Fans are expecting Persona 4 Revival to feature visual upgrades and some quality-of-life changes. But the success of Persona 3 Reload also opened the door for the remake of Persona 4 to have deeper narrative additions. One of Reload's smartest design choices was the inclusion of Linked Episodes, which allowed for meaningful character development outside the standard Social Link system.
That approach could work especially well in Persona 4 Revival, a game where Inaba is filled with recurring but underutilized characters. Without forcing new full-length Social Links into the game’s already crowded calendar, Atlus could use Link-style episodes to expand on the people that players pass every day.
The Case for Persona 4 Revival to Go Fully Open-World
The Persona 4 remake, entitled Persona 4 Revival, has finally been revealed, raising an interesting question about its iconic setting.
Persona 4 Revival Could Use Reload Style Episodes
In Persona 3, characters like Akihiko and Shinjiro had no traditional Social Links. Rather than rewrite the calendar or relationships entirely for Reload, Atlus introduced short, emotionally focused episodes. These occurred naturally as the story progressed and gave players deeper insight without affecting daily planning.
Persona 4 Revival could take a similar approach. Minor NPCs, like Master Daidara the blacksmith or Ms. Kashiwagi, could benefit from small character moments that show who they are beyond their stock dialogue. For example, Daidara could tell a brief story about his connection to the Midnight Channel artifacts. Kashiwagi, whose behavior is often played for laughs, could have a scene where she drops the act and speaks frankly about the pressure of being a teacher in a small town.
These Link-style episodes do not need to be long. Even one or two per character could give more weight to the world. They would not replace Social Links or relationships with the Investigation Team, but they would enhance immersion and provide something fresh for longtime fans.
In Persona 3 Reload, Linked Episodes never occupied a calendar slot. They were triggered by story progress, which kept the game's pacing intact and avoided player burnout.
Persona 4 Revival Should Tackle Social Link Issues
Some Social Links in Persona 4 Golden have aged poorly. Kanji’s arc remains an important part of the game, but several of the protagonist’s dialogue options either play his confusion for laughs or respond with blunt disbelief. It is a missed opportunity to affirm his struggle without undermining the message.
Ai Ebihara’s Link also punishes emotional honesty. When players choose to support her instead of rejecting her, the results often feel harsh or unrewarding. In a modern remake, these interactions could be revised to reward empathy rather than shut it down.
Naoto’s arc in Persona 4 would also benefit from some clarity. Her struggle with gender roles and expectations could be treated with more directness. The original game left too much to implication and failed to offer satisfying dialogue paths for players who wanted to support her identity without ambiguity.
In Persona 5 Royal, Atlus altered several scenes to remove harmful jokes and implications. The same effort would go a long way in Persona 4 Revival.
Persona 4 Revival Tone Matches Persona 3 Reload Format
The everyday, cozy life structure of Persona 4 already encourages players to explore the town and speak with its residents. Adding Link-style episodes would not feel out of place. These moments could be optional and unintrusive, simply unfolding when side quests are completed or after key events.
Some of the most emotionally resonant characters in Persona 4 are the ones who appear briefly yet leave a lasting impression. The unnamed man at the Samegawa Flood Plain, who struggles with his fear of cats and regrets how it affected his relationship, quietly reveals emotional depth during the Hermit questline. Likewise, Kanji’s mother, the owner of Tatsumi Textiles, shows deep concern for her son during his disappearance, offering rare moments of quiet grief and maternal worry. Giving characters like these a dedicated scene or Link-style episode would make Inaba feel even more lived-in and emotionally grounded.
These scenes would not need rewards. Their purpose would be connection. They could be used to balance the more intense story arcs and give longtime fans something new without rewriting core mechanics.
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Simulation, Adventure
