Where to get into Shin Megami Tensei?

[DeimosMasque]

So as a gamer who has a PS1, PS2, 3DS, and Xbox360... my question to the Escapist is this. What game do I get into Persona... aka Shin Megami Tensei series?

It's a series that I've wanted into for years but I don't know where to start. So I ask the Escapist... where do I start? What game can I play and get the plot, get the greater story and find my own place in the game series?

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

Since you singled out Persona, I'm guess that series is what's sparked your interest in SMT, I'd recommend staring with Persona 4; it's the most accessible SMT game by far (though it still has plenty of depth).

Each game more or less stands on it's own, although there are elements linking each game together, so you can start wherever. Most people tend to start with Persona 4.

It's worth pointing out that, while every Persona game is an SMT game, not every SMT game is Persona. If you buy, say Lucifer's Call/Nocturne or Strange Journey expecting something akin to Persona you'll probably be disappointed. Not to say they're worse games (personally, I much prefer the "main" series over Persona) they're just very different.

 

[IllumInaTIma]

Well, Persona is quite different from other Shin Megami Tensei games. If you want to get into Persona series, and you don't have PSP or Vita, start with Persona 3: FES and then Persona 4. Both games are amazing and worth playing.

As for SMT, the only game I played was Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne, and that game kicked my ass.

 

[shrekfan246]

Well, Persona is a spin-off. And while the stories take place in the same connected universe, none of them directly follow on from one another. 3 and 4 are generally regarded as the high points, right now, while 1 and 2 are more 'cult classic' status because they have some rather significant differences in game design.

Anyway, you could jump in with any of them. They reference things you'd get by playing earlier games, but jumping in right with Persona 4 wouldn't actively deprive you of any necessary backstory or anything. Persona 4 has arguably the best gameplay during the actual dungeon crawling bits, if just because you can take control away from the AI for your party members (which you can do in the PSP version of Persona 3, but not the base release/Persona 3 FES on the PS2). 3 and 4 both have pretty great stories in my opinion.

As for the greater Shin Megami Tensei franchise, it... depends? They're all so vastly different between titles that it's hard to really say anything for certain. There's tactical strategy RPGs, classic turn-based RPGs, real-time action-RPGs, you name it, SMT has probably done it at some point. A vast number of them are on PS2 and DS/3DS, as well, so just look up what might interest you and jump in. I do believe that most of the other series' in the greater franchise actually follow on from title to sequel though, so if you'd look into say, Digital Devil Saga or Devil Summoner then you'd need to figure out where you want to start. (Devil Summoner, for instance, has four games, both in pairs with the second two games being prequels to the first two games.)

 

[DeimosMasque]

Since you singled out Persona...

I have to admit I was working from an old school mentality. I thought Persona was just the english name for the same series, it seems I was wrong there. Realize that Final Fantasy 2 was the name of the second Final Fantasy game I ever played.. and it's real name was Final Fantasy 4.

I did own Persona 4 but never got to play it because my PS2 was in the shop and I traded it in for other things.

Each game more or less stands on it's own, although there are elements linking each game together, so you can start wherever. Most people tend to start with Persona 4.

And that's what I want to know, where -SHOULD- I start rather than where most people do start. I played about twenty minutes of Persona 4. And now I am realizing... I shouldn't even be calling it Persona. That instead I'm interested in SMT.

It's worth pointing out that, while every Persona game is an SMT game, not every SMT game is Persona. If you buy, say Lucifer's Call/Nocturne or Strange Journey expecting something akin to Persona you'll probably be disappointed. Not to say they're worse games (personally, I much prefer the "main" series over Persona) they're just very different.

This whole topic came from the fact that I got a 3DS today... AND... looking at the games available there were 2 SMT games and I thought both looked good. I wanted to start from a Metal Gear standpoint. I had played the original Metal Gear and played Metal Gear Solid on both the PS1 and the Gamecube. I was looking for where I should start on this series.

Because it looks awesome, and I'm annoyed at myself for not knowing it better.

That... is actually interesting.

Well, Persona is quite different from other Shin Megami Tensei games. If you want to get into Persona series, and you don't have PSP or Vita, start with Persona 3: FES and then Persona 4. Both games are amazing and worth playing.

As for SMT, the only game I played was Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne, and that game kicked my ass.

Damn, I feel even more embarrassed now. I really thought they were the same game series and didn't realize one was a spin-off of the other.

