Ever since the Social Link system was first introduced in Persona 3, the series has offered a variety of ways to connect with friends, family, and classmates. From fusing Personas for a Velvet Room attendant to running errands for a shrine-dwelling fox, the Persona games have got it all. Persona 4, the second game to feature Social Links, introduced "split Links", where players could choose one of two characters to bond with; Persona 6 could double down on this feature. The inclusion of multi-character Social Links in Persona 6 would give players more freedom of choice and add significant replayability to the game.
The Argument for Persona 6 to Switch Up its Social Link Arcana
While the next evolution of the Confidant system is expected to be a major aspect of Persona 6, its use of the tarot deck should progress accordingly.
Persona 4's Split Social Links Explained
While the original Persona 3 did not feature any split Social Links, Persona 3 Portable did introduce some Social Link variations, with the female protagonist having different Links compared to the male. True split Social Links first appeared in Persona 4 in two arcana: the Strength and the Sun. Two athletes, Daisuke Nagase and Kou Ichijo, shared the Strength link; which one was unlocked depended on which sports team the player joined. However, because the two were close friends, the player would get to meet and interact with both characters regardless of the Link chosen.
The Sun link was a more drastic separation – the player interacted with Ayane Matsunaga if they joined the school band and Yumi Ozawa if they chose the drama club. The character not chosen would not appear at all; additionally, both Sun Links were romance options for the protagonist. The split Links gave Persona 4 a replayability that previous games lacked, especially once Persona 4 and particularly Persona 4 Golden began experimenting with alternate endings such as the Accomplice Ending.
Split Links Would Make A Great Addition To Persona 6
Split Social Links – or rather Confidants – did not reappear in Persona 5. A possible reason for this is that most non-Phantom Thief Confidants involved entering the Mementos side dungeon to change the heart of a person associated with the Confidant. This would have made adding Link variety a lot more work, as Atlus would have had to create more Mementos targets and their respective boss battles.
However, split Social Links like Persona 4's Strength and Sun would make a great addition to Persona 6. It would give the game some variety and help it differentiate itself from Persona 5. Links like Ayane and Yumi's, which are completely separate stories with no crossover, encourage the player to replay the game multiple times to see each one. Any card in the Major Arcana could work for a split Social Link, but it might be fun to see such a Link paired with a card often associated with duality or indecision, such as the Hanged Man or Lovers. The Temperance card, traditionally associated with the four elements, could even represent a Social Link that offers four different potential characters to choose from.
Perosna 6 could also introduce variety and replayability in the form of alternate endings, something which appeared in Persona 4 and Persona 5. These two titles mostly focused on "true" vs. "Good" endings – with plenty of bad endings too, of course, earned for things like losing fights and accusing incorrect murderers – but Persona 6 could potentially offer players more choices to make that would have great influence on the final outcome of the game. Perhaps Persona 6's endings could even relate to the characters they chose to Social Link with. Regardless of how it is handled, split Social Links like Persona 4's Strength and Sun should definitely make a return in Persona 6.
WHERE TO PLAY
The world-renowned Persona 4 Golden promises unforgettable adventures, meaningful bonds, and heartwarming experiences shared together with friends.
They say your soulmate will appear if you stare into a television set on a rainy night…
This strange rumor slowly spreads through the rural town of Inaba, the protagonist’s new home, just as a chain of mysterious murders begin. As the protagonist and his teammates chase after the truth, they find themselves opening the door to another world.
Explore otherworldly dungeons, take down monstrous Shadows, and confront the darker sides of one's self as you inch closer to the truth behind the serial murder cases.
Venture around the town of Inaba, partake in an eventful school year, meet kindred spirits, and forge invaluable bonds.
New quality of life features including improved graphics and smoothness, difficulty selection and quick save functionality.
- Platform(s)
- PS2, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Switch, PS Vita
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- How Long To Beat
- 73 Hours
