Atlus announces Persona 3 FES for the US on April 22

by Jason Dobson { Feb 25th 2008 at 1:10PM }

True to its word (or at least to the word of a timer clicking down to zero), Atlus USA has lifted the shroud of secrecy off of its intentions surrounding Persona FES, announcing that it's bringing the RPG expansion to the US on April 22 for $29.99. The new package will feature both an "enhanced version" of Persona 3 with new bonus features alongside a new chapter -- promising an impressive 30+ hours of gameplay it says here.

Even better, Atlus notes that the new chapter will be able to be played independently of the core game, though players with Persona 3 game saves will be able to use their save data in the new chapter. We'd like to come up with something witty with which to close out the story, but honestly we're too busy already plotting out how exactly we're going to get our hands on the game before it disappears forever.

[UPDATE: Oops, looks like the game is coming one one disc instead of two as previously reported...blame it on lack of caffeine]

Tags: atlus, fes, persona, persona-3, persona3

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

aaron_k7 @ Feb 25th 2008 1:18PM

I'm glad that they include the original game in this expansion because P3 is currently $63 + Shipping on Amazon.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 25th 2008 1:18PM

I know a lot of people were hoping it would be P3 related - it's too bad that it isn't also PS3 related.

Pom @ Feb 25th 2008 1:25PM

The original isn't even out here yet. It's a 2005 game and it's coming out this friday. I know Europe can expect to be treated like crap by Japanese companies (the main reason I switched to 360 after the PS2), but this is more than taking the piss.

Ortega @ Feb 25th 2008 2:37PM

Persona 3 is a 2006 game (Japanese release) and didn't hit the US until 2007. And good thing Atlus USA doesn't have anything to do with Europe, I'm pretty sure it's up to KOEI to publish it over there.

Void Munashii @ Feb 25th 2008 1:27PM

GLEEE!!!!

I would have loved to see them put this out for the 360, it is nice to have a reason to not sentence my PS2 to an eternity in my office closet just yet.

Tina @ Feb 25th 2008 1:43PM

FINALLY! DAY FUCKING ONE!!! I'M BUYING THIS GAME!!!

I couldn't find it the first time. So here's my chance. I'll sleep out every videogame store if i have to.

Also,

HERE'S A BIG F U TO THAT GUY WHO TRIED TO CHARGE ME $140 DOLLARS FOR PERSONA 3 ON CRAIGSLIST!!! HAHAHHAHHAHA! GOODLUCK TRYING TO SELL IT NOW!!!

Beatz @ Feb 25th 2008 1:50PM

Great. But am I still gonna have to sacrifice my first child to find a copy?

Donald @ Feb 25th 2008 1:54PM

I am shocked that Lord Voldemort hasn't tried to have this game banhammered as a suicide simulator.

capt_carl @ Feb 25th 2008 1:58PM

Thank. Fucking. God.

I just hope that it won't be super-easy at lvl93.

madphilb @ Feb 25th 2008 2:01PM

Now, if there where only some system at an international chain of game stores where you could put a deposit down and guarantee your copy of the game the day it came out so you didn't have to run around hoping to find a copy.... hmmm... too bad something like that doesn't exist.

and a

VampireHunter Z @ Feb 25th 2008 2:18PM

Can you guys stop throwing around FES like everyone knows what it means? So, WTH does FES stand for anyway? It's killing me. I need to know.

CJC @ Feb 25th 2008 2:30PM

It's derived from the world FESTIVAL, according to the creator.

VampireHunter Z @ Feb 25th 2008 3:54PM

Thanks. The suspense was killing me.

Kat @ Feb 25th 2008 2:19PM

Got this email this morning and squeeked with glee. And to think I came THIS close to paying $70 for P3 on Ebay a couple of weeks ago! Thank you Atlus, I heart you today.

traveller @ Feb 25th 2008 2:51PM

I wonder why this is a 2-disc set instead of a single DVD containing both P3 "Enhanced" and the FES side-story? The Japanese P3:FES was a single disc, both the "full" and "expansion" version.

A hopeful observer might conclude they need extra space to store dual-audio this time. :)

Karen @ Feb 25th 2008 2:54PM

I almost bought the game a few times too. I'm happy Atlus is finally figuring out that other people making money off re-selling their games on Ebay doesn't put cash in their pockets. A deal at $30 with extra content I'll be pre-ordering as soon as Eb puts it into their system.