 

[DeimosMasque]

There's tactical strategy RPGs, classic turn-based RPGs, real-time action-RPGs, you name it, SMT has probably done it at some point.

Now you are speaking my language. Those are my types of games, outside of Sierra games, X-Com: UFO Defense, 4x Strategy games like Master of Orion and 3x like Master of Magic, those are my type of games.

Also a huge fan of the older Final Fantasy games.

A vast number of them are on PS2 and DS/3DS, as well, so just look up what might interest you and jump in. I do believe that most of the other series' in the greater franchise actually follow on from title to sequel though, so if you'd look into say, Digital Devil Saga or Devil Summoner then you'd need to figure out where you want to start. (Devil Summoner, for instance, has four games, both in pairs with the second two games being prequels to the first two games.)

So if I just got: SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: DEVIL SURVIVOR OVERCLOCKED, for the 3DS I could follow the story even without playing the rest of the SMT series?

That would be really good and show that the developer realized that people would pick up the series later. Is that a real option?

 

[suntt123]

This whole topic came from the fact that I got a 3DS today... AND... looking at the games available there were 2 SMT games and I thought both looked good. I wanted to start from a Metal Gear standpoint. I had played the original Metal Gear and played Metal Gear Solid on both the PS1 and the Gamecube. I was looking for where I should start on this series.

There are actually a few SMT games on 3DS. Did you mean Devil Survivors 1 & 2, Devil Summoner Soul Hackers or the upcoming Shin Megami Tensei IV?

I've played both devil survivor and it's basically a mix of turn based strategy rpg like fire emblem, and more traditional turn based rpgs like pokemon. I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy these types of games. The others look similar, though I'll reserve my judgement till I get around to them.

From my understanding, the spin offs aren't really directly related to the main stories, and from experience each iteration tends to be stand alone so you can start anywhere.

EDIT:
You posted while I was typing this up XD

Might be able to find the DS version on the Nintendo E-Shop or something though? (I'm not sure how Nintendo's online store works.)

Nah, only 3DS and Virtual Console games on there. Even then, not all 3DS games get a digital version. There's other stuff up there too though, like an awesome 3D painting app that I use.

 

[shrekfan246]

So if I just got: SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: DEVIL SURVIVOR OVERCLOCKED, for the 3DS I could follow the story even without playing the rest of the SMT series?

That would be really good and show that the developer realized that people would pick up the series later. Is that a real option?

Yeah, Devil Survivor Overclocked is an enhanced remake of Devil Survivor for the DS, which is its own series in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Devil Survivor 2 is getting the same enhanced treatment, though I don't know if the 3DS version will be released outside of Japan as of yet, since it hasn't been released in Japan yet. Might be able to find the DS version on the Nintendo E-Shop or something though? (I'm not sure how Nintendo's online store works.)

 

[DeimosMasque]

I have to admit I didn't realize the depth of this series. I feel even more overwhelmed to be honest.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Well... Persona 4 is a damn fine start. Should get you accustomed to most of the demons you will encounter in the series, let you get a handle on the spell names and combat styles, and help introduce some running themes.

After that... Well, it depends on what style of RPG you find most appealing. If you like Eye of the Beholder/Wizardry/Might and Magic games, going for Strange Journey and the like is a good idea. If you like Final Fantasy/Dragon Quest and the like, going for the later Persona games, main series games (SMT III and IV), and the like is a good idea. If you like Final Fantasy Tactics/Disgaea, Devil Survivor and the like is where you want to be heading. There is a lot of variety in the games, so you can usually find something in a style you like.

 

[sextus the crazy]

Persona 3 & 4 are both great places to start. Devil survivor/ DS overclocked are both good if you like strategy RPGs like FF tactics, although like many of the SMT games, it's pretty hard.

 

[Jast]

I have quite a few Shin Megami Tensei games but I have only played about half of them since they are so long. I've beaten Persona 1, Nocturne, and Digital Devil Saga 1.

Persona 1 started out pretty good but after a few hours I got so frustrated with it because I was having trouble getting cards to create new personas. Marin karin was whiping me out all the time. The only reason why I kept at it and beat was because I am stupid stubborn. I probably won't ever touch it again.

Nocturne has a pretty cool atmosphere but I thought it could have been alot better. I found myself more interested in what was going on in this world than I did about fighting...which is what it is mostly all about. However the thing to know about this game is that it is brutal and I was playing on the easier difficulty. Constantly switching out party members is a must in this game and that can get pretty tricky especially when you become comfortable with the party you have. Soundtrack is freaking awesome though.

