Combining the traditional role playing game with social networking elements was probably one of the best decisions Atlus ever made. With four critically acclaimed entries in the main series and a fifth in development, it would not be too far out of field to say that the Persona series is here to stay. One of the reasons why people continue to support the series is because of it’s strong characters, and the stories that are shown in their Social Links. For every level that you gain, your additional experience when creating a Persona of that particular Arcana in the Velvet Room will be increased.
Here are five of the Social Links you will find around the town of Inaba, and the roles that each of them play in ensuring you will remember their presence.
1. Aeon
Exclusive to the Golden version of Persona 4, this Social Link focuses on Marie, a young girl from the Velvet Room who has no memory of her past. During her journey, you will show her the sights of Inaba to help recover her sense of self. As you complete this social link, you will discover the true meaning of Marie’s existence, another role provided by Velvet Room attendant Margaret, and a whole new ending sequence will be unlocked.
2. Hermit
Encountered early in the game, the Hermit Social Link is probably the most unique. The first reason being that it requires tasks to be performed outside of the usual conversation mechanic, and the second is that the focus of the link is not human. The Fox lives at the local shrine, and after helping an old man using leaves with mystical properties, you must assist the people of Inaba with ten tasks. As you progress through each stage of the task list, the cost of the healing service the Fox provides in the Midnight Channel will be reduced, and you will gain a sense of pride from helping your fellow man.
3. Emperor
Inner strength is one of the common themes of the Persona series, and in this respect, very few characters can compare to Kanji Tatsumi. Putting up a tough front to cover his insecurities, he warms to the protagonist and allows his true feelings to be shown. From dealing with the fallout of his father’s premature death, and making a replacement toy bear for someone who has lost their own,
4. Star
A literal teddy bear in appearance, Teddie/Kuma is a strong willed character with a nose to rival even the strongest tracking dog. Like Marie, Teddie does not know anything about his past, and relies heavily on his new found friends to give him a purpose. After defeating his Shadow self, Teddie gains a human body as well his Persona. Most of the Investigation Team joke around with him a lot, but even Yosuke, who seems to bear the brunt of his misadventures admits that he couldn’t live without him.
5. Justice
It is almost impossible to make an article on Persona 4 without mentioning Nanako Dojima, the younger cousin of the grey haired protagonist. Her social link is similar to the Hanged Man from Persona 3, but it is made different by the way that she is searching for her own identity as well as her father’s love. As you progress through Nanako’s story, you will learn the struggle of a young girl who does not understand how the world works, and the anquish that she feels at being abandoned while her father tracks her mother’s killer. You will also become a better “big bro” in the process, a sentiment that will be felt in a similar way by every member of the Investigation Team.
While the Social Links always seem to follow the same storyline no matter what choices are made, the journey of each character is well constructed, so you almost don’t mind watching it a second time if you decide to replay the game. Whether you are watching Marie ponder over her hair comb, Nanako confronting her father over his apparent lack of love, or the joy of the Fox when he sees the donations at the shrine, each one will ensure that you remember it long after the end credits have rolled across the screen.
