The Persona series, which began as a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei, has evolved into one of the most significant RPG franchises today, spanning multiple major sequels, remakes, anime, and even stage plays. With the recent announcements of Persona 4 Revival and Persona 6, newcomers might wonder where to begin their journey into this expansive universe.
There are currently 21 Persona games in total, including expanded versions and remakes. For those looking for a starting point, Persona 3 Reload or Persona 5 Royal are excellent choices. These are the latest iterations of the third and fifth mainline entries, available on PC and all major consoles. Storylines in Persona 3, 4, and 5 are largely independent, making them accessible for new players without prior knowledge of earlier titles.
The Persona Timeline
1. Revelations: Persona (1996)
The series' debut, Revelations: Persona, was Atlus' response to the success of Shin Megami Tensei: If…. This title introduced core concepts such as wielding Personas in combat, the Velvet Room, and a cast of high school protagonists battling supernatural threats in the town of Mikage-cho.
2. Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999)
This entry follows a new group of high school students led by Tatsuya Suou, who confront a villain known as Joker and the cult of the Masked Circle. The game's narrative centers on rumors that manifest into reality within the city of Sumaru, featuring traditional turn-based dungeon crawling and Persona battles.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (2000)
Serving as a direct continuation of Innocent Sin, Eternal Punishment shifts the protagonist role to Maya Amano. Investigating a series of rumors about the Joker Curse, Maya and her allies work to combat returning antagonists, maintaining the series' established gameplay mechanics.
4. Persona 3 (2006) / Persona 3 FES (2007) / Persona 3 Portable (2009) / Persona 3 Reload (2024)
Persona 3 marked a significant evolution, introducing a daily calendar system that balances high school life with exploration of the supernatural Tartarus during the mysterious Dark Hour. Players control Makoto Yuki, who discovers his ability to access this hidden time and battles shadows alongside his classmates. This installment is credited with introducing social links and day-to-day activities that have become series staples.
5. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018)
A rhythm-based spin-off set during the events of Persona 3, this game features the S.E.E.S. team participating in a dance competition within the Velvet Room. These dream-like events are considered canon to the main story.
6. Persona 4 (2008) / Persona 4 Golden (2012)
Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows Yu Narukami and his friends as they investigate a series of murders linked to a mysterious world accessible through television sets. The game expands upon Persona 3's mechanics, integrating social links and school life with dungeon exploration and combat in the TV world.
7. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014)
This crossover title, technically set during the timelines of Persona 3 and Persona 4, traps the S.E.E.S. team and the Investigation Squad within a distorted Yasogami High School. Players navigate a labyrinth, facing new enemies and an original story, harkening back to the series' dungeon-crawling roots.
8. Persona 4 Arena (2012)
Serving as a narrative continuation of Persona 3 and 4, Arena is the franchise's first major fighting game spin-off. Yu Narukami returns to Inaba to participate in a mysterious tournament within the TV world, facing allies and the Shadow Operatives.
9. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2013)
A sequel to Persona 4 Arena, Ultimax continues the story with the Persona 4 cast teaming up with the Shadow Operatives to combat new threats in the TV World. This installment expanded the roster with additional characters.
10. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (2015)
This rhythm game spin-off sees the Investigation Squad transported to the Midnight Stage, an alternate dimension where they perform routines to iconic Persona 4 tracks. The story is a canon continuation of the game's events.
11. Persona 5 (2016) / Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Persona 5 casts players as Joker, a high school student framed for a crime who discovers a supernatural alternate dimension allowing him to change the hearts of wrongdoers. Known as the Phantom Thieves, the group's exploits in Tokyo made Persona 5 Atlus' best-selling game and a massive critical success. It builds upon previous entries with a month-based story progression, a negotiation system, and the Mementos dungeon.
12. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (2018)
A follow-up to Persona Q, this game features a crossover with characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5. The Phantom Thieves, S.E.E.S. team, and Investigation Squad find themselves trapped in a movie theater and must travel into film worlds to escape, exploring dungeons from a first-person perspective.
13. Persona 5 Tactica (2023)
This strategy spin-off, set during Persona 5's events, sees the Phantom Thieves transported to an alternate realm called the Kingdoms. Joker and Morgana must rescue their brainwashed allies by joining a local resistance against the tyrannical ruler, Marie, employing a tactical grid-based combat system.
14. Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (2018)
Caroline and Justine challenge the Phantom Thieves to a dance-off in the Velvet Room in this rhythm game spin-off, featuring routines set to Persona 5's music.
15. Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
Taking place six months after Persona 5, Strikers sees the Phantom Thieves reunite for a summer vacation, only to be drawn into the Metaverse once more. This action-RPG blends Dynasty Warriors-style real-time combat with Persona abilities as the team investigates the EMMA app and its connection to the Metaverse.
16. Persona 5: The Phantom X (2025)
A free-to-play gacha game set in an alternate timeline to Persona 5, developed by Black Wings Game Studio. Players assume the role of Wonder, a high school student who awakens their Persona and gains access to the Metaverse.
What's Next for Persona?
Following the success of Metaphor: ReFantazio, Sega has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in Atlus and the Persona IP. Persona 4 Revival, a remake of the 2008 title, is slated for release on February 18, 2027, and will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass. Persona 6 has also been officially confirmed, with a teaser trailer released, though a release date has yet to be announced. The Phantom Thieves have also appeared in crossovers, such as skins in Overwatch 2, and a live-action Persona TV show is in development at Netflix.