Which Persona Game To Play First

Persona 5 Royal is the best choice for your first Persona game, offering a refined experience with engaging characters and gameplay.

So, you’re curious about diving into the world of Persona, but unsure which Persona game to play first? It’s a common question, given the series’ depth and multiple entries. Many players find the choices daunting, with each title boasting its own unique style and characters.

The good news is, starting with the most recent mainline entry, Persona 5 Royal, is often recommended. Its polished gameplay, engaging story, and relatable characters offer a fantastic introduction to what the Persona series is all about. It’s a great starting point for a newcomer.

Which Persona Game to Play First: A Beginner’s Guide

So, you’re curious about the world of Persona, huh? Awesome! It’s a fantastic series filled with stylish characters, engaging stories, and addictive gameplay. But with so many Persona games out there, figuring out where to start can feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry; we’re here to help you navigate this exciting universe. This guide will break down the most popular Persona titles and help you decide which one is the perfect fit for your first dive into the series. We’ll discuss gameplay mechanics, story themes, and overall accessibility for newcomers.

Understanding the Core of Persona

Before we jump into specific games, let’s talk about what makes a Persona game… well, a Persona game. These games blend elements of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) with social simulation aspects. You’ll spend your time exploring dungeons, battling shadows (the series’ main enemies), and, crucially, building relationships with your classmates and friends, called social links. These links directly impact how your characters grow and the strength of your Personas, the powerful beings used in battle. The core loop revolves around managing your time, strengthening your bonds, and saving the world, all while navigating the everyday pressures of high school life.

The Blend of JRPG and Social Simulation

Think of it like this: Persona isn’t just about epic battles; it’s equally about chatting with friends after school, studying for exams, and maybe even going on a few dates. The social simulation aspect is just as important as the battles. Building these relationships gives your characters new abilities in combat and gives you a richer narrative experience. This unique blend is a big part of what makes the Persona series so special. This combination gives these game a long playtime as you explore all aspects of the game.

Persona Basics: Shadows and Personas

The enemies you’ll face are called Shadows, manifestations of negative emotions. To combat them, your characters have the ability to summon Personas, which are like powerful spirits that fight alongside them. Each Persona has unique skills and weaknesses, and collecting new ones and fusing them together to create even stronger personas is a key part of the game. The combat is turn-based but incorporates a weakness system, meaning targeting an enemy’s weakness will give you additional turns, and the same rules apply to you, making combat strategic and engaging.

Persona 5 Royal: The Popular Starting Point

Often, when someone asks “Which Persona game to play first?” many people suggest Persona 5 Royal. This game is a very popular entry point for a reason. It’s modern, stylish, and has a lot of quality of life improvements compared to older titles. You play as Joker, a transfer student with a troubled past who ends up forming the Phantom Thieves, a group of vigilantes who change the hearts of corrupt adults.

Why Persona 5 Royal is Beginner-Friendly

• Stylish Presentation: The user interface, menus, and overall visual design are incredibly appealing and engaging, making it a pleasure to navigate the game.
• Engaging Story: The narrative is compelling, with themes of rebellion and fighting for justice, which often resonates with players.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Royal adds new content and fixes to the base Persona 5, offering a refined and less frustrating experience.
• Tutorials and Guidance: The game does a great job of introducing new players to the mechanics gradually.
• Modern Gameplay: Combat mechanics are polished, and the game’s overall structure feels very contemporary.

Things to Consider with Persona 5 Royal

While highly recommended, Persona 5 Royal is a very long game. It can easily take 100 hours or more to see everything the game has to offer. It’s also fairly complex, with lots of things to learn and manage, like social stats, Persona fusions, and calendar events, but the game introduces these gradually, giving you time to adjust.

Who Should Play Persona 5 Royal First?

If you’re looking for a modern, stylish, and comprehensive JRPG experience with a compelling story, then Persona 5 Royal is a fantastic place to begin. It’s a good choice if you don’t mind investing a significant amount of time into a single game. It’s also a great option if you love anime aesthetics and a sense of social interaction within a single-player game.

Persona 4 Golden: A Charming Alternative

Before Persona 5 stole everyone’s hearts, there was Persona 4 Golden, a game that has aged wonderfully. While not as visually stunning as P5R, it’s considered one of the series’s best, thanks to its characters, story, and atmosphere. Set in the small rural town of Inaba, you play as a protagonist investigating a series of mysterious murders.

Why Choose Persona 4 Golden as a First Game

• Compelling Mystery: The murder mystery narrative is gripping, and its small-town setting creates a unique and intimate atmosphere.
• Memorable Characters: The cast of characters in Persona 4 is beloved for a reason; they are all incredibly well-developed and feel like real friends.
• Charming and Relaxed Pace: Compared to the more fast-paced, urban setting of Persona 5, P4G offers a slower, more relaxed vibe.
• More Accessible on Older Systems: Originally on the PS Vita and now on modern systems, it’s available on multiple platforms and might be easier to get your hands on or run on lower-end systems.
• Slightly Less Overwhelming: It has less mechanics than Persona 5, which can make it slightly easier to get into the series’s style of gameplay.

