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“Which one should I start with?” — if you’ve ever been curious about the Megami Tensei and Persona series, you’ve wrestled with this question. Running since 1987, the franchise now spans more than 30 titles, and no other series has a family tree this tangled. It’s equally infamous for its difficulty — walk in unprepared and plenty of these games will flatten you before you know what hit you.
Flip that around, though, and this is a series anyone can fall down the rabbit hole with — as long as you enter through the right door. From a stylish urban RPG where slick UI meets live jazz, to a philosophical, surreal RPG where you debate politics with demons in a dreamlike world, its range defies any one-line summary. The SpotGeeks editorial team has played every single entry, and we’ll say it plainly: get the entry point right, and the fun is guaranteed.
In this article we score all 15 games out of 100 across four axes: Accessibility, Graphics, Brutality, and Replay Value. From a beginner’s very first game to hidden gems for hardcore fans, it’s built so you can pick without second-guessing. All information is current as of May 2026.
The top five are all available on current platforms — Switch, PS4/PS5, PC and more. Let’s run through them in order.
If you only care about Persona and just want to know where to start, our dedicated beginner’s guide comparing the main entries will get you there faster. It also covers how to think about play order.
All 15 Megami Tensei & Persona Games: Score Comparison Chart
We scored every game out of 100 on four criteria. “Brutality” means difficulty — the higher the number, the harder the game bites back. “Accessibility” measures how much fun a total newcomer can have jumping in cold. Don’t just look at the totals; pick based on the axis that matters most to you.
| Title | Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Persona 5 Royal | 98 | 98 | 40 | 100 | 336 |
| 🥈 Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance | 80 | 85 | 80 | 88 | 333 |
| 🥉 Persona 3 Reload | 88 | 92 | 64 | 82 | 326 |
| No. 4 Persona 4 Golden | 92 | 70 | 52 | 96 | 310 |
| No. 5 Shin Megami Tensei IV | 68 | 62 | 88 | 86 | 304 |
| No. 6 Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD | 50 | 70 | 96 | 82 | 298 |
| No. 7 Persona 5 Strikers | 85 | 88 | 52 | 72 | 297 |
| No. 8 Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse | 74 | 65 | 75 | 80 | 294 |
| No. 9 Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux | 62 | 58 | 90 | 82 | 292 |
| No. 10 RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army | 72 | 82 | 50 | 81 | 285 |
| No. 11 Devil Survivor Overclocked | 76 | 55 | 72 | 80 | 283 |
| No. 12 Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth | 72 | 70 | 70 | 68 | 280 |
| No. 13 Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker | 74 | 56 | 68 | 75 | 273 |
| No. 14 Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner | 55 | 48 | 82 | 70 | 255 |
| No. 15 Persona 2: Eternal Punishment | 48 | 42 | 62 | 70 | 222 |
Look at how the Brutality scores are distributed. The top three (P5R, SMT5V, P3R) are relatively gentle, making them easy on-ramps on current hardware. Nocturne (Brutality 96) and Strange Journey (Brutality 90), on the other hand, sit at the summit of the challenge curve. Our recommended golden route: enter the series through P5R, then take your true Megami Tensei baptism with Nocturne.
No. 1: Persona 5 Royal — The Series’ High-Water Mark and the Perfect First Game
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98 | 98 | 40 | 100 | 336 |
Metacritic: 95. That says it all. Persona 5 Royal is the expanded 2019 edition of Persona 5, and in 2022 it went multiplatform on Switch, PS5, Xbox, and Steam. At 7,678 yen (tax included) on Switch/PS5, you can pick it up on any current platform.
Its heroes are the Phantom Thieves, a band of teenagers wounded by an unjust adult world. They infiltrate “Palaces” — twisted mental worlds hidden inside reality — to expose evil, and the game’s stylish UI and blaring jazz soundtrack fuse into an immersion that is entirely its own. The calendar system’s double life of daily routine and dungeon combat delivers an overwhelming 100-plus hours of content.
Royal’s added “Third Semester” is a masterpiece of an episode that deepens the story another full notch. If a series newcomer asks for “just one game,” this is it — no hesitation.
- Available on Switch/PS4/PS5/Xbox/Steam — 7,678 yen (tax included)
- Metacritic 95 — the highest-rated game in the series
- Over 100 hours of content, Third Semester scenario included
- Slow opening — about 5 hours until the first Persona awakening
- No direct story ties to P4, so it stands perfectly well on its own
And the series is still moving. We’ve rounded up everything announced about the upcoming Persona 6 here.
