PERSONA 3 is a Japanese RPG developed by Atlus. It is the fourth mainline title in the Persona series, which is a spinoff of the company's series Shin Megami Tensei. The game was originally released for the PS2 in Japan in 2006, the US in 2007, and Europe in 2008. It eventually got an enhanced version with an epilogue, Persona 3 FES, which was released in Japan in 2007 and other parts of the world throughout 2008. An alternate version of the game for the PSP was released in 2009 in Japan, 2010 in the US, and 2011 in Europe. This version differs from both the base game and FES in that events outside of dungeons are primarily visual novel based instead of having 3D animation, and it has brand new content in the form of an entirely new alternate protagonist.
The PSP version of the game was released on all modern consoles and Steam on January 19th, 2023, and a remake of the original game, Persona 3 Reload, is set to release in early 2024!
At the beginning of the game, the player is told that they have one year to protect the world, and that they must rely on their heart as a guide to do so.
The year is 2009. The protagonist has just made it to a place called Iwatodai City, where they are set to attend Gekkoukan High School. However, as they make their way out of the train station, and odd phenomenon occurs: the dark hour, which is a period of time unknown to most that lasts while the previous night shifts into the next morning. During the dark hour, most people will end up locked up in coffins without knowledge that the hour is going on or that they're even locked up. Monsters who are manifestations of turbulent and malicious inner thoughts, also known as shadows, will also roam the land at this time; most end up in Tartarus, a giant labyrinth with the shape of a multi-floor dungeon that can only be seen and entered during the dark hour. However, during a full moon, an extra strong shadow may end up breaking out of Tartarus and roaming Iwatodai City. But humans aren't hopeless against these shadows during the dark hour--save for an unlucky few, most who stay awake during this time are Persona users: people (and sometimes things like animals and robots) who are able to use Personas, which are a manifestation of their own inner thoughts (though these thoughts are tamed and accepted) and are capable of fighting against shadows.
With the awakening of their own Persona, and the miraculous ability to change Personas at will, the protagonist joins S.E.E.S--a school club that's secretly a group for Persona users--at the club's request, in hopes that they will be the key to stopping the appearances of shadows in their city.
PROTAGONIST
The standard protagonist of Persona 3. His name can be customized by players at the start of the game, but official medias refer to him as different names; in the manga, his name is Minato Arisato. In the animated movies, the 2023 release of P3P, and Persona 3 Dancing (a spin-off rhythym game), his name is Makoto Yuuki. His personality can largely depend on the media as well--in P3, while a silent protagonist, his personality can be developed via choices the player makes. In the manga, he's shown as a passive, quiet and stoic person, as well as drowsy and somewhat of a glutton. The movies portray him as seemingly apathetic and having little to no concern for his own safety. His initial Persona is Orpheus.
FEM PROTAGONIST
A female protagonist exclusive to Persona 3 Portable. However, she's not just an alternative appearance the player can choose--her story is able to be altered a lot more with choices the player can make, such as meeting new characters and even saving a certain character from a fated death. Much like her counterpart, her name can be customized. Three official medias have an "official" name for her: the stage play, the 2023 release of P3P, and the Puzzle & Dragons crossover, which all call her Kotone Shiomi (She is also called Minako in a comic anthology). She also has her personality developed by the player, but she is mostly portrayed much more upbeat and energetic compared to the standard protagonist. Her initial Persona is also Orpheus, though it has a different design meant to be more feminine.
YUKARI TAKEBA
Yukari Takeba is the first party member that the protagonist encounters after arriving to their dorm. Her Arcana, which could be considered the type of her Personas and therefore the tarot card that she represents, is Lovers, and her initial Persona is Io. She's a very kind and cheery person, but is also prone to getting upset over little things. However, she is very lonely, as she's afraid of letting people get close to her. Eventually, though, she is able to open up to others and becomes close to the members of S.E.E.S.
MITSURU KIRIJO
Mitsuru Kirijo is the leader of S.E.E.S. She is part of (and the heir to) the Kirijo Group, an international corporation that has been successful in many industries. Her Arcana is Empress, and her initial Persona is Penthesilea. She's a mature and responsible part of the team, but she seems to know more than she lets on...
JUNPEI IORI
Junpei Iori is an upbeat self-proclaimed ladies' man and one of the first allies to join the party alongside Yukari. While book dumb and reckless, he matures throughout the game with the help of others. His Arcana is Magician, and his initial Persona is Hermes.