Atlus re-released their 2012 PSVita JRPG hit,Persona 4 Golden, for PC in 2020. Featuring an HD upscale and some new elements to gain EXP and money, the title felt like a bit of an improvement over the original release. For JRPG enthusiasts, it’s one of the best games out there.
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This list will cover fundamentals to make the player’s life a little easier in the town of Inaba. For both newcomers toPersona 4and JRPG enthusiasts, these tips will most certainly come in handy.
Updated on Jun 15, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Persona 4 Golden’s release on all major platforms has been nothing short of a massive success. Releasing on PC was a monumental step for the franchise and paved the way for other releases to finally walk away from the limitations of console exclusivity and reach the hearts of players all over the world. Recently, Persona 4 Golden has been ported to the Nintendo Switch, and fans who are getting into this title for the first time should definitely pay heed to the following tips that make their time with the game way less frustrating.
20Max Out Marie’s Social Link As Soon As Possible
Marie is a new character introduced inPersona 4 Golden. She’s a mysterious individual who has amnesia, and it isn’t until much later inPersona 4 Goldenthat the truth of her character is finally revealed.
However, accessing this hidden chapter inPersona 4 Goldenrequires the player to max out Marie’s Social Linkbefore defeating the serial killer who has been terrorizing Inaba. As long as players aren’t negligent about this character’s Social Link, they will have little to no issues reaching Level 10 of this particular Social Link.
19Avoid Using A Persona That Is Weak To Hama Or Mudo
Hama and Mudo are the Light and Dark elements respectively ofPersona 4 Golden. Its sequel is the only entry to let players access abilities that can actually damage enemies, with previous entries only giving access to insta-kill spells.
As a result, it’s important that players don’t give the main character a Persona that is weak to either element. Instant death can be an absolute pain to deal with, and it’s important to avoid a frustrating game over as much as possible.
18SP Management Is A Pain Early On, So Prepare Accordingly
Most players recommend that players finish off dungeons in a single day. After all, infiltrating the Midnight Channel is no easy feat, and players might find that their party members are completely exhausted before they can reach the end of a dungeon.
This is especially true early on when players don’t have access to a ton of money or party members. This makes it essential to manage enemy encounters wisely, use recovery items sparingly, and approach battles tactically before reaching the end of a dungeon.
17Use Buffs And Debuffs To Make Tough Battles More Manageable
The Shin Megami Tensei games place major importance onusing buffs and debuffs to make encounters manageable. While thePersonatitles are generally considered to be easier than the titles in the main series, there’s no denying that some encounters can be pretty tricky indeed.
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This makes it important to use buffs and debuffs during these challenging battles to turn the tide of battle. Defensive and offensive boosts are always welcome, and being able to dodge a ton of blows with little to no issues is also quite welcome in a battle where every hit takes off a decent chunk of health.
16Match The Arcanas Of Your Character’s Personas And Social Links To Get Bigger Boosts
This is a tip that applies to everyPersonagame after the third entry. The life sim mechanics are crucial to the experience, and players can interact with various important figures to level up the Social Link of the same Arcana.
However, people should keep in mind that the protagonist gains a boost in these Social Links if they house a Persona from the same Arcana. Failing to mix-and-match Personas will lead to certain Personas taking ages to complete, which is not ideal in the slightest.
15Attempt The “Final” Dungeon As Late As Possible
One of the last dungeons that players can attempt in the game is Magatsu Inaba, which appears at a pretty major point in the story. This might compel people to finish it as soon as possible, but this can actually be detrimental to a player’s run.
This is becausefinishing the final fight of Magatsu Inaba instantly skips time forward to 12/23, regardless of when the player started. So, it’s recommended that players either complete the dungeon on 12/24 or 12/22, with the latter viable for players who don’t want to miss out on any special events that take place in the next two days.
14Use Mods To Make The Most Of The PC Experience
PC players should make full use of the advantage they have on this platformwhen playingPersona 4 Golden. The best way to do this is by downloading mods that augment the overall experience.
Everything from graphical upgrades to gameplay tweaks can be used to enhance the game in several ways. While this is not a mandatory step by any means, it’s definitely recommended for fans who want to enjoy the best experience possible with this game.
13Try Hunting Down Hands As Soon As Possible
There are several special enemies that appear in dungeons in the shape of a hand. They always try and run away from the player, so chasing them down and hopefully getting a surprise attack in is very important.
These hands have high evasion and defense, but players should try their hardest to defeat these foes. They drop a ton of wealth and experience, and their rarity means that each and every hand should ideally be decimated by players to enjoy all these benefits.
12Avoid The Reaper At All Costs
The Reaper is a recurring enemy across thePersonagames that hunt down the player by either appearing randomly on a floor or when players take too much time in a particular part of the dungeon. It’s an incredibly tough enemy that will wipe out early-game players with ease.
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Players should only take on the Reaper once they’re confident in their skills and arein the endgame. Jumping the gun too early can have drastic consequences further down the line that are better off avoided.
11Finishing Dungeons In One Day Can Save A Lot Of Time
This can be a tall order, especially early on in the game, but players should try and clear dungeons the very day they get unlocked. This means that players need to be mindful of their SP usage and the recovery items they have on hand too.
Trying to secure free heals and grabbing a bunch of cheap recovery items is a great way to achieve this goal. It gives players more time to interact with the world and its residents, and even a single day makes a ton of difference when it comes to maxing out the game’s Social Links.
