All 21 Persona video games and spinoffs, ranked

Persona has been round for over twenty years now, and it’s extra fashionable than ever. Sprawling from the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, the principle subseries consists of RPGs from the views of highschool college students, all of whom struggle utilizing entities known as Personas.

Over time, particularly with the discharge of Persona 3, the video games adopted a calendar-based schedule targeted on social outings and actions after the final classroom bell rings every day. It makes for a novel manner of experiencing tales which are anyplace from the 60-hour mark to over 100 as you create bonds with characters, strengthening your fight skills and feeding into your visits to dungeons.

With a number of re-releases, remasters, and spinoffs that run the gamut of genres, rating them isn’t simple. To begin with, doing so results in the painful realization that a few of these video games are not obtainable to buy, except you’ve older consoles at hand or the willingness to spend lots of of {dollars} above MSRP on bodily copies. If something, the checklist beneath supplies a historical past lesson on the flexibility of the idea behind Persona, and every little thing that the sequence has left behind since its conception.

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21. Revelations: Persona

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Your greatest wager is a PlayStation Traditional, which comes pre-downloaded with it

The bottom zero for the sequence we all know at this time. Revelations: Persona was launched in Japan and North America for PlayStation 1 in 1996. It supplies an obtuse however equally attention-grabbing early have a look at the idea of excessive schoolers preventing demons after departing from the Shin Megami Tensei mainline. Simply remember that it’s a time capsule in each sense. If random encounters and a complicated map aren’t sufficient to discourage you, the characters’ baffling race-swapping and odd translation of the Western launch would possibly.

20. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Unavailable as of July 2, 2021, besides from secondhand sellers

Whereas it retains the unique’s retro really feel, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona revitalizes the primary recreation for the PlayStation Transportable in a number of points. It features a higher English translation, a neater overworld map to navigate, sooner motion whereas exploring dungeons, and extra quality-of-life enhancements. Most significantly, it has the Snow Queen quest, a large storyline that’s lacking in Revelations, and anime cutscenes. The soundtrack is completely different, too, and extra on par with the latter video games.

19. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita

Launched in 2018, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight is a rhythm recreation spinoff constructed on the identical basis as Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight. The largest distinction, and flaw, is its authentic monitor checklist. It suffers from the truth that it got here out earlier than a lot of the new soundtracks, missing a better and richer selection throughout the board. Positive, there are DLCs you should purchase, together with songs from the anime, Persona 5: The Animation, in addition to Persona 4 Area Ultimax and Persona Q. However additionally they work in Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight, which is a way more rounded bundle.

18. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Unavailable as of March 31, 2023, besides from secondhand resellers

For those who ever puzzled what would occur if the casts of Persona 3 Transportable, Persona 4, and Persona 5 all received collectively in a haunted movie show, properly, that’s Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth in a nutshell. The 2018 launch takes the muse of Q and improves it within the gameplay sense. But it surely additionally lacks novelty, and the fan service of the primary is additional aggravated by having one more crew in an already crowded setting, resulting in much less room for significant interactions.

17. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Unavailable as of March 31, 2023, besides from secondhand resellers

The primary entry within the sequence to be developed for a Nintendo console, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, launched on 3DS in 2014, is a mashup developed by the Persona and Etrian Odyssey groups, launched as a first-person dungeon crawler. The casts of Persona 3 and Persona 4 be part of forces in a chibi-style depiction, alongside just a few new characters. It’s a distinct but intriguing crossover that gives extra depth for individuals who cherished exploring dungeons within the authentic video games.

16. Persona 4 Area

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Xbox consoles by way of backward compatibility with the 360 model, obtainable for buy digitally till July

The spinoff period of the Persona sequence kicked off with a preventing recreation. Positive, why not? Persona 4 Area, launched in 2012, sees Persona 4’s protagonist returning to Inaba after the occasions of the story. After some occasions unfold, each the unique solid and a few characters from Persona 3 all find yourself concerned in a preventing event P-1 Grand Prix. It’s as wacky as it’s exhilarating. However there’s a greater solution to expertise it.

15. Persona 4 Area Ultimax

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Change, and PC for the re-release, or Xbox 360 for those who personal the console, because it’s not backward appropriate with later platforms

Persona 4 Area Ultimax was launched on consoles in 2014, serving as a direct sequel to Area. It has an even bigger roster of characters, bringing much more of us from the Persona 3 solid, a sturdy set of mechanics (akin to charging up assaults and having the ability to select Shadow varieties, amongst others), and a narrative instructed in a visible novel fashion. Remember the fact that the story from Area is included within the PS4, Change, and PC variations, and it was initially obtainable as DLC for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 variations.

