One of the biggest differences betweenWRPGsandJRPGsis the story focus. While many Western RPGs are plot-driven, Japanese ones are usually character-driven.
With such an emphasis on characters, it’s common to see various JRPGs incorporating mechanics that promote these interactions, whether in the form of Social Links or other bonding features.
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While the feature called Social Links was born inPersona 3, many other games have adopted a similar system with their own twist but the same intention.
This list will showcase the best JRPGs with social links for those players who love chatting with party membersand NPCs during moments of calm before taking down the next deity.
I want to emphasize that this list includes JRPGs with any Social/Bonding feature, not just strictly Persona games.
9Loop8: Summer of Gods
At Least There Are Social Links
Key Information
Sieg Games
Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date
I’m going to be straight with you, fellas.Loop8: Summer of Godsis not a good JRPG. It’s uninspired, repetitive, and a bit boring. It tries to use the time loop mechanic in a visual novel format, which sounds intriguing, but the execution is shallow.
However, since today’s topic is social links, I’d argue thatthe relationship mechanic is the game’s strongest suit, even if it’s the only positive. So, if you’re obsessed with this system, maybeLoop8is worth checking out.
Nini, the protagonist, is stuck in a time loop in August. His actions revolve around interacting with characters, building relationships, and fighting Kegais—monsters—in turn-based battles. If he fails, the game resets back to day one.
The loop motivates us to take risks with new choices, try different interactions with characters, get to know them better, and maybe, just maybe, save the world.
However, sinceLoop8: Summer of Godsconstantly resets, you’ll spend more time fast-forwarding dialogue than cherishing new ones. Still, it’s a good game for those who’ve always wondered if they picked the best answer in a dialogue.
8Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs
Building Relationships With Every NPC
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchsis a lovely tacticalindie JRPG-inspiredgame from Pixelated Milk, whose next game,SacriFire, has been on my radar for a long time.
I stumbled uponRegaliaby accident, and it was a pleasant surprise. In addition to its endearing tactical battles and weirdly humorous storyline, the game features a mechanic called Personal Bonds.
The more we interact with party members and certain NPCs in our decrepit castle, the closer we get to them, unlocking new skills, perks, and bonuses.
Regalia’sPersonal Bonds system also doubles as the game’s sidequest structure. To reach the next level of intimacy, we accumulate points, and once we hit the threshold, we engage in an activity with the NPC. Upon completion, we’re all lovey-dovey.
7Eternights
A Dating Sim JRPG
Eternights
Eternightscalls itself a dating simaction RPG, and well, nothing gets more Social Link-y than dating your virtual characters to the fullest.
Drawing heavy inspiration fromPersona,Eternightsfeatures acalendar system,social elements, and teenagers fighting monsters and supernatural events. The difference is that it has action gameplay rather than turn-based combat.
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Although the JRPG is rough around the edges in several areas, it shines in its social elements. Every interaction provides different types of reactions and points, categorized into Acceptance, Confidence, Courage, and Expression, allowing some leeway in your choices.
As we rank up, we unlock new combat skills and abilities. We also expand the characters' backstories through storytelling presented in an incredibly charming storyboard format.
6Blue Reflection: Second Light
Girl’s Night All Day
Blue Reflection: Second Light
InBlue Reflection: Second Light, protagonist Ao is teleported to an isolated, deserted high school—which is not the best scenario for a JRPG with social features, I believe.
In this mysterious school, three other girls are also trapped, with whomAo can interact, go on dates, and build relationships based on dialogue choices. As a result, both Ao and her party members gain TP, points used to unlock new skills.
Much ofBlue Reflection: Second Light’sdesign lingers on the social aspect. At school, expanding and upgrading facilities, which serve as crafting stations or resting areas, is possible. These upgrades also unlock new relationship opportunities or progress the story.
Just be mindful thatBlue Reflectionis filled with anime tropes that, as someone in my mid-30s with a wife and a son, I find quite awkward these days. Like the whole “entire party of girls fighting monsters in swimsuits” kind of thing.
5Tokyo Xanadu eX+
Nihon Falcom’s Persona Game
Tokyo Xanadu eX+
As much as it might sound reductive to callTokyo XanaduaPersona-like made by Nihon Falcom, it’s the most accurate way I can summarize the game for JRPG fans.
