The Official Persona / Shin Megami Tensei Discussion Thread

[Nick]

I have recently started dipping into the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. I had previously played some of Devil Survivor 2 on the Nintendo DS and Persona 5 on the PlayStation 4, but now I have decided to really roll up my sleeves and delve deep into the franchise.

This month, I completed Persona 3 on the Xbox, and I am already about 20-something hours into Persona. Consider this my official log of all the advancements I make into the series and also the official discussion thread for the series overall.

What's your favorite? Are you excited for Persona 6's awaited announcement? Do you prefer Persona or Shin Megami Tensei more?

 

[Hattrick]

Would you recommend Persona 3, how does it stack with Persona 5 (which you said you'd played some of)? Are they completely standalone or are there little bits and references sprinkled in throughout?

 

[Nick]

Would you recommend Persona 3, how does it stack with Persona 5 (which you said you'd played some of)? Are they completely standalone or are there little bits and references sprinkled in throughout?

So, when I played Persona 5, I enjoyed it a lot.

I didn't stop playing it because I didn't like it or anything like that, I stopped playing it because I wanted to play it with my wife (we play most games together) and I knew it was such a large undertaking that if I played it myself, she'd never experience it.

A little after that, I decided I would likely enjoy Persona 3 and Persona 4 more if I wasn't already exposed to a more advanced version (in Persona 5).

By itself, Persona 3 is pretty solid. I would call it a solid 7.5 game.

It has some things I didn't like. Some things I think could've been improved upon, but it's solid.

I mostly liked the characters. I liked the unique approach. I liked the end and how it brought the story together.

It won't be for everyone, but I was mostly satisfied with it.

I am only about 20-something hours into Persona 4 and I can already tell you it has taken most of the criticisms I had about Persona 3 and improved every single one of them. They're similar enough that you can go from 3 to 4 and not be deterred, confused, or out of your element, but the longer you play 4 the more you realize it has evolved the formula.

I wasn't far enough into Persona 5 to offer a complete review, but I assume this likely continues.

I hope to do a Podcast entry with Beccah about Persona 3, 4, and 5 (and then, the Shin Megami games), as well as a more linear, scripted review of each for Nightmare Shift / Nickelbib.com.

As for whether they have connections, I haven't seen any yet. The closest things I've seen are (1) there is a calendar for Persona 3 in the bedroom of your character in Persona 4 and (2) an animal in Persona 4 has the same name as a main cast member in Persona 3.

Persona 3 has a big reference to another Atlus videogame though, called Catherine (one of my personal favorite videogames of all time).

 

[Hattrick]

Ah, okay.

I am interested in seeing what you'll think of the Shin Megami games. I have often heard them called more difficult than the Persona games.

 

[Nick]

Ah, okay.

I am interested in seeing what you'll think of the Shin Megami games. I have often heard them called more difficult than the Persona games.

I am curious about what I will think about it as well. A lot of what I've heard about the Shin Megami games (I did play Devil Survivor a small amount as said), says that it doesn't have the visual novel / school simulator elements of Persona. I like those elements in Persona, but I honestly feel like I could take them or leave them. If Shin Megami is a more straightforward role-playing game, one that sees me spending more time battling enemies, I could see myself liking that just as much. I could see the lack of human-characters / the dynamic of Persona being to its detriment for me though.

We shall see.

 

[Chapman]

Persona 5 was good shit. I didn't even beat it, but I poured like one-hundred hours into it. Damn good.

 

[Nick]

Persona 5 was good shit. I didn't even beat it, but I poured like one-hundred hours into it. Damn good.

I look forward to playing that one soon.

 

[Nick]

Shin Megami 3 and 5 recently arrived at my doorstep. They're now on the docket, along with Persona 5 (and Strikers) and Soul Hackers.

I would say I am about 75% through with Persona 4.

 

[Iroquois]

Haven't ever touched the Shin Megami games. I've been tempted to with Persona 5. Maybe I will check them out. Don't know if I'd be up for such a commitment though.

 

[Nick]

A couple weeks ago, I finished the campaign for Persona 4 Golden. I clocked out at about 60 hours (compare that to the 75 hour campaign of Persona 3).

I have already moved onto Persona 5 and am about 50 hours into it (seriously - I have been on a major gaming kick in the last couple months and I owe that largely to the Persona series).

 

[Nick]

I am about 75 hours into Persona 5.

As majority consensus says, Persona 5 is the best of the series (in my opinion / of what I've played so far). However, I would argue it is much closer than I would have initially anticipated (there are some instances where I truly find myself wondering if I prefer Persona 4 Golden). 5 makes a lot of quality-of-life decisions and has an even more realized sense of style that can't be denied, but I also feel like the storyline in 4 is more focused and narrowed in.

 

[Hattrick]

I am about 75 hours into Persona 5.

As majority consensus says, Persona 5 is the best of the series (in my opinion / of what I've played so far). However, I would argue it is much closer than I would have initially anticipated (there are some instances where I truly find myself wondering if I prefer Persona 4 Golden). 5 makes a lot of quality-of-life decisions and has an even more realized sense of style that can't be denied, but I also feel like the storyline in 4 is more focused and narrowed in.

Slowed down. You're slacking!

 

[Iroquois]

 

[Iroquois]

 

[Nick]

Persona 3 looks really good. I don't see myself double-dipping for it (only played the original a few months ago), but I like how it looks a lot and I have no doubts it will be enough to bring Persona 3 up-to-code with Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royale (I will still consider it the weakest, personally, but now they will all be pretty neck and neck, I think).

As for Persona 5 Tactica, I'm interested in it. I am still finishing up the campaign for Persona 5, and once that is finished, I think I will take a fairly large break from the series (before starting Persona 5 Strikers and the millions of others I've yet to play). It obviously isn't what everyone ideally wanted, but it looks like a charming holdover.