After 98 hours I believe I have fully finished the game, completing all bosses and completing what I believe are all 6 endings to the game, although I'm convinced there's 7 and now confidently write my review on the game.

For the sake of not wasting much of your time with this review i will start with the bad

- Weird FPS stuttering issue, I didn't really get this bad compared to most people seemingly but I did encounter it in a particularly foggy and snowy area of the game. Hopefully they can fix up these PC port issues quickly.

- The worst PvP invasion system out of all their titles. The only way you can invade is if someone has summoned help already, that means the invader has to always 2 v 1 at a minimum but in fact most of the time they are actually 3 v 1ing as the person being invaded will summon in additional help. I personally think this invading system is absolute garbage awful design and it's especially tragic with how well the rest of the game is designed and it really cuts deep with the potential this title had in regards to PvP.

- Bad summoning multiplayer system. I believe this game has a level scaling system if you play multiplayer with your friends and use a password so your high level character can help out a friend, however for absolutely no reason, this is not the universal multiplayer system and they did not extend this level scaling system to the random summons to help people or the random invading PvP. This means that I, with my level 165 character are destined to never be able to use multiplayer system to help out new players kill early game bosses even though they actually have a system in the game that I should be able to use in order to do this.

- An issue that almost all open world games have towards the end of the game. Copy and Paste enemies and bosses where unfortunately due to the scale of the game that variety of bosses and enemies gets thin, and you get bosses that are 2 or 3 man of previous bosses. Also due to the nature of an open world if you explore and happen to successfully grind through a difficult or area you're underleveled for, this will ultimately mean you have thus overleveled another area. I had this problem myself where I explored and facesmashed through a couple of massive hidden zones and thus overleveled probably 2 main zones I had to progress through later. Having said that in the last 2 or so zones and especially the last hidden zone of the game I seemed to be at the correct level for them so it seemed to equalise regardless towards the end of the game.

- I believe the game actually tricks new players into a more difficult experience. At the start of the game you are given a direction of where to go through arrows on the map pointing you where to go. The arrows in Limgrave, and in Liurnia point you towards a major boss / zone that is actually substantially more difficult than the other major boss and Points of Interest in the zone. I believe for the sake of new players they should somehow adjust the arrows. I highly recommend new players, especially to the series as a whole explore zones to their maximum before actually following the arrows which seems counter-intuituve design.

Now let's talk about the good parts

- There are a couple of systems in place that make it the most accessible From Software title for new players. The main system is the Spirit Ashes system that is basically an offline summoning system that summons an upgradable NPC or group of NPCs to help you. This system alone makes the game exceptionally accessible for new players to the series as these NPCs are frankly and I believe intentionally busted, if a player ever gets bored and wants to progress a frustrating part of the game they can pop one of these and fly through it.

- Another major plus to this game compared to previous titles is the sheer variety of builds, especially through the Ashes of War system that allows you transform any standard weapon to scale with any stat. This with the sheer variaty of weapons, armour etc. that are already in the game adds massive replay value to the game over time. Also the game has a built in easily accessible respec function. I'm already looking forward to trying new builds through new game+. The culmination of this variety in builds really solidifies Elden Ring as the Magnum Opus of the Souls combat system, which once again makes how bad the PvP is sting extra hard.

- Open World, Storytelling and Characters. I really enjoyed the Open World myself and believe it was a great evolution to the series that just requires some kinks sorting that I've discussed previously. You can actually see landmarks on the map without having visited them yet. Caves, Towers, Churches and especially the Ruins are all clearly visible on the map before you have visited them although there are also some hidden ones for the people like me that also like exploring.

Overall I found the world and zones themselves very varied and interesting going between zone to zone, so that's definitely a big plus of the Open World design. Whilst From Software isn't the pinnacle developer of graphics, From Software has always been phenomenal at environmental design and they carry on their form in Elden Ring.

- I enjoy the Elden Ring story more than other Souls titles. I found it had a much stronger foundation that you could more easily understand and follow, it made you want to explore the world more and interact the NPCs regularly. Elden Ring didn't leave a lot of the story vague, throughout the game it solidified the lore into quite an easy to understand package and I believe this is a plus personally.