Digital Devil Saga 1 out of these three is my favorite one. Having a set number of party members to choose from makes managing them alot simpler. You can choose which moves you want to learn and who learns what. Plus you can switch out moves to adapt to different situations. I think it has a pretty solid design.

I am currently playing Digital Devil Saga 2 and Persona 2. I am playing the PSP version of Persona 2 and the loading times in that game are just awful and I have it downloaded onto my memory card. For ones to start out with I would try Digital Devil Saga, Persona 3, or Persona 4. However just know that if you want to get really involved in Shin Megami Tensei games just know that you will putting in a LARGE time investement.

 

[Eric the Orange]

So as a gamer who has a PS1, PS2, 3DS, and Xbox360... my question to the Escapist is this. What game do I get into Persona... aka Shin Megami Tensei series?

It's a series that I've wanted into for years but I don't know where to start. So I ask the Escapist... where do I start? What game can I play and get the plot, get the greater story and find my own place in the game series?

how large is your tolerance of difficulty in old school JRPGs. I ask because the core SMT games are balls hard and don't do much in the way of tutorializing. Now as others mentioned Atlus only adds the SMT thing to all the games in the west. In japan there it's only on what would be considered the "core" franchise. 2 games for the SNES that weren't released in the west, SMT Nocturne for PS2, and arguably Strange journey for the DS.

Now all the spinoff series's, Persona, Digital Devil Summoner, Devil Survivor, ect. All feature the same mythical creatures as enemys/allys and same kinds spell names and abilities, but have diferent styles of stories and gameplay elements. But almost none of them have continuing story between games.

So I guess it's down to what you want.

Since you have a PS2 and a 3DS I would suggest either the Devil Survivor games for the DS (Tactical RPG style).

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

hoo-boy, now THAT'S a difficult question. For the mainline SMT games there are actually not as many options as you'd think as a lot of stuff that carries the SMT name doesn't really give you a true idea of what the main series is. You can check out Devil Survivor, but that's a turn-based strategy game like FF Tactics or Fire Emblem. Soul Hackers has parts of SMT in it with demon fusion and summoning, but also has a bunch of hacker stuff. Strange Journey is closer, but that's more like a dungeon crawler more akin to Etrian Odyssey than the main SMT games (though again, probably the closest in comparison to the main SMT's).

When getting down to it, this is what to expect from the SMT series: old-school battle mechanics, very interesting and dark plots that make a lot of games that attempt bleakness look like Sesame Street, complex demon summoning mechanics that are like Pokemon, and the kind of difficulty where there is NO shame in using a strategy guide. Heck, the first printing for SMT IV is going to include a strategy guide.

 

[mhb77]

I feel like the other commentators have covered this pretty well, but I made an account entirely because I wanted to add my 2 cents, so I might as well do it.

As you now know SMT has about a million spinoffs and they all play a bit differently. Since there isn't alot of continuity between games finding the best starting spot is mostly about figuring out what parts of the series appeal most to you.

I'm newish to the series so I can't comment on everything, but you probably want to start with some of the newer stuff anyways, the old stuff isn't very accessible.

Core series: These are sort of old-school dungeon crawler type games wrapped in a wonderfully weird setting and topped off with demon fusion, which is basically the best game mechanic ever. Demon fusion is what it sounds like, you can take two or more demons from your party and fuse them into a new one, this means your party is constantly changing to incorporate new members which ensures that combat stays fresh. On top of that you do crazy things like talk with enemies demons and try to convince them to join you or give you stuff. Making small talk with a demon is a surreal experience.

Almost all of these features are in the spinoffs (some games lack stuff like demon negotiation), but the core series is more pure in its focus and doesn't water things down with things like managing your social life or whatever. This means there is a strong emphasis on combat. I think the combat system and the variety introduced by demon fusion keeps combat fresh enough for that to be a positive, but your mileage may vary.

These aren't the most accessible games but they are some of the best old school RPGs out there. If you have old fashioned tastes I would pick up Nocturne (PS2) or Strange Journey (DS). If you are familiar with Etrian Odyssey, Strange Journey is basically that but not as impossibly hard, plus demon fusion and a trippy plot, it's one of my all-time favorites.