Nate @ Feb 25th 2008 3:09PM

Stop with the PS2 games already. Sheesh. Let me know when Persona hits PS3.

petrie @ Feb 25th 2008 9:23PM

This should play just fine on your PS3, and since most Atlus fans haven't upgraded yet (no reason to, the PS2 still gets all the RPG love, along with the handhelds), it's your loss should you choose not to play this amazing title.

Oh, and it'll be awhile. Persona 4 is already confirmed for PS2.

Wilhelm @ Feb 25th 2008 3:48PM

The only game that comes to mind when I think of Atlus is Ogre Battle 64 (for the N64 obviously). Man... I fucking loved that game...

Void Munashii @ Feb 25th 2008 4:09PM

Was P3 really that hard to find? I got it at the first Gamestop I went to. Maybe it's just because I went after it as soon as it was released though, as I shall again for FES.

@ Donald

I was surprised too. I guess it is a result of the SMT games not being exactly mainstream though. Penny Arcasde did a good comic on it at the time though.

Matt @ Feb 25th 2008 5:32PM

Yeah, I went ahead and reserved my copy this morning at open time at gamestop. I'm not risking not being able to get ahold of this one.

Jack Spicer @ Feb 25th 2008 6:07PM

Not that I doubt the word of Joystiq, but can anyone provide a link where Atlus USA specifically states that this version includes the original game.

I think its obvious that it would, seeing as how the original P3 is no longer available at retail. But I really would like the confirmation.

Jack Spicer @ Feb 25th 2008 6:13PM

I'm going to answer my own question - in case anyone else is interested.

http://www.atlus.com/new_forum/viewtopic.php?t=674

DarthDavid @ Feb 25th 2008 6:16PM

I got Persona 3 on the first day....and only got about 15 hours in....I guess I'll wait for FES and continue.
Persona 3 and Odin Sphere (finished 45+ hours) really got me back to RPG's...thank god.

Dave Silva @ Feb 25th 2008 6:28PM

Don't bother. You won't be able to continue, you'll have to start again.

Dave Silva @ Feb 25th 2008 6:29PM

While I'm happy FES is coming over, I hate the fact that they're not releasing the cheaper disc that requires you to own Persona 3.

I spent $50 on the original, I don't want to spend $30 more on the newer version. It doesn't include the artbook or the CD, but still. :\

petrie @ Feb 25th 2008 9:25PM

this is what you would've paid for the append disk anyways. They're just being nice and allowing everyone to get in on the game.

Also, you could simply sell the original, since it still goes for $60 at least on Amazon.

Dave Silva @ Feb 25th 2008 9:35PM

Are you kidding? I'm not letting go of the soundtrack CD and book! :p

petrie @ Feb 25th 2008 9:46PM

I was tempted to hold onto them, but sold it on Amazon today. I already have the full soundtrack cd, and the art book was fun to thumb through once, but I don't see myself clamoring to look at it again. I'd rather use that money to buy FES.

Todd @ Feb 25th 2008 6:57PM

I am very glad to see this. I nearly bought the standard release, but.... didn't...

I will be picking this one up.

jcd @ Feb 25th 2008 7:46PM

Me too. To be honest the game does not look like $50 to me. $30 seems more appropriate, it does include the original right?

T H @ Feb 25th 2008 8:45PM

All I want is a sequel to NOCTURNE... the original ate over 80 hours of my life.

How does Persona compare?

capt_carl @ Feb 25th 2008 9:36PM

I never got around to playing Nocturne, but P3 was just amazing. Best RPG I ever played.

T H @ Feb 25th 2008 9:42PM

Damn.. thats how I felt about Nocturne. Haven't played a better RPG before or since. Maybe I need to give Persona a try...

capt_carl @ Feb 26th 2008 9:08AM

You need to go into P3 with an open mind however, due to its very mature content and, as our friend Jack Thompson would probably call it, a "suicide simulator."

Saga @ Feb 26th 2008 9:48AM

I new to the series and have been trying to get Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3. Is this the same game, because I don't want to pay $80 for the game.

Ginobi666 @ Mar 23rd 2008 7:12AM

Mwhahahaha! though it might take some time for FES to get into my country, i am sure hell going to save a lot of money compared to you guys ^.^ in (censored name of country) the ps2 games here are barely $3 (already converted into dollars) ^.^ mwahahahaha! I LOVE MY COUNTRY!