Current Events > I'm going to play Shin Megami Tensei JRPGs. Where do I start?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I have a PS4 and a 3DS

Persona 5 on ps4 or SMT4 on 3ds
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SSJKirby posted...

Persona 5 on ps4 or SMT4 on 3ds

Is it necessary to play any other older games in either series to understand them? Or is it standalone like FF/DQ?

cmiller4642 posted...

Is it necessary to play any other older games in either series to understand them?

No.

Start with Persona 5 if you consider them to be SMT.

If you want mainline only recommendations, SMT IV

(SMT: Strange Journey Redux can be a good start too, but it is considerably more dense than IV, so I'd only recommend it if you are willing to tinker a little more with it.)
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SMT4 is a good introduction to the mainline franchise too. In a lot of ways, it's almost like a remake of the first one.

If you decide you like P5, then play P4.

If you decide you like SMT4, then you'll probably like SMT3/DDS1&2
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I think eventually I'm gonna get a PS2 again because I heard that Persona 3 and 4 are 2 of the best JRPGs of all time. I also heard that SMT Devil's Summoner is really awesome too.

They'll never get re-released on PS4 tho

cmiller4642 posted...

Is it necessary to play any other older games in either series to understand them?

The only case of this as far as the mainline is concerned is playing IV before Apocalypse.

Apocalypse is an alternate timeline sequel that starts during the events of IV, I think Apocalypse is the better game overall, but you should play IV first.
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Also, are you familiar with the series at all? If not I'd be glad to drop some general tips that will prevent a bad time, especially if you go in expecting to play the series like Pokemon.
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Megaman50100 posted...

Also, are you familiar with the series at all? If not I'd be glad to drop some general tips that will prevent a bad time, especially if you go in expecting to play the series like Pokemon.

I'm expecting a seriously wicked JRPG with SMT. I heard they're really difficult.

Persona I hear is more quirky and lighthearted

I'm a fan of JRPGs, but I've never strayed too far from the Final Fantasy type ones. Suikoden III is probably the deepest one I've played.

If those are your only platforms, then your options are a little limited.

I'd recommend Devil Survivor: Overclocked, Shin Megami Tensei 4, or Strange Journey Redux. Persona 5 is on PS4, but it's a bit different from other SMT games.

If you had access to a PS2 or PS3, I'd suggest Nocturne first and foremost and then Digital Devil Saga 1 + 2.

If I had to pick just one on those two platforms, I'd say SMT4 on the 3DS.
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cmiller4642 posted...

SSJKirby posted...

Persona 5 on ps4 or SMT4 on 3ds

Is it necessary to play any other older games in either series to understand them? Or is it standalone like FF/DQ?

For the most part, no. The Persona games often have minor references to the previous games in the series, but nothing major.

There are some exceptions though, like the Digital Devil Saga games on PS2/PSN. Digital Devil Saga 2 is a direct sequel to the first one and features the same cast of characters.
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Esrac posted...

If those are your only platforms, then your options are a little limited.

I'd recommend Devil Survivor: Overclocked, Shin Megami Tensei 4, or Strange Journey Redux. Persona 5 is on PS4, but it's a bit different from other SMT games.

If you had access to a PS2 or PS3, I'd suggest Nocturne first and foremost and then Digital Devil Saga 1 + 2.

I'm considering rebuying a PS2 and a PS3 next year. I should be able to get them fairly cheap

cmiller4642 posted...

Esrac posted...

If those are your only platforms, then your options are a little limited.

I'd recommend Devil Survivor: Overclocked, Shin Megami Tensei 4, or Strange Journey Redux. Persona 5 is on PS4, but it's a bit different from other SMT games.

If you had access to a PS2 or PS3, I'd suggest Nocturne first and foremost and then Digital Devil Saga 1 + 2.

