All 21 Persona games and spinoffs, ranked

February 3, 2024

Persona has been round for over 20 years now, and it’s extra in style than ever. Sprawling from the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, the principle subseries consists of RPGs from the views of highschool college students, all of whom combat utilizing entities known as Personas.

Over time, particularly with the discharge of Persona 3, the video games adopted a calendar-based schedule targeted on social outings and actions after the final classroom bell rings every day. It makes for a novel manner of experiencing tales which might be anyplace from the 60-hour mark to over 100 as you create bonds with characters, strengthening your fight skills and feeding into your visits to dungeons.

With a number of re-releases, remasters, and spinoffs that run the gamut of genres, rating them isn’t straightforward. To begin with, doing so results in the painful realization that a few of these video games are not out there to buy, until you could have older consoles at hand or the willingness to spend tons of of {dollars} above MSRP on bodily copies. If something, the listing beneath offers a historical past lesson on the flexibility of the idea behind Persona, and every thing that the collection has left behind since its conception.

21. Revelations: Persona

A stylized image from Revelations; Persona, which shows two layered images of the same character

The place to play: Your greatest wager is a PlayStation Traditional, which comes pre-downloaded with it

The bottom zero for the collection we all know at present. Revelations: Persona was launched in Japan and North America for PlayStation 1 in 1996. It offers an obtuse however equally attention-grabbing early have a look at the idea of excessive schoolers preventing demons after departing from the Shin Megami Tensei mainline. Simply remember that it’s a time capsule in each sense. If random encounters and a complicated map aren’t sufficient to discourage you, the characters’ baffling race-swapping and odd translation of the Western launch may.

20. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

The characters from Shin Megami Tensei: Persona stand against a purple background, all wearing gray uniforms

The place to play: Unavailable as of July 2, 2021, besides from secondhand sellers

Whereas it retains the unique’s retro really feel, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona revitalizes the primary sport for the PlayStation Transportable in a number of elements. It features a higher English translation, a better overworld map to navigate, sooner motion whereas exploring dungeons, and extra quality-of-life enhancements. Most significantly, it has the Snow Queen quest, a large storyline that’s lacking in Revelations, and anime cutscenes. The soundtrack is totally different, too, and extra on par with the latter video games.

19. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight

A young girl points her finger as prompts for dancing motions appear on the sides in Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight

The place to play: PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita

Launched in 2018, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight is a rhythm sport spinoff constructed on the identical basis as Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight. The most important distinction, and flaw, is its unique observe listing. It suffers from the truth that it got here out earlier than a lot of the new soundtracks, missing a higher and richer selection throughout the board. Certain, there are DLCs you should buy, together with songs from the anime, Persona 5: The Animation, in addition to Persona 4 Enviornment Ultimax and Persona Q. However in addition they work in Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight, which is a way more rounded package deal.

18. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

The characters of Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth strike action poses behind a movie curatin

The place to play: Unavailable as of March 31, 2023, besides from secondhand resellers

If you happen to ever puzzled what would occur if the casts of Persona 3 Transportable, Persona 4, and Persona 5 all acquired collectively in a haunted movie show, properly, that’s Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth in a nutshell. The 2018 launch takes the inspiration of Q and improves it within the gameplay sense. However it additionally lacks novelty, and the fan service of the primary is additional aggravated by having one more crew in an already crowded setting, resulting in much less room for significant interactions.

17. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth

The cast of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth look stunned in the hallways of school

The place to play: Unavailable as of March 31, 2023, besides from secondhand resellers

The primary entry within the collection to be developed for a Nintendo console, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, launched on 3DS in 2014, is a mashup developed by the Persona and Etrian Odyssey groups, launched as a first-person dungeon crawler. The casts of Persona 3 and Persona 4 be part of forces in a chibi-style depiction, alongside a number of new characters. It’s a distinct but intriguing crossover that gives extra depth for many who cherished exploring dungeons within the unique video games.

16. Persona 4 Enviornment

Three characters in Persona 4 arena approach the camera with weapons — a sword, a gun, and what looks like a chair.

