The Persona franchise of games made by Atlus has become one of the more standout RPGs to release from Japan, gaining much traction and popularity with its newer titles and collaborations in media to extend its reach to audiences worldwide, bringing it closer to some of the most famous RPG franchises such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. However, the series does have a fair amount of history and can be daunting with the number of entries and especially the playtime of the games just to get from the start to the finish. This guide will go over the games in the Persona series and give a good idea of what games in the series are best to start with and clear the many confusions that the re-releases and spin-offs cause for new players.
What are the Persona games about?
So, what exactly are the Persona games about? These games which currently have five numbered entries focus primarily on groups of late teens confronting issues ranging from social, mental, and even political issues that are part of growing up in the modern world. The games are each set in different cities and places in Japan where the cast of characters discover supernatural threats that affect the real world and awaken to their powers of Persona, which are manifestations of themselves represented through gods and mythology that they use to fight monsters. From the third game onwards, there is a mix of typical turn-based RPG battling in the supernatural worlds and day-to-day social life. This is where you as the player interact with the characters and improve stats on yourself from engaging in activities, which all affects the battling you do helping the characters in your group have more skills and giving you greater opportunities. The whole game is one big coming-of-age story, with tons of memorable characters and jaw-dropping moments, as you see the group of late teens overcome great odds and find their worth in life.
If that all sounds interesting, then there is the matter of how to approach this game series, as there is a fair amount to go over with the game series beginning back in 1996. The best place to begin is with the modern games that started with Persona 3 in 2006 as they showcase what the series is currently all about starting with the most recent and most well-known mainline entry.
Starting with the most recent and popular game Persona 5
Persona 5 is currently the most recent numbered entry, with it being the one that has helped give the series a great amount of recognition. With the characters striking phantom thief attires, the story focuses on rebellion, and the appearance of the playable protagonist occurring in other game crossovers including Super Smash Bros Ultimate, it has made the biggest marks in online fanbases and the gaming industry out of all the other entries. It helps that Persona 5 is the most accessible entry in the series with the enhanced re-release of Persona 5 Royal being available on all game platforms, from PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Originally the game was PlayStation only, but thanks to the 25th Anniversary of the game series in 2022 it was brought over to all other platforms. The one drawback to Persona 5 is that since it is the most recent game in the series it has the most mechanics that ease the player into combat and can easily blow through it without much challenge, so approaching the other games in the series may be harder for a player that has gotten used to many of the exclusive mechanics of Persona 5. However, this is only a small thing in what is one of the best starting points in the series.
Persona 4 bringing the series into worldwide spotlight
Persona 4 was the game that started to shape the multimedia side of the franchise with it starting the trend of a vast amount of spin-off games and media. But when it comes to the main game itself with the re-release of Persona 4 Golden, it is a more subdued story and more of a focus on self-reflection. Taking place within a small town with a group of friends solving a murder mystery, it can be a game that be played at a nice calm pace as you grow with the characters and uncover the truth behind all the supernatural occurrences. Persona 4 Golden was also part of the 25th Anniversary of ports which has made the game digitally accessible on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game did originally come out in 2008 on the PlayStation 2 making it a late title in the console and the Golden re-release originally was only on the PlayStation Vita, meaning graphically the game does have more simplistic visuals compared to modern releases like Persona 5. But thanks to the game’s style overcoming the graphics is a lot easier than it could seem to be for more contemporary players. Persona 4 Golden is another good first introduction to the series if you want something more relaxing to playthrough and do not mind mid-2000s game graphics.
The impact and continued legacy of Persona 3
Then there is Persona 3 which set the foundation for the whole stylized social sim approaches the series has incorporated ever since, but it is also the most confusing when it comes to Atlus re-releases of the game due to it not having a simple singular enhanced version like 4 and 5. The game focuses on the fragility of life, overcoming fear of the end, and embracing the present now that one lives. With a story on a grand scale and striking visual imagery, it makes a very striking introduction to the series. However, the way to play Persona 3 is vastly different between versions, with the game originally released on the PlayStation 2 and getting a usual enhanced re-release on the same console called Persona 3 FES, giving the game a new story epilogue and quality updates. This FES version is only available on original hardware with a hefty price or the PlayStation 3 digital store which may not be accessible for all or even anyone if it gets shut down due to its age. There is another version of the game called Persona 3 Portable which was released for the PlayStation Portable but has now been released on all modern platforms digitally including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This version does add new content such as a female protagonist which comes with new characters to interact with but it removes content from the PlayStation 2 release such as animated cutscenes and 3D environments making it less immersive than the original. But now there is a whole new remake of the game releasing called Persona 3 Reload, which aims to bring the game up to the same gameplay and graphical standard that Persona 5 set releasing on February 2nd, 2024 on all consoles except the Nintendo Switch. This will be the version of the game that is being made to appeal to newer fans or ones that have just played through Persona 5 so it will most likely be the one to play for newcomers. It will not include the female protagonist found in the Portable version so there is still a reason to play that version, but it will feel much more outdated than everything else in the modern games. So, Persona 3 can still work as an introduction to the series but mainly through the new Reload remake, aside from that it is a little bit messy and could draw a player away due to a more outdated version of the game.
