Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
↗ 11%
😊 8.1/10
(Playstation 2 - PAL, RPG)
Complete
$86.13
Loose $67.85
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Developed_By:
Atlus
Published_By:
Koei
Released On:
13 Jul 2006
Having lost your parents as a child, you lived in the suburbs with your relatives, until they decided to send you to a high school located on an island near the port city Iwatodai. But as you attempt to enter your new dormitory, you are attacked by a mysterious creature. As a result, you discover within yourself the gift to call upon a higher being, Persona , that grants you immense power. Your new ability makes you decide to investigate the strange world of shadows that has been plaguing the city every midnight, and to find out who or what is behind it.
This sequel in the Persona series, which is part of the Megami Tensei franchise, is not directly connected to its predecessors' story-wise. The gameplay has also undergone significant changes, throwing an element of "school simulation" into the Megaten RPG formula. You get to live the life of a normal high-school student: you attend classes, talk to your friends, get homework, wait for the summer vacation, and so on. The game is divided into school days with their own schedule.
However, at midnight the real world freezes, and only you and your friends with the unique Persona abilities can feel the time flowing as they battle the shadows. The battles follow the classic Megaten model of demon-summoning. You can either attack with your weapons, or call a mighty Persona from within yourself. After the battle is won, you receive Persona cards, which can be fused to get more powerful Personae. Inspired by the system used in Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne , you are able to hit enemies' weakpoints with your magic spells. Taking advantage of these weakpoints means that you can perform devastating combo attacks while the enemy is weakened.
Persona 3 was released on August 14, 2007 for the PlayStation 2 console, and has since become a cult classic among gamers. With its unique blend of social simulation and dungeon crawling, it offers an experience that is both fun and thought-provoking.
EAN-13:
5060073303915 (United Kingdom)
EAN-13:
5060073303946 (France)
EAN-13:
5060073305513 (France)
eBay Product ID:
53925497 (Greece)
Sony PN:
SLES-55018 (Greece)
Sony PN:
SLES-55354 (France)
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Media Type:
DVD-ROM
Number of Offline Players:
1 Player
Save Game Methods:
External Storage
Input Device Features Supported:
Vibration
Controller Types Supported:
Analog Controller, Digital Controller
Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $75.37–$86.13 (last 90 days)
New
Complete
Loose
Box
Manual
Smoothed
Log · Auto
Medians
Market activity: active · about 27 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a Japanese role-playing game where players control a high school student who gains the ability to summon powerful beings called Personas. They join a secret club to fight monstrous Shadows during a hidden "Dark Hour" while also managing their daily school life and social connections.
Story
PROLOGUE
AWAKENING
The main character of Persona 3 is a high school student who was orphaned as a young boy. He has recently transferred to Gekkoukan High School in Port Island, the city he lived in ten years ago.
Shortly after moving into the school's dormitory, the main character is attacked by a Shadow. The assault awakens his Persona, Orpheus, his only chance at defeating this creature of the night.
He soon discovers that he shares this special ability with other students at his new school. From them he learns of the Dark Hour, a hidden time that exists between one day and the next, swarming with Shadows that feed on the minds of their victims.
The main character decides to join the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES). Under the supervision of school chairman Shuji Ikutsuki, he and his new friends confront this evil threat.
PERSONA
A Persona is a second soul that dwells deep within a person's heart. It is an entirely different personality that emerges when a person is confronted with something from outside his world.
A Persona ability refers to the unique gift that enables a person to summon and use a Persona. Those who are capable of this feat are known as Persona-users. This ability is humanity's only hope to defeat the Shadows.
THE DARK HOUR
In the world of Persona 3 there exists an abnormal period of time known as the Dark Hour, which manifests every evening at midnight.
During the Dark Hour, normal people are transformed into crystallized objects resembling coffins through a process called Transmogrification. While a person is Transmogrified, he is not cognizant of anything happening in the world around him.
Therefore, the general public is unaware of the existence of the Dark Hour. Only Shadows, the original inhabitants of the Dark Hour, and those who possess the "potential" can experience this time.
