Syed Imran Haider 
Personal 3 has a timelessness that has a lasting impact because of the way it confronts death with imperfect courage. The way it has framed its message about carrying on in the face of tragedy and the characters embodying these struggles is something people can relate to. Therefore, there were a lot of expectations with Reload because it had a high bar to reach. It proves to be an excellent example of how small changes can add up to have a big impact.
The visual overhaul
The RPGs of the PS2-era cannot be replicated, but the visual overhaul that Reload comes with proves to be quite meaningful because it does not change the essence of the game. It may seem a bit surreal initially because the beloved characters have been remodeled for a new generation and their fancy new combat animations have been complemented with super-powered armbands, sweet jackets and black gloves.
But, Reload does not do away with the familiar, as the normal attack animations remain the same, as do the battle portraits. The new styling and aesthetics are more similar to Persona 5 and these characters are a lot cooler than before.
The plot
In Persona 3 Reload, you get to see that balancing normal relationships and life with the responsibilities of defeating shadows in the Dark Hour still has a novelty to it. This is a mysterious 25th hour in which time comes to a halt and monstrous forces emerge. Your school becomes a deranged 250-floor tower, while human beings turn into coffins. Even if the structure is predictable, it is still a lot of fun.
The Social Link character arcs are mostly the same as the original and while some of them are crude and shallow, there are some valuable stories that are quite entertaining and feed into the overall message.
The new elements
For the first time, Reload comes with Social Link scenes that are fully voiced and they provide more value and weight. The romances are also optional, which was not so before. There are also quality of life improvements, such as text messages that are useful for tracking what is available daily and you can use the online activity tracker for getting an idea of the priority of players.
This can help you deduce what is important and find out how much of the new content bolsters the existing world of Persona 3. There are new social activities and events that truly elevate the main characters of Persona 3. These provide a sense of togetherness, as the characters form natural bonds with each other.
It is also possible for you to go on individual opportunities with your party members, such as cooking or gardening together for getting new health items. This also lets the characters open up in ways they did not before. In fact, Reload has also addressed the fact that there were no Social Link routes for male party members previously.
The Verdict
Countless small additions and changes and a visual overhaul help Persona 3: Reload make a significant impact and transform it into a fully realized version of a beloved RPG.
