Persona 3 FES is my favorite game of all time. It's the oldest of the modern three, but it always meant so much to me. The game has objective problems such as a singular, repeating dungeon and no party control, and while I unapologetically like these "issues", the game delivers the most profound story I've ever seen. This shouldn't be a review of the original PS2 game, as much as I could talk about that, but the remake that I've been wanting for so long.

I think it's easy to misinterpret persona 3 as a game about death, however it's themes rely upon the natural beauty of life, the hardships of it, how life is extremely fragile, brief and finite, yet it's still worth living. Persona 3 shines in its characters and their flaws, more than anything. The main cast includes a robot struggling to understand humanity, a dog looking for somewhere to reside, a traumatized elementary student, unable to seek revenge or sympathy. To see each characters faults, and their understandings of each other throughout the story creates a much more natural progression than most jrpg party systems. Life is unfair, but it's still beautiful.

Persona 3 Reload improves upon many of the originals faults, while including more modern systems into its mechanics. Full party control, as well as mechanics from newer titles, ultimate attacks, etc, really make climbing Tartarus much more fun. Tartarus itself has also gone through a massive rehaul. Repeating floors are improved by interactable objects, optional areas, randomized floors, and unique designs. Reload is much easier than the original, however, even on harder difficulties.

The calender system of Persona 3 feels so much more natural after replaying this story that I realized it just retroactively ended up becoming a series staple, yet it fits the goal of this one in particular much better. There is always an endgame in sight, there is always a reason to keep going, and time never waits.

The new music arrangements are very good as well, and while I can nitpick and prefer some minor details of the original, Reload captures the essence of dread so well. The lighting and attention to detail looks so good here, and the team passionately and faithfully retained the original vision. Reload also introduces an entirely new voice cast. Minor details such as Aigis sounding more "human" as her story progresses is still maintainted, and most of the original 2005 cast reprise their roles as smaller characters, feeling bittersweet, as well as a nice passing of the torch.

Persona 3 Reload deserves the highest possible score I could give a game. I don't believe theres a story as emotionally impactful to me as this one. In life, we are born to live, to cry, to feel pain, to laugh. The journey of this game is one I will always cherish, and one I'll keep close.