Atlus today announced a director's cut for its popular PlayStation 2 RPG Persona 3. Titled Persona 3: Fes, this updated release will be available in two versions: An add-on disc for those who already own the original Persona 3, and a director's cut version for those who don't own the original game.

Fes will feature a hard difficulty setting, new quests, events, more anime cut scenes, 23 additional Persona (for instance Mosuman, Lucifer, Kahaku, and Kubanda) as well as a story after the final battle (that is, the game's real ending). Furthermore, the development team is implementing a weapon synthesis system and alternative costumes.

Director Katsura Hashino explained, that the sub-title Fes is derived from festival. Atlus apparently wants this game to become a festival for its fans. According to Hashino, Fes will add an impressive 30 hours to Persona 3's gameplay time. Players will spend most of those additional 30 hours by exploring a new branch of the story that opens up after Persona 3's final battle. Dubbed the Aegis chapter, this new chapter of the story will shed light on the mysteries surrounding the android weapon Aegis. Furthermore, players will have to confront new enemies as well as their party's own past.

Persona 3: Fes will be available in Japan on April 19th.