Iwatodai Station
There are a number of fast food restaurants located around the station. You can improve the main character's Courage and Academics by spending time in certain eateries.
Naganaki Shrine
Naganaki Shrine is located near the dorm. While it is usually deserted, children can often be found playing on the playground. There is an offering box and a fortune dispenser located in the back of the shrine.
Dormitory
This is where the students live. The SEES members usually hang out in the lounge on the first floor. The boys' rooms are located on the second floor, while the girls' rooms are located on the third. The command room can be found on the fourth floor.
Classroom
You can immediately move to the town map by talking to the student standing directly next to the podium in the classroom. This function is very useful when you have something to do outside of school.
How to Play
GETTING STARTED
•
open button
•
memory card slot 2
•
memory card slot 1
•
controller port 1
•
controller port 2
•
USB connectors
•
disc cover
•
on/standby/
•
reset button
•
IR receiver
Set up your PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system according to the instructions supplied with your system. Check that the system is turned on (the on/standby indicator is green).
Insert the Persona 3 disc in the system with the label side facing up. Attach game controllers and other peripherals as appropriate. Follow the on-screen instructions and refer to this manual for information on using the software.
Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2)
To save game settings and progress, insert a memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2) into MEMORY CARD slot 1 of your PlayStation®2 system. You can load saved game data from the same memory card or any memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2) containing previously saved games.
Starting the Game
Start Menu
Once the opening movie ends, you will be taken to the title screen. Press any button to move to the Start Menu screen. From here, you can select NEW GAME, LOAD GAME, or CONFIG.
New Game
If you would like to start from the beginning, select NEW GAME. Next, select the difficulty of the game. Please be aware that you cannot change the level of difficulty once the game has begun.
•
NORMAL: This mode is for players who are familiar with the game.
•
EASY: In this mode, battles are easier, and you will have ten chances to continue your game following a Game Over.
Entering Your Name
Before the game starts, you will have to provide a name for the main character. Move the cursor using the directional buttons and press the X button to confirm. Use the L1 and R1 buttons to change fields and the O button to delete.
Load Game
To continue a previously saved game, insert a memory card (8MB)(for PlayStation® 2) with a save file into MEMORY CARD slot 1 and select LOAD GAME. Use the up and down directional buttons to highlight a save file and press the X button to continue your game.
Configuration
Here you can adjust various options of gameplay, such as turning vibration ON/OFF. You can bring up the same screen during gameplay by selecting System from the Command Menu (see p. 22).
Saving the Game
You can save your progress by accessing either the student list located in the lounge or the clock located in the entrance to Tartarus. Use the up and down directional buttons to highlight a save file and press the X button to confirm.
Lounge
There is a student list located on the counter, near the dormitory entrance. Press the X button while standing in front of it to save, return to your room, etc.
Tartarus
There is a save point located at the entrance of Tartarus for you to use before or after an exploration. Stand in front of the clock and press the X button to confirm and save.
•
In order to save, you must have at least 67KB of free space on your memory card (8MB)(for PlayStation ®2) while saving or loading.
•
Only MEMORY CARD slot 1 is used.
Flow of the Game
The Basics of School Life
The school year in Japan begins in April. You will play as the main character, a typical high school student who attends classes during the day. The following is a brief description of an average school day.
Early Morning
You will enter school through the main gate. Here you can talk to other students and learn the latest gossip.
Morning
You will attend classes in the morning. There may be times when you will be called upon to answer questions from your teachers.
Lunch Hour
During lunch you can talk to other students and learn about after-school activities and holiday events.
Afternoon
After School
You can spend your time after school any way you choose. Venturing into town or participating in an after-school activity may trigger a special event to occur.
Holidays
You will be completely free on holidays. However, you may receive an invitation from a friend to spend time with him or her. All events will take place in real time, just like a normal school day. In the evening you will have the option of exploring Tartarus.
The Dark Hour
You can automatically go to Tartarus at midnight by informing Mitsuru that you want to explore the tower. The day will end after you have returned.
Late Night
If you choose not go to Tartarus, you may either go to bed early or study before sleeping.
