Persona 3 is one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, so players who missed out on this game when it was launched will be glad to know that the games are now on modern consoles. Players can finally check out this brilliant title for themselves, even if this version is the PSP port as opposed to the full-fledged PS2 game. Regardless, the story is still intact and the gameplay is still as fun as ever, with the life sim mechanics added in this title being a blast to try even now!

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Unlike the later games in the series, Persona 3 Portable is a bit more restrictive when it comes to time management. It can be hard to max out everything possible in the game since that requires a near-perfect use of the player's free time. So, newcomers to this game who want to see the best way possible to make the most of their free time in Persona 3 should definitely keep the following tips in mind.

Persona 3 Portable Minako Orpheus

Leveling up Social Links is one of the most crucial parts of Persona 3. Hanging out with special characters allows players to fuse more important Personas and nets some great bonuses on top of that!

However, leveling up these Social Links can take more time than necessary. Thankfully, players can house Personas of the same Arcana as the Social Link they're interacting with to gain greater bonuses while hanging out with said characters.

7 Walk Koromaru Whenever The Opportunity Presents Itself

Persona 3 put the series on the map

Koromaru is a unique party member, with this dog playing a surprisingly helpful role in SEES' quest to climb to the very top of Tartarus. Taking a walk with him is a great way to bond with this loyal pet, and that's not the only benefit here.

Sometimes, other Social Links will join the protagonist or meet them during these walks, leading to a boost in the protagonist's bond with them too. Even if the player goes alone with Koromaru, they'll still get an item for their troubles!

Akihiko Sanada in Persona 3

It can be slightly hard to prioritize Social Links in the game, especially with the sheer number of options for players to interact with. However, it goes without saying that the main party members should definitely be prioritized.

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Not only will leveling up their Social Links net certain bonuses, but the final level will also cause their Persona to evolve into a stronger variant. Suffice it to say, this fact alone makes the Social Links of the main party members quite important.

5 Play At The Arcade Frequently

Arcade in Persona 3

Leveling up social stats is pretty important in Persona 3 since it unlocks a bunch of content that the player might be struggling to access for the longest time. However, finding the most efficient way to raise these stats can prove to be quite annoying after a point.

However, the best solution here is to just go to the arcade and play one of three games that improve these stats. Quiz Game is the best for Academics, Print Club is great to increase Charm, and Horror House is perfect for building up Courage.

4 Study At Night More Often Than Not

School in Persona 3

Raising Academics is critical to acing exams and unlocking more content in the game. However, leveling this stat might be a bit of a struggle for many players.

Players can study at night and extend this learning session to gain a huge bonus at the cost of being Tired. However, this shouldn't deter players from getting the most out of their day, especially if Tartarus is a non-issue at this point!

3 Go To The Nurse Whenever The Protagonist Isn't Feeling Well

Edogawa the nurse in Persona 3

There are many times when the protagonist might be Tired, but this is actually a great gateway to building up Courage. These negative stats unlock interactions with the school nurse, who improves the Courage of the player.

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Of course, he doesn't really help the player recover from their negative stat. However, this shouldn't be too much of an issue, since there are ways to recover regardless...

2 Going To The Bathroom Gives A Small Chance Of Improving The Protagonist's State

Bathroom in Persona 3

Surprisingly enough, Persona 3 turns the simple act of going to a bathroom into a great gameplay mechanic! That being said, do keep in mind that this technique will not pan out every time.

If the protagonist is Sick or Tired, then they can go to the bathroom and potentially improve their status if Lady Luck is on their side. The RNG nature of this interaction means that players might get frustrated more often than not, but going to the bathroom should still be a priority regardless of how many times the player might've failed in improving their status.

Shin Megami Tensei Persona 3 ps2 cover

During special events in a particular Social Link, players are given options on how to respond or react to a given situation. At this point, some people might be tempted to take the most despicable option here...but these players should not be tempted at all.

After all, leveling up Social Links to their highest level takes time, and any single bad response can impede progress quite a bit in this department. Instead, it's better to be nice and kind at all times to ensure that players enjoy the highest bonuses possible in any event.

Persona 3 Portable is currently available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch.

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