If you’d rather start with the anime instead of the games, we also have a guide explaining the viewing order.
No. 2: Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance — The Pinnacle Demon-Fusion RPG of 2024
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 85 | 80 | 88 | 333 |
The definitive, massively upgraded edition of 2021’s Shin Megami Tensei V arrived on June 14, 2024. It runs on Switch, PS4/PS5, Xbox, and Steam for 9,878 yen (tax included), and has surpassed one million copies sold worldwide — the series’ newest high point.
The stage is Da’at, a Tokyo in ruins. The protagonist becomes a “Nahobino,” a fusion of god and human, weaving a mythology of his own in a world overrun by demons and angels. The Press Turn system — extra actions earned by striking weaknesses — balances bite and strategy, and as a turn-based RPG its polish stands at the very top of the current generation.
The new goddess-of-revenge route added in Vengeance pushes the total past 100 hours across all endings. Even players new to Megami Tensei can ease in on the “Amala Rebirth (Easy)” difficulty. Alongside P5R, it’s the best entry point on current hardware.
- Available on Switch/PS4/PS5/Xbox/Steam — 9,878 yen (tax included)
- Selectable difficulty — approachable even for Megami Tensei first-timers
- Over 100 hours of total play with the added Vengeance route
- The sprawling open map makes it easy to get lost early on
- No Persona-style calendar or school life — this is Megami Tensei at its most austere
No. 3: Persona 3 Reload — The Best Remake of 2024, a Coming-of-Age Tale That Stares Down Death
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88 | 92 | 64 | 82 | 326 |
A full remake of the 2006 classic, released February 29, 2024. It earned a Metacritic 88 — high praise for a remake. It costs 9,680 yen (tax included) on PS4/PS5, Xbox, and Steam, with the Switch version arriving in late 2024.
The theme is death. High schoolers with extraordinary powers explore “Tartarus,” a tower that appears only at midnight, unraveling the secret of the mysterious Dark Hour. The character writing runs so much deeper that fans of the original call this “the version it always should have been,” and full voice acting plus completely rebuilt visuals make the emotional pull hit that much harder.
One caveat: the epilogue “The Answer” is locked to the separately sold Expansion Pass DLC. The main story alone is a solid 70–80 hours, but experiencing everything requires the extra purchase.
- Metacritic 88 — the highest-quality remake of 2024
- Available on PS4/PS5/Switch/Xbox/Steam — 9,680 yen (tax included)
- The series’ most moving scenario, confronting death head-on
- The epilogue “The Answer” requires the separately sold Expansion Pass
- No female protagonist route — some features remain exclusive to the Portable version
No. 4: Persona 4 Golden — A Coming-of-Age Mystery and the Series’ Best Bargain at 1,980 Yen
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | 70 | 52 | 96 | 310 |
1,980 yen (tax included) on Switch/PS4/Xbox/Steam. The amount of game you get for that price is genuinely startling. The remaster launched on January 19, 2023, and it runs beautifully on current hardware.
It’s a coming-of-age mystery RPG: the protagonist transfers to a sleepy rural town and gets pulled into a string of murders shrouded in fog. The Social Link bond system with your companions is rich and generous, putting it in the top tier alongside P5R for sheer attachment to its cast. The path to the True End rests on your own choices, too — that Replay Value score of 96 is no exaggeration.
The graphics show their age in places, but the warm art style and poppy soundtrack more than make up for it. If you loved P5R, we can say it outright: you will love P4G too.
- 1,980 yen (tax included) — the best value in the series (Switch/PS4/Xbox/Steam)
- Accessibility 92 — the most beginner-friendly design after P5R
- 80–100 hours of content to dig into
- Graphics are 2008-vintage — a resolution-bump remaster only
- The True End requires specific choices — consulting a guide is recommended
Note that a full remake, Persona 4 Revival, is set to launch on February 18, 2027 — 9,900 yen (tax included) for the standard edition, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Grab P4G for 1,980 yen and play right now, or hold out for the remake? That one comes down to taste.
Yes — P4G is getting a full remake, Persona 4 Revival. Get the details here.
No. 5: Shin Megami Tensei IV — A Hardcore 3DS JRPG Classic That Follows a Samurai’s Destiny
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 62 | 88 | 86 | 304 |
Released in 2013 exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS. There is no port to current platforms, so you’ll need a 3DS console or a secondhand copy. But the content hasn’t aged a day — this remains one of the towering achievements of the Megami Tensei series.
