Persona 6 Should Follow One P4 Social Link Trend

Summary

Persona 6 could revolutionize Social Links by revisiting Persona 4's unique Fox Social Link concept.
Animals as unique non-party Social Links in Persona 6 could introduce new storytelling opportunities.
Taking inspiration from Persona 4's Fox Link, Persona 6 may set a high standard for innovative Social Links.

If Persona 6 follows up on a Social Link concept introduced by Persona 4, it could completely change the game for future Social Links. With Social Links being a staple of the series, it would be unimaginable for Persona 6 to not include them. As the next game in the series, it can not only continue the tradition of Social Links but innovate further with them. Thankfully, Persona 4 has already provided an excellent idea that's worth using again. By reviving it, Persona 6 could open new doors for Social Links in future Persona games as well.

Starting with the Social Links in Persona 3, it has been a tradition for Persona protagonists to have a web of acquaintances throughout the game. In addition to their party members, the series' protagonists collect more Social Links as time goes on, strengthening the Personas of said characters' respective Arcana as their relationship grows deeper. Persona 5's Confidants took this a step further by giving every Confidant a unique bonus. At this point, the idea of a Persona game that doesn't include Social Links seems unthinkable. Persona 6 is almost guaranteed to continue the tradition, and like Persona 5, it could include some quirks of its own.

The Mysterious Fox From Persona 4 Could Have a Successor in Persona 6

The Fox Social Link in Persona 4 was one of the most unique in that game for a few reasons. Unlike other Social Links in the game, the Fox provides an additional service by offering healing in the TV world, with the price lowering with every rank in the Social Link. It was a precursor to Persona 5's Confidants in that sense. However, a bigger, more obvious difference would be that the Fox Social Link involves an animal, rather than a human. This fact alone easily made the Fox Social Link one of the most memorable ones in the game.

The Fox isn't the only nonhuman Social Link, as Persona's resident animal mascots have had Social Links of their own. Koromaru in Persona 3 Portable, Teddie in Persona 4, and Morgana in Persona 5 all had their own Social Links. However, all three of these characters are party members. Not to mention, Teddie and Morgana were not actually animals in the first place. In addition, the player would already likely have something of an affinity for them due to them being party members. As an animal otherwise unaffiliated with the party, the Fox from Persona 4 remains unique among Social Links in the series.

Following the example set by the Fox could bring about a big shift for Persona 6's Social Links. If animals outside of the party are fair game for Social Links, it opens plenty of opportunities. For example, the protagonist could bond with a bird in the park or a local neighborhood cat. It could even involve something like a zoo animal or another character's pet. It would be a chance to explore something entirely different from most Social Links. As a result, the idea could easily bring about one of the most interesting aspects of Persona 6's story if pursued.

As an animal otherwise unaffiliated with the party, the Fox from Persona 4 remains unique among Social Links in the series.

Persona 6's Social Links will have a high bar to clear, but Persona 4's Fox Link could help it along. Persona 6 can learn from Persona 4 and its Social Links in more ways than one, and being willing to try another Link with an animal outside of the party is a chance worth taking. Not to mention, with Confidants now in the picture, and the Fox already being a prototype Confidant, it's exciting to think what abilities an animal Confidant could bring. Persona 6 could go wild with an animal Social Link.

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JRPG

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 95%

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Released: December 9, 2008
ESRB: M For Mature 17+ due to Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
Developer(s): Atlus
Publisher(s): Atlus
Engine: RenderWare
Franchise: Persona

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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): PC, PS Vita, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Genre(s): JRPG
How Long To Beat: 70 Hours
File Size Xbox Series: 10 GB (November 2023)