RETRO – Persona 3, the iconic role-playing game, has recently arrived on Xbox Game Pass, allowing new players to experience the timeless story and gameplay.

One of the most famous JRPGs of all time, Persona 3 Portable, has arrived on Xbox Game Pass and to mark the occasion we’ve just written a retrospective article on the game from Atlus.

A timeless story of friendship and self-discovery

The story of Persona 3 follows a silent protagonist, known only as “The Protagonist”, as he joins the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES), a group of high school students who possess the ability to summon Persona. These powerful beings represent their true selves. Along with his new friends, the Protagonist must face the Shadows, monstrous creatures that lurk in the mysterious “Dark Hour”, a hidden hour that occurs overnight.

As the protagonist grows closer to his companions, he begins to uncover the truth behind the Shadows and the Dark Hour, leading to a dramatic climax that explores themes of friendship, self-discovery and the human condition. Persona 3’s story is a timeless classic that still resonates with gamers today.

Deep and engaging gameplay

Persona 3’s gameplay is divided into two main components: social simulation and dungeon crawling. During the day, players go to school, hang out with friends, and engage in various activities that affect their interactions with other characters. These relationships, called “Social Links”, are key to the game as they determine which Personas the protagonist can summon in battle.

The dungeon crawling aspect of the game takes place during the Dark Hour, where players discover Tartarus, a massive tower that serves as the source of the Shadows. Combat in Tartarus is turn-based and uses a unique system where players can exploit enemy weaknesses to gain an advantage in battle.

Immersive sound and visuals

Persona 3’s sound and visuals are masterfully crafted and immerse players in the game world. The soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, stands out from the rest, with a blend of upbeat tracks and emotional ballads that perfectly complement the game’s story.

The game’s visuals – with character designs by Kazuma Kaneko and Shigenori Soejima – are stylish and unique, and the use of colour and lighting in the game’s environments helps to create the atmosphere.

A great classic in a new guise

Persona 3 is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The story, gameplay, sound and visuals are all excellent and a must for RPG fans. The arrival of Persona 3 on Xbox Game Pass provides a great opportunity for new players to experience this JRPG classic – in a revamped guise.

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Publisher: ATLUS

Developer: ATLUS

Style: JRPG

Release: April 4, 2007 (originally Playstation 2) January 2023 (Xbox Game Pass)