Beginning its life as a Shin Megami Tensei spin-off, the Persona sequence has shortly launched into one thing solely of its personal and develop into one of many largest names in trendy RPGs. From a number of main sequels and remakes to anime variations and even stage performs, Persona is a multimedia sensation, and its reputation doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime quickly.
With the most recent entry within the franchise, Persona 3 Reload, now out there to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, new gamers are in all probability questioning the place’s one of the best place to begin. Below, we’ll provide you with a full rundown of each recreation and spin-off, together with one of the best entry level for newcomers and each the chronological and launch order of the sequence.
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How Many Persona Games Are There?
In complete, there are at the moment twenty Persona video games. Several of those are expanded variations of the mainline entries within the sequence, whether or not that’s within the type of re-releases that includes new story content material or remakes. While we gained’t embody direct ports or remasters, we’ll ensure to notice each alternate model of every recreation when itemizing them under.
Which Persona Game Should You Play First?
If you are in search of the right place to begin, you may’t actually go incorrect leaping into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden or Persona 5 Royal. They’re the most recent variations of the third, fourth and fifth mainline entries within the sequence, and, apart from Persona 3 Reload lacking Nintendo Switch, they’re all out there on PC and each main console.
For these involved about skipping the story by leaping into later entries within the sequence, you gained’t miss something by going straight to Persona 3, 4, or 5. Each recreation tells a wholly new story with unique characters that’s largely disconnected from its predecessors, in order that they’re nice launching factors for these coming in recent. To slender your decisions down, I’d suggest having a look at some gameplay movies and a number of the social hyperlinks throughout every of the video games to see what “stands out” to you.
Persona 3 Reload
Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X.
Persona 4 Golden
42
Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch
Persona 5 Royal
103
Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch
Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Chronological Order
These blurbs comprise delicate spoilers for every recreation, together with characters, settings, and story beats.
1. Revelations: Persona (1996)
The first recreation within the sequence, Revelations: Persona was Atlus’ response to the optimistic reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If…, which was one other Shin Megami Tensei spin-off centered round high-schoolers battling demons. Capitalizing on how a lot gamers loved the central idea, Revelations: Persona provided a full dungeon-crawling RPG centered round a bunch of excessive schoolers battling a supernatural rebellion all through the city of Mikage-cho.
Along the best way, they use the powers of their woke up Personas to take down shadows and discover dungeons full of random encounters, leveling up their occasion and rising stronger over the course of the sport. Revelations: Persona was the muse of the franchise as we all know it at present, introducing components like wielding Personas in fight, the Velvet Room and a teenage forged of heroes.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
The second entry within the Persona sequence, Persona 2: Innocent Sin launched in 1999. The recreation follows a brand new set of high-school college students led by protagonist Tatsuya Suou, who set out on a mission to take down a mysterious villain generally known as Joker and the cult of the Masked Circle.
Centring round an evil plot the place malicious rumors spreading across the city of Sumaru come to life, Persona 2 as soon as once more focuses on exploring dungeons, wielding Personas, preventing shadows and leveling up your occasion. Unlike different entries within the sequence, it acquired a direct sequel only a 12 months later, with Persona 2: Eternal Punishment performing as a continuation of the sport’s story.
Read our evaluate of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
Following up the occasions of Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment promoted aspect character, Maya Amano, to the protagonist position. Sent to jot down an article a few new rumor concerning a phenomenon generally known as the Joker Curse, the sport shortly sees Maya and her allies rally in opposition to a returning foe.
Acting as a direct continuation of Innocent Sin’s story, it facilities on the identical fashion of turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, as gamers construct their occasion and wield their Personas to battle shadows.
Read our evaluate of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
4. Persona 3 (2006) / Persona 3 FES (2007) / Persona 3 Portable (2009) / Persona 3 Reload (2024)
The third mainline entry within the franchise, Persona 3 was a significant evolution of the Persona components. Opting to deal with its high-school premise, Persona 3 launched a day by day calendar, with one half of the sport tasking gamers with attending faculty, growing friendships and finding out, whereas the opposite despatched them to struggle shadows within the supernatural realm of Tartarus.
