Poll: Shin Megami Tensei vs Persona. Which do you prefer?

[scorptatious]

So I've been dabbling in the SMT series, starting with Persona 4 Golden, then playing Persona 3 Portable, SMT 3 Nocturne, and now I've just started Strange Journey.

So far, they're all great games in certain ways, although I do prefer some to the others.

Anyway, I kinda noticed that there seems to be somewhat of a rift between the fans of the main Shin Megami Tensei series and fans of the Persona games. So, I like to ask the people of the Escapist which games they prefer.

For me, I initially really liked Persona 4 Golden, but since I've been playing Nocturne and Strange Journey, I seem to be gravitating a bit more to them thanks to the massive amounts of party customization and more philosophical story telling. That's not to say I now dislike P4, far from it, I just seem to prefer the way the more main line SMT games seem to do things.

How's about you guys?

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

I like Persona, but it's heavy on the micromanagement, so I prefer the more traditional entries like the main series, Digital Devil Saga and Devil Summoner.

Digital Devil Saga is my favorite though.

 

[teh_Canape]

I like Persona a bit more than SMT, mostly because of the characters and such, which SMT basically has got jack-shit of
however, for worlds and settings, SMT is my fave by miles
the vortex world is my favorite setting in the series

 

[krazykidd]

I prefer SMT. But only because it's darker and more difficult ( barring persona 1). SMT: strange journey is by far my favorite game.

 

[DarkishFriend]

Finally a thread I can do this in. I've been confused for fucking years, what the hell is the difference between all these games? They all have Shin Megami on them, but I've never played any of them and I've only seen Persona 4 played. Are they all JRPGs?

 

[CyberSinner]

What game do I like? All of them.

I have said it over and over and over again. SMT is the series that shows FF how to stand strong. SMT, continually brings something new and interesting to their story. They know how to weaver mystery, horror, RPG, and strong character development into their narrative. My first introduction to SMT is Nocturne, so I am a bit bias on that one.

But I have liked ever single SMT that has come out. This is the one series where I will claim I am a fanboy. I love everything SMT. SMT is beautiful. Everything about it is beautiful.

Am I getting Persona 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mZssK05WYo

You bet your ass monkeys I will. SMT continual brings it, with unique characters, unique story, interesting dialogue, interesting premise. And none of the games ever feel the same. Each has their own feel and each has their own uniqueness to it.

^Did I mention I am a fanboy?

 

[Savo]

I prefer Persona. The rest of the games like Digital Devil Saga have good stories, but the dungeon crawling can be REALLY hard to sit through at times. Persona breaks up the dungeon crawling with extensive story and social sim elements, so it's a lot easier to handle.

 

[Legion]

Finally a thread I can do this in. I've been confused for fucking years, what the hell is the difference between all these games? They all have Shin Megami on them, but I've never played any of them and I've only seen Persona 4 played. Are they all JRPGs?

Yes, they are two JRPG series based around some similar concepts and made by the same developer. I have only played Persona myself (3 and currently 4 Golden).

As for the larger differences, I do not know. The Persona series is all set in the same world, but with different stories and characters. I am not sure if Shin Megami games are all likewise linked. They both involve summoning "demons" to fight for you in battle, although the reasons for it and how it happens seem to also be different.

OT: As mentioned above, I have only played Persona. It seems SMT games are mostly on platforms that I do not own, so have never had the chance to play them. Seeing as I recently bought a Vita to get into Persona, I am not likely to shell out on another one just to play those.

 

[klaynexas3]

I think I speak for everyone here when I say Demi Kids was clearly the best MegaTen game.

But for realsio, I'm a Persona man myself, as it is what got me into the MegaTen games. I like strategy games on the whole, but I find that I can't play them non-stop like some people can, so after a battle or two I'd have to put down Devil Suvivor. With the main games, I guess I'm the weirdo and just don't find the JRPG gameplay and dungeon crawl itself to be that enthralling. I mean, there is some fun to it, but I guess I prefer other types of dungeon crawling games, typically if there is an online scene to it. To me, getting great gear is kind of fun, but for the most part I just want to be able to beat the boss and move on. Really the only TBC systems that have grabbed me have been FFX and (you're going to hate me) FFXIII. Past those, I have trouble really getting a thrill from the combat, though to be fair, the only SMT games I have beaten have been IV and Persona 3 and 4, so maybe the combat is much more interesting later on in these games.

 

[scorptatious]

Finally a thread I can do this in. I've been confused for fucking years, what the hell is the difference between all these games? They all have Shin Megami on them, but I've never played any of them and I've only seen Persona 4 played. Are they all JRPGs?

They are all JRPG's in a sense. Except for Devil Survivor from what I've seen, that's a strategy JRPG.