14. Persona 4: Dancing All Night time

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4, the latter solely obtainable with the Countless Night time Assortment bundle

Contemplating how prevalent music is in each Persona entry, a rhythm recreation was certain to occur sooner quite than later. In 2015, Persona 4: Dancing All Night time kicked off the primary of three entries, together with each authentic tracks and a few wonderful remixes that proceed to be in my day by day rotation to this present day. The story isn’t as memorable, however you have to full it to unlock the best problem possibility. Nonetheless, in order for you an excuse to see the solid once more or simply love rhythm video games, it is a nice place to begin.

13. Persona 5 Tactica

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Nintendo Change, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Collection X, in addition to on Sport Move

Simply after we thought Atlus was operating out of genres for its spinoffs, Persona 5 Tactica comes alongside as a fusion with tactics-style gameplay. The 2023 launch is much like the XCOM sequence in nature, however like Strikers, does a good job of capitalizing on the present toolsets of the mainline video games. Its story carries some combined messages, and it might use fewer ranges to undergo, because the enemy selection will get repetitive towards the top. But it surely’s a daring mashup value trying out.

12. Persona 4

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation 3

Only a few folks know in regards to the perils of spending an excessive amount of time in entrance of the TV as do the townsfolk in Inaba. Persona 4 is centered across the Midnight Channel — an city legend that claims for those who stare at your TV on a wet evening, your soulmate will supposedly seem on the display screen. This, as anticipated, has horrible outcomes, with the TV World being the core of a sequence of tragic murders in an in any other case peaceable city. Persona 4 is a giant leap from Persona 3 when it comes to gameplay. Until you’re a nostalgic particular person, although, there’s a greater model obtainable.

11. Persona 3

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Unavailable, besides from secondhand resellers

The primary introduction to the Specialised Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES) happened in 2008 with the discharge of the unique Persona 3. Persona 3 took step one to establishing the fashionable Persona formulation, introducing the calendar-based construction and an early have a look at the fight that newer followers have grown used to. It additionally has arguably the perfect pitch for a plot, with the twenty fifth hour of the day summoning a dismal moon up within the sky and Shadows on the streets for these unfortunate sufficient to expertise the horrors.

10. Persona 5

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4

What else is there to say about Persona 5 at this level? The blueprint for what we all know as a contemporary Persona recreation was launched in 2017 within the U.S. It’s a slick expertise that takes components from previous entries and refines them in a daring and trendy bundle. The Phantom Thieves stole everybody’s hearts, whereas additionally creating the muse for the gameplay fashion, and look, of subsequent entries. The one motive it’s not greater on the checklist is as a result of, put merely, the unique is kind of outdated compared to its definitive version.

9. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita

The very best out of the three rhythm video games within the sequence. 2018’s Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight reminds us that the Persona 3 soundtrack continues to be unmatched, and it does so with an array of remixes that solely strengthen the ambiance and really feel of the originals. It’s punchy, trendy, and exhilarating to play and replay till you get a full combo in each track.

8. Persona 5 Strikers

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Change, and PC

A derivative in nature and a narrative sequel to Persona 5, 2021’s Persona 5 Strikers has the Phantom Thieves reuniting as soon as extra for a street journey. It’s additionally a musou recreation akin to Dynasty Warriors, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and so forth. It’s a rendition of Persona 5 on a smaller scale, however the fight provides a stunning quantity of depth, capitalizing on using Personas in a hack-and-slash style.

7. Persona 3 Reload

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, and Xbox Collection X, in addition to on Sport Move

From its conception, it was clear that Persona 3 Reload wasn’t aiming to be the definitive model, with the absence of each The Reply epilogue from FES and the feminine protagonist route from Transportable. It additionally borrows from Persona 5 Royal fairly extensively, refining its presentation and including plethora of quality-of-life updates. In essence, the 2024 launch is a retelling of the unique Persona 3 story within the fashion of Persona 5.

It makes for an approachable entry, with some welcoming additions, like further actions to partake in after faculty and tweaks to its fight. However for those who’re curious in regards to the authentic renditions, particularly to expertise firsthand the principle appeals of Persona 3 that didn’t make it into the remake, you’ll have some decisions to make.

6. Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita

The second entry within the duology, Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment noticed an official launch for PlayStation 1 in 2000. So, sure, it did come out earlier than Persona 2: Harmless Sin was ported. Fight stays largely the identical, though with some refinements and the next problem. Its energy is in the way in which it acts as a direct sequel to the story with a number of returning characters, in addition to being the primary Persona recreation to characteristic a feminine protagonist in Maya Amano. The PlayStation Transportable model wasn’t formally localized, however there’s a fan translation on the market.

5. Persona 2: Harmless Sin

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation Vita

Initially launched in Japan for PlayStation 1, Persona 2: Harmless Sin didn’t arrive in North America and Europe till 2011. On the surface, it’ll be remembered as an RPG that featured Adolf Hitler, which is reportedly a part of the rationale why it took so lengthy to obtain a port abroad.

The story is certainly one in all its highlights, that includes a wild plot with a powerful solid that carries a vastly completely different tone than the one from future crews. Positive, the dated fight is likely to be laborious to abdomen, nevertheless it’s well worth the journey down reminiscence lane to witness how completely different the sequence was.

