Persona 3 Portable: What Carries Over In New Game Plus?

So, you've finished Persona 3 Portable. Congrats! You've navigated Tartarus, forged bonds, and maybe even found love (or several loves, no judgment here!). But now what? Well, that's where New Game Plus (NG+) comes in, offering a fresh yet familiar experience with some sweet bonuses. Let's dive into what exactly you get to keep and what gets left behind when you embark on this new journey, making your second playthrough even more exciting. Think of it as a victory lap, but instead of just basking in the glory, you're armed with the knowledge and resources to make even better choices and explore previously missed content. Whether you're aiming for a 100% completion run, want to max out all Social Links, or simply want to experience the story again with a boosted character, NG+ is the perfect way to do it. Understanding what carries over will allow you to strategize your next playthrough effectively, optimizing your time and resources to achieve your goals. Plus, it's just plain fun to feel like a super-powered protagonist right from the start! So, buckle up, Persona fans, because we're about to break down everything you need to know about New Game Plus in Persona 3 Portable! It's time to see what awaits you on your next adventure, and how to make the most of it. Remember those tough battles? Get ready to breeze through them (at least at the beginning!). Remember those Social Links you struggled to max? This time, you'll have the advantage of prior knowledge and boosted stats to make those relationships even stronger. New Game Plus isn't just a second playthrough; it's an opportunity to refine your strategy, deepen your connections, and truly master the world of Persona 3 Portable. Let's get started, shall we?

What Carries Over to New Game Plus?

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Knowing exactly what makes the jump with you into NG+ is crucial for planning your next run. The exciting news is that a significant chunk of your progress carries over, making you feel like a seasoned Persona master from the get-go. Here's a breakdown of the goodies you get to keep:

• Character Level and Stats: Your protagonist's level, Strength, Magic, Endurance, Agility, and Luck all make the journey with you. This is a huge advantage, allowing you to tackle early-game content with ease and focus on other aspects of the game, like Social Links or exploring different dialogue options.
• Persona Compendium: This is arguably the most valuable carryover. All the Personas you've fused, leveled up, and registered in your Compendium are available right from the start (for a price, of course!). This allows you to summon powerful Personas early on, giving you a massive edge in battles and allowing you to experiment with different team compositions.
• Equipment: All the weapons, armor, and accessories you've acquired throughout your previous playthrough are yours to keep. This includes rare and powerful items that you might have spent hours grinding for, giving you a significant advantage in combat and allowing you to customize your party's builds from the very beginning.
• Money: Your hard-earned Yen doesn't disappear! You'll start your NG+ run with the same amount of money you had at the end of your previous game. This is incredibly helpful for summoning Personas from the Compendium, buying equipment, and generally making your life easier.
• Social Stats: Your Courage, Academics, and Charm levels are retained, unlocking dialogue options and Social Links that were previously unavailable. This allows you to pursue relationships and storylines that you might have missed in your first playthrough, and to experience the game from a different perspective.
• Skill Cards: Any Skill Cards you've collected will remain in your inventory, allowing you to teach powerful skills to your Personas and customize their abilities to your liking. This adds another layer of strategic depth to your gameplay, allowing you to create truly unique and powerful Persona builds.
• Some Key Items: Some key items, particularly those related to story progression, won't carry over (obviously, you need to experience the story again!). However, certain key items that unlock specific features or content might be retained, giving you access to them from the very beginning.

With all these advantages, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the challenges of Persona 3 Portable with renewed confidence and strategic prowess. New Game Plus is more than just a replay; it's a chance to refine your skills, deepen your connections, and truly master the world of Persona.

What Doesn't Carry Over?

