Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Order

Starting its life as a Shin Megami Tensei spin-off, the Persona collection has shortly launched into one thing fully of its personal and grow to be one of many largest names in fashionable RPGs. From a number of main sequels and remakes to anime diversifications and even stage performs, Persona is a multimedia sensation, and its reputation doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime quickly.

With the newest entry in the franchise, Persona 3 Reload, now obtainable to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Sequence X, and PC, new gamers are in all probability questioning the place’s the most effective place to begin. Under, we’ll provide you with a full rundown of each sport and spin-off, together with the most effective entry level for newcomers and each the chronological and launch order of the collection.

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How Many Persona Video games Are There?

In whole, there are presently twenty Persona video games. A number of of those are expanded variations of the mainline entries in the collection, whether or not that’s in the type of re-releases that includes new story content material or remakes. Whereas we received’t embody direct ports or remasters, we’ll be sure that to notice each alternate model of every sport when itemizing them beneath.

Which Persona Game Ought to You Play First?

Should you’re searching for the right place to begin, you may’t actually go mistaken leaping into Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden or Persona 5 Royal. They’re the newest variations of the third, fourth and fifth mainline entries in the collection, and, except for Persona 3 Reload lacking Nintendo Swap, they’re all obtainable on PC and each main console.

For these involved about skipping the story by leaping into later entries in the collection, you received’t miss something by going straight to Persona 3, 4, or 5. Every sport tells a completely new story with unique characters that’s largely disconnected from its predecessors, so that they’re nice launching factors for these coming in recent. To slender your selections down, I might advocate looking at some gameplay movies and a number of the social hyperlinks throughout every of the video games to see what “stands out” to you.

Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Chronological Order

These blurbs comprise gentle spoilers for every sport, together with characters, settings, and story beats.

1. Revelations: Persona (1996)

The primary sport in the collection, Revelations: Persona was Atlus’ response to the constructive reception of Shin Megami Tensei: If…, which was one other Shin Megami Tensei spin-off centered round high-schoolers battling demons. Capitalizing on how a lot gamers loved the central idea, Revelations: Persona provided a full dungeon-crawling RPG centered round a gaggle of excessive schoolers battling a supernatural rebellion all through the city of Mikage-cho.

Alongside the best way, they use the powers of their woke up Personas to take down shadows and discover dungeons stuffed with random encounters, leveling up their social gathering and rising stronger over the course of the sport. Revelations: Persona was the muse of the franchise as we all know it at this time, introducing parts like wielding Personas in fight, the Velvet Room and a teenage forged of heroes.

2. Persona 2: Harmless Sin (1999)

The second entry in the Persona collection, Persona 2: Harmless Sin launched in 1999. The sport follows a brand new set of high-school college students led by protagonist Tatsuya Suou, who set out on a mission to take down a mysterious villain often known as Joker and the cult of the Masked Circle.

Centring round an evil plot the place malicious rumors spreading across the city of Sumaru come to life, Persona 2 as soon as once more focuses on exploring dungeons, wielding Personas, preventing shadows and leveling up your social gathering. In contrast to different entries in the collection, it obtained a direct sequel only a 12 months later, with Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment appearing as a continuation of the sport’s story.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 2: Harmless Sin.

3. Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment (2000)

Following up the occasions of Harmless Sin, Everlasting Punishment promoted facet character, Maya Amano, to the protagonist position. Despatched to jot down an article a few new rumor relating to a phenomenon often known as the Joker Curse, the sport shortly sees Maya and her allies rally in opposition to a returning foe.

Performing as a direct continuation of Harmless Sin’s story, it facilities on the identical model of turn-based, dungeon-crawling gameplay, as gamers construct their social gathering and wield their Personas to battle shadows.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment.

4. Persona 3 (2006) / Persona 3 FES (2007) / Persona 3 Transportable (2009) / Persona 3 Reload (2024)

The third mainline entry in the franchise, Persona 3 was a serious evolution of the Persona components. Opting to deal with its high-school premise, Persona 3 launched a every day calendar, with one half of the sport tasking gamers with attending college, growing friendships and learning, whereas the opposite despatched them to battle shadows in the supernatural realm of Tartarus.