SMT 4 is coming to the 3DS in about a month and it looks excellent and seems likely to be more accessible than the other core games. I think this would be my overall recommendation. It looks highly polished and should make learning the core game mechanics easier so you can pick up other games in the series with less of a learning curve.


Persona 3/4: These are the famous ones and generally most peoples first exposure to SMT. That said they are not even close to my favorites in the series (although they are excellent and well worth your time).

Persona is set in modern Japan, whereas the core is generally in some sort of post-apocalypse setting. Since the world hasn't fallen apart yet your main character lives out his life normally, while getting dragged into some supernatural madness. Managing your non-supernatural life is a pretty big part of the game and can influence your capabilities in battle.

In addition to managing your social life there is a much bigger focus on the plot, which is really quite good, particularly persona 4 which deals with alot of cool stuff like identity and coming to terms with negative aspects of the self.

The only negative thing I have to say about the games is that the combat is not nearly as good as the core series. Because your team is composed of your various friends instead of summoned demons your party doesn't undergo the frequent changes that makes the core series gameplay so compelling. Also while the plot is quite good the series has a very different tone from the main games.

If you are more interested in stories than game mechanics and the life management mechanics sound fun this is a great place to start.



Devil Survivor:

This sub-series is sorta a cross between the Core Series and Persona with a healthy dash of Fire Emblem/Final Fantasy Tactics thrown in. The games are set in Japan during an apocalypse and you control a group of students trying to survive the resulting chaos. You still have to manage your life like in persona, but it is more about choosing who to help and what groups to align yourself with than which friends to hang out with. Both games have a ton of endings depending on who you side with.

The combat consists of moving your various characters moving on a grid like in Final Fantasy Tactics, when you attack it switches to a round of conventional RPG battle like in the main series. This works remarkably well and is alot of fun. Plus demon fusion is front and center again, which is always good.

If you like tactics, multiple endings and the apocalypse you should start here. (The art style is not as good as the main series or persona but that shouldn't stop anyone from playing)


It's also worth noting that Soul Hackers was released for the 3DS recently. It's a re-release of a 16 year old game and while it is very good it also feels very old fashioned. I would recommend that you pick it up only if you play Strange Journey and love it.


So basically the short version is: get SMT 4 (assuming it gets good reviews, which I'm sure it will). If you don't want to wait a month I would get either Persona 4, Devil Survivor 2 or Strange Journey. Get Persona 4 if you prefer story to mechanics. Get Devil Survivor 2 if you like a nice mix of story, tactics, and RPG battles. Get Strange Journey if want old fashioned RPG goodness.

If you still can't decide just pick whichever looks coolest, you can't really go to far wrong with these games (Persona 3/4 and Devil Survivor are both going for ~$20 on amazon) and once you have played one you will know what aspects you like the most and that can inform your future buying decisions.

This is probably far more information that you needed, it's a very easy series to enthuse about.

 

[Tanis]

The VAST majority of 'MegaTen' games are independent, story/plot wise, of the other games so it's really a matter of preference and how badly you want to punish yourself.

Persona 1 and Persona 2 are a HELL of a lot harder than Persona 3+FES and Persona 4.

Digital Devil Saga 1/2 are have WEIRD stories, even for MegaTen games, and are as grindy as you can get outside of a Korean MMO.

Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. are more 3rd person action games, a nice change of pace from your 'typical' JRPG combat.

Devil Survivor is closer to FFT than FF1, and again have some pretty cool ideas.

Devil Children is more like Pokemon, even though SMT actually did the 'collect monsters/demons' and fight with them LONG before Pokemon came out.

Strange Journey is just...weird and cool and all sorts of Japanese.

Nocture, which is part of the 'main series', is another hard as nails game, and ain't for the 'casuals' of JRPGS.

 

[Someone Depressing]

I'd say 3 - no one actually remembers one or two (two being a duology) because one got a really shit localization and two was the Deadly Premonition of RPGs (weird abstract shit.. just watch the trailer for the new PSP release).

3's probably the best place to start because there's no demons, some idiot in a mask, any philosophy and most certainly the most intentionaly dark plot of them all (Persona 1 steals the darkest plot because of it basically turning into Battle Royale halfway through and no-one noticing).

Also, it's hard to be confused by a: Sunday, kill monsters, Monday, take girlfriend to restaurant, so on so forth.

Or you could put your hands in the air, start with Shin Megami Tensei (the first) and have no fucking idea what's going on.

