is this worth playing?

[P4G]

is this a good way to experience P3

i finished both p5r and p4g and i want to play P3 but i know about the differences between this version and FES

be real with me, is this worth playing? is it still a good way to experience the story?

[Blair Fujin]

fes is better for first time experience, with how lacking p3p presentation is
the version we're getting here is better for a second playthrough due to the novelty of femc au

I suggest getting your hands on fes, give it a try, look up the party control mod if the og battle system doesn't click with you (though I'd still recommend giving it a try, because it really contribute to the uniquness of persona 3 experience) and if you like it and want some more, then go back to this port

[Skinker]

P3P is a perfectly fine version. Don't listen to the crazies.

[Rono]

Persona 3 Fes is miles better I only play this when I want to emulate on my phone.

[Village Idiot]

It's the most dated Persona in terms of gameplay, but for me it's the best in terms of characters and story.

The biggest difference outside gameplay is the story + character structure.

In P4 and P5, the characters have their character development during their story chapter and that's pretty much it. This is because their development after is through their Social Link so they can't have the characters grow in the main story because they don't know when / if you will do said Social Links.

In OG P3, due to only the female cast having Social Links, the characters instead grow throughout the story rather than through their Social Links.

[Shadowlet]

FES with the mod setup is better

[Cpt. Moist Panties]

P3 (all versions) are where Persona became what it is today. P2 plays similarly, but it still retains a lot of aspects of the SMT games. P3 streamlined all of that.

If you played any of the other games this is extremely familiar territory. Only difference is instead of multiple dungeons there's only one, and it has a TON of floors. The floors change in theme (slightly) every 20 or so floors but there's less spectacle than in subsequent games.

The characters also interact a lot less than in future games. There are fewer locations. A LOT less animated cutscenes. Fewer 'events' that spice the game up. But the base is the same as P4 and onwards.

There's a reason people gravitated towards P4 a lot more and consider it a classic by this point.

[Cpt. Moist Panties]

Cant delete my last comment or edit it and I realized I didn't answer your question so ignore it:

To ACTUALLY answer your question: FES is the best way to experience the game. They took out all 3D environments and animated cutscenes in Portable. They added a novelty in its place (play as a girl), but otherwise it's the inferior version.

I'd rather play a more 'complete' version rather than a port with stuff taken out.

WITH THAT SAID; the 3D environments were small and empty, and the only thing you could do in them was walk up to people to begin the visual novel segment of the game. Which is played out via still portraits and text anyway. So you're not missing much.

[Doctor TacoChocolate]

While what people above me is saying is accurate, P3 Portable does have its positives. The combat really is a lot better. Yes, you can use the party control cheat in FES, but P3P also lets party members defend, which will stop them from getting knocked down by their weaknesses and critical hits. Hitting an enemy weakness also gives you a One More like in the other games. I think it just allows you to have a lot more control over the flow of battles. Of course, the atmosphere of the original game is pretty much destroyed.

I also like being able to work part-time in P3P, as it allows you to improve certain stats without spending any money, as well as getting some money in between Tartarus excursions becomes easier. And one of the biggest ones, since characters don't get tired until after you leave Tartarus, you can do an entire block in just one go if you want, which opens up more time for social links and stat improvement. So there's a hell of a lot more to the improvements than just adding party control.

[P4G]

thank you for all the replies guys, i've been noticing a massive divide between what is the true "definitive" edition of P3 and i think i've found my answer, there is none, there's no better version really because each version has it's negatives and positives, i am a firm believer in the fact that people playing a game for the first time shouldn't need mods to experience it so i think i will stick to P3P which it releases in less than 2 days.

i do hope there's a way that modders could implement the anime cutscenes when they're necessary (or worst case scenario i'll just wait until each scene where there should be one and pull it up on youtube or something lol) a shame that the p3 remake is all just speculation for now, atlus truly is the root of all evil.

[Blair Fujin]

thing is you don't need the party control mod for fes, it's just there for people too stubborn to even learn how to use tactics menu, who just angry and call ai controlled party members dumb when they don't read their thoughts instead of getting into the mindset of a party leader (you know, roleplaying a little in an rpg) and figuring out what's the best strategy for each party member for each situation (ex, if you don't want mitsuru using marin karin, then don't keep her in heal and support mode as for her support means trying to apply ailments to enemies)

sorry, I'll probably always be at least a little bit salty that atlus just added direct party control and balanced further games around it instead of refining the tactics + ai controlled party because people weren't willing to learn a different battle system

[qazimod]

Originally posted by Cpt. Moist Panties:

WITH THAT SAID; the 3D environments were small and empty, and the only thing you could do in them was walk up to people to begin the visual novel segment of the game. Which is played out via still portraits and text anyway. So you're not missing much.

Was just in the middle of saying this when I saw your reply. IMO running around town map locations for things to interact with is no less of a glorified menu than Portable's solution. And the small animations you get from characters emoting in PS2 scenes were pretty basic even then.

To answer the OP: the core story is pretty much the same, so if you don't mind missing those animations and just want to get on with the gameplay, go for it. Can any of the officially-released versions of P3 be considered definitive? Probably not. But is Portable worth playing to experience the gameplay and story? Absolutely - as long as you're happy with the way the story is presented.

[Narmy]

FES is the definitive edition. Ignore the people who complain about AI party, you have basically complete party control when using tactics in FES. The only thing FES lacks is the fanfic tier female protag.

[coll912]

The series has dramatically changed since 3, but P3P is still my favorite out of all of them. It was my first Persona experience and this was on the PS Vita. Many areas have improved the series since then, but nothing tops the story, characters, and writing in this game. It was and still is one of the most impressive character growth stories I've ever had the privilege to play.

[MizarAce]

Originally posted by qazimod:

Originally posted by Cpt. Moist Panties:

WITH THAT SAID; the 3D environments were small and empty, and the only thing you could do in them was walk up to people to begin the visual novel segment of the game. Which is played out via still portraits and text anyway. So you're not missing much.

Was just in the middle of saying this when I saw your reply. IMO running around town map locations for things to interact with is no less of a glorified menu than Portable's solution. And the small animations you get from characters emoting in PS2 scenes were pretty basic even then.

To answer the OP: the core story is pretty much the same, so if you don't mind missing those animations and just want to get on with the gameplay, go for it. Can any of the officially-released versions of P3 be considered definitive? Probably not. But is Portable worth playing to experience the gameplay and story? Absolutely - as long as you're happy with the way the story is presented.

Only thing I disliked is that they didnt remade the FMVs since those were some of the best of the series, even better than P4 and P5. For the rest the game is enjoyable enough if go with the expectation of playing an old PS2 game.

To be fair it still holds up to some modern standards but it has its age. P1 and P2 remasters when?