In terms of franchise defining games, Persona 3 served as the entry that shot the relatively niche series into the mainstream. Once merely a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei, the Persona series has since evolved into something much bigger than even the franchise it spawned from. While this is somewhat depressing news for SMT fans (myself included), the Persona series still delivers consistently good games. And, with more new fans on-board than ever, there’s not been a better time to do some re-releases.

Yet, despite re-releasing games being one of Atlus’s favorite pastimes, Persona 3 is still trapped on the PS2 or PSP. However, with Persona 4 Golden on PC, there’s hope that Persona 3 FES may find its way onto PC eventually. But is the port even needed when the original may still be perfectly fine?

10 Why The Port Is Needed

Some may argue that a PC port is unnecessary for P3:FES. It might be better to hold out hope for a full remake, some will say. With the remake of SMT: Nocturne on the horizon, though, it’s clear Atlus is fine repackaging their classic PS2 games with a fresh coat of paint. A PC port for P3 is absolutely in the realm of possibility.

Besides, a modern port could finally help make a definitive version of the game. If they can include both the female protagonist of P3 Portable and The Answer from P3: FES, that would be a dream come true. It’s an unlikely dream, but the best reason to hope for a PC port. However, some changes will likely be made in the transition to the PC port of the game.

9 Change: Convenient Community Guides

This is a change that wouldn’t be build into the game itself, but a consequence of being on a new platform: guides. While it is great to experience the game blind, some people just don’t want to have to worry about the pop quizzes or reversing social links. Using a guide is a valid way to play through any game.

These always existed, but having to pull up a separate device or even printing out a guide is a minor hassle. On PC, it would be as simple as tabbing into a web browser and pulling the guide up in an instant. Sure, it’s not a significant change, but it is a change to the experience.

8 Change: Save Anywhere

Persona 3: FES is a game from a different era. RPG’s have had saves for the longest time, but most games limited that ability to specific locations. Overworld maps, glowing panels, Save Blocks, and glowing butterflies. But save points are somewhat of an outdated concept when auto-saves are so easy to implement.

Obviously, this means that a PC port of P3 would also include the ability to have auto-saves and to save anywhere. Or, at the very least, more places than just the dorm or in Tartarus. It would help save a lot of headaches from making bad calls for tough decisions, that’s for sure.

7 Change: Better Tartarus Exploration

Tartarus, the game’s ever-changing dungeon, isn’t exactly impressive to look at compared to even Persona 4’s dungeons. The blocks of Tartarus aren’t exactly exciting to explore, and different ports of the game have had performance in Tartarus be less than stellar.

While the player already has a fair bit of room to see what’s going on in Tartarus, better computers should have the ability to reduce some of that fog and see more of the dungeon as it is explored. It might make things slightly easier, but it seems like a neutral change.

6 Change: Fast Travel

Exploring Tatsumi Port Island by foot and navigating places by yourself is a pretty exciting experience. It pales in comparison to Persona 5’s Tokyo, but it’s still cool to be able to walk around real locations and chat with people. However, after a lot of time invested, walking everywhere starts to become more time-consuming than fun.

There is an NPC in the classroom that serves as a form of fast-travel, but the location selection from P4 and P5 are so much nicer. I could see Atlus absolutely just working that in during a re-release as a quality-of-life change.

5 Change: Graphical Upscaling

Emulator enthusiasts are probably already aware of how PS2 and Gamecube games can actually look quite incredible with texture and resolution upscaling. Obviously it doesn’t compete with modern visuals, but better graphics are always appreciated. There’s also something charming in seeing older games given a glow up on new hardware.

I don’t expect Atlus to go all out with the tech that modern emulation has, but I would expect them to upscale character models and some crispier textures. It was done with the port for P4G, and it’s something most people wouldn’t have a problem with.

4 Change: Dual Voice Acting Options

In a number of recent Japanese titles that include English dubs, an option to choose between the English and Japanese dub is included. It often requires an extra download, but that’s a small price to pay for the choice of hearing the dialogue in its native language.

P4G launched on Steam with dual audio as an option, so it would make sense that a P3 PC port would as well. The dub for the Persona games are honestly not that bad, but there’s nothing wrong with more options. It might start a few arguments in web forums, but the sub versus dub debate is something that will never end anyways.

3 Change: Merciless Update

Persona 3: FES had three difficulties, which was pretty standard. Recent games in the series, including Persona 3 Portable, have had extra difficulties mean to make the game even harder. These games already aren’t the easiest, but JRPG thrillseekers absolutely enjoy making them even tougher.

It’s not hard to see Atlus making the changes needed to add Merciless difficulty into a PC port. That said, attempting to navigate Merciless with the game’s less-than-good AI sounds like an exercise in frustration. It wouldn’t be as hard as classic SMT, but it would definitely be annoying.

2 Change: Better AI

Any fan of Persona 3 is likely aware of some fights boil down to praying the AI Roulette lands in your favor. Enemies and allies alike can often pull some crazy shenanigans that will end in a game over. It’s annoying, but it’s part of the game.

Now, Atlus probably wouldn’t go through the effort of adding controllable party members into a port if they’re feeling lazy. However, they might try and find ways to make the odds more stacked in the player’s favor with the AI. As long as Mitsuru decides to actually cooperate, it’ll be a big win.

1 Change: Modding

All PC games will end up getting modded eventually. It’s a core part of the PC gaming experience and is one of the reasons people pick PC over console. For a game like Persona 3, modding would help add quality of life over any spot Atlus decides not to patch.

For instance, Atlus decides that controlling party members is lame and not historically accurate. It sucks, but it’s something that modders could fix. Also, “Last Destruction” is great, but being able to swap out songs to hear other great songs would be good too. Persona 3 isn’t a perfect game, so there’s plenty of room to make changes. As long as Altus doesn’t make it annoying to mod, there’s a whole world of potential.

NEXT: 10 Games To Play If You Love Persona 3