Persona Series

[Riyonuk]

I want to get into this series, as it looks really cool. But I'm very confused on which game to get first. I thought Wikipedia would clear it up, but it made me even more confused. Is it a sequel to Digital Devil Saga? Or Persona FES? What's Shin Megami Tensei? Someone clear it up :P

[UjnHunter]

I "think" the first game was called Persona on the PS1, in the U.S. at least... but I'm not certain.

[Ryuukishi]

Only one game from the main Shin Megami Tensei series was released in the USA, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne (the US version dropped the "III" from the title). It is a self-contained story that does not continue from the previous SMT games. Digital Devil Saga and Persona are both spinoff series from the main SMT series.

DDS2 is a direct continuation of the story in DDS1, but they are not related to any of the other games. The DDS games use the same basic engine from Nocturne, so the graphics and gameplay are similar.

Each Persona game has its own self-contained story. Persona 3: FES contains both a "director's cut" version of the original Persona 3 and a separate game called The Answer. Persona 4 will use the same engine as Persona 3 and have similar gameplay.

There is also another spinoff game called Devil Summoner on the PS2. I don't know much about this one but I think it is more action-oriented than the other SMT games.

[Chacrana]

Get Nocturne first, coz it's fairly accessible and very great, then get Persona 3 Fes, then get Persona 2 (which will kick your ass), then get DDS 1 and 2 whenever you can. Ignore the rest.

[Rodimus]

Each Persona game has its own self-contained story. Persona 3: FES contains both a "director's cut" version of the original Persona 3 and a separate game called The Answer. Persona 4 will use the same engine as Persona 3 and have similar gameplay.

Most of the characters that appear in Persona 1 come back in Persona 2. The story obviously takes place after the events of P1 so I wouldn't say it was self-contained. Persona 3 seems to have no connection to the others, besides one little line Mitsuru says.

OP - Think of the Shin Megami Tensei name like Final Fantasy. Even though the games share the same title most of the time there is no connection (besides recurring enemies,items,terms etc.) Story-wise it doesn't matter where you start since most of the games are self-contained.

If you prefer a more traditional style RPG then the Digital Devil Saga might be a good start. It uses a grid system for learning new skills, much like FFX. It's very challenging with interesting characters and a unique storyline.

Nocturne & P3 are also good starting places, however be prepared to use the SMT staple; "The Fusion System" in where you mix demons/persona to create stronger ones. Nocturne doesn't have much of a story or character development, but it certainly doesn't drag the game down. The mood/setting of the game is bold and it's probably one of the most challenging RPGs ever. Even though it seems like a simple turn-based system the level of strategy is deep and addicting.

[laaj]

Before buying any SMT games other than DDS 1/2, you should read up on fusions. It's a key element of the gameplay and it could be a deal breaker for you. I loved everything about P3 except for fusing.

[Nephlabobo]

If you're interested only in the Persona series, you can grab Persona 3 without needing to have played the other games.

If you can, try and grab the other two Persona games (Revelations and Eternal Punishment) as they're fun to play also and tie together well.