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 finally finished Persona 3 Portable, huh? What a ride, right? But wait, the journey doesn't have to end there! New Game Plus (NG+) is calling your name, offering a chance to relive the experience with some sweet bonuses. But what exactly carries over? Let's dive into everything you need to know about starting a New Game Plus in Persona 3 Portable and what goodies you get to keep.

Unlocking New Game Plus

First things first, to even access the New Game Plus feature, you need to beat the game once. Yep, you gotta see those credits roll. After you defeat the final boss and watch the ending, the game will prompt you to save your clear data. This save file is the key that unlocks NG+. Make sure you save it! Load this clear data, and you'll be prompted to start a new game, carrying over a bunch of cool stuff that'll make your second playthrough even more enjoyable. Think of it as a victory lap, but with extra perks.

What Carries Over in New Game Plus?

Okay, here's the meat of the matter: what awesome stuff do you get to bring with you into your New Game Plus adventure? Prepare to be pleasantly surprised because it's quite a bit!

1. Character Level and Stats

That's right, all the hard work you put into leveling up your protagonist? It pays off! Your character's level, along with all their associated stats like Strength, Magic, Endurance, Agility, and Luck, are carried over. This means you'll start your new game as a total powerhouse, ready to take on those early shadows with ease. It's a fantastic head start that lets you focus on other aspects of the game.

2. Persona Compendium

This is a big one, guys. Your Persona Compendium, where you store all the Personas you've collected and fused, comes with you. This means you don't have to start from scratch trying to build your ultimate Persona team. You can summon those powerful Personas right from the get-go, making battles significantly easier and more strategic. Plus, it saves you a ton of time since you won't be grinding for Personas you already had.

3. Equipment

All the weapons, armor, and accessories that your protagonist had equipped at the end of the game will be in your inventory when you begin NG+. This gives you a significant combat advantage from the start. Having access to stronger gear early on can make the initial parts of the game much smoother, allowing you to conserve resources and focus on other areas like social links and exploration.

4. Money

Cha-ching! All the money you've accumulated during your first playthrough is transferred over. This is incredibly helpful as it allows you to purchase better equipment, healing items, and other necessities without having to worry about grinding for cash early on. You can invest in Social Links, experiment with Persona fusions, and generally have a more relaxed experience without constantly watching your wallet.

5. Social Stats

Remember all those hours you spent boosting your social stats like Academics, Charm, and Courage? Well, they carry over too! This is a massive time-saver because you won't have to spend as much time studying or doing other activities to increase these stats. You can immediately access higher-level Social Links and unlock new dialogue options, enriching your relationships and the overall story experience. It makes the social aspect of the game much more streamlined and enjoyable.

6. Social Links Progression

While the actual rank of your Social Links resets, there's a hidden bonus: you'll receive special items from characters whose Social Links you maxed out in your previous playthrough. These items allow you to fuse their ultimate Personas right from the start. It's a fantastic reward for your dedication to building those relationships and adds a unique flavor to your New Game Plus run.

7. Certain Key Items

Certain key items that are essential for story progression will also carry over, streamlining certain events and allowing you to access certain areas or features earlier than you would in a fresh playthrough. This can open up new strategies and allow you to experience the story from a different perspective.

What Doesn't Carry Over?

Okay, so we've covered the good stuff. Now, let's talk about what doesn't make the jump to New Game Plus:

  • Story Progression: Obviously, you'll be starting the main story from the beginning. All plot-related progress is reset.
  • Social Link Ranks: Although you get items to fuse ultimate Personas from maxed Social Links, the actual ranks of your Social Links reset. You'll have to build them up again.
  • Elizabeth/Theodore's Requests: Your progress on Elizabeth/Theodore's requests will be reset, giving you the opportunity to tackle them again with your powered-up character and Personas.

Why Play New Game Plus?

So, why should you bother with New Game Plus in Persona 3 Portable? Here are a few compelling reasons:

1. Experience the Story Anew

With your boosted stats and Persona Compendium, you can focus more on the story and character interactions without being bogged down by grinding. You can make different choices, pursue different Social Links, and experience the narrative from a fresh perspective.

2. Max All Social Links

New Game Plus makes it significantly easier to max out all Social Links in a single playthrough. With your social stats already maxed out, you'll have more time to dedicate to building relationships with your favorite characters.

3. Fuse Ultimate Personas

Thanks to the items you receive from maxed Social Links, you can fuse powerful ultimate Personas early on, giving you a massive advantage in battles and allowing you to experiment with different strategies.

4. Complete Elizabeth/Theodore's Requests

With your souped-up character and Personas, you can tackle Elizabeth/Theodore's requests more easily, unlocking unique rewards and challenges.

5. Enjoy a More Relaxed Experience

New Game Plus lets you enjoy Persona 3 Portable without the constant pressure of grinding and resource management. You can explore the world, develop your characters, and immerse yourself in the story at your own pace.

Tips for Your New Game Plus Run

Alright, you're convinced, right? Here are a few tips to make the most of your New Game Plus experience:

  • Prioritize Social Links: Focus on maxing out the Social Links you missed in your first playthrough. This will unlock new Personas and story content.
  • Experiment with Personas: With your Persona Compendium, you have access to a wide variety of Personas. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect team for your playstyle.
  • Tackle Elizabeth/Theodore's Requests Early: Completing these requests early can unlock valuable rewards that will aid you throughout your NG+ run.
  • Enjoy the Story: With your character already powerful, take the time to savor the story and character interactions. Make different choices and see how they impact the narrative.

Final Thoughts

New Game Plus in Persona 3 Portable is a fantastic way to extend your enjoyment of this incredible game. With the ability to carry over your character's stats, Persona Compendium, and equipment, you can experience the story anew with a significant advantage. Whether you're looking to max out all Social Links, fuse ultimate Personas, or simply enjoy a more relaxed playthrough, NG+ offers something for everyone. So go ahead, load up that clear data and dive back into the world of Persona 3 Portable! You won't regret it.