Atlus summons Persona 3 for PSP

Last year, Atlus debuted its Shin Megami Tensei series on the North American PSP with a remake of the original 1996 Persona. The role-playing game received a tepid critical reaction and complaints that it simply didn't measure up to modern standards.

Atlus apparently paid attention, as the publisher today announced that it will follow up that effort with a considerably more modern iteration of the series. The publisher today announced Persona 3 Portable, a revamped version of Persona 3 for the PlayStation 2. Released in North America in 2007, Persona 3 won critical acclaim, including being named GameSpot's RPG of the year.

Persona 3 followed a group of students studying in a Japanese high school during the day, where their actions built up demonic alter egos called "personas." However, at night they would explore the tower Tartarus and use their personas to battle the sinister shadows that lurked within.

For the game's PSP debut, Atlus is instituting a number of tweaks to the original. First and foremost, the game will include a new female playable character, along with new social links, events, and romantic opportunities. On top of that, the publisher is promising faster load times, single-button shortcuts in the game's menus, and more efficient equipment management.

Persona 3 Portable will be available in stores and on the PlayStation Network the week of July 6. For more on the original, check out GameSpot's review of Persona 3 on the PS2.