Flynn, raised in a samurai village cut off from civilization, descends into the underground world of a devastated Tokyo. The three-way route structure — Law, Chaos, and Neutral — makes every choice land with piercing weight. The early Akira Vortex Building dungeon is a baptism — the word “trial” made flesh — but push through it and the true joy of Megami Tensei opens up before you.
- Three-way route structure — the weightiest choices in the series
- 80–100 hours of dense, substantial content
- Its world connects to Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (No. 2)
- 3DS exclusive — not playable on current hardware (used console required)
- Steep early difficulty — a tall hurdle for Megami Tensei beginners
No. 6: Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster — Brutality 96, the Legend at the Series’ Summit
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 70 | 96 | 82 | 298 |
The legendary 2003 PS2 title, remastered in HD in 2021 and playable today on Switch, PS4, and Steam. This is the monument where the Press Turn battle system was born — the prototype of every modern Megami Tensei combat system lives here.
Set in “the Void,” a Tokyo after the apocalypse, it follows a protagonist transformed from human into an otherworldly being by a “Magatama,” dragged into a war over who gets to create the next world. As the Accessibility score of 50 suggests, it shows beginners no mercy — but the sense of triumph when you overcome it is unmatched in the series. And the sheer chaos of Dante from Devil May Cry joining the fray is something only this game offers.
- Available on Switch/PS4/Steam — playable on current hardware
- The historic birthplace of the Press Turn battle system
- Brutality 96 — the “Merkabah” difficulty delivers the ultimate sense of achievement
- Difficulty high enough to break a first-timer’s spirit
- Strongly recommended only after warming up with P5R and SMT5V
No. 7: Persona 5 Strikers — The Phantom Thieves Road-Trip Across Japan in an Action-RPG Sequel
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | 88 | 52 | 72 | 297 |
The canonical sequel to P5R, released in 2020 on Switch/PS4/Steam for 8,778 yen (tax included). It trades turn-based combat for action-RPG gameplay, creating a one-of-a-kind rush: Warriors-style crowd-clearing crossed with Persona strategy.
The summer-vacation journey through “Jails” across Japan is a superb scenario about the honest, human friendship between the protagonist and Morgana. For anyone who grew attached to the P5R cast, this is unquestionably the next game to reach for. Just know it assumes you’ve played P5R first.
- Available on Switch/PS4/Steam — 8,778 yen (tax included)
- A scenario that digs even deeper into the P5R cast
- Fast, exhilarating action-RPG combat — great even if P5R’s battles weren’t your thing
- The story loses half its impact if you haven’t played P5R
- If you’re expecting a turn-based RPG, it will feel like a different game entirely
No. 8: Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse — A Tale of the End Times Unfolding in SMT IV’s Shadow
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | 65 | 75 | 80 | 294 |
Released for 3DS in 2016. It’s a companion sequel to SMT IV told from a different perspective, following the protagonist Nanashi as he’s swept into a war between gods. It plays more smoothly than SMT IV, with a strengthened demon-ally assist system. Best tackled after finishing SMT IV. Being 3DS-exclusive, it can’t be bought on current platforms.
- More approachable than SMT IV — works as an entry point too
- The final showdown with YHVH reaches a mythological scale few games in the series match
- 3DS exclusive — not playable on current hardware
- Character relationships are hard to follow without playing SMT IV first
No. 9: Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux — A Hardcore Sci-Fi MegaTen Expedition into an Antarctic Anomaly
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | 58 | 90 | 82 | 292 |
A Redux remake (2017, 3DS) of the 2009 DS original. You play an expedition member sent into the “Schwarzwelt,” a bizarre dimensional rift that suddenly appeared in Antarctica. A protagonist who is a soldier rather than a student gives it a hard-edged sci-fi tone that sets it apart from everything else in the series. Redux added a new route and a new character, Alex. 3DS exclusive.
For old-school MegaTen fans, this one serves the darkness — the thick, murky taste of human folly — like nothing else. A true gem.
That said, it can’t be played on current hardware, and that’s what holds it to this rank.
