Overview
Persona 3 Reload follows Makoto Yuki as he joins SEES to fight supernatural threats during the Dark Hour, uncovers the origins of the Shadows, faces personal and collective tragedies, and ultimately sacrifices himself to save the world.
Setting and Introduction
- In 2009, Makoto Yuki returns to Tatsumi Port Island, enrolling at Gekkoukan High School and moving into Iwatodai Dormitory, both owned by the Kirijo Group.
- Makoto is introduced to Pharos and signs a mysterious contract accepting responsibility for his actions.
- He becomes aware of the Dark Hour, Shadows, and joins SEES, a covert club combating these threats.
The Dark Hour, SEES, and Personas
- The Dark Hour is a hidden hour where only those with the "potential" remain conscious; others transform into coffins.
- Shadows cause Apathy Syndrome, leaving victims ("the Lost") in a trance-like state.
- Makoto can summon multiple Personas via the Wild Card ability, unlike most who can summon only one.
- The Velvet Room, run by Igor and Elizabeth, allows Persona fusion and is linked to Makoto's social bonds (Social Links).
SEES Operations and New Members
- SEES explores Tartarus, a mysterious tower appearing only during the Dark Hour, aiming to defeat twelve Greater Shadows to end the phenomenon.
- Members include Mitsuru, Akihiko, Yukari, Junpei, Fuuka, Ken, Koromaru, Shinjiro, and the android Aigis.
- Makoto becomes SEES leader because of his unique Persona abilities and decisiveness.
Strega and Revelations
- SEES confronts Strega, a hostile group of artificial Persona-users dependent on suppressors.
- Mitsuru reveals that the Kirijo Group’s experiments on Shadows caused the Dark Hour and released the Greater Shadows.
- The twelve Greater Shadows correspond to the Major Tarot Arcana.
Tragedy and Betrayal
- On October 4th, Shinjiro sacrifices himself to save Ken, resolving Ken's quest for vengeance.
- SEES defeats the twelve Shadows but the Dark Hour persists; Ikutsuki is revealed to have manipulated them to revive Death (Nyx's harbinger).
- Ikutsuki tries to sacrifice SEES, kills Mitsuru's father, but is thwarted and dies.
The Truth About Death and Ryoji
- Ryoji Mochizuki is revealed as Death, the Appriser, whose presence will bring Nyx and the Fall.
- SEES must decide to kill Ryoji (forgetting the past year but dooming the world) or spare him (facing Nyx).
- Makoto chooses to spare Ryoji, and SEES resolves to prevent the Fall.
The Final Battle and Aftermath
- Takaya forms a cult around Nyx, spreading hopelessness as Apathy Syndrome worsens.
- On January 31, SEES climbs Tartarus, defeats Takaya and Jin, and faces Nyx's Avatar.
- Makoto uses the power of his bonds to create the Universe Arcana, sealing Nyx at the cost of his own life essence.
- The world is restored; SEES regains memories and reunites on the school roof, where Makoto dies peacefully in Aigis' care.
Decisions
- Makoto chooses to spare Ryoji (Death), retaining memories and resolving to fight the Fall.
Action Items
- January 31, 2010 – SEES: Climb Tartarus and confront Nyx to prevent the Fall.