I'm considering rebuying a PS2 and a PS3 next year. I should be able to get them fairly cheap

I've played most of them since they started releasing in the west and Nocturne is still my favorite one.
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I think I'm gonna go with Persona 5 first

Good choice. It's pretty much the best game in the Persona franchise. The gameplay has never been more fun, and the visual style has never been so vivid. And the soundtrack is one of the best of 2016/2017. Seldom does three years of hype pay off the way it did with that game.
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hollow_shrine posted...

Good choice. It's pretty much the best game in the Persona franchise. The gameplay has never been more fun, and the visual style has never been so vivid. And the soundtrack is one of the best of 2016/2017. Seldom does three years of hype pay off the way it did with that game.

I'm still getting reacquainted with JRPGs after a long hiatus, so I'm going to finish my FF9 and FFX International runs, but Persona 5 is next.

DuranOfForcena posted...

start with the one with the penis demon

That's not helpful, most of them, maybe all of them, have at least one penis demon.

DuranOfForcena posted...

start with the one with the penis demon

Mara has been showing up in SMT games since the beginning. All the way back in 1992, he's there with his little chariot as a high level tyrant type demon.
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DuranOfForcena posted...

that's way too many penis demons

Bullshit, it's not enough penis demons. There should be dozens, each game.

Everyone talks about Mara the penis demon, but no one talks about the vagina demon.
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Conflict posted...

If you decide to play SMT4 be careful because that game has possibly the most aggravating introduction (and general first quarter) of any game I've ever played

I wouldn't call it aggravating, but the first segment of the game is a bit on the difficult side.
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Esrac posted...

Conflict posted...

If you decide to play SMT4 be careful because that game has possibly the most aggravating introduction (and general first quarter) of any game I've ever played

I wouldn't call it aggravating, but the first segment of the game is a bit on the difficult side.

After FF7 Im ready for a challenging RPG.

I forgot how easy that game is

SMT games tend to be a bit difficult. If you're experienced with JRPGs, you won't have too much trouble, but every SMT game tends to have an early-boss that's a roadblockMatador in SMT3:Nocturne, Minotaur/Medusa in SMT4.
SMT IV is a fine introduction to how the main-line games work. If you like that, you'll probably like Nocturne(you'll miss some QOL features though) and SMT IV: Apocalypse. Digital Devil Saga is great, but a slightly different beast. Can't comment on Persona, personally.

cmiller4642 posted...

I think eventually I'm gonna get a PS2 again because I heard that Persona 3 and 4 are 2 of the best JRPGs of all time. I also heard that SMT Devil's Summoner is really awesome too.

They'll never get re-released on PS4 tho

Og persona 3 didn't age well imo. You can't control your party members in it. I'd honestly recommend getting a vita to play the PSP version instead and persona 4 golden. Plus all the vita PS plus games you've been stacking up like the rest of us.
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Makeveli_lives posted...

cmiller4642 posted...

I think eventually I'm gonna get a PS2 again because I heard that Persona 3 and 4 are 2 of the best JRPGs of all time. I also heard that SMT Devil's Summoner is really awesome too.

They'll never get re-released on PS4 tho

Og persona 3 didn't age well imo. You can't control your party members in it. I'd honestly recommend getting a vita to play the PSP version instead and persona 4 golden. Plus all the vita PS plus games you've been stacking up like the rest of us.

Vita can play PS One Classics too right?

4 really eases up once you get past the second boss and it turns into a enjoyable game that still provides a decent challenge. And I say that as someone whose first SMT game was 4. The compendium is also really expansive compared to earlier games. So much so, that it'll probably detract from the experience if you decide to play some earlier games after 4 (I know it did for me).
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Imo start with Nocturne for true SMT experience. Digital devil saga was fun too

reminds me, i need to finish my hard mode playthrough of nocturne...
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Looks like I can get a PS3 and get digital versions of:

SMT Digital Devil Saga
SMT Digital Devil Saga 2
SMT Nocturne
SMT Devil's Summoner
Persona 2
Persona 3 FES
Persona 4

I'm probably going to do that honestly.

