One of the staples of thePersonafranchise, alongside its interesting combat and deep storylines, is its life simulation mechanics. These mechanics turn a typical JRPG into something far fuller and more interesting, mainly thanks to the focus on bonding with the player’s teammates, the setting, and the world the game is based in. A classic feature ofPersona 3 Portable’s life simulation mechanics is the gift-giving feature, which has been a staple throughout thePersonafranchise.
Gift-giving allows the protagonist to make or purchase items to give to their favorite teammates, helping players unlock more information about their teammates to help the protagonist grow closer to their friends (or evenromantic interests). Plus, making friends comes with bonuses that help the gameplay feel much more rewarding, making it useful even for players less interested in the life simulation aspect.
While there are a few options for characters to give gifts to, a stand-out isAkihiko Sanada. A fellow student at Gekkoukan High School and a member of SEES alongside the player, Akihiko represents the Star Arcana inPersona 3 Portable.Importantly, though, players should note that this is only the case for the female protagonist. For more advice on the best gifts toraise Social Linkswith Akihiko, read on.
RELATED:Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden Ports Make A New Crossover Game Plausible
Gift Giving In Persona 3 Portable
If players are familiar with the existingPersonalife simulation mechanic, then they’ll likely come to terms with the gifting feature inPersona 3 Portable, too. With that in mind, though, there are some unique differences that players should note.
Thebiggest differencebetweenPersona 3 Portableand other games in thePersonafranchise is the inclusion of two different protagonists, which mpacts features like the gifting mechanic. For instance, the male protagonist can only give gifts to female characters, whereas the female protagonist can give gifts to characters of either gender. Another example is the ways in which players can access gifts. A female protagonist will have access to both cooking and sewing classes, which allow the option to make gifts of their own. Male protagonists, however, cannot take part in these classes.
On top of this, gifts can only be given to other characterson Sundays, and they can only be given once another character has asked the player out on an outing. If the playerasks a character out, a gift cannot be given. All of this should be kept in mind if players are aiming to max a specific Social Link or gain friendship with a specific character as quickly as possible.
The Best Gifts For Akihiko
Along withthe rest of thePersona 3 Portablecast, Akihiko has gifts he loves and gifts he likes. He’ll get a good amount of points regardless of what the player gives him, but loved gifts give a little more points and are just as easy to access, so it’s worth putting in the effort for them.
RELATED:The Overuse Of The Persona Formula Could Have A Big Impact On Persona 6
Akihiko only has a few loved gifts in comparison to other characters, who tend to have a pretty even spread. As such, it might be a little harder for players to remember what he loves. One tip is to remember that he really likes Sweet Fries, as they remind him of his childhood. In general, he’s fond of food items across the board.
Loved Gifts
Liked Gifts
MORE:What The Rumored Persona 3 Remake Should Take From Persona 5 Royal