- Soldier protagonist meets sci-fi setting — the darkest atmosphere in the series
- The Redux route adds serious bulk to a game already rocking Brutality 90
- 3DS exclusive — not playable on current hardware
- For veterans — not a good fit if you’re new to Megami Tensei
No. 10: RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army — Taisho-Era Romance Meets Devil Summoning in a One-of-a-Kind Action RPG
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 82 | 50 | 81 | 285 |
An HD remaster of the 2006 PS2 game Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army, arriving 19 years after the original. It launched on June 19, 2025 across every current platform — Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Steam — for 6,578 yen (tax included) standard, or 8,778 yen for the Digital Deluxe edition.
The setting is the Imperial Capital of Tokyo, steeped in Taisho-era romance. Young detective Raidou Kuzunoha commands demon allies to crack supernatural cases in an action RPG with the most distinctive worldbuilding in the entire MegaTen family. More than 120 demons appear, and the fusion-and-raising rabbit hole runs deep. The story is 20–30 hours, but commit to collecting demons and you’ll clear 100 hours without breaking a sweat. Difficulty is freely adjustable, and the fact that beginners can genuinely reach it is a welcome touch.
The modernization work is thorough and careful: full voice acting, overhauled graphics, auto-save. Because it’s real-time action rather than turn-based, it delivers an experience unlike any other MegaTen or Persona title. How hard it hits depends entirely on your appetite for Taisho-era atmosphere and detective fiction — a masterpiece, but a divisive one.
- Available on Switch/PS4/PS5/Xbox/Steam — HD remaster released June 19, 2025
- Taisho-era romance meets devil summoning — a worldview like nothing else
- Replay Value 81 thanks to 120-plus demons to collect and fuse
- Real-time action, not turn-based — handles very differently from the rest of the series
- If the Taisho-era detective vibe doesn’t grab you, the early hours will drag
No. 11: Devil Survivor Overclocked — A Masterful SRPG About Seven Days in a Sealed-Off Shibuya
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | 55 | 72 | 80 | 283 |
A 3DS remake (2011) of the 2009 DS original. Shibuya is suddenly locked down and flooded with demons, and you have seven days to survive. The fusion of Megami Tensei’s demon-fusion systems with strategy-RPG combat feels fresh, and a multi-ending structure gives it strong replayability. There’s even relationship-building reminiscent of Persona’s social systems. A fine game to pick up once the series has its hooks in you. 3DS exclusive.
- Megami Tensei meets SRPG — a battle experience found nowhere else in the family
- Multiple endings for high replayability — Replay Value 80
- 3DS exclusive — not playable on current hardware
No. 12: Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth — A Fan-Service Triumph Uniting the Whole Series
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 70 | 70 | 68 | 280 |
A crossover dungeon RPG released for 3DS in 2019. The protagonists and casts of P3, P4, and P5 gather in one place to explore strange labyrinths themed after a movie theater. If you’ve played a decent chunk of the series, the unexpected character pairings will set your fan heart ablaze. It’s 3DS-only and aimed at series veterans, but it also holds up as an excellent dungeon crawler in its own right.
- The full P3/P4/P5 casts together — a must-see crossover for fans
- Built to hook anyone who loves 3D dungeon crawling
- 3DS exclusive — not playable on current hardware
- The fan service loses its meaning if you haven’t played the source games
No. 13: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker — An SRPG About Surviving a Demon Invasion of All Japan
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | 56 | 68 | 75 | 273 |
Released for 3DS in 2013. The sequel to Devil Survivor (No. 11), scaled up to a stage spanning all of Japan. Its modern hook is striking: a video streaming service — a twisted take on Nico Nico Live — that shows people the moment of their own deaths. It runs a bit easier than Overclocked at No. 11, and some fans recommend starting the sub-series here. 3DS exclusive.
- Slightly easier than the first game — a good Devil Survivor entry point
- A scenario whose scale spans the entire nation of Japan
- 3DS exclusive — not playable on current hardware
No. 14: Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner — The Series’ Most Philosophical Story, a PS2 Treasure
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 48 | 82 | 70 | 255 |
A two-part saga released on PS2 across 2004–2005. There is no port, so actual PS2 hardware is required. Its philosophical scenario — man-eating warriors living through tribal war while searching for the meaning of their own emotions, memories, and existence — is still widely held to be the finest writing in the entire franchise. The total score here is low, yet there’s no shortage of fans who will insist “for story alone, it’s number one.” A hidden masterpiece.