I wish Sony would just put the PS2 classics of those games on the PS4's PSN. It's bullshit

Looks like I need to get a used PS3 slim and I can get each SMT game from the PS2 for $10 a piece, I can also get Persona 2.

3DS, PS4, and PS3 should about cover me right?

the games aren't that hard
just be sure to use buffs/debuffs and remember what enemies are weak to

it may require a tiny bit more thought than the average rpg but it's not the hellish nightmare that the bad players on the internet like to make it out to be
difficulty always falls off a cliff at one point thanks to the player getting all the buffs, debuffs, and elemental coverage that they need

Start with either persona 3 FES, 4 Golden, or 5
Play both Devil Survivors on thrle 3ds as well
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Persona 2 is a duology and you'll need a vita or psp to play innocent sin, the first one

Play DDS/DDS2/Nocturne/IV/SJ/Apoc
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cmiller4642 posted...

Looks like I need to get a used PS3 slim and I can get each SMT game from the PS2 for $10 a piece, I can also get Persona 2.

3DS, PS4, and PS3 should about cover me right?

Persona 1 and 2 were remade for the PSP and thus accessible through the vita as well btw. And yes, the vita can do ps1 classics.

So your choices are to go for the PS3 if you want the digital devil games or for the vita if you want 4 out of 5 persona games, with the fifth being on the ps4.
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Makeveli_lives posted...

cmiller4642 posted...

Looks like I need to get a used PS3 slim and I can get each SMT game from the PS2 for $10 a piece, I can also get Persona 2.

3DS, PS4, and PS3 should about cover me right?

Persona 1 and 2 were remade for the PSP and thus accessible through the vita as well btw. And yes, the vita can do ps1 classics.

So your choices are to go for the PS3 if you want the digital devil games or for the vita if you want 4 out of 5 persona games, with the fifth being on the ps4.

I think I'm gonna go PS3 for the DD games. Plus I like console better than handheld

Well I was gonna say stuff but honestly, everybody in this topic nailed it

Personally though, the only reason I got into SMT was Strange Journey, but Persona 3 FES was my real entry point. Persona series is a good introduction to the series, and if you're looking for more, you gotta go with the hardcore stuff like Strange Journey, DDS, Apocalypse, Nocturne, etc

Most of them are worth playing, but honestly only go for the pre-PS2 ones if you're done playing all of them and are now a massive fan
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cmiller4642 posted...

Looks like I need to get a used PS3 slim and I can get each SMT game from the PS2 for $10 a piece, I can also get Persona 2.

3DS, PS4, and PS3 should about cover me right?

Yes, unless you want to play the next one coming out on Switch. Or Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, the Shin Megami Tensei Fire Emblem crossover on Wii U. Or Persona 4 Golden, the definitive version of P4, on Vita.
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Esrac posted...

cmiller4642 posted...

Looks like I need to get a used PS3 slim and I can get each SMT game from the PS2 for $10 a piece, I can also get Persona 2.

3DS, PS4, and PS3 should about cover me right?

Yes, unless you want to play the next one coming out on Switch. Or Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, the Shin Megami Tensei Fire Emblem crossover on Wii U. Or Persona 4 Golden, the definitive version of P4, on Vita.

I have a Switch and a Wii U lol

cmiller4642 posted...

I have a Switch and a Wii U lol

... Why?
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cmiller4642 posted...

Esrac posted...

cmiller4642 posted...

Looks like I need to get a used PS3 slim and I can get each SMT game from the PS2 for $10 a piece, I can also get Persona 2.

3DS, PS4, and PS3 should about cover me right?

Yes, unless you want to play the next one coming out on Switch. Or Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, the Shin Megami Tensei Fire Emblem crossover on Wii U. Or Persona 4 Golden, the definitive version of P4, on Vita.

I have a Switch and a Wii U lol

Then yes, you're pretty much set. Just missing out on Persona 4 Golden.

Also, if you plan to get a PS3 before you start, I would reiterate that Nocturne is probably the best one to start with.
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