7 Twilight Fragments, a valuable resource that can be hard to gather. While this does give players a full healing option, it's less convenient than the original version of the clock, which would heal the party in exchange for yen at the entrance. While a full heal seems to encourage grinding, giving it such a tall cost does the opposite while still leaving the option open. This can send a contradictory message, especially paired with other circumstances.
Persona 3 Reload Did Away With an Anti-Grinding Mechanic
This change is especially odd compared to one of the major changes in Persona 3 Reload. In the original, the protagonist and party members could get tired or sick as they explored Tartarus, greatly damaging their combat performance and even keeping them from exploring Tartarus again the next day. These statuses were one of the biggest obstacles that Persona 3 had in place to prevent grinding, and removing them should have made long explorations more accessible. This paired with the entrance healing changes muddles that perception, though. While Persona 3 Reload took away one roadblock that stopped grinding, it erected another one.
Persona 3 Reload's Calendar Places a Hard Limit on Potential Grinding
It's fortunate that Persona 3 Reload doesn't require excessive grinding to beat on Normal difficulty, because Persona 3 Reload's calendar is another mixed bag in terms of grinding. Players have the option to go to Tartarus almost every day, giving them plenty of opportunities to train their party. At the same time, the calendar gives the player a finite amount of time. No matter what they do, they only have so many in-game days to work with. As another deterrent, time spent training can't be used on Social Links or increasing other stats, so players eventually have to take breaks from their grind.
Grinding levels in Persona 3 Reload is possible, but the game's odd ways of balancing it are worth a mention. Beating Persona 3 Reload can be done with many combinations of Personas and party members, but players still need to level up to keep up with the challenge. Fighting through Tartarus will provide plenty, but chances for extensive grinding are still somewhat confusing. There are multiple mechanics or changes from the original that both encourage and discourage grinding, making the process of doing so in Persona 3 Reload oddly paced.
Persona 3 Reload
- Released
- February 2, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour "hidden" between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.
Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.
Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI.
Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes, character interactions, and additional voiceover.
Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters.
Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
- ESRB
- Mature 17 / Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- P-Studio
- Franchise
- Persona
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy
- How Long To Beat
- 65 hours