Tokyo Xanadu eX+, the enhanced version, takes place in a high school, features a calendar system, and lets the player interact and build bonds with various characters.Every interaction is added to a Friend Notes system, which can alter story outcomes.
If you’re familiar with Falcom’s JRPGs, you know there’s a ton of dialogue to read and that even themost mundane NPCswill change their fixed conversations after a major—or even minor—event happens in-game, adding to the world-building.
That also rings true for the bonding system. Every relationship the protagonist develops is important and feeds into the game’s lore.
The major caveat is that we spend an Affinity Shard, an extremely limited resource, to start a bonding event. So, to see everything, multiple playthroughs are required.
4Trails of Cold Steel IV
Player’s Choice Destroying the Canonicity
Trails of Cold Steel 4
The Bonding system was born inTrails from Zeroand extended toTrails of Cold Steel IV, where it had its best application—but also the most controversial one. In future titles likeTrails through Daybreak, the system was reworked into the Connections system.
I’ll focus on theTrails of Cold Steelsubseries because that’s where the feature expanded the most. Rean, the protagonist, can interact with the entire Class VII and some faculty members. Thisinteraction grants Link EXP in the first two games and Bonding Levels in the third and fourth.
After a major story beat, the player gets some downtime to interact with others. However, there’s a suffocating limitation here.
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The player gets four interaction points, but six party members are available. In other words, you may’t complete everything in one playthrough - yeah, it inspiredTokyo Xanadu.
WhileTrails of Cold Steel IIIandIVimproved the system, adding more layers to bonding and deepening character backstories, the addition of romance ended up hurting the narrative development.
Since the entireTrailsfranchise followsthe same overarching storylinefrom the very first game, the fact that multiple female characters could only engage in romance with the protagonist prevented them from forming natural interactions with others, hurting the long-term canonicity.
3Persona 3 Portable
The Forefather of Social Links
Persona 3 Portable
Persona 3was the progenitor of the Social Links system as a full-fledged feature, including a dedicated UI, benefits, and entire storylines for each involved NPC.
The feature completely changed the dynamic of the JRPG,directly influencing combatandPersonaprogression while adding more lore to the game’s narrative.
Social Links also help us build a closer relationship with our protagonist because, despite being silent, it feels like we’re shaping their responses. However, there’s a huge caveat here that I’ll mention in a later entry.
I chosePersona 3 Portableover the other versions, including the remake, becausethis is the only one where we can select a female protagonist.
Playing as Kotone changes some Social Links and opens up new opportunities for interaction with other party members.
2Fire Emblem: Awakening
Relationships Include Romance, Marriage, And Children
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Fire Emblemfeatures the Support system, the franchise’s take on NPC interaction mechanics. WhileFire Emblem: Three Housesexpanded on this feature,Fire Emblem Awakeningintroduced it.
Fire Emblem Awakeningis considered the savior of the series, and much of that is attributed to the Support system. As compatible characters fight side by side in combat, they earn points, increase their support level, and gain new battle capabilities.
Better yet,when two opposite-sex characters reach Rank S, they get married, and their children inherit their parents' stats—though the child is predetermined.Fire Emblem: Three Housesallows same-sex romance, which is a plus.
The highlight of the Support system inFire Emblemis that all characters interact with each other, whereas in other games, it’s usually just the protagonist. There are also backstory expansions as the Support level increases, though it’s not as in-depth as in some of the other games mentioned here.
1Metaphor: ReFantazio
The Most Refined Social Link Feature
Metaphor: ReFantazio
There’s a simple reason why I consider the Social Link mechanic inMetaphor: ReFantaziosuperior toPersona’s: there’s no wrong answer when interacting with an NPC.
Sure, some answers are better because they give you more Magla. Butregardless of your choice, you’ll always increase your Follower Bond rank, which, to me, is the main focus of these interactions.
InPersona, there were many contradictory answers or ones that didn’t fit my preference. However, if I didn’t pick the ideal response, I’d earn fewer points with my Confidants and risk not ranking up.
That’s not nice. Social linking with NPCs is nothing more than getting to know them intimately while reacting naturally as yourself. And in that regard,Metaphor: ReFantazioreally nails it, refining the feature.
Ultimately, what matters is your willingness to interact with your followers, learn more about their backstories, desires, and dreams, and eventually earn their support in your electoral campaign. All of that without worrying whether answer X or Y will lock you out of future content.
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