Persona 3 Reload: How Long to Beat?

It should hardly surprise fans of the Persona franchise to learn that Persona 3 Reload is a massive game. Those new to the series, however, will discover an experience unlike most games in the AAA space. Each game in the Persona series places the player at the heart of a mystery, with each day simulated to feel like a real experience. This structure allows for incredibly in-depth gameplay, and a main story that can easily hit the 100-hour mark for many players.

Persona 3 Reload is an update to 2006's original Persona 3 release, with several new additions that improve the overall experience. Players will experience the story through a young man they will name and, and subsequently control. Those who have experienced the newer entries to the series, such as Persona 5, will be familiar with the game's Calendar, Social Link, and Persona systems, and its simple-yet-infectious turn-based combat system. Aside from the central mystery, players will also deal with managing the daily life of a high-schooler, and all the social aspects associated with that. With all this in mind, this guide will explore how long it will take the average player to complete a single playthrough of Persona 3 Reload.

Persona 3 Reload Review

Persona 3 Reload evolves the series formula in a way that sets it apart from the original, establishing a precedent that future entries must follow.

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By Drew Swanson

How Long Does it Take to Complete Persona 3 Reload?

How Long to Beat Persona 3 Reload:

Main Story: 50+ Hours
Completionist: 100+ Hours

When looking at how long it takes to beat Persona 3 Reload, there are several factors that must be taken into account. Persona 3 Reload does not have the typical 'action-based' gameplay structure, in which players make their way through a level, eventually facing a boss. While it does have elements of this, there is far more that must be factored in.

For example, Persona 3 Reload has several romance options that play an important role in the story, and deciding which to follow can significantly alter play times. Another important factor is the overall difficulty level, of which Persona 3 Reload has five.

Those familiar with the Persona series will know that this is only a small glimpse into the elements that effect play time. Examining the major changes in Reload will help players get a better grasp on how long they'll spend with the game.

How Key Persona 3 Reload Changes Effect Playtime

There have been multiple versions of P3 released previously, many of which had their own unique gameplay changes and additions. It is important to remember that Persona 3 Reload does not include every element from past releases. Instead, it strives to update P3, bringing it more in-line with the modern Persona gameplay showcased in Persona 5 Royal. These updates include:

Five difficulty levels that can now be changed at any time.
Shift: A new mechanic that works like Baton Pass from Persona 5 Royal, which allows players to switch to different party members during key moments in combat.
Theurgy Bar: P3R's new Theurgy mechanic which acts as a 'special' meter, allowing for powerful new actions during combat.
Control over all party members.
New weakness and resistance mechanics.
A wide range of updates to allies and enemies that bring them in-line with the modern mechanics of Persona 4 and 5.

These additions more than make up for any elements that are not carried over from past versions of P3. Players will have a much broader range of options in several key areas, all of which have the potential to significantly increase overall playtime.

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