Every Mainline Persona Game, Ranked Worst to Best

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Atlus’s Persona series has become incredibly popular, quickly establishing itself as a top RPG franchise worldwide. Originally starting as a side story to the Shin Megami Tensei games, Persona has actually become more successful. Largely due to the huge popularity of Persona 5, the series has now sold nearly 30 million copies and even appeared in crossover games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

The Persona series began in 1996 and has grown to include many games, but the main series currently has six titles. With fans excited for news about Persona 6 and the series’ 30th anniversary approaching, let’s revisit each game and rank them from least to most enjoyable.

Just a quick note before we start: we haven’t ranked updated versions of games like Persona 4 Golden or Persona 5 Royal as separate entries. When ranking a game, we considered any later editions or updates. Now that’s out of the way, let’s get to the list!

6. Revelations: Persona

Although it launched the Persona series, the very first game, originally called Revelations: Persona, is generally considered the weakest. However, it deserves significant praise for creating the core elements that define all subsequent Persona games. Features like the Velvet Room, a high school environment, and memorable music all debuted in this first Persona title and have become series hallmarks.

Let’s be honest, the gameplay in the original Persona hasn’t aged well. Exploring dungeons, especially, feels clunky and can even be a bit unpleasant by today’s standards. While Atlus did improve things when they released a version for the PSP in 2009, the first Persona game still ranks as the weakest in the series.

5. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

While Persona 2: Eternal Punishment is the only direct sequel in the main Persona series, many fans consider it a step down from the original. This installment puts Maya Amano in the leading role and includes several gameplay improvements that paved the way for the major changes seen in Persona 3.

While still a fantastic game, Eternal Punishment isn’t quite as strong as other Persona titles due to its slower pace. It’s longer than Revelations: Persona and Innocent Sin, and that extra length is noticeable. The story and themes, though good, sometimes feel repetitive.

4. Persona 2: Innocent Sin

Persona 2: Innocent Sin is a standout title from the early days of the Persona series. It improved upon the original game with more user-friendly gameplay, making exploration and dungeon crawling much easier, though it still feels a bit dated by today’s standards.

Honestly, the thing I remember most about Innocent Sin – and what makes it so good – is just how wild the story gets. It’s built around rumors actually becoming real, which leads to some seriously strange and funny moments you won’t believe unless you see them. If you’re thinking about checking out the older Persona games, I’d say start with this one – it’s a trip!

3. Persona 3

Many fans consider Persona 3 the best game in the series, as it introduced key features that Persona 4 and Persona 5 later developed further. I agree it’s a strong contender, and it’s definitely the most important game for starting the Social Link system. However, I don’t think it’s better than the games that came after it.

While Persona 3 is a great game, it’s held back a little by Tartarus, the single, large dungeon. It becomes repetitive as you play, despite attempts to mix things up. The original version also didn’t let you directly control your teammates, a feature added in later games. However, Persona 3 still boasts a compelling story and an amazing soundtrack heavily influenced by hip-hop, making it a truly captivating experience.

2. Persona 4

The atmosphere of Persona 4 is truly special. While many games in the Persona series are known for being serious and intense, Persona 4 stands out with its cheerful and optimistic tone. It’s not without its darker themes, as the story can be quite unsettling at points, but overall, it tells one of the best stories in the entire series, and features an incredible soundtrack to match.

Persona 4 really stood out for its dungeons, each one offering a completely different experience. This, along with its intriguing mystery story, made the game incredibly captivating. If you haven’t played Persona 4 yet, be sure to check out the remake when it comes out!

1. Persona 5

Persona 5 is the most beloved game in the series for a simple reason: it’s the strongest entry overall. It significantly improves upon previous games in almost every way, boasting refined combat, incredibly designed levels (called Palaces), and a distinctive, captivating style. Plus, many fans, including myself, consider its soundtrack to be one of the best ever created for a video game.

As a huge fan, I think Persona 5 really stands out because of its characters – they’re just unforgettable! And the story? It’s so much more complete and engaging than anything else I’ve played. The plot twists actually make sense and feel earned, and building up your team, the Phantom Thieves, to fight against injustice is just incredibly fun. Honestly, it’s not just the best Persona game ever made, it’s easily one of the greatest RPGs of all time, in my opinion.

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2025-10-25 16:41