Anyway, Persona is a spin off series from the main SMT line. The games are split between social interactions with various characters in order to boost your Persona, and some minor dungeon crawling with fixed party members. 3 and 4 in particular are much more focused on story and character development. (Not sure about 1 and 2)

Games like Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne (the third in the main series) are somewhat more traditional in a sense when it comes to game structure. You travel around the place, fight random battles, go to towns, ect. The story telling is more philosophical in nature and you form your party by recruiting demons and fusing them together to form stronger demons. And there's a lot more dungeon crawling. Unlike the Persona games, the dungeons aren't randomized.

There is fusion in Persona, but, at least in 3 and 4, it only applies to the main character, who can use multiple Persona switch them out on the fly.

So in short, the former focuses more on story and characters, the latter focuses more on gameplay and customization.

 

[Austin Mcgough]

I'd have to go with the original series, especially strange journey, i actually kinda hate the newer persona games. They just seem so pandering to me remember when persona 2 had you fight (not)hitler? I do. Shit the one really cool, creative, risky thing in 4 was made non cannon ( for spoilers sake i'm not going to say what it is but it's big and involves teen sexuality) for a reason i just can't wrap my head around!

 

[UknowwhatUR]

I've got to go with Persona. The characters are always great and the games are endlessly re-playable. I don't think I'll ever get tired of them.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

Overall I prefer the main series over Persona. The Press Turn gameplay system is just so much more satisfying, and I love the difficulty of it. My favourite game in the series is Devil Survivor Overclocked

Ranking the games from what I've played.

1. Devil Survivor Overclocked.
2. Nocturne.
3. Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2.
4. Strange Journey.
5. SMT IV
6. Persona 4.
7. Devil Survivor 2.
8. Persona 3.
9. Soul Hackers

 

[balladbird]

Eh, if I were forced to rank my favorites it would probably go:

Persona 4
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Devil summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. king abaddon
the digital devil saga
Shin Megami Tensei IV


and all the others after that. XD I can't really vote in the poll because I like all the various twigs of the SMT name for different reasons.

The Persona games have great stories and character building
main SMT has great lore, themes, and atmosphere
I love the "roarin' 20s" feel of the Devil summoner games, and "King Abaddon" had a great cast of characters.
and the Digital Devil Saga just plain kicks ass.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

I've played Nocturne, Persona 3: FES, Persona 3 Portable, and Devil Summoner 2. I had a lot of fun with all these titles and my favorite by far has been the Persona series.

In terms of other titles, I'm not too fond of first person RPGs (either completely or during combat), so I've avoided a few titles that include those features.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Finally a thread I can do this in. I've been confused for fucking years, what the hell is the difference between all these games? They all have Shin Megami on them, but I've never played any of them and I've only seen Persona 4 played. Are they all JRPGs?

Persona takes place in modern day Japan and plays mostly like a high school social sim. At midnight you dungeon crawl and your activities during the day can effect how well you do.

The main SMT series plays more like a traditional jrpg where you run from town to town interacting with npcs, killing things, exploring, dungeon crawling, ext. They normally take place in post demon apocalypse Japan. Your party is composed of demons you've recruited in the wild. You can also fuse them together to make different demons.

Digital Devil Saga is also a traditional jrpg but takes place in a fictional world called the Junkyard. It's more character and story driven than the main series games. Your party members are other characters. Instead of summoning demons you and your party members turn into demons (and eat your enemies)

The traditional modeled games feature the press turn battle system which is basically a turned based battle system that will kick your arse if you don't bother with strategy.

The whole franchise puts emphasis on decision making and building bonds with other people. It also plays with moral choice and darker themes.

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

Though my decision is a bit biased - I've played Personas 3 FES, 4, 4 Golden and 4 Arena and only seen everything else from Atlus - I have to go with the Persona series. I enjoy their stories and characters more, and the gameplay has suited what I enjoy in a turn based RPG.

[sub][sub][sub][sub][sub]Also, I can't decide between Naoto, Chie and Marie. I'm halpless. >.<[/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub]

 

[ayvee]

I probably wouldn't force a distinction between the two. Persona IS a part of the SMT series. Or if you're restricting it to the main series specifically, then you're limiting it to like four games (two of which hardly anyone has played).

Having said that, my personal rankings would look something like:

Strange Journey
Devil Survivor 2
Devil Survivor 1
(these three are very close contenders for the top spot)

Persona 4
Digital Devil Saga
Persona 3

and so forth.

 

[sextus the crazy]

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Megami Tensei is the overall series. However, past MegaTen II, all of the games have the name shin megami tensei (similar to metal gear solid). Persona is a spin-off series from MegaTen (call Shin Megami Tensei: Persona # in japan) that focuses less on philosophy and building a strange world and focusing more on characters and their bonds with others. There are other spin-offs like Digital Devil Saga, Devil Summoner, Devil Surviver, Last Bible, and a bunch more with names that make your parents not want to buy them for you.

I prefer Persona because I really like the characters in 3 & 4. What good is a world if there's no one interesting in it.
However, I think that SMT IV has better gameplay overall, even if the story was meh.