I was initially confused by a recent new demo for Persona 3 Reload, but I think I've figured out why it's coming out now. The reason the demo confused me in the first place is that it came out so long after the game was released. This seemed like a pretty big departure from how Atlus had recently handled a similar demo, and I wasn't sure what the incentive would be to change things so drastically.

Metaphor: ReFantazio's demo came out shortly before the game was released, and allowed you to carry over your progress in it to the main game. Persona 3 Reload's demo works the same way, but its timing is strange. I could see introducing it around the time that Persona 3: Episode Aigis - The Answer came out to attract more players around the time of a new release, but it's been seven months since the game got any new content, and I expect most interested players have already bought it. However, recent rumors could explain why it's just coming out now.

Persona 3 Reload Recently Got A Generous Demo

Persona 3 Reload's Demo Covers Multiple Hours Of Gameplay

Atlus released its Persona 3 Reload demo six days ago, and it's honestly more generous of a sample than I would have expected. The demo covers about a month of in-game time, meaning you'll get to play through the game's (notoriously slow) opening, experience a good chunk of the basic gameplay loop, and fight the game's first Full Moon boss. This is hours of gameplay - as many as seven by some s I've seen - and more than enough to know whether you're into a Persona game.

As far as demos go, I would consider Persona 3 Reload's to be incredibly generous. Most demos I've played give you a much smaller sample of a game to try and tease you into buying the full thing. While seven hours of Persona 3 Reload would definitely get me to buy it if I hadn't already, I could see some players flaming out and deciding the demo was more than enough for them. Although I think a shorter runtime may work better for selling players on Persona 3 Reload, that might not be the demo's only goal.

Persona 3's Demo Could Be To Build Interest In The Franchise Before A Big Announcement

Atlus Has Previously Announced Games At Xbox Games Showcases

It's very possible that Atlus doesn't just want to try and sell more copies of Persona 3 Reload, but also drum up some interest in the franchise in general. Since its release in China, Persona fans have been expecting an announcement regarding a wider release of Persona 5: The Phantom X. It's also been nearly nine years since Persona 5 originally came out, so I wouldn't be surprised to get a potential update on Persona 6 some time soon. Given how previous titles were revealed, some players also think they know when these announcements may be happening.

Seeing as both Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona 3 Reload were originally announced at an Xbox Games Showcase as part of 2023's Summer Game Fest, there has been speculation that Atlus will be announcing something again at this year's event in June. With Atlus announcing multiple games in 2023, the Persona 3 Reload demo could even be building hype for multiple announcements. While I wouldn't be too shocked to at least get some word on Persona 5: The Phantom X, and a Persona 6 reveal would be a welcome surprise, there is one other announcement that seems most likely to happen.

The Persona 4 Remake Is Rumored To Be Announced Soon

There Have Been A Few Hints That A Persona 4 Remake Is In The Works

recording for an unannounced game. While nothing is concrete, it still feels like there are more hints of a Persona 4 remake than for Persona 6.

While a Persona 4 remake would be my personal choice - and Persona 5: The Phantom X is at the bottom of my wishlist - I'd be happy with any Persona announcements. I hope I'm right about Persona 3 Reload's demo possibly being used to drum up some excitement for the franchise ahead of a new game getting released. Even if I'm wrong, however, I would recommend checking the demo out if you've never played the game. It will let you know whether you should be as excited as I am about the prospect of more Persona games getting announced.