- The most philosophical scenario in the series — hardcore fans still talk about it
- A two-part structure whose Part 2 finale is the stuff of legend
- PS2 exclusive — not playable on current hardware (PS2 console required)
- Graphics are 2004-vintage and look genuinely dated by modern standards
No. 15: Persona 2: Eternal Punishment — An Ultra-Dark Scenario and the Final Destination for Hardcore Fans
| Accessibility | Graphics | Brutality | Replay Value | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 42 | 62 | 70 | 222 |
The direct sequel to Persona 2: Innocent Sin, released on PS1 in 1999. A PSP remaster followed in 2012, but there is no port to current hardware. Its adult protagonist, Kanji Suou, closes in on the truth behind the previous game’s “erased memories” in an ultra-dark scenario famous for the most hopeless ending in Persona history. This is the final destination for hardcore fans — the place you go digging for the series’ roots after enjoying generations 3 through 5.
Even as a kid, I remember my heart doing a little jump at the phrase “makeup beauty” in Ulala’s character bio.
- The series’ pinnacle of “no salvation” dark storytelling
- A dark worldview on a completely different plane from modern Persona
- PSP exclusive — not playable on current hardware (PSP console required)
- Hard to follow without playing Persona 2: Innocent Sin first
Megami Tensei & Persona Series FAQ
Finally, straight answers — conclusions first — to the questions people most often wrestle with before diving in.
Which Megami Tensei or Persona game should I start with?
The fastest route is our No. 1 pick, Persona 5 Royal. With Accessibility 98 and Replay Value 100, complete newcomers can move forward without ever feeling lost. Once you start craving more of a challenge, step up to No. 2, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance — that’s the editorial team’s recommended path.
If I’m only playing Persona, what order should I go in?
The numbered entries have almost no story connections, so you can start with any of them. On current hardware, P5R, then P3R, then P4G is the smoothest order. For a Persona-only breakdown, our dedicated beginner’s guide scores and compares five games — check that out.
What’s the difference between Megami Tensei and Persona?
Both come from Atlus, but they aim in different directions. Megami Tensei (Shin Megami Tensei) is a hardcore RPG about negotiating with and fusing demons to survive a ruined world, with difficulty to match. Persona is a coming-of-age ensemble drama built around school life and nurturing social bonds, and it excels at accessibility. This article scores both on the same four axes.
Is starting with the anime okay?
Absolutely. P3, P4, and P5 all have anime adaptations, which make a fine way to test the waters before buying a game. This article ranks the games, though — for the anime viewing order, see our separate guide.
Which games can I buy on current hardware right now?
Of the top five, four — P5R, SMT V: Vengeance, P3R, and P4G — are available on Switch, PS5, Xbox, Steam, and other current platforms. From No. 5 down, the list includes 3DS and PS2 exclusives, so if you don’t own legacy hardware, the safe play is to choose from the top four.
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Conclusion: Where Should You Start with Megami Tensei & Persona?
Let’s recap the full top 15 of the Megami Tensei and Persona series.
- No. 1 Persona 5 Royal (336 pts) — Switch/PS5/Xbox/Steam, 7,678 yen (tax included), the perfect first game
- No. 2 Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (333 pts) — Switch/PS5/Xbox/Steam, 9,878 yen (tax included), the ideal MegaTen entry point
- No. 3 Persona 3 Reload (326 pts) — PS5/Switch/Xbox/Steam, 9,680 yen (tax included), the best remake of 2024
- No. 4 Persona 4 Golden (310 pts) — Switch/PS4/Xbox/Steam, 1,980 yen (tax included), unbeatable value
- No. 5 and below: a run of 3DS and PS2 exclusives — but if you own the old hardware, every one of them is worth your time
Ask us “which one first?” and there is only one answer — start with P5R, and if it clicks, move on to SMT V: Vengeance. Those two games deliver 90 percent of what makes this series great. After that, go take your Brutality-96 baptism in Nocturne, and congratulations: you are officially a Megami Tensei fan.
We’re convinced the Megami Tensei and Persona series is one you can enjoy for a lifetime — provided you walk in through the right door. Persona 5 Royal’s Metacritic 95 is no fluke; it is the pinnacle of the modern JRPG, style and depth in a single package. From there, take your baptism in “real Megami Tensei” with SMT V: Vengeance, and finally challenge Nocturne and its Brutality score of 96 — walk that golden route and the true heart of the series will reveal itself.
The top five playable on current hardware can be bought right now. The time you spend hesitating is the only real waste — start today.
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