Originally released as part of 2007's Persona 3 FES, the newly renamed Episode Aigis - The Answer returns as DLC for the game's 2024 remake, Persona 3 Reload. The Answer takes place shortly after the events of Persona 3 Reload's ending and sees robotic companion Aigis step into the role of the protagonist as she and her friends investigate a strange dungeon that has appeared beneath their dorm building. It focuses on telling a philosophical story in which the members of SEES process the events of the game and are ultimately forced to confront their feelings regarding the protagonist's decision.
Because the events of The Answer connect heavily to Persona 3's ending, this preview will contain minor spoilers for Persona 3 and Persona 3 Reload.
The remade version of Episode Aigis features new animated cutscenes, a new opening sequence, and adjusted gameplay for Aigis and the new playable character Metis utilizing the Theurgy system introduced in Persona 3 Reload. The chapter has also received a graphical and menu update meant to match the aesthetics of Reload, with Aigis in particular receiving an enhanced new outfit designed to make her look even more combat-ready than before. Game Rant was recently able to play a little bit of Episode Aigis - The Answer to check out all of these enhancements and then some.
Updated Combat Feels Smooth and Natural
As in Reload, The Answer's combat has gotten a major upgrade. While still turn-based, it's got a smooth, kinetic feel that really emphasizes how much the team is working together. The Theurgy system from Persona 3 Reload returns, with Aigis granted access to multiple Theurgy abilities to represent her new Wild Card status and ability to fuse Personas in the Velvet Room. Unfortunately, characters start the DLC knocked back to the base version of their Theurgy abilities, explained as them being out of practice using their Personas, but that does help the dungeons feel genuinely challenging.
Metis' Theurgy, however, is a little bit complex. It's powerful but extremely finicky to set up, as its conditions are much more restrictive than the other Theurgies in the game. While this is a fun way to emphasize the bond between Metis and Aigis, it can feel like an artificial limit to Orgia Mode, especially as it was much easier to access when it was Aigis's Theurgy in the base game.
Metis' Theurgy Conditions
- Players must hit an enemy weakness as Aigis
- Then Shift to Metis, with her Theurgy bar taking several Shifts to charge
The Answer will prove a challenge even for players who have fully completed Persona 3 Reload. It features tough Shadow opponents that require creative thinking and careful application of the weakness-breaking and All-Out Attack system to defeat. For various reasons, the DLC's story at times limits players to specific combinations of party members, encouraging experimentation rather than allowing players to coast through the dungeons with a single set party. Overworld shop access is more limited, forcing creativity when it comes to using more limited healing and buffing items. However, Atlus has also taken care to not make the difficulty too overwhelming: post-combat Shuffle Time bonuses appear much more frequently, and treasure chests are more likely to contain valuable restorative items.
The Answer's New Graphics Match Reload's
Like Persona 3 Reload before it, The Answer has received a graphical update suitable for modern consoles. The graphics, especially the new opening and remastered animated cutscenes, look excellent, perfect for the tense and dramatic moments the party experiences as well as the melancholy flashbacks to the events of the base game. Of particular note is Metis' Persona, Psyche, who has an elaborate design that is perfectly suited to the new, more detailed style. Aigis's upgraded appearance also looks very crisp and clear, fitting her role as the DLC's protagonist.
The dungeons in the Abyss of Time have also been reworked to appear less monotonous, similar to the floors of Tartarus in Reload. While this is generally a positive change, it does lead to one issue. Aigis, as a robot equipped with built-in guns, can use her ranged attacks to target Shadows from a distance, granting the player's party an advantage at the beginning of battle (similar to a mechanic seen in Persona 5). However, because of the multi-leveled design of the dungeon floors (at least for the first dungeon Malebolge) and the presence of frequent obstacles, it can be hard to target Shadows effectively. This is worsened by the fact that the "lock-on" system is fairly finicky and will often require players to stand in odd positions and face Shadows at odd angles in order for the game to register that they are targeting them. This felt like The Answer's weakest feature and is hopefully something Atlus can address in tuning up the DLC prior to final release.
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The Story Focuses on Grief and Moving On
It feels likely that The Answer's story will not change significantly. The Answer in its original form already presented a powerful story about the nature of grief, memory, and life after tragic events, and it doesn't really need to be changed. The preview of Episode Aigis focused on dungeon crawling and combat, however, and did not feature many story scenes. As such, whether or not it has changed even a little remains a mystery. However, the remake has added new banter between Metis and the other party members that triggers while exploring dungeons, typically focusing on how Metis' robot upbringing differed from that of a normal human. As The Answer is Metis' only appearance, and she has little time to bond and interact with other characters, taking advantage of every moment and opportunity like this is an ideal choice.
Episode Aigis: The Answer is sold as part of the Persona 3 Reload expansion pass. Waves 1 and 2 of the DLC have already been released, featuring new Velvet Room-inspired costumes and background music from Persona 5 Royal and Persona 4 Royal. Episode Aigis will be released on September 10, 2024. It is the only new story content featured in the Expansion Pass, but it is a touching story with challenging new dungeons and smooth new graphics that Persona 3 Reload players will likely enjoy.
Persona 3 Reload
Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour "hidden" between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.
Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.
Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI. Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes, character interactions, and additional voiceover. Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters. Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
JRPG
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:88/100 Critics Recommend:96%
- Franchise
- Persona
- Platform(s)
- PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PS4 , PS5
- Released
- February 2, 2024
- Developer(s)
- P-Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 50 Hours
