Persona 3 Reload Underscores One of P5 Royal’s Best Social Link Changes

Persona 3 Reload revisiting the past ended up shining a light on one of the biggest strengths of Persona 5‘s Social Links. Social Links are one of the most important mechanics in the Persona games, and a key part of their identity. Since Persona 3 Reload is a remake of Persona 3, it obviously carries over the Social Links from that game. At the same time, it creates a contrast between them and the Confidants that were seen in Persona 5. The distinction between the two spotlights a direction that Social Links can take in Persona 6 and beyond.

The Social Links of the Persona series are a core part of its overall formula. Each Social Link is tied to a character that the player can regularly interact with. Furthering their relationship with these characters will grow their Social Links, imparting a selection of advantages to the protagonist. The effect is even stronger for Social Links with Party members, who will gain new abilities through the process as well. While Social Links only became prevalent starting in Persona 3, they have become one of the series’ calling cards since then. It’s difficult to imagine a mainline Persona title without Social Links at this point.

Persona 3 Reload’s Social Links Strike a Contrast in Relevancy with Persona 5’s Confidants

Most of Persona 3 Reload’s Social Links Are Self-Contained

When players are developing their Social Links in Persona 3 Reload, they may spot a trend among them. Many Persona 3 Reload Social Link characters more or less exist solely for their own Social Link, rarely appearing elsewhere. For instance, Hidetoshi has a full plotline about his duties on the student council, but he doesn’t really have a role outside of it. The same is true for most Social Links outside of the party, even in Persona 4. There are some exceptions, like Persona 4‘s Dojima family, and most Social Links do have worthwhile stories. However, they largely exist outside of everything else in-game.

Many of Persona 5’s Confidants Retain Relevance Through the Story

Persona 5 takes this dynamic in the opposite direction. Among the Confidants players meet in Persona 5 are several characters who play important roles, even if they aren’t in the main party. For example, Takemi and Iwai are two of the most prominent shopkeepers in the game, and both are Confidants. Sojiro, who the protagonist lives with during the story, is also a confidant. As is Sae, who is a major part of the game’s framing device. Though not every Persona 5 Confidant plays a bigger role, far more of them have a more notable role than simply providing Social Links.

Many
Persona 3 Reload
Social Link characters more or less exist solely for their own Social Link, rarely appearing elsewhere.

Persona’s Social Links Are More Memorable With More Important Roles

With both of these approaches in mind, there would be a lot of potential for Persona 6 to emulate P ersona 5‘s Confidants in terms of how they are presented. If a character is well-established in the world rather than existing for a singular purpose, it makes the world feel more alive. This is especially true with games that are as driven by story and character as the Persona titles. Persona 5 pulled this off quite well, and Persona 6 would do well to expand on it. Even more Social Link characters could end up as important figures in the storylines of future games.

Persona 3 Reload‘s Social Links are solid, but they aren’t the peak of what they could be. When it comes to Persona 6‘s approach to Social Links, a few adjustments to make them more important could prove notable. If the bulk of Social Link characters also play another role in the game, their increased presence will help them become more memorable while also ensuring that the game’s world feels more fulfilled. After Persona 3 Reload, it’s clear that Persona 5‘s Confidants forged a path for future Persona games to follow.