You can't date your friends in the new JRPG from the Persona 5 devs because it isn't a game about flirty teenagers: "It's part of the realism of the setting"

Metaphor: ReFantazio's protagonist shakes the hand of a character with bright pink hair.

The director of Atlus' stylish upcoming JRPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, has spoken more about the decision to leave Persona's popular romance system out of the game, and it's primarily because it just wouldn't fit into the story in the same way.

While Metaphor: ReFantazio will feature a system similar to Persona's 'social links,' allowing players to grow closer to the various characters, there'll be absolutely no hand holding allowed – something which may come as a surprise given how many people enjoy the option in the likes of Persona 5 Royal and Persona 3 Reload.