The Best Order To Play All Persona Games

by

The Best Order To Play All Persona Games

As someone who has dived deep into the world of Persona, I can confidently say that both Persona 3 Portable and Persona 3 Reload are exceptional entries for those embarking on their journey within this captivating series. Having played numerous iterations across various platforms, I must admit that the refined experience of Reload holds a special place in my heart due to its seamless blend of elements from both the original and FES versions.

The “Persona” series encompasses five primary installments, making it six if you consider each part of “Persona 2” individually. Additionally, several offshoots have been developed from certain later games, which link to multiple main storylines.

For beginners diving into the world of Persona for the first time, you might wonder if it’s necessary to play every game in sequence to avoid missing key details. Here is the optimal order to experience all the Persona games, with this article primarily focusing on the more contemporary entries due to their ease of access. Although we will still discuss Persona 1 and 2, they have become less common and harder to play, but rest assured, they won’t be left out entirely.

Best Order To Play The Mainline Persona Games

Besides the connection between Persona 2, none of the primary games tell a continuous story. While there are minor references, appearances, or hidden elements from earlier games, these links don’t significantly impact your enjoyment if you fail to notice them. If you’re new to the main series, you can start with the games in their original release order or choose the one that provides the best gameplay experience to introduce you to the series.

The enhanced versions of Persona 3, 4, and 5 are now easier to play on contemporary consoles. These improved editions contain all the original content plus additional upgrades and extra features. For the rest of this discussion, we’ll be referring to these improved games, but the base games remain excellent choices as well.

Every iteration of Persona 3, regardless of its specifics, holds its own worth. None is ranked above the others since each offers distinct, exclusive content.

Canon Timeline (Release Timeline)
  • Revelations: Persona
  • Persona 2: Innocent Sin then Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
  • Persona 3 FES / Persona 3 Portable / Persona 3 Reload
  • Persona 4 Golden
  • Persona 5 Royal
What’s The Best Place To Start For New Players
  • Persona 5 Royal: This game has the best-rounded gameplay from the calendar system to the combat, along with the largest amount of content on offer in the series.
  • Persona 4 Golden / Any Persona 3: These games offer the calendar system which has defined the modern Persona series, and have very similar combat and social link mechanics.
  • Revelations: Persona then Persona 2 Innocent Sin, followed by Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.

In the two-part saga known as “Persona 2“, there are strong links back to the original game. Characters from the initial installment make notable reappearances, but recognizing these familiar faces doesn’t alter the storyline of “Persona 2“.

Persona 3 Reload Or Persona 3 Portable

Hey there, fellow gamer! If you’re new to the world of Persona, I can tell you that both Persona 3 Reload and Persona 3 Portable are available on most modern gaming platforms, making them a fantastic choice for your first dive into this captivating series.

In Persona 3 Portable, you have the option to select either a male or female protagonist. The female character has a considerable amount of exclusive content, particularly in social interactions. Both versions are worth playing and offer unique experiences. However, your preference might lean towards one depending on whether you appreciate remastered games with a touch of nostalgia or prefer ones that feel completely fresh and new. Notably, the core story remains identical across both editions.

Best Order To Play The Spinoff Persona Games

Most Persona spin-off titles are recognized as part of the official storyline, but their conclusions often don’t align with the events of the main series, making them enjoyable side stories rather than essential additions to the narrative. Some of these spin-offs necessitate playing the primary game first, while others can be enjoyed once all characters have been introduced in the game itself.

Canon Sequel Games
  • Persona 4: Dancing All Night – A direct sequel to Persona 4, taking place before Persona 4 Arena.
  • Persona 4 Arena / Persona 4 Arena Ultimax – This game is a direct sequel to both Persona 3 and Persona 4, and should only be played after finishing those games. (Persona 4: Dancing All Night is not required to play before Persona 4 Arena as the events are never mentioned)
  • Persona 5 Strikers – This game is a direct sequel to Persona 5, not Persona 5 Royal, though a playthrough of either game can prepare you for Strikers.
Play Whenever You Want
  • Persona 3: Dancing In Moonlight / Persona 5: Dancing In Starlight – Both of these games are essentially dreams that take place after all main party members join, and the events that happen are never mentioned outside of this game.
  • Persona 5 Tactica – This game takes place towards the end of Persona 5 after all party members join, but is not mentioned in the base game.
  • Persona Q – This game involves the full cast of Persona 3 and Persona 4, taking place during each game at the same time, but is not referenced again.
  • Persona Q2 – This game involves the full cast of Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5, and like Persona Q is never mentioned outside of the game.

Begin by focusing on the primary entries for Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 first, as these are the main points of interest. After that, gradually move towards exploring the spin-offs to ensure you don’t inadvertently come across spoilers or overlook anything important.

Read More

2024-08-16 10:03