by Leo Apr 20,2025
Originally a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Persona franchise has evolved into a standalone powerhouse, becoming one of the most iconic names in modern role-playing games (RPGs). With a vast array of sequels, remakes, anime adaptations, and even stage plays, Persona has cemented itself as a multimedia phenomenon, showing no signs of slowing down. The latest addition, Persona 3 Reload, is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, sparking interest among new players about where to begin their journey. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to every game and spin-off, along with recommendations for the best starting points and the chronological and release order of the series.
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There are currently twenty Persona games in total. These include various expanded versions of the mainline entries, such as re-releases with new story content and remakes. We'll list every alternate version of each game below, excluding direct ports or remasters.
For newcomers, 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 and are accessible on PC and all major consoles, except for Persona 3 Reload, which is not available on Nintendo Switch.
Concerned about missing out on the story? Don't worry—each game in the series features an entirely new storyline with original characters, making them ideal starting points. To help you decide, explore some gameplay videos and the social link systems in each game to find what resonates with you.
54 Available on PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X. See it at Amazon
42 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Nintendo
103 Available on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo Switch See it at Amazon
These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.
The first game in the series, Revelations: Persona, was inspired by the positive reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If…, another spin-off centered around high-schoolers battling demons. This game introduced a full dungeon-crawling RPG experience in the town of Mikage-cho, where high schoolers use their Personas to fight supernatural enemies. Revelations: Persona laid the groundwork for the franchise, introducing core elements like Personas in combat, the Velvet Room, and a teenage cast.
The second installment, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, released in 1999, follows a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou. They battle a mysterious villain, Joker, and the Masked Circle cult in the town of Sumaru, where rumors come to life. It features dungeon exploration, Persona combat, and received a direct sequel the following year.
Read our review of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.
Continuing the story of Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment elevates Maya Amano to the protagonist role. She and her allies confront a returning enemy linked to the Joker Curse. The game retains the turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, focusing on building your party and battling shadows.
Read our review of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
Persona 3 marked a significant evolution in the series, emphasizing the high-school premise with a daily calendar system. Players balance school life and social interactions with nightly battles in Tartarus, a demonic tower. The protagonist, Makoto Yuki, navigates the mysterious Dark Hour to uncover a world-threatening plot. Persona 3 introduced social links and day-to-day activities, becoming a defining title in the series.
Read our review of Persona 3 Reload.
Alternate Versions of Persona 3:
Persona 3 has been re-released multiple times. Persona 3 FES added The Answer and an alternate female protagonist campaign. Persona 3 Portable included the female protagonist but excluded The Answer. Persona 3 Reload is a modern remake of the base game, but it does not include The Answer or the female protagonist route.
This rhythm-based dancing spin-off features the S.E.E.S team in a dance-off challenge by Elizabeth in the Velvet Room. Set during a dream but canon to the story, it includes dance routines to iconic Persona 3 tracks.
Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami, a high schooler investigating a series of murders linked to a mysterious otherworldly realm accessed via TV monitors. The game expands on Persona 3's mechanics, utilizing a calendar system to balance social links and dungeon exploration.
Read our review of Persona 4 Golden.
Alternate Versions of Persona 4:
Persona 4 Golden, released in 2012, is an enhanced version with additional story content and a new dungeon, widely regarded as the definitive way to experience the game.
Set during the events of Persona 3 and 4, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is a crossover where both teams are trapped in a warped version of Yasogami High School. They explore a labyrinth, fight new enemies, and uncover an original story, harking back to the series' traditional dungeon-crawler roots.
Read our review of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.
A narrative continuation of both Persona 3 and 4, Persona 4 Arena is the franchise's first fighting game spin-off. Yu Narukami returns to Inaba and enters a mysterious tournament in the TV world, battling allies and the Shadow Operatives from Persona 3.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena.
Following the events of Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax expands the roster and continues the story, with the Persona 4 squad and Shadow Operatives teaming up to battle forces in the TV World.
Read our review of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
A rhythm-based dancing game set in a canon continuation of Persona 4, the Investigation Squad performs routines to iconic tracks in the Midnight Stage, an alternate dimension.
Read our review of Persona 4: Dancing All Night.
Persona 5 introduces players to Tokyo, where protagonist Joker, on probation for a crime he didn't commit, discovers a supernatural dimension. As the Phantom Thieves, they infiltrate palaces to change the hearts of evildoers. Persona 5 became Atlus's best-selling game, significantly boosting the franchise's popularity.
Read our review of Persona 5 Royal.
Alternate Versions of Persona 5:
Persona 5 Royal is an expanded re-release with additional content, including a new companion, dungeon, and semester, considered the ultimate version of the game.
A sequel to Persona Q, New Cinema Labyrinth features a crossover where the Phantom Thieves, S.E.E.S team, and Investigation Squad are trapped in a movie theater and explore movies to fix their endings, blending elements from Persona 3, 4, and 5.
Set during Persona 5, Persona 5 Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off similar to XCOM. The Phantom Thieves navigate the Kingdoms, fighting to save their brainwashed allies and return home.
Read our review of Persona 5 Tactica.
In this rhythm-based dancing spin-off, the Phantom Thieves are challenged to a dance-off in the Velvet Room by Caroline and Justine, performing routines to Persona 5's catchy tracks.
Set four months after Persona 5, Strikers reunites the Phantom Thieves for a summer vacation turned Metaverse adventure. It introduces real-time combat inspired by the Dynasty Warriors series, focusing on battles against large enemy hordes.
Read our review of Persona 5 Strikers.
The next project to keep an eye on is Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile game released in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea in 2024, with a Japanese release soon to follow after a closed beta sign-up in October. A global release is anticipated, though no official date has been announced. The Phantom X offers an original story set in the Persona 5 universe, introducing new characters as Phantom Thieves.
Persona 6, the next major installment in the RPG series, is highly anticipated, though Atlus has not yet confirmed its development officially.
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