The story focuses on highschool scholar Makoto Yuki, who finds he is in a position to expertise a mysterious area of time generally known as the Dark Hour, the place common individuals are trapped in coffins and a demonic tower sprouts from his faculty. Teaming along with his classmates, he explores the tower, uncovering a sinister plot that threatens your entire world. Persona 3 is taken into account a landmark entry for the sequence, introducing social hyperlinks, day-to-day actions and lots of different mechanics which have since develop into synonymous with the franchise.
Read our evaluate of Persona 3 Reload.
5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)
A rhythm-based dancing spin-off of Persona 3 that takes place throughout the principle marketing campaign, Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight sees Elizabeth problem the S.E.E.S crew to a dance-off within the Velvet Room. The occasions of the sport are set throughout a dream however are utterly canon to the story, and comply with the crew performing varied dance routines to iconic Persona 3 tracks.
6. Persona 4 (2008) / Persona 4 Golden (2012)
The fourth mainline entry within the Persona sequence, Persona 4 takes place within the rural city of Inaba. Players assume the position of Yu Narukami: a excessive schooler from town who strikes to the nation to reside along with his uncle and cousin for a 12 months. After arriving, a string of violent murders start to happen within the city, as Yu and his mates shortly uncover they’re by some means linked to a mysterious otherworldly realm they will entry by stepping by way of TV displays.
Delving into this mysterious new world, Yu and his mates face supernatural forces as they be taught extra in regards to the murders, utilizing their powers to try to cease them. Building off the mechanics of Persona 3, Persona 4 as soon as once more makes use of the calendar system, as gamers construct social hyperlinks and attend faculty whereas additionally exploring huge dungeons and defeating enemies with their Personas.
Read our evaluate of Persona 4 Golden.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
Technically going down throughout the Persona 3 and Persona 4 storylines concurrently, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is a crossover between each video games. During the hurricane phase of Persona 3 and the Culture Festival phase of Persona 4, the S.E.E.S crew and the Investigation Squad are trapped inside a warped model of Yasogami High School.
The time-bending occasion sees each groups come collectively to analyze the unusual incidence and escape again to their respective spots on the timeline. Along the best way, gamers discover a labyrinth full of new enemies and uncover an unique story, with the spin-off performing as a callback to the sequence’ extra conventional dungeon-crawler roots.
Read our evaluate of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)
A continuation of each Persona 3 and 4’s narratives and the franchise’s first main spin-off, Persona 4 Arena sees Yu Narukami return to Inaba and stumble into a brand new journey, as he returns to the TV world for a mysterious preventing event. Forced to battle in opposition to his allies and a bunch generally known as the Shadow Operatives, which is comprised of Persona 3’s Mitsuru, Akihiko and Aigis, Arena affords a full preventing recreation boasting a roster of iconic Persona characters.
Read our evaluate of Persona 4 Arena.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
A 12 months following the discharge of Persona 4 Arena, the spin-off acquired a sequel titled Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. Taking place immediately after the occasions of the primary recreation, the Persona 4 squad groups up with the Shadow Operatives to return to the TV World and battle in opposition to the mysterious forces operating the preventing event. Ultimax was finally an improve for the primary recreation, bringing in an expanded roster together with returning characters like Yukari, Junpei, Ken and Koromaru.
Read our evaluate of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
The fourth and arguably most sudden spin-off of Persona 4, Persona 4: Dancing All Night is a rhythm-based dancing recreation the place the Investigation Squad performs routines to iconic Persona tracks. It affords a very canon continuation of the storyline, following Yu and the crew as they’re sucked into an alternate dimension generally known as the Midnight Stage.
Read our evaluate of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
The fifth mainline entry within the sequence, Persona 5 hit cabinets in Japan in 2016 earlier than launching worldwide in 2017. Taking gamers to Tokyo, it casts them as a brand new protagonist generally known as Joker, who finds himself on probation after being framed for against the law he didn’t commit. Attending the native highschool, Joker and his mates uncover a supernatural alternate dimension, which permits them to infiltrate mystical palaces and alter the hearts of evil-doers across the metropolis.
