Persona 3 Portable New Game Plus: What Carries Over?

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Persona 3 Portable New Game Plus: What Carries Over?

So, you've finished Persona 3 Portable, huh? Congrats! That's a long journey, filled with social links, Tartarus crawls, and some seriously emotional moments. But now you're staring at that end screen, wondering, "What now?" Well, my friend, that's where New Game Plus (NG+) comes in! NG+ is your chance to experience the game again, but this time with a significant head start. Let's dive into exactly what carries over so you can plan your ultimate Persona 3 Portable replay.

What Exactly is New Game Plus?

Before we get into the specifics, let's make sure we're all on the same page. New Game Plus is a feature in many games, including Persona 3 Portable, that allows you to start a new playthrough after completing the game once. The beauty of NG+ is that you get to carry over certain progress and items from your previous playthrough, making the early game much easier and allowing you to focus on things you might have missed the first time around. Think of it as a victory lap, but with more options and the chance to perfect your strategy.

Why Bother with New Game Plus?

Okay, so why should you even bother with NG+? There are several compelling reasons:

  • Max All Social Links: Let's be real, maxing out all social links in a single playthrough is tough. NG+ gives you a huge advantage because your social stats carry over. This means you can immediately start working on social links that require high Courage, Charm, or Academics.
  • Complete the Compendium: Filling out the Persona Compendium is a completionist's dream (or nightmare, depending on how you look at it). With your Persona levels and skills carrying over, you can fuse powerful Personas much earlier and focus on acquiring any you missed.
  • Experience Different Choices: Maybe you romanced one character and now you're curious about another. NG+ lets you explore different romantic paths and dialogue choices without having to grind through the early game again.
  • Challenge Yourself: Even though you're starting with an advantage, you can still set challenges for yourself. Try playing on a higher difficulty, or aim for a perfect run where you ace every exam and defeat every boss flawlessly.
  • Unlock Elizabeth/Theodore Date: In order to unlock this date you need to reach a very high level, and this is only possible through NG+.

The Good Stuff: What Carries Over

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here's a comprehensive list of everything that carries over into your Persona 3 Portable NG+:

  • Character Level and Stats: This is a big one. Your protagonist's level and all associated stats (Strength, Magic, Endurance, Agility, Luck) carry over. This means you'll be significantly stronger right from the start, making those early shadows a breeze.
  • Social Stats: Remember all those hours spent studying, singing karaoke, and facing your fears? All that hard work pays off! Your Courage, Charm, and Academics levels carry over, unlocking social links that were previously out of reach.
  • Persona Compendium: Your Persona Compendium carries over, allowing you to summon any Persona you've previously registered. This is incredibly useful for fusion and for having a diverse team of Personas at your disposal.
  • Equipment: All the weapons, armor, and accessories your protagonist had equipped or in their inventory at the end of the game will be available in NG+. This can give you a massive edge in early battles.
  • Money: Cha-ching! All the money you've accumulated carries over, letting you buy better equipment and items from the start.
  • Skill Cards: Those valuable skill cards you've collected will be waiting for you in NG+. This allows you to customize your Personas with powerful skills early on.
  • Play Time: While not directly impacting gameplay, your total play time is recorded and carries over, giving you bragging rights (or a reason to hide your addiction).
  • Some Key Items: Certain key items that are essential for progression, such as those related to social links or special events, may carry over. This can streamline certain quests and unlock new dialogue options.

The Not-So-Good Stuff: What Doesn't Carry Over

Of course, not everything carries over. That would make the game way too easy, right? Here's what you'll have to re-earn in NG+:

  • Story Progression: Obviously, you'll have to play through the story again. This includes all the main story events, boss battles, and plot twists. But hey, now you know what's coming!
  • Social Link Progress: While your social stats carry over, your actual social link progress does not. You'll have to re-establish all your social links from scratch. However, with your high social stats, this will be much easier.
  • Key Items Tied to Story Progression: Key items that are directly tied to story progression, such as those needed to access certain areas or trigger specific events, will be reset.
  • Characters' Levels: Only your protagonist’s level carries over, your party members will start at their initial level.

Pro-Tips for Your Persona 3 Portable New Game Plus Adventure

Now that you know what to expect, here are some pro-tips to make the most of your NG+ playthrough:

  1. Prioritize Social Links: With your social stats maxed or near-maxed, focus on maxing out all the social links you missed the first time around. This will unlock powerful Personas and give you access to new story content.
  2. Experiment with Fusions: Use your Persona Compendium to experiment with different Persona fusions. Try creating powerful Personas early on to dominate battles.
  3. Tackle Elizabeth's Requests: Elizabeth's requests can be challenging, but they offer valuable rewards. Use your NG+ advantage to complete requests you couldn't handle before.
  4. Explore Different Choices: Don't be afraid to make different choices than you did in your first playthrough. Romance a different character, join a different club, or make different decisions during story events.
  5. Increase the Difficulty: If you found your first playthrough too easy, crank up the difficulty in NG+. This will provide a greater challenge and make the game more rewarding.
  6. Optimize your time: Since you are overpowered from the start, take advantage of the free time to grind for money and level up social links.

Persona 3 Portable: A Timeless Classic

Persona 3 Portable, even with its age, remains a captivating and deeply emotional JRPG. The addition of New Game Plus enhances the experience, allowing players to delve deeper into its rich world, explore new possibilities, and further connect with its unforgettable characters. Whether you're a seasoned Persona veteran or a newcomer to the series, Persona 3 Portable's NG+ offers a compelling reason to jump back in and relive the magic.

So, there you have it, guys! Everything you need to know about New Game Plus in Persona 3 Portable. Now go forth, conquer Tartarus, and forge unforgettable bonds. Happy playing!