Originally released as part of 2007’sPersona 3 FES,the newly renamedEpisode Aigis - The Answerreturns as DLC for the game’s 2024 remake,Persona 3 Reload. The Answertakes place shortly after the events ofPersona 3 Reload’sending 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 ofThe Answerconnect heavily toPersona 3’sending, this preview will contain minor spoilers forPersona 3andPersona 3 Reload.
The remade version ofEpisode Aigisfeatures new animated cutscenes, a new opening sequence, and adjusted gameplay for Aigis and the new playable character Metis utilizing the Theurgy system introduced inPersona 3 Reload.The chapter has also received a graphical and menu update meant to match the aesthetics ofReload,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 ofEpisode Aigis - The Answerto check out all of these enhancements and then some.
Updated Combat Feels Smooth and Natural
As inReload, The Answer’scombat 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 fromPersona 3 Reloadreturns, 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 toOrgia Mode, especially as it was much easier to access when it was Aigis’s Theurgy in the base game.
Metis' Theurgy Conditions
The Answerwill prove a challenge even forplayers who have fully completedPersona 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.
LikePersona 3 Reloadbefore it,The Answerhas received a graphical updatesuitable 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 isMetis' 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 theAbyss of Timehave also been reworked to appear less monotonous, similar to the floors of Tartarus inReload.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 inPersona 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 likeThe Answer’sweakest feature and is hopefully something Atlus can address in tuning up the DLC prior to final release.
The Story Focuses on Grief and Moving On
It feels likely thatThe Answer’sstory will not change significantly.The Answerin 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 ofEpisode Aigisfocused 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. AsThe Answeris 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 Answeris sold as part of thePersona 3 Reloadexpansion pass. Waves 1 and 2 of the DLC have already been released, featuring new Velvet Room-inspired costumes and background music fromPersona 5 RoyalandPersona 4 Royal. Episode Aigiswill be released on June 25, 2025. 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 thatPersona 3 Reloadplayers will likely enjoy.
Persona 3 Reload
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
