In a thrilling announcement that has delighted the gaming community, ATLUS unveiled Persona 3 Reload, a much-anticipated remake of the iconic 2006 classic, Persona 3. This game holds a special place in the hearts of many, not least because of its groundbreaking introduction of an alternative female protagonist in the PSP version, known as Persona 3 Portable. This new feature was received positively by players, and understandably, fans are eager to discover if Persona 3 Reload will also include the auburn-haired protagonist. So, without further ado, let’s see what the devs have to say!
Will Persona 3 Reload Have The Female Route?
Unfortunately, Persona 3 Reload will not offer the option to play as a female protagonist. This decision by ATLUS was confirmed by the game’s producer, Ryota Niitsuma, in an interview conducted by IGN.
According to Niitsuma, the goal of Persona 3 Reload is to provide a remake of the original game, and we know that Persona 3 featured only a male protagonist, Makoto Yuki. This also means that additional content from the Portable and FES version, including the female protagonist, will not be part of Persona 3 Reload.
Another consideration is that when the female protagonist was introduced in Persona 3 Portable, it required the creation of new events, dialogue options, and Social Links. To reintroduce these elements in Persona 3 Reload would demand significant resources and attention from the development team.
However, despite these reasons, many fans have expressed disappointment over the absence of a female protagonist in Persona 3 Reload, with some even stating that they won’t purchase the game because it doesn’t provide the option to play as a female protagonist.
This reaction is not completely unfounded, as many believe that the female route in the game provided a more unique and engaging experience to the game. But how exactly was the female protagonist different from her male counterpart in Persona 3 Portable? Let’s find out!
How Is The Female Protagonist Different From Male Protagonist In Persona 3 Portable?
The female protagonist, Kotone Shiomi, exhibits a personality that is strikingly different and contrasts sharply with that of the male protagonist, Makoto Yuki. While Yuki is typically reserved and speaks minimally, Shiomi is characterized by her vibrant and extroverted nature.
Therefore, choosing Shiomi as your protagonist results in varied interactions and reactions from other characters. For instance, the female members of the team tend to be more supportive of the female protagonist if you are playing Shiomi.
The journey of Shiomi significantly impacts the Social Links you can form in the game. Specifically, choosing Shiomi allows you to establish Social Links with all members of SEES, the main group in the game. This unique feature that allows you to deepen relationships with all team members is an option that’s not available when playing as the male protagonist.
Will The Female Protagonist Be Added To Persona 3 Reload?
The gaming community, particularly the one on Reddit, has been busy discussing and speculating the possibility of Shiomi being added to Persona 3 Reload. Some fans are holding onto the hope that the developers might introduce the female protagonist as part of additional content, such as a DLC or a new version of the game, released at a later date.
It’s also worth noting that the devs haven’t explicitly ruled out the possibility of a female protagonist. Many believe that ATLUS is well-aware that this is a highly requested feature and will try their best to note disappoint the community.
However, not everyone in the Persona community is dealing with the lack of a female protagonist with optimism. Many have pointed out that the developers have already stated the challenges and complexities of creating a game with both a male and female protagonist, and therefore, they’ll most likely stick to their original plan of excluding the female protagonist.
Final Thoughts
The choice by ATLUS to omit the beloved female protagonist, Kotone Shiomi, from Persona 3 Reload has undoubtedly left a significant portion of the Persona community feeling disheartened. Yet, a sense of hope persists among many for Shiomi’s potential future inclusion in the game. We’d love to hear your thoughts on ATLUS’ decision to leave out the female protagonist from Reload. Feel free to share your opinions below!