The place to play: Xbox consoles by way of backward compatibility with the 360 model, out there for buy digitally till July

The spinoff period of the Persona collection kicked off with a preventing sport. Certain, why not? Persona 4 Enviornment, launched in 2012, sees Persona 4’s protagonist returning to Inaba after the occasions of the story. After some occasions unfold, each the unique solid and a few characters from Persona 3 all find yourself concerned in a preventing match P-1 Grand Prix. It’s as wacky as it’s exhilarating. However there’s a greater technique to expertise it.

15. Persona 4 Enviornment Ultimax

Yu Narukami and Labrys square off in Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, with text that says “Can you all feel the drama!?”

The place to play: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Swap, and PC for the re-release, or Xbox 360 in the event you personal the console, because it’s not backward appropriate with later platforms

Persona 4 Enviornment Ultimax was launched on consoles in 2014, serving as a direct sequel to Enviornment. It has a much bigger roster of characters, bringing much more people from the Persona 3 solid, a strong set of mechanics (reminiscent of charging up assaults and having the ability to select Shadow sorts, amongst others), and a narrative instructed in a visible novel fashion. Understand that the story from Enviornment is included within the PS4, Swap, and PC variations, and it was initially out there as DLC for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 variations.

14. Persona 4: Dancing All Night time

The characters from Persona 4: Dancing All Night have a litany of facial expressions, from surprise to joy to shock.

The place to play: PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4, the latter solely out there with the Limitless Night time Assortment bundle

Contemplating how prevalent music is in each Persona entry, a rhythm sport was certain to occur sooner slightly than later. In 2015, Persona 4: Dancing All Night time kicked off the primary of three entries, together with each unique tracks and a few glorious remixes that proceed to be in my day by day rotation to this present day. The story isn’t as memorable, however you should full it to unlock the very best issue possibility. Nonetheless, if you’d like an excuse to see the solid once more or simply love rhythm video games, this can be a nice place to begin.

13. Persona 5 Tactica

The characters from Persona 5 Tactica get ready to battle

The place to play: Nintendo Swap, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Collection X, in addition to on Sport Go

Simply once we thought Atlus was operating out of genres for its spinoffs, Persona 5 Tactica comes alongside as a fusion with tactics-style gameplay. The 2023 launch is much like the XCOM collection in nature, however like Strikers, does a good job of capitalizing on the prevailing toolsets of the mainline video games. Its story carries some combined messages, and it might use fewer ranges to undergo, because the enemy selection will get repetitive towards the tip. However it’s a daring mashup value trying out.

12. Persona 4

In Persona 4, Igor sits in the back of a limo and says “My name is Igor ... I am delighted to make your acquaintance.”

The place to play: PlayStation 3

Only a few individuals know in regards to the perils of spending an excessive amount of time in entrance of the TV as do the townsfolk in Inaba. Persona 4 is centered across the Midnight Channel — an city legend that claims in the event you stare at your TV on a wet night time, your soulmate will supposedly seem on the display. This, as anticipated, has horrible outcomes, with the TV World being the core of a collection of tragic murders in an in any other case peaceable city. Persona 4 is an enormous leap from Persona 3 when it comes to gameplay. Until you’re a nostalgic individual, although, there’s a greater model out there.

11. Persona 3

Teens in a classroom look up at the camera in Persona 3

The place to play: Unavailable, besides from secondhand resellers

The primary introduction to the Specialised Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES) occurred in 2008 with the discharge of the unique Persona 3. Persona 3 took step one to establishing the trendy Persona formulation, introducing the calendar-based construction and an early have a look at the fight that newer followers have grown used to. It additionally has arguably the most effective pitch for a plot, with the twenty fifth hour of the day summoning a dark moon up within the sky and Shadows on the streets for these unfortunate sufficient to expertise the horrors.

10. Persona 5

A black-and-white image of the Persona 5 characters walking towards the camera, with a splash of red in the skyline

The place to play: PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4

What else is there to say about Persona 5 at this level? The blueprint for what we all know as a contemporary Persona sport was launched in 2017 within the U.S. It’s a slick expertise that takes components from previous entries and refines them in a daring and classy package deal. The Phantom Thieves stole everybody’s hearts, whereas additionally creating the inspiration for the gameplay fashion, and look, of subsequent entries. The one cause it’s not increased on the listing is as a result of, put merely, the unique is kind of outdated compared to its definitive version.

9. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight

Four characters from Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight dance in a Tron-like images as button prompts appear

The place to play: PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita

One of the best out of the three rhythm video games within the collection. 2018’s Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight reminds us that the Persona 3 soundtrack continues to be unmatched, and it does so with an array of remixes that solely strengthen the ambiance and really feel of the originals. It’s punchy, fashionable, and exhilarating to play and replay till you get a full combo in each tune.

8. Persona 5 Strikers

The characters from Persona 5 Strikers strike action poses in a colorful neon image

The place to play: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Swap, and PC

A derivative in nature and a narrative sequel to Persona 5, 2021’s Persona 5 Strikers has the Phantom Thieves reuniting as soon as extra for a street journey. It’s additionally a musou sport akin to Dynasty Warriors, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and so forth. It’s a rendition of Persona 5 on a smaller scale, however the fight provides a stunning quantity of depth, capitalizing on the usage of Personas in a hack-and-slash vogue.

7. Persona 3 Reload

Three teens and a dog get ready to battle in Persona 3 Reload

The place to play: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, and Xbox Collection X, in addition to on Sport Go

From its conception, it was clear that Persona 3 Reload wasn’t aiming to be the definitive model, with the absence of each The Reply epilogue from FES and the feminine protagonist route from Transportable. It additionally borrows from Persona 5 Royal fairly extensively, refining its presentation and including plethora of quality-of-life updates. In essence, the 2024 launch is a retelling of the unique Persona 3 story within the fashion of Persona 5.

It makes for an approachable entry, with some welcoming additions, like further actions to partake in after college and tweaks to its fight. However in the event you’re curious in regards to the unique renditions, particularly to expertise firsthand the principle appeals of Persona 3 that didn’t make it into the remake, you’ll have some decisions to make.

6. Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment

An image from Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, where Joker says “Eikichi Mishina... Lisa Silverman... And you, the Thief... It’s time you died! You cannot escape the wheel of fortune!”

The place to play: PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita

The second entry within the duology, Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment noticed an official launch for PlayStation 1 in 2000. So, sure, it did come out earlier than Persona 2: Harmless Sin was ported. Fight stays largely the identical, though with some refinements and a better issue. Its power is in the best way it acts as a direct sequel to the story with a number of returning characters, in addition to being the primary Persona sport to function a feminine protagonist in Maya Amano. The PlayStation Transportable model wasn’t formally localized, however there’s a fan translation on the market.

5. Persona 2: Harmless Sin

Adolf Hitler, in Persona 2: Innocent Sin, says “Exactly. My Order of the Holy Lance, symbolizing the Zodiac, has those qualifications as well.”

The place to play: PlayStation Vita

Initially launched in Japan for PlayStation 1, Persona 2: Harmless Sin didn’t arrive in North America and Europe till 2011. On the surface, it’ll be remembered as an RPG that featured Adolf Hitler, which is reportedly a part of the explanation why it took so lengthy to obtain a port abroad.

The story is unquestionably one among its highlights, that includes a wild plot with a powerful solid that carries a vastly totally different tone than the one from future crews. Certain, the dated fight is likely to be onerous to abdomen, nevertheless it’s well worth the journey down reminiscence lane to witness how totally different the collection was.

It additionally encompasses a potential romance between two male characters — which hasn’t but been replicated within the franchise — and has total stronger queer illustration than the remainder of the collection.

4. Persona 3 FES

Protagonists from Persona 3 FES look shocked, as two large faces loom to the side of them, in what looks like a watercolor image

The place to play: PlayStation 3

Persona 3 FES is a considerable revision of the unique. It polishes up the fight, provides an array of latest quests and interactions (like having the ability to take SEES’ canine member, Koromaru out for a stroll, which is essential), and tweaks mechanics just like the Naganaki Shrine.

Most notable is The Reply, which incorporates each a brand new dungeon to plunge into and an epilogue for the story. Because it stands, Persona 3 FES represents the whole story, which makes it a straightforward advice. Its largest flaws are within the lack of quality-of-life updates that Persona 3 Transportable dropped at the desk, and most notably, the shortage of a feminine protagonist to select. Pupil Kotone Shiomi has her personal dialogue choices and even Social Hyperlinks to pursue, permitting you to get to know the male members of SEES intently. Certain, Persona 3 Reload goals to supply the latter with new social outings involving the solid at massive. However it’s a day-and-night distinction in comparison with what Transportable provides. In distinction, FES has a greater presentation, permitting you to manage your character and see the world in shut element.