Before lengthy, the group turns into infamous on the streets of Tokyo, going below the alias of the Phantom Thieves. The recreation builds closely off the components established by Persona 3 and 4, together with large story-focused ranges that unfold over a month, the return of the negotiation system and a brand new dungeon system generally known as Mementos. Persona 5 launched the franchise into the stratosphere, shortly turning into Atlus’ best-selling recreation of all time and cultivating an enormous fan base.
Read our evaluate of Persona 5 Royal.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
A sequel to Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, New Cinema Labyrinth as soon as once more depicts a crossover between varied Persona characters. After the Phantom Thieves discover themselves trapped in a movie show, they ally with Persona 3’s S.E.E.S crew and Persona 4’s Investigation Squad to search out an escape, touring into the films on the display screen in an try to repair their endings.
Much like the unique recreation, Persona Q2 concurrently takes place throughout the Persona 3, 4 and 5 storylines, with the journey pulling every group out of their respective timeline. There, they discover dungeons from a first-person perspective and struggle turn-based battles in opposition to varied enemies.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
Taking place throughout the occasions of Persona 5, Persona 5 Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off that’s related in fashion to the XCOM franchise. The story follows the Phantom Thieves mysteriously touring to an alternate realm generally known as the Kingdoms. Unable to flee, Joker and Morgana are compelled to desert the remainder of the Phantom Thieves after they’re brainwashed by the realm’s monstrous ruler, Tyrant Marie, forcing the pair to start an journey to avoid wasting their allies and return house.
Along the best way, they crew up with the native resistance, serving to them struggle in opposition to Tyrant Marie’s forces. The recreation revolves round a tactical grid-based fight system, as gamers direct three items throughout the battlefield and take out enemies.
Read our evaluate of Persona 5 Tactica.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
Atlus’ third rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight sees Caroline and Justine carry the Phantom Thieves to the Velvet Room and problem them to a dance off. There, the group carry out dance routines to a number of of Persona 5’s catchiest tracks.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
A spin-off set 4 months after the occasions of Persona 5, Strikers sees the Phantom Thieves reunite for a summer season trip. However, the crew discover themselves sucked into the Metaverse after utilizing an app generally known as EMMA. Escaping with the assistance of a brand new ally, the crew don their Phantom Thieves gear as soon as extra and got down to uncover the reality behind EMMA, the Metaverse, and what it means for the individuals of Tokyo.
Persona 5 Strikers is a crossover with the long-running Dynasty Warriors franchise, introducing real-time fight to the sequence. Battles middle across the Phantom Thieves taking up massive hordes of enemies, which they will take care of by way of combos or by calling on Personas.
Read our evaluate of Persona 5 Strikers.
Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Release Order
- Revelations: Persona (1996)
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
- Persona 3 (2006)
- Persona 3 FES (2007)
- Persona 4 (2008)
- Persona 3 Portable (2009)
- Persona 4 Arena (2012)
- Persona 4 Golden (2012)
- Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
- Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
- Persona 5 (2016)
- Persona 3: Dancing within the Moonlight (2018)
- Persona 5: Dancing within the Starlight (2018)
- Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
- Persona 5 Royal (2019)
- Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
- Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
- Persona 3 Reload (2024)
What’s Next for Persona?
Fans of Atlus RPGs have been handled to 2 releases in 2024: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, an all-new RPG from Atlus’s Studio Zero. After the large success of Metaphor (it picked up fairly a couple of awards), Sega introduced their need to maintain investing in Atlus, and the Persona IP particularly, in a developers’ Q&A session.
The subsequent Persona undertaking to observe is the free-to-play cell recreation Persona 5: The Phantom X. It was launched in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea r in 2024, with a Japanese launch imminent followng a closed beta sign-up in October. A world launch is anticipated, although there aren’t any offical particulars on its potential launch date. The Phantom X is described by Atlus as “an unique story set on this planet of Persona 5 [in which] new characters rise from the shadows and don the masks of the Phantom Thieves.”
Persona 6 is the anticipated subsequent launch within the RPG sequence, although Atlus has but to formally affirm the sport is in growth.
Callum Williams is a contract media author with years of expertise as a recreation critic, information reporter, guides author and options author.