What about Persona 1 and 2?
Obviously, Persona did not start at the third numbered entry, so what about Persona 1 and 2? These games were when they were headed by a different group of writers and directors and they follow the standard RPG format of games from the 1990s making them more of a different style to the modern Persona games. While they are acknowledged by Atlus from time to time in anniversary celebrations and some references in the newer games, Persona 1 and 2 are outliers in the overall scope of the Persona series. This is also true when it comes to their accessibility.
The origins of the series with the first Persona game
The first Persona game released was called Revelations: Persona in the West and was for the first PlayStation console being quite the product of its era whether that is seen as a bad thing or not. It had an Americanized localization with character names and races changed from Japanese to white Americans, and a whole alternative story event was cut from the American release. This PS1 version of the game is only released in Japan and America with the only way to play it in other regions like Europe is through the PS1 classic mini console, but playing this version of the game is not recommended. The first Persona game did get a remaster on the PlayStation Portable with the English localization no longer having the altered Americanized versions of characters and names with it also restoring the alternate story route. The main change that came with this version is that the original more atmospheric soundtrack that fits with the tone of many scenes was replaced with a more upbeat soundtrack in line with the modern games which some may not prefer due to it clashing with the game’s original vision. Even so, the first Persona game is not very widely accessible due to never versions being on more modern game platforms, unlike other first instalments of game franchises and does not give a good representation of what the games are like in modern times. Only really check it out if you are curious about how the game series started or enjoy more classic RPGs.
The overlooked Persona 2 duology
Persona 2 builds upon the classic formula with a more involved story dealing with rumours becoming reality and the forgotten traumas from characters’ pasts, making it a much more intriguing set of games to play. Emphasis on games as Persona 2 is a duology, with Persona 2: Innocent Sin being the first part and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment being the second. These were both released on the PS1 in Japan in 1999 and 2000 and got remasters like the first Persona game on the PlayStation Portable without any music replacements in the main game. However, the release of them worldwide is the strangest as Eternal Punishment was released in America on the PS1, but Innocent Sin did not. Then when the remasters came out Innocent Sin saw a worldwide release but Eternal Punishment did not. So, playing these games on modern hardware is impossible through legal means, especially outside of America and Japan. While Persona 2 is a great unique corner of the Persona franchise, it is difficult to obtain for the standard player making it hard to recommend outside of the already set fans of the series. Like for Persona 1, Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment are more recommended for those seeking a classic RPG or people already deep within the series.
The many numerous and continuous Persona spin off games
While those are all the main games the Persona series has a great amount of spin-off games mainly focused around 3-5 which offer different styles of games and expand out more on the stories and characters already presented within the mainline games. However, these games often reference or even take place after the events of the main games, meaning spoilers are prevalent within them when it comes to the stories they present. This is a list of them and a simple explanation of what they entail.
Persona 4 Arena/Ultimax – A fighting game featuring characters from Persona 4 and 3 serving as a sequel to both games. Arena Ultimax is available on PS4, Switch, and PC through a 2022 port.
Persona Q 1 & 2 – Dungeon crawler based on the gameplay of another Atlus franchise called ‘Etrian Odyssey’ featuring the casts of Persona 3 and 4, with Q2 including Persona 5. Games are only available on the Nintendo 3DS.
Persona Dancing – Rhythm games that have respective games focusing on Persona 3, 4 and 5 featuring the characters dancing while you keep the beat going. Persona 4’s dancing game released first on the PlayStation Vita with 3 and 5 getting their ones later, releasing the same day. All games are on the PS4, but to get 4 you will need to buy a bundle on the digital store of 3 and 5 together.
Persona 5 Strikers – An action RPG co-created with the Dynasty Warriors developers where you fight against large hordes of enemies in real-time combat, serving as a sequel to Persona 5. The game is available on PS4, Switch, and PC.
Persona 5 Tactica – A tactics game taking place just before the end of Persona 5. The game is available on PS4/PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC.
Persona 5: The Phantom X – An upcoming free-to-play spin-off mobile game that goes through similar events of Persona 5 with new characters and will be a 'gacha' game where you can unlock new characters through random chance. The game is currently only planned to release in China but it could come worldwide later.
General lookback and future of the franchise
And that is a general overview of what the Persona game franchise is all about. Of course, the series has branched out further in other forms of media with adaptions of the games coming in TV and movie anime, manga and even stage plays. While they are a commitment, every game in the series is worth every hour. But the general best to go with if you are starting the series would be Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden or Persona 3 Reload when it releases in February. With the games being brought to many different platforms and more games coming out regularly this is the best time to check out the previous stories that the series has created before the eventual next big step of the game series with the next mainline entry Persona 6 seeming more closer than before.
All image credits from ATLUS and SEGA.
Comments