3. Persona 4 Golden

A group of teens gather around three stacked television in a golden room after school in Persona 4 Golden

The place to play: Nintendo Swap, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Home windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Collection X

In 2012, Persona 4 Golden launched itself as one of many predominant causes to get a PlayStation Vita. It first parted methods with its exclusivity in 2020 with a PC port, and has since been remastered for present platforms. It has a number of additions throughout the board, from Social Hyperlinks to actions, quests, story occasions, and loads of quality-of-life modifications. It additionally introduces Marie, a brand new character that offers you entry to a brand new dungeon and epilogue, in a similar way to Persona 3 FES. As such, if you wish to know the true ending of the story, that is the model to play by way of.

Golden additionally offers a curious glimpse of a number of the mechanics that will later be adopted by Persona 5. Dungeons, for instance, are nonetheless much like those in Persona 3 when it comes to construction, going by way of flooring one after the other till you defeat a remaining boss. However they’re extra thematically tailor-made to characters and story occasions, in a manner that was capitalized on with Palaces in Persona 5.

2. Persona 3 Transportable

A dialogue box from Persona 3 Portable, as Yukari says “Welcome to Gekkoukan high! You’re gonna love it here!”

The place to play: Nintendo Swap, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Home windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Collection X

Persona 3 Transportable was initially launched on PSP in 2009 in Japan and a 12 months later in North America. Fortunately, it has since been ported with a lite remaster to present platforms. It provides a number of extra quality-of-life updates to a model recognized for them — primarily, the power to manually management your social gathering members in fight. This isn’t only a “Goofy can’t heal me for shit” situation like in Kingdom Hearts. It’s essential for a sport the place utilizing the proper expertise on the proper time to use weaknesses is an integral a part of enemy encounters.

In distinction with FES, it will get tough. Transportable doesn’t have The Reply, which signifies that the story is incomplete. It’s additionally a closely toned-down model when it comes to presentation, feeling extra akin to a visible novel as you hover over factors of curiosity in static situations as a floating cursor, slightly than manually transferring your character to speak to individuals. But FES doesn’t have a playable feminine protagonist together with her personal Social Hyperlinks and dialogue choices. And your social gathering members not often heal you.

When you’ve got a choice for FES even with its shortcomings, it’s comprehensible. However the quality-of-life modifications and new protagonist, alongside simpler entry, make Transportable the go-to model for now.

1. Persona 5 Royal

In Persona 5 Royal, two students talk at a table while eating. Kasumi says “I don’t mean to be too demanding, but I’m going to train you even harder than before! Make sure you keep up!”

The place to play: Nintendo Swap, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, and Xbox Collection X

Persona 5 Royal, the definitive model launched within the U.S. in 2020, represents the collection in its most expression. It polishes up fight with an array of welcoming new mechanics, provides extra actions to partake in, and most significantly, expands the story to offer the last word closure. The brand new characters and confidants function a fantastic complement, banding collectively towards the tip to kick off a brand new third semester, serving as a hefty epilogue to the unique with a fascinating and bittersweet send-off to the Phantom Thieves.

Royal, for higher or worse, is the utmost illustration of Persona video games. It carries over problems with sexism and homophobia, regardless of making an attempt to deal with previous errors, that the collection has been reckoning with for many years now.

It has additionally grow to be a part of what Atlus now considers “the Persona 5 subseries,” which can not come as a shock. The fashion and presentation have been a transparent inspiration for the likes of Soul Hackers 2, Shin Megami Tensei 5, and Persona 3 Reload. Trying into the longer term, it’s clear that the affect continues to make itself obvious, with Metaphor: ReFantazio as an upcoming instance. Certain, the studio behind it’s led by sport director Katsura Hashino, who’s been concerned with the collection for the reason that starting up till Persona 5. However P-Studio’s soar into the mainstream may be seen in every single place.

If you happen to’re planning to get into the collection, Persona 5 Royal is the one to begin with. It’s an engrossing look into what Persona video games may be, with their distinctive flaws and triumphs, in any case these years.