Things to Consider with Persona 4 Golden

Being an older title, Persona 4 Golden has some mechanics that feel a bit clunkier than modern games. Also, the game’s visual presentation is simpler compared to P5R, which might be a factor for those who prefer a more visually polished experience. And while its pacing is relaxed, some might find it slow at times.

Who Should Play Persona 4 Golden First?

If you enjoy solving mysteries, forming close bonds with characters, and experiencing a more laid-back narrative, then Persona 4 Golden is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for players who want a deep and engaging JRPG experience but don’t mind the slightly older presentation. If you are coming from older JRPG and you want to get into this series, persona 4 golden can be a good choice.

Persona 3: The Emotional Groundbreaker (and Its Various Forms)

Persona 3 is a pivotal game in the series, introducing many gameplay elements and narrative themes that are now considered series staples. It’s a darker, more melancholic game compared to 4 and 5. However, this entry has multiple releases, each with a slightly different feel. It has the original Persona 3 for the ps2, Persona 3 FES (also ps2), Persona 3 Portable for the PSP and most recently Persona 3 Reload which is a remake of the original with modern presentation.

Persona 3 and its Different Versions

• Persona 3: The original PlayStation 2 release. It lacks some of the features of later versions but remains a playable and important part of the series.
• Persona 3 FES: An enhanced version for the PlayStation 2. It includes “The Answer” epilogue, adding more story to the game.
• Persona 3 Portable (P3P): A PSP version with a female protagonist option and a more streamlined interface, sacrificing anime cutscenes and 3D environments for portability.
• Persona 3 Reload: The newest version which is a complete remake of the original Persona 3 with modern gameplay systems and presentation.

Why Persona 3 is a Good Option (Especially Reload)

• Emotional Storytelling: Persona 3 has a narrative focused on mortality and finding meaning in life, making it the most emotionally impactful of the series to some players.
• Unique Atmosphere: The game’s overall tone is more serious and melancholic, setting it apart from the other games.
• Foundational Mechanics: It’s where many of the series’s modern gameplay systems originated.
• Persona 3 Reload: The new remake of the game offers the core story of the original in modern quality and with improvements from newer titles.

Things to Consider with Persona 3 (and its Variations)

The original Persona 3 might feel quite outdated gameplay-wise compared to the newer games. FES can also be a bit tedious to get through. The portable version might be the most different as it sacrifices visual fidelity for portability. However, Persona 3 Reload is a very good introduction if you have no attachment to the original gameplay and presentation. Its main issue compared to P4G and P5R is its focus on a darker and sadder story, which can be a downer for some.

Who Should Play Persona 3 (or Reload) First?

If you’re drawn to a deeper, more emotional narrative, and don’t mind the potential for a bittersweet experience, Persona 3 is a great choice. If you want a modern version of the game with quality improvements, Persona 3 Reload is the best option. Its story resonates with many players, even if it’s more somber than other entries. If you are an old fan you may want to get the version with the most content of the game which is FES version but keep in mind this version is outdated in terms of presentation and gameplay.

Other Persona Games: Side Stories and Spinoffs

Beyond the main entries, the Persona series also features a number of spinoff titles. Games like the Persona Q series, the Persona Dancing games, and even Persona Arena are fun side adventures, but they might not be the ideal starting points for a newcomer. These games focus on different genres and might not fully capture the essence of what makes a Persona game, a Persona game.

Spin Off Titles

• Persona Q & Q2: Dungeon crawlers that combine characters from different Persona games. Recommended for those who are already familiar with the main series and their gameplay.
• Persona Dancing Games (P3D, P4D, P5D): Rhythm games with the characters and music from the Persona series. A fun way to enjoy the music and cast, but not a great place to start.
• Persona Arena & Ultimax: Fighting games that feature characters from Persona 3 and Persona 4. Again, best enjoyed after experiencing the main games.

Why Not Start With Spinoffs?

These spinoffs are often tailored for those who have already played the main titles. They rely heavily on the player’s pre-existing knowledge of the characters and story beats, potentially making them confusing or less engaging if you are a new player.

A Comparison Chart: Choosing Your Persona Adventure

To help you visualize the best fit for you, we’ve put together a quick comparison chart.

Ultimately, the “best” Persona game to start with is the one that clicks with you the most. If you crave style and a modern experience, Persona 5 Royal is a good place to go. If a mystery in a small-town feels more up your alley, Persona 4 Golden might be your pick. And if you want a compelling emotional story, and a darker tone, then Persona 3 Reload will be for you. Don’t worry too much about playing them in a specific order. Every game is a different, but still awesome experience in the series. Each offers a great way to jump into this much loved franchise.

No matter which game you choose first, you’re in for a memorable experience. Have fun venturing into the world of Personas!

Where to Start: Persona Series | Playing Order & Best Versions of the Games

Final Thoughts

If you’re a newcomer to the series, Persona 5 Royal provides the most accessible entry point. Its polished gameplay and engaging story make it the ideal starting point. This game introduces core mechanics smoothly and has a must-play narrative.

Persona 4 Golden offers a very charming experience too but might feel less modern in some areas. Consider playing it after Persona 5 Royal. It’s great, just not your absolute first game in the series.

Ultimately, deciding which persona game to play first hinges on your preference, but Persona 5 Royal is the recommended starting point for its overall user-friendliness and great pacing.