WARNING: Note That This Article Contains Spoilers For Persona 4 Golden
The number of characters in Persona games can be overwhelming at times. There are so many social links to unlock within a limited window and each one has its own benefits, so players can sometimes wonder, what's the real opportunity cost here? In Persona 4 Golden, there's one character who might be particularly crucial to social link for the sake of the game itself. This isn't required for progression of course but its something you should consider doing for achieving its full extent. The said character? That would be none other than Marie, also known as the Persona character fanꦬs spew their hate for🐓 on a regular basis.
She's Not What You Think
Many fi🃏rst time players tend to get off on the wrong foot with Marie than🎃ks to her ornery personality and tsundere demeanor. Plus with fan favorites like Rise and Chie in the same game, it's easy to push her to the side. Yet in a series about self-acceptance, isn't it ironically cruel to judge one character by a few awkward meetings?
Players should also keep in mind that Marie is not necessarily human and therefore needs a little TLC when it comes to learning how to handle her human feelings. Deep down she's really just a confused person stressed out b🎶y the fact she can't remember anything about her past. This amnesia makes her struggle with who she really is as a person, and therefore creates a lot of insecurity shelled by that grouchy attitude. Whether you choose to pursue a full-on romance with her is up to you, but the player should definitely (and patiently) help teach her about the human world regardless. Think of it as a small child who's never really experienced the outside society before. Show her that life outside the Velvet Room is a life completely and utterly worth pursuing.
There's A Lot Of Interesting Stuff To Unpack
Remember how I said Marie's not human? Assuming that the protagonist decided to finish her Social Link, they'll learn through her dungeon arc that she is in fact, the god Kusumi-no-Okami. Basically, she was a deity long ago that had a duty to protect people and their wishes. However, as people evolved and stopped living by the truth, she was not able to keep her form together anymore and it eventually split into two beings, with one wanting to protect people and the other wanting to fulfill people's wishes. Seeing this entire story unfold is in a way helpful for understanding the pantheon behind the sometimes confusing Megami Tensei lore. Do note that you'll need ❀Marie's Social Link if you want the Golden ending of the game, which is categorized as the best one where everyone gets as happy of an ending as can be.
Bad News, She's Your Ex-Wife
On a technicality, you could say the protagonist and Marie were a couple in a past life. Your persona Izanagi, later Izanagi-no-Okami, is the spouse of the goddess Izanami, who is part of Marie's divinity. Izanagi and Izanami created much of Japan's land together before Izanami's death. Afterward, Izanagi went to fetch her from the underworld, but let's just say it didn'🎉t end well. Whether you think this reincarnation is cute or not, she's still your former wife, so you should give her the benefit of the doubt.
Marie might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that doesn't make her any less important in the story of Golden. Who knows, you might be surprised if y🃏ou give her a chance.
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