The story focuses on highschool pupil Makoto Yuki, who finds he is capable of expertise a mysterious house of time often known as the Darkish Hour, the place common individuals are trapped in coffins and a demonic tower sprouts from his college. Teaming together with his classmates, he explores the tower, uncovering a sinister plot that threatens all the world. Persona 3 is taken into account a landmark entry for the collection, introducing social hyperlinks, day-to-day actions and many different mechanics which have since grow to be synonymous with the franchise.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 3 Reload.

5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)

A rhythm-based dancing spin-off of Persona 3 that takes place throughout the primary marketing campaign, Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight sees Elizabeth problem the S.E.E.S workforce to a dance-off in the Velvet Room. The occasions of the sport are set throughout a dream however are utterly canon to the story, and observe the workforce performing varied dance routines to iconic Persona 3 tracks.

6. Persona 4 (2008) / Persona 4 Golden (2012)

The fourth mainline entry in the Persona collection, Persona 4 takes place in the agricultural city of Inaba. Gamers assume the position of Yu Narukami: a excessive schooler from the town who strikes to the nation to dwell together with his uncle and cousin for a 12 months. After arriving, a string of violent murders start to happen in the city, as Yu and his associates shortly uncover they’re in some way linked to a mysterious otherworldly realm they’ll entry by stepping by TV screens.

Delving into this mysterious new world, Yu and his associates face supernatural forces as they be taught extra concerning the murders, utilizing their powers to attempt and cease them. Constructing off the mechanics of Persona 3, Persona 4 as soon as once more makes use of the calendar system, as gamers construct social hyperlinks and attend college whereas additionally exploring huge dungeons and defeating enemies with their Personas.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 4 Golden.

7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)

Technically happening throughout the Persona 3 and Persona 4 storylines concurrently, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is a crossover between each video games. In the course of the storm phase of Persona 3 and the Tradition Competition phase of Persona 4, the S.E.E.S workforce and the Investigation Squad are trapped inside a warped model of Yasogami Excessive Faculty.

The time-bending occasion sees each groups come collectively to research the unusual prevalence and escape again to their respective spots on the timeline. Alongside the best way, gamers discover a labyrinth stuffed with new enemies and uncover an unique story, with the spin-off appearing as a callback to the collection’ extra conventional dungeon-crawler roots.

Learn our evaluate of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.

8. Persona 4 Area (2012)

A continuation of each Persona 3 and 4’s narratives and the franchise’s first main spin-off, Persona 4 Area sees Yu Narukami return to Inaba and stumble into a brand new journey, as he returns to the TV world for a mysterious preventing event. Compelled to battle in opposition to his allies and a gaggle often known as the Shadow Operatives, which is comprised of Persona 3’s Mitsuru, Akihiko and Aigis, Area gives a full preventing sport boasting a roster of iconic Persona characters.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 4 Area.

9. Persona 4 Area Ultimax (2013)

A 12 months following the discharge of Persona 4 Area, the spin-off obtained a sequel titled Persona 4 Area Ultimax. Going down straight after the occasions of the primary sport, the Persona 4 squad groups up with the Shadow Operatives to return to the TV World and battle in opposition to the mysterious forces operating the preventing event. Ultimax was in the end an improve for the primary sport, bringing in an expanded roster together with returning characters like Yukari, Junpei, Ken and Koromaru.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 4 Area Ultimax.

10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night time (2015)

The fourth and arguably most surprising spin-off of Persona 4, Persona 4: Dancing All Night time is a rhythm-based dancing sport the place the Investigation Squad performs routines to iconic Persona tracks. It gives a very canon continuation of the storyline, following Yu and the workforce as they’re sucked into an alternate dimension often known as the Midnight Stage.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 4: Dancing All Night time.

11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)

The fifth mainline entry in the collection, Persona 5 hit cabinets in Japan in 2016 earlier than launching worldwide in 2017. Taking gamers to Tokyo, it casts them as a brand new protagonist often known as Joker, who finds himself on probation after being framed for against the law he didn’t commit. Attending the native highschool, Joker and his associates uncover a supernatural alternate dimension, which permits them to infiltrate mystical palaces and change the hearts of evil-doers across the metropolis.

Earlier than lengthy, the group turns into infamous on the streets of Tokyo, going below the alias of the Phantom Thieves. The sport builds closely off the components established by Persona 3 and 4, together with huge story-focused ranges that unfold over a month, the return of the negotiation system and a brand new dungeon system often known as Mementos. Persona 5 launched the franchise into the stratosphere, shortly changing into Atlus’ best-selling sport of all time and cultivating an enormous fan base.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 5 Royal.

