by Hannah May 13,2025
Originally starting as a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a standout name in the world of modern RPGs. With its expansive universe, the series has not only produced multiple sequels and remakes but also ventured into anime adaptations and stage plays, cementing its status as a multimedia phenomenon. Its popularity continues to soar, with the latest installment, Persona 3 Reload, now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Newcomers might be wondering where to begin their journey into this captivating world. Below, we provide a comprehensive overview of every game and spin-off, detailing the best starting points for new players, as well as the chronological and release order of the series.
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Currently, there are twenty Persona games. These include mainline entries and their expanded versions, which may feature new story content or be complete remakes. We'll list all versions of each game, excluding direct ports and remasters.
For those new to the series, starting with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, or Persona 5 Royal is highly recommended. These are the latest iterations of the third, fourth, and fifth mainline entries, available on most major consoles and PC, except for Persona 3 Reload which is not on Nintendo Switch.
New players don't need to worry about missing story context by starting with these later entries. Each game offers a unique story with new characters, making them ideal entry points. To help decide, consider watching gameplay videos and exploring the social links in each game to see which one resonates with you the most.
54Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X. See it at Amazon
42Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. See it at Nintendo
103Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. See it at Amazon
These descriptions contain mild spoilers, including characters, settings, and story elements.
The first game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was inspired by the positive reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If…. It introduced a full dungeon-crawling RPG experience centered around high school students battling a supernatural uprising in Mikage-cho. The game laid the groundwork for the series, introducing key elements like Personas in combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin follows a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou, who aim to thwart the villainous Joker and the Masked Circle cult. The game explores themes of rumors becoming reality in Sumaru City, with familiar gameplay elements like dungeon exploration and Persona battles. A direct sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, continued the story a year later.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
Eternal Punishment continues the story of Innocent Sin, with Maya Amano taking the lead role. The game follows her investigation into the Joker Curse, leading to battles against returning enemies. It retains the series' signature turn-based combat and dungeon crawling.
Read our review of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
Persona 3 marked a significant shift, focusing more on the high school life of protagonist Makoto Yuki. It introduced a daily calendar system, balancing school life and social interactions with battling shadows in Tartarus during the Dark Hour. The game is renowned for introducing social links and other mechanics that have become hallmarks of the series.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
Persona 3 has seen multiple re-releases. Persona 3 FES added an epilogue called The Answer and an alternate female protagonist campaign. Persona 3 Portable was a handheld version with the female protagonist but without The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a full remake for modern consoles, excluding The Answer and the female protagonist route.
This rhythm-based spin-off occurs during the main campaign of Persona 3, featuring a dance-off challenge set in the Velvet Room. It's set in a dream but is considered canon, with characters performing to iconic tracks from the game.
Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami, who moves in with his uncle and cousin. The game intertwines his high school life with a mysterious realm accessible through TV monitors, where he and his friends investigate a series of murders. Persona 4 builds on the mechanics of Persona 3, enhancing the social link system and dungeon exploration.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, added new story content and an additional dungeon, considered the definitive way to experience the game.
A crossover between Persona 3 and 4, set during specific events in both games. Characters from both titles are trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School, exploring a labyrinth and battling new enemies in a nod to the series' dungeon-crawler origins.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
A fighting game spin-off that continues the narratives of Persona 3 and 4, featuring Yu Narukami in a tournament within the TV world. It introduces a roster of characters from both games, blending story and combat.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
Following directly after Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax expands the roster and continues the story, with the Persona 4 team and the Shadow Operatives from Persona 3 teaming up to battle new threats in the TV World.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
A rhythm-based game where the Investigation Squad performs to Persona tracks in a new dimension called the Midnight Stage. It continues the storyline in a unique and engaging way.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
Set in Tokyo, Persona 5 follows protagonist Joker, on probation after being framed for a crime. He and his friends discover a supernatural realm called Palaces, where they can change the hearts of evildoers. The game refined the series' formula, introducing new mechanics and becoming Atlus's best-selling title.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal added new content, including a new companion, dungeon, and semester, making it the ultimate version of the game.
A sequel to Persona Q, this crossover involves characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5 trapped in a movie theater, exploring movie-themed dungeons to escape. It retains the first-person dungeon exploration and turn-based combat.
Set during the events of Persona 5, Tactica is a strategy game where the Phantom Thieves navigate an alternate realm, the Kingdoms, fighting to save their brainwashed allies and return home.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
Another rhythm-based spin-off, this game sees the Phantom Thieves challenged to a dance-off in the Velvet Room, performing to Persona 5's iconic tracks.
Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation that turns into another Metaverse adventure. It blends the series' narrative with real-time combat inspired by Dynasty Warriors.
Read our review of Persona 5 Strikers.
In 2024, Atlus released Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, the latter gaining significant acclaim and awards. Sega's commitment to investing in Atlus and the Persona franchise was reaffirmed during a developers' Q&A session.
The next project to watch is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game released in several Asian regions in 2024, with a Japanese release expected soon after a closed beta. A global release is anticipated, though no official date has been announced. It features an original story within the Persona 5 universe, introducing new characters as Phantom Thieves.
Lastly, while not yet officially confirmed, the highly anticipated Persona 6 is expected to be the next major release in the RPG series, continuing to build on the legacy of the franchise.
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