Persona 3 PSP, which still doesn’t have a North American release date, is sounding better all the time. I mean, Persona 3 was one of the best role-playing games of the last ten years to begin with, so to have Atlus take that experience and further improve upon it may make for the best RPG on the PSP. In addition to a new lead character and improved battle system, two brand new social links were recently revealed in a Japanese magazine. According to Destructoid, the new characters are as follows.

Rio Iwasaki

Chief of the P.E. department who is very serious about club activities. In fact, she is so serious that trouble tends to occurr around her. Rio belongs to the volleyball and tennis clubs.

Saori Hasegawa

Having been studying overseas, she is two years older than the Heroine. She seems to be troubled with no one around her year being able to understand her. Saori belongs to the library and health committees.

I’m looking forward to exploring these new social links, but curious if these ladies appear in addition to all of the links already in the game, or as replacements for two of the male characters. I’m going to guess the latter since they apparently only show up if you play as the new female protagonist. Also, as I presumed, you can semi-date Igor’s male assistant by taking him on dates around town, as you could with Elizabeth in Persona 3 FES (but not regular Persona 3).

I just finished replaying Persona 3 a few weeks ago, but can’t wait for this game, no matter when it comes out. I have played a lot of RPGs in my day, but few have left the lasting impression on me that this one has. Now all we need is for Atlus to announce a North American release date and get started with the localization process. Come on, guys! Don’t you understand that I need this game ASAP?