It additionally includes a potential romance between two male characters — which hasn’t but been replicated within the franchise — and has general stronger queer illustration than the remainder of the sequence.

4. Persona 3 FES

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: PlayStation 3

Persona 3 FES is a considerable revision of the unique. It polishes up the fight, provides an array of latest quests and interactions (like having the ability to take SEES’ canine member, Koromaru out for a stroll, which is necessary), and tweaks mechanics just like the Naganaki Shrine.

Most notable is The Reply, which incorporates each a brand new dungeon to plunge into and an epilogue for the story. Because it stands, Persona 3 FES represents the whole story, which makes it a straightforward advice. Its largest flaws are within the lack of quality-of-life updates that Persona 3 Transportable dropped at the desk, and most notably, the dearth of a feminine protagonist to choose. Scholar Kotone Shiomi has her personal dialogue choices and even Social Hyperlinks to pursue, permitting you to get to know the male members of SEES intently. Positive, Persona 3 Reload goals to supply the latter with new social outings involving the solid at giant. But it surely’s a day-and-night distinction in comparison with what Transportable provides. In distinction, FES has a greater presentation, permitting you to regulate your character and see the world in shut element.

3. Persona 4 Golden

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Nintendo Change, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Home windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Collection X

In 2012, Persona 4 Golden launched itself as one of many principal causes to get a PlayStation Vita. It first parted methods with its exclusivity in 2020 with a PC port, and has since been remastered for present platforms. It has a number of additions throughout the board, from Social Hyperlinks to actions, quests, story occasions, and loads of quality-of-life adjustments. It additionally introduces Marie, a brand new character that offers you entry to a brand new dungeon and epilogue, in a similar way to Persona 3 FES. As such, if you wish to know the true ending of the story, that is the model to play via.

Golden additionally supplies a curious glimpse of a number of the mechanics that may later be adopted by Persona 5. Dungeons, for instance, are nonetheless much like those in Persona 3 when it comes to construction, going via flooring one after the other till you defeat a closing boss. However they’re extra thematically tailor-made to characters and story occasions, in a manner that was capitalized on with Palaces in Persona 5.

2. Persona 3 Transportable

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Nintendo Change, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Home windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Collection X

Persona 3 Transportable was initially launched on PSP in 2009 in Japan and a 12 months later in North America. Fortunately, it has since been ported with a lite remaster to present platforms. It provides just a few extra quality-of-life updates to a model recognized for them — primarily, the power to manually management your social gathering members in fight. This isn’t only a “Goofy can’t heal me for shit” situation like in Kingdom Hearts. It’s essential for a recreation the place utilizing the proper expertise on the proper time to use weaknesses is an integral a part of enemy encounters.

In distinction with FES, it will get difficult. Transportable doesn’t have The Reply, which signifies that the story is incomplete. It’s additionally a closely toned-down model when it comes to presentation, feeling extra akin to a visible novel as you hover over factors of curiosity in static situations as a floating cursor, quite than manually shifting your character to speak to folks. But FES doesn’t have a playable feminine protagonist together with her personal Social Hyperlinks and dialogue choices. And your social gathering members not often heal you.

When you have a desire for FES even with its shortcomings, it’s comprehensible. However the quality-of-life adjustments and new protagonist, alongside simpler entry, make Transportable the go-to model for now.

1. Persona 5 Royal

Picture: Atlus/Sega

The place to play: Nintendo Change, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, and Xbox Collection X

Persona 5 Royal, the definitive model launched within the U.S. in 2020, represents the sequence in its most expression. It polishes up fight with an array of welcoming new mechanics, provides extra actions to partake in, and most significantly, expands the story to offer the final word closure. The brand new characters and confidants function a terrific complement, banding collectively towards the top to kick off a brand new third semester, serving as a hefty epilogue to the unique with a fascinating and bittersweet send-off to the Phantom Thieves.

Royal, for higher or worse, is the utmost illustration of Persona video games. It carries over problems with sexism and homophobia, regardless of making an attempt to deal with previous errors, that the sequence has been reckoning with for many years now.

It has additionally develop into a part of what Atlus now considers “the Persona 5 subseries,” which can not come as a shock. The fashion and presentation have been a transparent inspiration for the likes of Soul Hackers 2, Shin Megami Tensei 5, and Persona 3 Reload. Trying into the longer term, it’s clear that the affect continues to make itself obvious, with Metaphor: ReFantazio as an upcoming instance. Positive, the studio behind it’s led by recreation director Katsura Hashino, who’s been concerned with the sequence because the starting up till Persona 5. However P-Studio’s soar into the mainstream will be seen in every single place.

For those who’re planning to get into the sequence, Persona 5 Royal is the one to begin with. It’s an engrossing look into what Persona video games will be, with their distinctive flaws and triumphs, in spite of everything these years.