Summary
It’s hard to believe that thePersonaseries started asanotherShin Megami Tenseispinoff. The first two games in the series hammered in its relation to the main series, but things changed with the advent ofPersona 3. The incorporation of life sim elements with traditional JRPG gameplay went a long way in making the characters of this title more memorable than ever before. WithPersona 4and5refining this formula, it’s easy to see why fans consider this IP to be one of the greatest JRPG series of all time.
Like any JRPG worth its salt, what makes thePersonaseries so engaging to play is the rich and layered narrative present in each game. Even before the winning formula of this series was nailed, the stories of eachPersonagame were a blast to engage with and ensure that players can have a great time in an epic, emotional adventure that slowly escalates before players take out the Machiavellian villain pulling the strings in the background.
It’s a shame that a lot of people never check out the firstPersonagame because of its dated mechanics. While this is understandable given the slow-paced battles and some obtuse mechanics, players who give this game a shot will be able to enjoy one of the most emotional games in the series. The story revolves around a group of students who obtain the power to summon their Personas after playing a seemingly innocuous fortune-telling game.
The plot of this game deals with demons that attack the city of Mikage-cho and must be defeated by the heroes with their newfound powers. The story eventually diverges into the SEBEC and Snow Queen route. While the latter has its highlights, many people consider the former to be the best way to enjoy the game’s story because of the many revelations that are important to the overarching conflict. Their friend, Maki, plays a crucial role in this tale, and everyone must help her confront her inner demons inone of the genre’s most haunting boss fights.
There’s no denying thatPersona 3has the most impactful ending in the series, with the themes of loss and death being conveyed brilliantly. However, many people will argue that the general tone of the story is at odds with the game’s presentation, and this problem is further exacerbated in the remake. It’s an issue that is easy to get over once players get invested in the title’s amazing gameplay loop and form bonds with a cast of amazing characters.
It’s a heartwarming tale that shows a ton of love toward the player and its main cast, with players finding the members of SEES to be some ofthe best party members in JRPG history. The story takes a while to get to the good stuff, but fans can’t stop uncovering more of the plot after certain revelations come to light. All of this is wrapped up in an emotional ending that hits even harder inPersona 3 Reload, making it clear why many fans considerPersona 3to be their favorite.
Persona 5’s presentation sets it apart from other games in the series, with its incredible style helping the exploits of the Phantom Thieves feel all the more glamorous. It can be easy to devolvePersona 5’s story to be a tale about bashing adults and making them pay for their erroneous ways, but the numerous layers to the game’s narrative help it stand out as one of the best JRPG stories of all time.
The idea of turning a godlike being into the final antagonist who preys on the desires of humans may dumb down the story in the eyes of many, but that’s a small affront in what is otherwise a stellar video game. The narrative of this title is bolstered by a strong cast of characters whom players will love to interact with time and time again. Turning into the Phantom Thieves andbreaking into a target’s Palaceis a loop that never ceases to be engaging, since it helps the story move along at a smooth pace while slowly building up to key encounters.
2Persona 2: Innocent Sin & Eternal Punishment
An Ambitious Narrative That Hits The Mark, Even If The Second Game Stumbles A Bit
Many fans swear by the fact thatPersona 2’s duology features the strongest narrative in the entire series. It’s easy to draw this conclusion once players take a plunge and see what these games have to offer. The idea of rumors turning into reality makes for a captivating setting, withPhilemon appearing to awaken the heroes' Personasand letting them embark on a quest to save the city of Sumaru from these supernatural events.
The storytelling inInnocent Sinis through the roof, with a finale that takes things in a wild direction and serves as one of the most daring endings any video game can employ. This makes the first half ofEternal Punishmentmore captivating with all the context that was established and reversed, even if some aspects of the second game’s narrative are questionable and make it inferior to the first game in the eyes of many.
Players who want to check out one of the most feel-good JRPGs they can get their hands on will love whatPersona 4brings to the table. Atlus had spent a lot of time perfecting the formula from the third game, incorporating a narrative structure where players explore the psyches of people trapped in the TV World. Most of these targets become future party members, allowing for moments of strong character development aseach major character confronts their deepest insecuritiesbefore becoming a part of the group that is trying to uncover the identity of a mysterious serial killer ravaging the town of Inaba.
Speaking of which, shifting the focus from a major city to a small town was a genius move that helped players form an intimate bond with this area and its residents. This makes the narrative more engaging, with people actively wanting to safeguard the people of Inaba and prevent their favorite characters from being killed. All of this culminates in a grand finale where the entity responsible for giving people the power to awaken their Persona is taken out as the protagonist shows how humanity’s wish for love and hope transcends its need for conflict.