HISTORY LESSON TIEM!

Megami Tensei were books that were the foundation for the series. They were full of rape, murder, more consensual sex, and of course, demons (yah....)

Majin Tensei had two games, both were dark and employed the same tone as the books - they sucked.

Shin Megami Tensei had:

SMT: Some kid deciding the fate of the world.
SMT2: Some adult deciding the fate of the ruined-again world.
SMT3: Some demon deciding the fate of the WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?
SMT3.5, Strange Journey: Some guy from -insert nationality here- with a team of racial-stereotypes going to investigate a hole that is literally eating the world inside-out. Also, demons at some point.
SMT 4: Is on the way.

Persona 1: Turns into Battle Royale halfway through, all-child cast doesn't seem to notice.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin wasn't released in English until November 20th last year. It was too late, ofcourse - it wasn't released because of the ability to start a lover's chain with anyone in the party except from Yukino, who leaves about 3/5 through the game.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment is a confusing mess without Innocent Sin, and as such, just to be douchebags, released it in English but not Innocent Sin.

Persona 3: Was a turning point in the series - adopted day-to-day simulation.
Persona 4: Expanded on this, and added jobs and added two new Personality skills, Understanding and Dilligence and renamed two.
Persona 5: Is coming.
Persona 4 Golden: Likes Persona 3 FES and Portable, is a remake type-thing, but instead of an epilouge, adds a gardening ability, improved fishing, introduced a couple jobs, some events, two social links and a bug-catching minigame too.
Persona Arena: The epilouge to Persona 4.


Now, the more obscure side:

Lost Bible: As its name suggests, it's more about Christianity and Catholic mythology than anything else. It was really popular in Japan for a little bit of time, and was for the Gameboy Colour.

Tokyo Apocalypse: It had the Valkyrie Chronicles problem in that enemies not engaged in combat could still attack you, but not the other way around. Also, for shock-effect on the artists' part, uncensored boobs. Literally the only reason it's remembered.

The Devil Summoner series: Consists of four games, one and two, and The Souless Army and King Abbadon. 3+4 are the best-received and most-remembered.

Soul-Hackers: Not so obscure back in the day, was really good and is being remade for 3DS.

Some shitty game on that Nintendo thing that blinded people - Virtual Boy.

So, the starting out point..

If you like a psychological delving and like the idea of trying to keep a sense of social normality when you keep getting attacked by monsters at midnight, try Persona 3 and 4.

If you want to know where the dungeon-crawler and and social-simulation fused together in a weird way, try Persona 1+2.

If you want a game almost entirely focused on being Intelligent enough to be diplomatic -or-, take a machine gun and rattle the enemy with bullets until it dies, then try the main series.

If you want a mash-up, try the Devil Survivor series. It had around 7 endings, tons of playable characters, a demon-fusion system making a comeback in the form of jamming your demons into a DS and taking out the thing that comes out, and a strategy/turn-based JRPG hybrid, then try this series.

If you want a real-time, action game with RPG elements and strategy try the Devil Summoner/Raidou Kuzunoha series.

I'm sure you'll find something you'll like.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

There's tactical strategy RPGs, classic turn-based RPGs, real-time action-RPGs, you name it, SMT has probably done it at some point.

Now you are speaking my language. Those are my types of games, outside of Sierra games, X-Com: UFO Defense, 4x Strategy games like Master of Orion and 3x like Master of Magic, those are my type of games.

Also a huge fan of the older Final Fantasy games.

A vast number of them are on PS2 and DS/3DS, as well, so just look up what might interest you and jump in. I do believe that most of the other series' in the greater franchise actually follow on from title to sequel though, so if you'd look into say, Digital Devil Saga or Devil Summoner then you'd need to figure out where you want to start. (Devil Summoner, for instance, has four games, both in pairs with the second two games being prequels to the first two games.)

So if I just got: SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: DEVIL SURVIVOR OVERCLOCKED, for the 3DS I could follow the story even without playing the rest of the SMT series?

That would be really good and show that the developer realized that people would pick up the series later. Is that a real option?

Yes, Overclocked is a fantastic game. It is also a standalone title. The SMT series is a lot like the Final Fantasy series in that almost all the games are standalone titles. Overclocked is like a bridge between the character driven Persona series and the more gameplay-oriented main series. It is a great place to start.

 

[Tanis]

^What?
No mention of the Digital Devil Saga games?