Early Evening
If you participate in an after-school activity, you will automatically return to the dorm when you are finished. You can also return to the dorm immediately after school. You can choose to explore Tartarus by talking to Mitsuru, or leave the dorm until late night.
School Life
Classes will be held on days without special school functions in both the morning and the afternoon. You may either take a stealth nap to restore your strength or stay awake to improve your Academics. On days when the teacher gives a pop quiz, answering correctly will raise your Charm.
Improve your skills during class
Classes will be held on days without special school functions in both the morning and the afternoon. While this phase can be skipped, there will be times when you will have to respond to a teacher's question. If
Controls
left analog stick
Move character
directional buttons
Move character
right analog stick
Rotate camera
L1 button
Rotate camera (left)
R1 button
Rotate camera (right)
L2 button
Rotate camera (left)
R2 button
Rotate camera (right)
START button
Not used
SELECT button
Not used
O button
Move camera behind character
X button
Examine/Talk/Confirm/Use weapon (1)
A button
Open the Command Menu
button
Give a command (2)
Enemies & Characters
The Main Character
A teenager who recently transferred to a new high school, he is attacked by Shadows, awakening his Persona ability. He can use more than one Persona and is chosen to lead the squad against the Shadows.
Yukari Takeba
A classmate of the main character who lives in the same dormitory, she is able to summon her own Persona and has been a member of SEES for quite some time.
Junpei Iori
In the same class as Yukari and the main character, he was the first student to speak with the main character after he transferred and joined SEES after realizing his ability.
Igor
This mysterious figure sometimes provides answers, but more often he creates questions and confusion with his enigmatic way of speaking. He is able to strengthen the powers of a Persona via a secret art known as fusion.
Akihiko Sanada
The captain of the school's boxing team, he appears calm and collected but is full of passion and ambition, viewing his membership in SEES as an opportunity for training.
Mitsuru Kirijo
The president of the student council, she comes from the prestigious family that controls the powerful Kirijo Group. She is intelligent and commanding, providing support to the other SEES members.
Shuji Ikutsuki
The chairman of the school board and the supervisor of SEES, he does not have the ability to use a Persona and does not directly fight against the Shadows, but is full of helpful knowledge.
Items & Weapons
Dia
Restores a small amount of HP to one ally.
Diarama
Restores a medium amount of HP to one ally.
Media
Restores a small amount of HP to all allies.
Mediarama
Restores a medium amount of HP to all allies.
Patra
Cures an ally's Fear, Panic, and Distress.
Re Patra
Helps one ally get up when he/she has slipped or been knocked down.
Posumudi
Cures one ally of poison.
Charmdi
Cures one ally who's been charmed.
Enradi
Dispels an ally's Rage.
Tarunda
Reduces one enemy's physical/magic offensive strength for several turns.
Sukunda
Reduces one enemy's hit/evade rate for several turns.
Rakunda
Reduces one enemy's physical and magic defensive power for several turns.
Dekunda
Offsets the effects of "-nda" magic for all allies.
Tarukaja
Raises one ally's physical/magical offensive strength for several turns.
Sukukaja
Raises one ally's hit/evade rate for several turns.
Rakukaja
Raises one ally's physical/magical defensive power for several turns.
Dekaja
Offsets the effects of all enemies' "-kaja" magic.
Tetrakarn
Reflects a physical attack once for all allies.
Makarakarn
Reflects a magic attack once for all allies.
Recarm
Revives an ally with a small amount of HP.
Samarecarm
Revives an ally with full HP.
Rebellion
Raises all allies' and all enemies' critical hit rates.
Revolution
Raises all allies' and all enemies' critical hit rates significantly.
Trafuri
Enables escape from most battles.
Medicine
Restores 50 HP to one ally.
Muscle Drink
Restores 100 HP to one ally. Has possible side effects.
Patra Gem
Cures an ally's Fear, Panic, and Distress.
Revival Bead
Revives an ally with 50% of his/her HP.
Dis-Poison
Cures one ally of poison.
Dis-Rage
Dispels an ally's Rage.
Dis-Charm
Cures one ally who's been charmed.
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