With rumors of a Persona 3 remake, fans wondered if Evokers would be cut. The party uses these gun-like devices to summon their Personas through an act mimicking suicide. Many thought the imagery would be censored or removed in these more sensitive times. Fortunately, now that the remake, called Persona 3 Reload, has leaked, we know if Evokers have been cut or not.
Does Persona 3 Remake cut the Evoker guns?
It appears that the Persona 3 remake keeps Evokers. In the leaked Persona 3 Reload trailer, we can see a very brief clip of a battle in which the protagonist takes the familiar stance with the gun-like device in his hand. It looks like it continues to be based on a Ruger Mk. 3 pistol, as in the original, and it doesn’t seem to be censored at all.
Of course, those who played the original know that Evokers aren’t guns. In Persona 3, Evokers are devices that manifest Personas — physical embodiments of a character’s psyche. They resemble guns, a grim but intentional choice. The gun-like form symbolizes a life-or-death struggle, intensifying the psychological drama. When a character “fires” an Evoker at their own head, they’re not committing violence but confronting their inner selves, a necessary step to summon a Persona. These encounters with personal fears or insecurities are as jarring and powerful as the image suggests.
The Evoker underscores Persona 3’s exploration of existential themes and the human psyche. It’s a bold and unique aspect of the game, enhancing its narrative depth and emotional impact. Despite their startling form, Evokers are tools for personal discovery and transformation in a tumultuous world.
It’s good to see that Atlus isn’t censoring an iconic aspect of Persona 3’s design. The imagery might be shocking to those who haven’t played the game, but it’s supposed to have punch. Changing it to a toy or finger gun would have been silly.
