This article contains spoilers forPersona 4 Golden.

As a core system ofPersona 4 Golden, the Social Links formed with the game’s diverse cast of personalities are at the heart of its emphasis on personal growth and relationships. Over 20 characters exist in the game that the player can build up a bond with, and they naturally tend to vary in terms of how much players appreciate each of their respective story arcs. Within this framework, however, some more successfully exemplify the core messages ofPersona 4 Goldenby providing the most memorable experiences of the bunch.

Each of the game’s party members features their ownSocial Links inPersona 4 Golden, with some even tied to romantic arcs, but these are present alongside a plethora of NPC faces who can sometimes grow nearly as close to the player as well. When stacked up against each other, several characters stand out above the rest in terms of how their narrative presentation and character development are handled.

Persona 4 Golden Tag Page Cover Art

The best examples of Social Links inP4Goften act as deep dives into the identity-based themes of the title and series as a whole. At the forefront, Chie’s link showcases her inner turmoil in her friendship with Yukiko, while adding layers to her personality by exploring her deep insecurities in her romance. Kanji’s story is a compelling unpacking of his issues with gender dynamics and status as a role model, a wholesome arc that has a similar appeal toPersona 4 Golden’s Nanako and Dojima Social Linksat home, connections to the player’s family which can be some of the warmest and heartbreaking alike.

On the other hand, Yosuke’s sees his wrestling with grief over an unrequited love in an arc that bears enough emotional weight to make up for his own cut romance. Bonding with Naoki continues that investigation through his status as the brother of one of the TV killer’s victims, whilePersona 4 Goldenvillain Tohru Adachiis a flip-side to this dynamic as a connection to the killer himself with a chilling ending.

Some of the Persona Series' Most Compelling Character Arcs

Some of the best Social Links are oriented around characters who feature memorable potential romantic connections with the player, but their arcs aren’t fully defined by this kind of dynamic.Yukiko and Rise inPersona 4 Goldenboth struggle to accept their given roles in society and the pressures that come with them, but end up in states of acceptance which are satisfying resolutions despite their somewhat predictable natures in terms of preserving the status quo. Naoto’s follows a different path as she struggles to live up to the legacy of her detective family lineage in a way that can ultimately feel flat, but the surprisingly endearing quality of slowly developing her romance still allows her to shine.

Ai Ebihara is a controversial character due to her mean and cold personality, but this is a part of her status as one of the deepest characters the game has to offer. Understanding the pain of her past and how it drives her alongside her placement in a love triangle with Kou and Chie brings a lot of context to an initially shallow situation. Choosing to enter a romance with her acts as the “bad” ending in an instance of moving realism, as it can only be done while she is in a vulnerable and confused state. In opposition,Yumi Ozawa’s Social Link inPersona 4 Goldenis an exclusive choice over Ayane and a wholesome romance that is worth the sacrifice. Between her conflicted feelings about her dying, absent father and the dramatic potential of the relationship, she can evoke a sympathy that is difficult to forget.

Meaningful Arcs That Don’t Always Stand Out

Some ofP4G’s Social Links manage to be well-crafted through primarily fleshing out the world rather than leaning so heavily into dramatic tension.Persona 4 Golden’s Kou Ichijo, the basketball athlete, acts as another exclusive choice against his friend, the soccer athlete Daisuke Nagase, and provides an overall more compelling narrative around his sense of belonging as an adopted child. It’s still rewarding to go for Daisuke too, as his grappling with the comfort of friendship and the fallout of a painful end to a relationship are their own relatable themes on a more casual level.

Hisano the widow’s link dives directly into the impact of death and feelings of hope moving forward, but its slower pace makes it so that the player has to get up to high ranking before truly experiencing what makesPersona 4 Golden’s Death Arcanastory special. The child genius Shu grows as he learns to embrace a life beyond studying and predictably repairs his bond with his mother, while Eri’s link follows a similar low-stakes arc around family through her estranged son. Ayane’s story can come up a bit short when compared to the intensity of the dynamic with her counterpart, but her discovery of her confidence in the school’s band can be moving in its own right.

The Least Memorable Character Stories by Comparison

Most of the game’s links are well-executed, but a few of them end up feeling weaker in terms of their depictions of growth and connection.Marie, added inPersona 4 Golden, suffers from feeling inherently shoehorned into the narrative as an amnesiac associated with the Velvet Room, and her Social Link can be more of a setup for new content than a compelling bond.

Margaret suffers from similar problems as aPersonaVelvet Room attendantwith a story that doesn’t live up to the precedent set by Elizabeth inP3, largely relegated to repetitive interactions that emphasize game mechanics over her. Teddie’s link stands as one of the weaker party member arcs in the series, with the majority of his scenes involving group activities instead of delving into more personal feelings of his own.

Persona 4 Golden

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.