The story of Persona 4 Golden operates on a timed system, giving players a limited number of days to beat each dungeon. Outside of that, they can spend their afternoons at school or work a part time job to build Social Links, as well as tend to a garden and complete side quests.
Characters
A cult classic that still holds up, 15 years after its original release. With high praise for its gameplay, emotional depth, and characters, Persona 4 Golden is a must-play for any RPG fan.
In this life simulation/turn-based dungeon crawler, the player takes control of an anime-style cast to solve a mysterious series of murders. During battle, the protagonist’s party members wield Personas, powerful creatures that represent their true selves. These are collected, fused, and used to fight enemies. The better these Personas are, the stronger the party becomes.
With a compelling mystery story, a loveable cast, satisfying mix of social and traditional gameplay, and an all-time great soundtrack, Persona 4 Golden is one of the best JRPGs ever made. Some minor issues linger, such as the series’ inability to handle LGBTQIA+ topics and dull dungeon design, but none of this should prevent anyone from enjoying the experience.
Story
For anyone who missed Persona 4 on PS Vita or in the time since, Golden is a chance to experience a game often cited as one of the greatest JRPGs ever made. The expanded rerelease is more than just a remake; it offers new content that expands upon the original story.
While the murder case focuses on a bizarre murder method and provides many red herrings, the core story is about interpersonal relationships and how they shape a person. The main characters all have their own problems that the group helps them overcome, from a foul-mouthed and unpopular teacher to an obsessive student.
Golden includes new Social Links and dungeons, as well as the ability to read books that give bonus stat boosts. A good place to start is the Expert Study Methods book, which increases Knowledge for a day.
Dungeons
The dungeons in Persona 4 Golden are deep and intriguing. The turn-based combat feels simplistic at first, but gradually develops into a nuanced system that demands careful planning and well-timed abilities.
Players should work on building Social Links with classmates and completing quests to increase their reputation, which unlocks new methods of navigating the procedurally generated dungeons. Increasing the reputation of Rise Kujikawa, for example, allows her to plant seeds that yield items like keys for chests or a Return Daikon that lets you escape a dungeon instantly.
The Golden edition also adds a dungeon centered around Marie, whose story is crucial for seeing the true ending of the game. This dungeon requires that you max out her Social Link to gain access, so be sure to do so before December 23. This will ensure you can see the true end of a story that has withstood the test of time. Also, PC players can take advantage of mods that enhance the experience in a variety of ways.
Socialization
In Persona 4, socialization combines the dungeon-crawling action and high school lifestyle to create a fascinating game world. The protagonist can grow their social stats (Courage, Expression, Diligence, and Understanding) and gain benefits in dungeon battles and in fusing their Personas with others.
One way to level up these skills is by studying in the Velvet Room, but another way is through social links. Getting to know the people of Inaba through these connections is vital for both the story and the gameplay.
Some of these links have a romance story, and the protagonist can even start a relationship with either Yumi Ozawa or Ayane Matsunaga (the Sun and Moon characters). The romanceable link characters each have a different arcana, so it’s important to focus on these specific social link experiences early on. In addition, focusing on Marie’s social link is key to unlocking the Golden ending. Thankfully, we’ve got a guide to help players make quick progress with this social link.
