If you are a fan of the Persona series, you might be wondering if Persona 3 and Persona 5 are connected and if you should play Persona 3 after Persona 5.
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The answer is not so simple, as the Persona games are not direct sequels to each other, but rather share a common universe and some recurring elements. However, there are some connections between Persona 3 and Persona 5 that might make you interested in playing both games.
Persona 3 and Persona 5 are both set in modern-day Japan, and feature high school students who can summon powerful beings called Personas to fight against supernatural threats. Both games also have a similar gameplay structure, where you balance your daily life activities with exploring dungeons and battling enemies. However, the games have different themes, stories, characters, and settings that make them unique experiences.
Persona 3 focuses on the concept of death and how people cope with it. The main characters are part of a secret organization called SEES, which investigates a phenomenon called the Dark Hour, a hidden time period that occurs at midnight. During the Dark Hour, they enter a mysterious tower called Tartarus, where they fight against creatures called Shadows. The game also introduces the concept of Social Links, which are bonds that you form with other characters that affect your Personas and the story.
Persona 5 revolves around the idea of rebellion and justice. The main characters are part of a group called the Phantom Thieves, which uses a smartphone app to access a parallel dimension called the Metaverse. There, they infiltrate the distorted desires of corrupt people and change their hearts by stealing their treasure. The game also expands on the Social Link system, which is renamed as Confidants, and adds new features such as stealth, negotiation, and crafting.
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The connections between Persona 3 and Persona 5 are mostly subtle and optional, but they do exist. For example, some characters from Persona 3 make cameo appearances in Persona 5, such as Elizabeth, a mysterious attendant of the Velvet Room who helps you fuse Personas.
There are also references to events and locations from Persona 3 in Persona 5, such as the TV show Featherman R, which is based on a superhero team that appears in Persona 3. Additionally, some Personas and items from Persona 3 can be obtained in Persona 5 through various means.
So, should you play Persona 3 after Persona 5? That depends on your personal preference and availability. Persona 3 is an older game that was originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006 and has been remade and ported to other platforms such as the PlayStation Portable and the PlayStation Vita.
The game has different versions that offer different features and content, such as Persona 3 FES, which adds an epilogue chapter called The Answer, and Persona 3 Portable, which lets you play as a female protagonist and adds new Social Links. However, none of these versions are compatible with each other, so you might have to choose one or play multiple times to experience everything.
Persona 5 is a newer game that was released for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in 2016 and has been enhanced and updated for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2019 as Persona 5 Royal. The game has improved graphics, gameplay, music, and story compared to Persona 3, and adds new characters, locations, events, confidants, Personas, and more. However, it is also a longer game that can take over 100 hours to complete.
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