Managing free time effectively is a challenging aspect of Persona 3 Reload, considering the plethora of activities available to players within a limited in-game day. From socializing with Social Links in Persona 3 Reload to working part-time to boost social stats, navigating through Tartarus, and more, players face a dilemma in utilizing their time efficiently. However, one relief comes in the form of hangouts with Persona 3 Reload's Elizabeth, a feature that follows a trend initiated by Persona 5 Royal.
The calendar system is a cornerstone of the Persona series' recent iterations, and it's probable that Persona 6 will continue this tradition. Typically, players are granted two segments of free time each in-game day – one post-school and another in the evening, although the availability of such free time can vary based on in-game events. Nonetheless, both Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5 Royal introduce activities that do not occupy these free time slots, providing players with more flexibility in their schedules – a blueprint that Persona 6 could benefit from.
Persona 3 Reload's Elizabeth Hangouts Offer Time Benefits
Despite Elizabeth not being a conventional Social Link like other characters in Persona 3 Reload, players can engage in outings with her, exploring the real world outside the Velvet Room. To unlock these excursions, players must fulfill a specific number of Elizabeth's requests. Fortunately, these hangouts with Elizabeth do not encroach upon the limited time players have in a day, allowing them to interact with her whenever she is available.
Persona 5 Royal spearheaded the trend of introducing activities that do not occupy a time slot in the player's daily agenda. While various locations offer non-time-consuming activities, Persona 5 Royal's Leblanc introduced several beneficial activities to assist players in enhancing their social stats without utilizing their available free time. Tasks such as tending to the houseplant or solving crossword puzzles boost the player's Kindness and Knowledge stats, respectively, facilitating the unlocking of future content gated behind specific social stat requirements.
Persona 6 Could Enhance Player Experience with Less Time-Consuming Tasks
Persona 6 faces the challenge of expanding upon the extensive content present in Persona 5 Royal and Persona 3 Reload without overwhelming players with choices during their limited free time. To address this dilemma, Persona 6 could follow the lead of its predecessors by incorporating activities that do not occupy a time slot. Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5 Royal were already generous in this aspect, and Persona 6 could further refine the calendar system to be more player-friendly.
When it comes to spending time with the Velvet Room attendant in Persona 6, following Persona 3 Reload's approach, rather than Persona 5 Royal's, might be more beneficial. Interacting with Elizabeth in Persona 3 Reload did not consume any free time, unlike spending time with Caroline and Justine in Persona 5 Royal, as they were associated with the Confidant of the Strength arcana. Depending on the number of social stats in Persona 6, the game should take cues from Persona 5 Royal and provide players with activities to boost their social stats without consuming free time, ensuring access to all game content.