In my opinion Elden Ring has the most interesting NPCs and also Quests out of all the titles. I love the secrets in From Software games and fortunately Elden Ring has a good few of them that were a treat to discover with all the NPCs. The NPC quests were quite long, fleshed out, interesting to the story and if you explored the game fully weren't really terribly difficult to miss. They also contributed a lot to a few of the endings which I found really cool.

Middling things that can be positives and negatives

- The ambient soundtrack for the zones is the best out of all the From Software games, however I found a lot of the actual boss music quite hit and miss. Overall it was good enough for me to buy the Soundtrack so there's that I guess.

- They managed to make, in my humble opinion the worst 'poison swamp' area out of every souls game. Take that as you will. Hidetaka Miyazaki spared no expense in the creation of this area.

Closing Notes

To summarise this review, I strongly believe this to overall be the best From Software title for a singleplayer experience and possibly the worst for a multiplayer experience. New players and Veterans alike can have an absolute blast due to the systems they have implemented. The sheer freedom in this game is incredible from the build variety to how you explore and progress through the game which gives this game a ton of replay value compared to previous titles and also gives Elden Ring the strongest combat in a souls game so far. The story is interesting and in my opinion more concrete than previous From Software games which made it very fun to learn about as you played through the game, the NPC quests are the most interesting so far. The PvP invasions had the potential to be the best in all Souls games due to the aforementioned build variety but they messed that up, hopefully they will change it. The multiplayer with randoms is unfortunately hindered for absolutely no reason. Hopefully they fix the performance issues, luckily I didn't really have any except a little bit in one zone.

Naturally this review is all my opinion, if you disagree that's cool. If you have performance issues that's unfortunate, hope they fix them.

Your review is 4,745 characters too long. Please shorten it and try again. Bruh.

Persona 3 Reload is a definitive testament to the enduring appeal of the Persona series, offering a revamped and revitalized experience for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. As a re-release of the original PlayStation 2 classic Persona 3, this iteration brings a plethora of enhancements, updates, and additional content that breathes new life into an already beloved title.

One of the most notable improvements in Persona 3 Reload is its updated visuals. The game boasts crisp, high-definition graphics that enhance the immersive atmosphere of its urban setting, modernizing the aesthetics while staying true to the original art style. Character models are more detailed and expressive, environments are richly rendered, and stylish animations add flair to every encounter.

Furthermore, Persona 3 Reload introduces several quality-of-life improvements that streamline gameplay and enhance the overall experience. From enhanced navigation menus to improved battle mechanics, these refinements make the game more accessible and enjoyable without sacrificing the depth and challenge that fans have come to expect from the series.

In addition to these enhancements, Persona 3 Reload includes a wealth of new content that adds significant value to the package. Players can look forward to additional story segments, expanded social interactions, and new gameplay features that deepen the narrative and provide fresh gameplay opportunities. Whether it's uncovering hidden truths in Tartarus, forging bonds with unforgettable characters, or delving into the mysteries of the Dark Hour, there's no shortage of compelling content to explore in this definitive edition.

Of course, at the heart of Persona 3 Reload lies its engaging blend of social simulation and turn-based combat. The game seamlessly weaves together these elements, challenging players to balance their time between building relationships and battling shadows. Whether you're strengthening your bonds with classmates, participating in extracurricular activities, or strategizing in intense battles, every decision you make feels meaningful and impactful.

Beyond its gameplay mechanics, Persona 3 Reload excels in its storytelling and character development. The game tackles themes of friendship, identity, and mortality with a depth and maturity that is rare in the medium. Each character is relatively well crafted, with their own struggles, desires, and growth arcs that resonate on a personal level. As you journey alongside the members of SEES, you'll laugh, cry, and grow alongside them, forging connections that endure long after the credits roll.

In conclusion, Persona 3 Reload is a masterful reimagining of a modern classic, offering a definitive experience that surpasses the original in every way. With its enhanced visuals, streamlined gameplay, and wealth of additional content, this re-release is a must-have for fans of the series and newcomers alike. Whether you're a seasoned Persona veteran or a curious newcomer, Persona 3 Reload is an unforgettable journey that demands to be experienced.

Would strongly recommend as a first time entry into the series. Hopefully Persona 4 gets a similar glow up visually. Haven't played Persona 3 for about 15 years and it was fantastic going in again relatively fresh. It's a terrible day for rain.