Persona 3 Portable (NSP, XCI) ROM + v1.0.2 Update

Persona 3 Portable also abbreviated as P3P, and localized in the West as Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable, is an enhanced remake of Persona 3, released for the PlayStation Portable as per the game’s name. Backward compatibility had made the game playable on PlayStation Vita and PlayStation TV.

The game allows the player to choose the gender of the protagonist, which possibly opens up new routes and scenarios in the story. The theme of the game revolves around the butterfly effect, reflecting the changes that happen should the player pursue the path of one protagonist over the other, and the Latin phrase memento mori which translates as “remember (that you have) to die,” which has served a major role in the thematics since the original Persona 3.

Unlike other renditions of Persona 3, the game lacks 3D environments and character models (outside of combat areas such as Tartarus), all anime cutscenes are replaced by in-engine cutscenes or written descriptions, the graphics and audio quality are compressed, and The Answer (“Episode Aegis” in the Japanese version), a post-ending story without the series’ hallmark social elements, is not available in P3P due to limited storage space on the PSP’s UMD.

In June 2022, as part of the Persona 25th Anniversary, it was announced that Persona 3 Portable would be ported to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, the Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows via Steam and the Microsoft Store. The remaster was released on January 19th, 2023.

GAMEPLAY

The setting takes place during the main portion of Persona 3 (known in FES as “The Journey”). The storyline of the female protagonist features many differences from that of the male protagonist, such as new social interactions as well as Social Links. The Persona of the female protagonist is a more feminine Orpheus. In the female protagonist’s path, there is also the choice of selecting Elizabeth or a male equivalent named Theodore to be Igor’s assistant in the Velvet Room.

The Desert of Doors from the Abyss of Time seen in The Answer will still appear, however, in an extra feature known as the Vision Quest. In this mode, the party can fight stronger incarnations of the Full Moon shadow bosses — save for Arcana Magician — and partake in special battles that test the party’s abilities. When all of the battles have been successfully met.

A second optional boss can be fought: Margaret, Igor’s assistant in Persona 4 and guardian of the Desert of Doors in P3P.  Margaret’s challenges become available as soon as the Adamah Block is accessible, and are accessed from a separate door in the Tartarus lobby. Another new addition is the ability to pick who the protagonist spends the last moments of the game with. This feature is only accessible on a New Cycle.

The protagonist can only select members of SEES with whom they have maxed social links and are romantically involved with. Both male and female protagonists have 4 choices to choose from: 1 is the default Aigis ending and 3 from the others. The male endings include Yukari, Fuuka, and Mitsuru, and the female endings include Akihiko, Shinjiro, and Ken.

WORLD

Navigation in P3P overworld is menu-based. Players cannot walk around as in the PlayStation 2 version, although interactions still retain the “visual novel” feel. Overworld characters are rendered in sprites. There are now two overworld save points; Aside from the log book in the Iwatodai Dormitory, there is also one on the main character’s desk at school. The facilities in town where the protagonist’s Social Stats can be increased still function the same way, but some of them now offer part-time jobs on certain days, rewarding the protagonist with money.

This can increase if the protagonist repeatedly works at a specific store or restaurant. It also bestows higher boosts to the protagonist’s condition than if the protagonist simply attended the store as a customer. In Paulownia Mall, the police station is now the only place where the protagonist can buy equipment and sell items. Aohige Pharmacy is now a buy-only store, and Be Blue V is just a part-time work site and hangout to improve the main character’s condition.

PERSONAS, SKILLS, AND SKILL CARDS

Four Personas from Persona 4 have been added to the original P3 lineup with altered levels and Arcana affinities. The Personas from P4 are Tam Lin, Neko Shogun, Mokoi and Setanta.The system of fusion remains relatively the same, and Heart Items released by specific personas are still intact. However, all Personas now can produce a Skill Card when raised to a specific level. Each card can be used on any Persona to teach them a skill (for example, the Agi Skill card will teach any Persona the skill “Agi,” regardless of whether that Persona is naturally able to learn or inherit Agi or not). Aside from Personas, Skill Cards can also be obtained by trading gems in Shinshoudo Antiques, purchasing them through mail-order in Jika Net Tanaka (the contents of which have also been overhauled,).

Completing the Velvet Room attendant’s requests, topping exams (rewarded by Mitsuru along with minor Arcana stat-booster cards), and as rewards for finding certain people trapped in Tartarus (given by Officer Kurosawa). In P3P, the protagonists only have access to one weapon type (instead of all types like in P3 and FES); the male protagonist wields one-handed swords, and the female protagonist wields naginata. As a result, the skills “Fist Master,” “Bow Master,” “1hSwd Master” and similar skills have all been combined into a single skill called “Weapons Master.”  Its skill card is called “Phys Boost,” and all Personas that had learned a “master” ability (like Cybele with Bow Master) now learn “Weapons Master.” In addition to “Weapons Master,” the new skill “Magic Skill Up” has been added in P3P. It can only be learned by Messiah and strengthens any Magic skills used, including Almighty skills. The Inari Sushi in Naganaki Shrine no longer grants random bonuses for item gaining and Tartarus explorations. Instead, it offers to duplicate Skill Cards, which will take 5 days to complete.

KEY FEATURES

• Enjoy Persona 3 Portable with newly remastered graphics, improved gameplay smoothness, and quality-of-life features like difficulty selection and quick save functionality.
• Ascend the looming tower of Tartarus, vanquish formidable Shadows, and investigate the mysteries of the Dark Hour.
• Live through a full school year brimming with daily events and forge meaningful relationships with unforgettable characters.
• Experience this gripping and emotional journey through the perspectives of two distinct protagonists, doubling the social possibilities.
• Choose between Japanese and English voiceover options.