Alright, so we know what goodies make the trip, but what gets left behind? It's just as important to know what doesn't carry over in New Game Plus, so you're not caught off guard. Here's the lowdown on what you'll have to re-earn:

• Story Progression: Obviously, the main story resets. You'll have to relive the events of Persona 3 Portable from the beginning, making choices and forging relationships anew. This is the core of the NG+ experience, allowing you to experience the story from a different perspective with your newfound knowledge and power.
• Social Link Progress: While your Social Stats carry over, your actual Social Link ranks with each character are reset. You'll need to re-establish those relationships and climb the ranks again. However, your maxed Social Stats will make this process much easier, unlocking dialogue options and events that were previously unavailable.
• Items Consumed: Consumable items like healing potions, stat boosters, and other single-use items won't carry over. You'll need to restock your inventory as you progress through the game.
• Certain Key Items: As mentioned before, key items essential for story progression will be reset, ensuring that you experience the story in its entirety again.
• Requests: Elizabeth's (or Theodore's) requests will be reset. You'll have to complete them again to earn rewards and unlock new content. This provides a fresh set of challenges and opportunities to explore different areas of the game.

Don't be discouraged by what doesn't carry over. Think of it as a fresh start with a significant advantage. You'll be able to breeze through early content, focus on building Social Links, and explore aspects of the game that you might have missed the first time around. Plus, re-experiencing the story with your boosted character and Persona Compendium is a lot of fun!

Tips for Making the Most of New Game Plus

Okay, you know what carries over and what doesn't. Now, let's talk strategy! Here are some tips to help you make the most of your Persona 3 Portable New Game Plus run:

1. Prioritize Social Links: With your Social Stats already maxed out (or at a high level), focus on maxing out Social Links as early as possible. This will unlock powerful Personas and allow you to experience the full depth of each character's story. Plan your days carefully and take advantage of every opportunity to strengthen your bonds.
2. Experiment with Persona Builds: With your Persona Compendium fully stocked, experiment with different Persona fusions and skill combinations. Try creating specialized Personas for different situations, such as boss battles or grinding for experience. Don't be afraid to try new things and push the limits of your Persona team.
3. Tackle Elizabeth's Requests: Use your boosted stats and powerful Personas to complete Elizabeth's (or Theodore's) requests. These requests often offer valuable rewards, such as rare items, equipment, and access to new areas. Completing these requests will add another layer of challenge and depth to your NG+ run.
4. Explore Different Dialogue Options: Now that you're not struggling to survive, take the time to explore different dialogue options and see how they affect the story and your relationships with other characters. You might be surprised at the different outcomes you can achieve.
5. Challenge Yourself: If you found the first playthrough too easy, consider increasing the difficulty level in NG+. This will provide a greater challenge and force you to utilize all of your skills and knowledge to succeed.
6. Aim for 100% Completion: Use your NG+ run to achieve 100% completion of the game. This includes maxing out all Social Links, completing all requests, collecting all Personas, and unlocking all achievements. This is the ultimate test of your Persona skills and knowledge.

By following these tips, you'll be able to make the most of your New Game Plus experience and truly master Persona 3 Portable. So, go forth and conquer Tartarus, forge unbreakable bonds, and become the ultimate Persona master!

Is New Game Plus Worth It?

Absolutely! New Game Plus in Persona 3 Portable is a fantastic way to extend your enjoyment of the game. It offers a compelling reason to replay the story with a significant advantage, allowing you to focus on aspects of the game that you might have missed the first time around. Whether you're a completionist, a story enthusiast, or simply looking for a new challenge, NG+ has something to offer everyone.

• For Completionists: NG+ provides the perfect opportunity to achieve 100% completion of the game. With your boosted stats and Persona Compendium, you'll be able to breeze through content and focus on maxing out Social Links, completing requests, and unlocking all achievements.
• For Story Enthusiasts: NG+ allows you to experience the story from a different perspective, exploring different dialogue options and character interactions. You'll be able to delve deeper into the characters' motivations and relationships, gaining a new appreciation for the story's depth and complexity.
• For Challenge Seekers: NG+ offers the opportunity to increase the difficulty level and challenge yourself to overcome even greater obstacles. With your skills and knowledge honed from your previous playthrough, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the game's most difficult challenges.

So, if you're wondering whether New Game Plus is worth it, the answer is a resounding yes! It's a rewarding and enjoyable experience that will deepen your connection to Persona 3 Portable and leave you wanting more. Now go out there and enjoy your new adventure!