I generally tend to prefer meeting characters in game, since that way you get to know their personality along with the character. To be fair though, that’s not always plausible, especially with characters that are family members.
When it comes to characters that the MC already knows, this can be done really well, when the writer takes the time to explain how they met and establish what their relationship is. Especially when they give the player choices relating to their relationships with the characters. For example:
Bob has been your best friend since childhood. What was it that first caused you to befriend him?
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He was always so kind and considerate, and he stood up for me when I was being bullied.
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He was really funny and we always played pranks on the other students together.
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He shared his cookies with me… I like cookies.