12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)

A sequel to Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, New Cinema Labyrinth as soon as once more depicts a crossover between varied Persona characters. After the Phantom Thieves discover themselves trapped in a movie show, they ally with Persona 3’s S.E.E.S workforce and Persona 4’s Investigation Squad to search out an escape, touring into the flicks on the display in an try to repair their endings.

Very like the unique sport, Persona Q2 concurrently takes place throughout the Persona 3, 4 and 5 storylines, with the journey pulling every group out of their respective timeline. There, they discover dungeons from a first-person perspective and battle turn-based battles in opposition to varied enemies.

13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)

Going down throughout the occasions of Persona 5, Persona 5 Tactica is a strategy-focused spin-off that’s comparable in model to the XCOM franchise. The story follows the Phantom Thieves mysteriously touring to an alternate realm often known as the Kingdoms. Unable to flee, Joker and Morgana are compelled to desert the remainder of the Phantom Thieves after they’re brainwashed by the realm’s monstrous ruler, Tyrant Marie, forcing the pair to start an journey to save lots of their allies and return house.

Alongside the best way, they workforce up with the native resistance, serving to them battle in opposition to Tyrant Marie’s forces. The sport revolves round a tactical grid-based fight system, as gamers direct three models throughout the battlefield and take out enemies.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 5 Tactica.

14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)

Atlus’ third rhythm-based dancing spin-off, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight sees Caroline and Justine convey the Phantom Thieves to the Velvet Room and problem them to a dance off. There, the group carry out dance routines to a number of of Persona 5’s catchiest tracks.

15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)

A spin-off set 4 months after the occasions of Persona 5, Strikers sees the Phantom Thieves reunite for a summer time trip. Nevertheless, the workforce discover themselves sucked into the Metaverse after utilizing an app often known as EMMA. Escaping with the assistance of a brand new ally, the workforce don their Phantom Thieves gear as soon as extra and got down to uncover the reality behind EMMA, the Metaverse, and what it means for the individuals of Tokyo.

Persona 5 Strikers is a crossover with the long-running Dynasty Warriors franchise, introducing real-time fight to the collection. Battles middle across the Phantom Thieves taking up massive hordes of enemies, which they’ll take care of by combos or by calling on Personas.

Learn our evaluate of Persona 5 Strikers.

Every Persona Game and Spin-Off in Launch Order

1. Revelations: Persona (1996)
2. Persona 2: Harmless Sin (1999)
3. Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment (2000)
4. Persona 3 (2006)
5. Persona 3 FES (2007)
6. Persona 4 (2008)
7. Persona 3 Transportable (2009)
8. Persona 4 Area (2012)
9. Persona 4 Golden (2012)
10. Persona 4 Area Ultimax (2013)
11. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
12. Persona 4: Dancing All Night time (2015)
13. Persona 5 (2016)
14. Persona 3: Dancing in the Moonlight (2018)
15. Persona 5: Dancing in the Starlight (2018)
16. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
17. Persona 5 Royal (2019)
18. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
19. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
20. Persona 3 Reload (2024)

What’s Subsequent for Persona?

Followers of Atlus RPGs have been handled to 2 releases in 2024: Persona 3 Reload and Metaphor: ReFantazio, an all-new RPG from Atlus’s Studio Zero. After the large success of Metaphor (it picked up fairly a couple of awards), Sega introduced their need to maintain investing in Atlus, and the Persona IP in specific, in a developers’ Q&A session.

The subsequent Persona venture to look at is the free-to-play cellular sport Persona 5: The Phantom X. It was launched in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Korea r in 2024, with a Japanese launch imminent followng a closed beta sign-up in October. A worldwide launch is anticipated, although there aren’t any offical particulars on its potential launch date. The Phantom X is described by Atlus as “an unique story set in the world of Persona 5 [in which] new characters rise from the shadows and don the masks of the Phantom Thieves.”

Persona 6 is the anticipated subsequent launch in the RPG collection, although Atlus has but to formally affirm the sport is in growth.

Callum Williams is a contract media author with years of expertise as a sport critic, information reporter, guides author and options author.