As a seasoned fan who’s spent countless hours navigating the labyrinth of social complexities within the world of Persona, I eagerly await the arrival of Persona 6. The Social Link system has always been a cornerstone of this series, and it’s fascinating to speculate how it might evolve in the next installment.
As ReFantazio looms on the distant horizon and Persona 5 approaches its swan song, there’s a buzzing anticipation about what Atlus might cook up next for their renowned JRPG franchise. Although Persona 6 hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, it’s expected to walk in some big shoes given its pedigree, promising an engaging narrative filled with relatable themes that delve into the intricacies of human life. The heart of the Persona experience lies in the characters the protagonist encounters and bonds with, a feature known as Social Links, which has been a staple throughout the series and directly impacts character growth and development. It’s safe to say that this system will likely return in Persona 6.
As the series advances (for instance, in Persona 3), the method by which Social Links are adjusted has been refined, but their allure hasn’t waned. Well-crafted NPC stories that evoke emotion and comprehension to enliven the everyday aspects of Persona and enhance other gameplay components remain a key feature. This trait is also seen in some recurring NPC archetypes favored by Atlus, although not all these archetypes will follow a clear trajectory as the themes of the games grow and transform. It’s likely that we’ll see these familiar archetypes again in Persona 6 due to this very reason.
Shinya Presents a Different Way Forward for Kid Social Links
Throughout the game series, it often happens that an unexpected child character crosses paths with the main protagonist and they choose to develop a bond, known as a Social Link. While these characters are usually well-crafted and thought-provoking like any other Social Link, they don’t always seem essential to the main storyline at first glance. For instance, Maiko from Persona 3 is encountered at a shrine on an unusual day, asks for food, and swiftly involves the protagonist in her parents’ impending divorce. Despite being charming and lovable, these early interactions can feel slightly disconcerting. However, Maiko’s story aligns with the broader themes of unity during challenging life situations.
In the game “Persona,” characters like Maiko and Shu Nakajima, who represent different age groups, including children, are skillfully portrayed with their unique interpersonal conflicts. As the story progresses, Maiko’s actions stem from a misunderstanding that her parents are divorcing because they don’t love her, which is an overly simplistic and incorrect view of a sad situation, albeit one that isn’t rare. Similarly, in “Persona 4,” Shu Nakajima, a middle schooler with a focus on studying, cheats on a test due to a warped desire to win his mother’s approval and affection. These child characters often deal with childhood struggles within the broader narrative of “Persona.” It’s an important aspect of the game, although it can sometimes make for uncomfortable moments.
Shinya Oda Pivoted the Kid Social Links
Shinya Oda from Persona 5 is an exceptional example of how a child Social Link is introduced into the game. You meet and build a bond with him during a side mission, and his Social Link offers skill enhancements as you progress through it. What makes these connections even more compelling is that they come with engaging and personal narratives. Out of all the Social Links in Persona 5, Shinya’s seems to be the best executed, although the diversity among them makes it hard to guess what direction Atlus might take in Persona 6 regarding this feature.
Beyond this, Shinya stands out among the other child Social Link characters due to his local fame and unique skillset that distinguishes him not only from the other children, but also within the world of Persona 5 itself as a significant figure in the story. His proficiency in the arcade game ‘Gun About’ aligns with the Phantom Thieves’ use of model guns in combat, making him an exceptionally useful character among all the child Social Links so far presented, and filling a role that was becoming somewhat ambiguous. For Persona series, this exploration of the practicality of Social Links could be the innovation required to enhance future titles.
Benefits of maxing out Shinya’s Social Link:
- Unlocks the Mada person fusion
- Unlocks the Gun Controller for use in new game plus
- Allows Joker’s gun to ignore enemy resistances
- Buffs gun attacks in a variety of ways per Social Link level increase
If we want to stay true to past games, fans might look forward to another child Social Link in Persona 6 that connects with the game’s main idea. But, the introduction of Shinya has paved the way not just for more useful child Social Links, but for Social Links in general, making us wonder how this system could be updated to surpass the quality set by Shinya Oda.
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2024-09-15 00:33