Ahead of the release of Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis -The Answer-, fans of the base game may not know the intricacies of this epilogue package.
Rather than simply being a port of The Answer from Persona 3 FES on PlayStation 2, this remake of the scenario boasts numerous gameplay improvements, character scenes, and other features to make it a much more fulfilling and satisfying experience for dedicated veteran fans and newcomers alike.
So, let’s dive into five major things you should know about Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis -The Answer-.
Metis Costumes and In-Game Rewards
While progressing throughout this DLC’s mini-dungeons, which reside in the scenario-exclusive Abyss of Time, you can take on requests from Elizabeth like in the original Persona 3 Reload. However, some quest rewards now include costumes for the new party member, Metis.
Metis boasts a decent number of selectable costumes, including one as a maid. It’s pretty sweet that these cosmetics are obtainable in-game rather than just being purchasable DLC. Plus, the costumes from the first two waves of the Persona 3 Reload expansion pass are applicable here, too, so you can dress up your party however you like.
Heartless Difficulty: A True Challenge
This DLC features a newly added difficulty level titled Heartless. Unlike the rest of the difficulty levels, which can be switched between at any point, Heartless can only be selected at the start of a new playthrough, and as its name implies, it’s pretty challenging.
Further, while you can transfer your Persona Compendium data from the base game to this DLC, that is only possible on every difficulty level besides Heartless. This means that players in this mode will need to start on a clean slate and won’t be able to rely on their past allies to sweep through foes here.
Improved Dungeon Navigation and Combat
Since you play as Aigis in this DLC, she boasts a few new features compared to the base game’s protagonist. For one, she can shoot enemies from afar to initiate ambushes. This process is relatively simple and intuitive, as it just requires paying attention to the cross-hair and staying out of an enemy’s line of sight on the field.
However, as you make significant strides throughout the Abyss of Time’s mini-dungeons, Aigis will receive structural upgrades from Fuuka, providing lite yet appreciated boons. The most significant of these bonuses include the ability to trigger ambushes under certain conditions even if you’re in front of an enemy and guarantee foes being afflicted with the Distress status ailment once combat begins.
Exclusive Boss Fights and Combat Challenges
Traversing the Abyss of Time can be challenging, especially given the demanding mandatory bosses, which are more complicated than those in the base game. Still, there are a few facets of the challenge throughout this DLC worth emphasizing.
For instance, the Reaper from the base game has returned, which tends to appear if you linger for too long on a floor. Of course, the rewards from slaying it are substantial, but you’ll want to seek out the three-fold Monad doors as much as possible.
The Monad doors from the base game version of Persona 3 Reload have been expanded to always be present in groups of three in this DLC. These arrivals are sorted by difficulty level, with the leftmost being the most approachable with one battle and the rightmost being the most challenging with three waves of foes back-to-back. Winning these bouts will supply countless rewards, such as tremendously powerful weapons, valuable upgrade materials, and notable armor. Whenever you’re in a new mini-dungeon, it’s always worth completing a rightmost door at least once, if possible.
This DLC also features an optional challenge battle against a physical manifestation who appears to be the protagonist of Persona 5 Royal.
Character Scenes and Emotional Story Progression
As an improvement of the original version of The Answer and a carry-over from the base version of Persona 3 Reload, character bonding scenes are available. You’ll find stockades of locked treasure chests nearby when defeating the required bosses throughout the Abyss of Time. Assuming you have the requisite number of Twilight Fragments, you can unlock them and receive gift items for Metis and other members of SEES.
These sequences highlight the cast’s progression over the past in-game year, their ongoing struggles, and other defining facets. Plus, they even provide significant gameplay benefits, such as new techniques and abilities you will want while exploring. You’ll want to be careful not to miss these locked treasure chests. So, if you find yourself short on Twilight Fragments, note the area you need to return to.
Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis -The Answer- makes the Persona 3 Reload package a much more definitive and conclusive entry that is a must-play for fans gripped by the base title’s gameplay systems and emotionally high-stakes narrative.
Ahead of your playthrough of this DLC, keep the aforementioned five sets of facts in mind to get the most out of your gameplay experience and ensure you see all of what this ambitious revisit of immense closure has to offer.
Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis -The Answer- is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
