The Longest Persona Games

Key Takeaways

Persona
games blend JRPG adventures with high school social sim elements.
The series is infamous for lengthy gameplay, expanding from 30-150 hours.
Newer titles like
Persona 5 Royal
offer over 100 hours of gameplay, rewarding player commitment.

As a seasoned RPG enthusiast with over three decades of gaming under my belt, allow me to share my thoughts on these illustrious titles that form the backbone of the beloved Persona series.

The Persona series stands out for its engaging and immersive games. These titles blend complex Japanese Role Playing Game (JRPG) experiences with high school social simulation aspects, creating an enveloping environment where players become deeply involved in the lives of their characters. Players have opportunities to enhance their skills in real-life situations such as relationships and cinema outings, all while progressing their character’s level in battles against unusual supernatural adversaries.

These games in the Persona series, particularly the newer ones, are well-known for their extensive playtime due to the detailed setup and execution they require. Since these games demand a considerable chunk of time to complete fully, it’s no surprise that gamers find themselves deeply immersed in an engaging and emotional narrative as they progress through these lengthy titles. Here are some of the longest games within the Persona series.

7 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

Where It All Began

Persona” was initially released, but later it became known as “Shin Megami Tensei: Persona” on the PSP. This is actually the first installment in the series. The name suggests that it was a spin-off from the “Shin Megami Tensei” series. It set many of the franchise’s defining characteristics, such as its emphasis on high school life and the presence of another world inhabited by Personas – mysterious spirits that have a deep, metaphysical connection to human emotions.

In comparison to later installments in the series, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona can be considered a relatively shorter game. It typically lasts between 30 to 50 hours of playtime, although this varies depending on the amount of additional content the player chooses to explore. Despite being harder to come by than modern versions of Persona, if you manage to find a copy, its more manageable length could serve as an appealing starting point for newcomers to the franchise, given that it’s comparable to most contemporary titles available today.

6 Persona 2: Innocent Sin

The First Sequel

The sequel, titled Persona 2, further developed its precursor’s gameplay and narrative themes, however, it unfolded in a fresh environment with distinct characters. This game didn’t reach Western players until a dozen years following its debut, when it was remastered for the PSP. Similar to other games in the series, this title revolves around a circle of high school students, who band together to face an enigmatic supernatural menace while relying on their bound Personas for assistance.

The game titled “Innocent Sin” is similar to its predecessor in terms of length, but it offers slightly more main story material. Players who tend to bypass additional content might still invest around 35 to 40 hours into the game. Those who delve deeply into sidequests and level grinding can expect to spend significantly more time enjoying the title.

5 Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

A Sequel of Sequels

In contrast to most titles in the Persona series, which tend to produce numerous spin-offs rather than direct sequels, each main release usually introduces a fresh cast of characters. However, Eternal Punishment breaks this pattern by being a true sequel to Persona 2: Innocent Sin. The story unfolds a few months after the events of the prior game and explores the consequences of the sinister curse that was initially presented there.

This new game is significantly longer than its previous version. Fans might require approximately 50 to 70 hours to go through the storyline, and this time could be increased with additional content. The Rumor system provides an extra dimension to the social aspects, making each playthrough more complex.

4 Persona 3 Reload

A Fresh Take

The first version of “Persona 3” was a massive success for the series, laying the groundwork for many elements that would become characteristic of it in future installments. This significant impact granted the game a complete remake known as “Persona 3 Reload“. This updated version features revitalized voice acting and contemporary graphics to make the game align better with modern “Persona” titles, while still retaining its original characters and storyline.

In essence, the fundamental version of “Persona 3 Reload” typically spans from approximately 65 to 100 hours for gamers, representing a significant playtime duration. If players decide to invest in the newly launched “Episode Aigis” DLC, they’ll find an addition dubbed “The Answer,” a substantial epilogue initially released as DLC for the original game. This extra content can potentially extend a player’s “Persona 3” journey by an additional 20 to 30 hours.

3 Persona 3 Portable

A Double Life

In the world of the Persona series, upgraded re-releases are common practice. However, among these enhanced versions, Persona 3 Portable stands out as one that transforms the game significantly. As its title implies, this version was initially a re-release of Persona 3 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Yet, it has since been adapted for contemporary gaming systems and personal computers too. What sets this game apart is the addition of an entirely new female playable character, which leads to significant changes in dialogue and romance possibilities across the entire game.

Playing through Persona 3 Portable typically takes between 68 and 100 hours, just like its base game and Persona 3 Reload. Yet, the significant modifications introduced by the inclusion of a new playable character could entice repeat plays. This means fans may end up spending more time immersed in the game than they would have with the initial version.

2 Persona 4 Golden

Small Town Troubles

Persona 4 Golden, an enlarged edition of the initial Persona 4, primarily focuses on a quaint, countryside community, distinguishing it from other installments in the series. The high school students find themselves entangled in a string of enigmatic and supernatural killings that revolve around a haunting TV show acting as a portal to another realm.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve found myself immersed in a game that’s no joke – it’s got some serious playtime! Compared to Persona 3, this one’s a marathon, clocking in at an absolute minimum of 70 hours for a speed run. But if you’re the type who likes to explore every nook and cranny, build those social links, and engage in all sorts of side activities, well, buckle up! You’re looking at around 130 hours to truly savor this small-town experience from start to finish.

1 Persona 5 Royal

Taking The Crown

2016’s “Persona 5” was the largest game in the “Persona” series, requiring at least 100 hours for a minimum experience. The 2019 rerelease, titled “Persona 5 Royal“, further expanded this colossal game by introducing numerous additional side activities and characters to interact with. This results in a substantial new epilogue and final dungeon that will extend even speedy playthroughs.

It’s expected that players will devote more than one hundred hours to the game Persona 5 Royal. Some playthroughs may surpass 130 or even 150 hours. This game is incredibly immersive, offering numerous romanceable characters and diverse playstyles for fans to explore, making it highly replayable. In essence, playing Persona 5 Royal is a substantial commitment, but it’s a rich and rewarding experience for JRPG enthusiasts.

2024-09-30 04:33