Current Events > I have never played Persona. Switch is getting (and has?) some games. Which 1st?

(+) Yeah! (+)

which on Switch should I start with?

I'd do 3 -> 4 -> 5

If you want the best first impression go with 5, then if you like it enough and want to continue the series just work backwards because you'll be losing mechanics as you go

Persona is like a related series of games in Dragon Quest where the adventures are wholly standalone but they take place in the same world as the other ones.

So like Persona 3 and 4 happened and are canon in the world of Persona 5, and you might get a neat cameo or easter egg that gives you a wholly cosmetic look into how characters from those other games are doing in the time since their adventures. No spoilers, no continuity lockout - Persona 5 is an entirely self-contained game that you can enjoy without playing the others. Same with the third and fourth games.

I would honestly recommend starting with 5. It's the latest one, so it has the most polish and the best quality-of-life functions. The cutscenes are fantastic, the dungeon-crawling and dungeon designs are really good, the banter and characterisation is thick, fast and enjoyable - and frankly, the UI design stands head and shoulders above the other two, considering that Persona 5 was the last big game release for the PS3 and P3 and P4 both came out on the PS2. It's night and day.

Persona 5 is the gateway drug. I really like Persona 3, which is extremely edgy and melancholy, but I think you're gonna get way more bang for your buck out of Persona 5 initially and you'll have the other two games to play once you've finished it. I've never played Persona 4, but I'm going to buy it on Switch and play it really soon.

All of them are amazing, but 5 is probably the most accessible one on the market. Go with 5.

Id start with Persona 5 Royal.

If were talking switch games Id actually start with 4. 3 is the visual novel version so youre not getting the full experience and if you like 4 enough you can either move forward to 5 or backward to 3

MrMallard posted...

So like Persona 3 and 4 happened and are canon in the world of Persona 5, and you might get a neat cameo or easter egg that gives you a wholly cosmetic look into how characters from those other games are doing in the time since their adventures. No spoilers, no continuity lockout - Persona 5 is an entirely self-contained game that you can enjoy without playing the others. Same with the third and fourth games.

Theres actually a segment in P4G where you visit the school from P3.

One of the side S-link girls from that game shows everyone around, and it uses music from P3.

It all flew over my head originally since I started with P4G lol. I was just like.. this music is new and its weird theyre introducing these tracks this late in the game. And was doubly confused when they never played again.

I did 5->3->4, and tbh it's a good order, since 5 gives a great first impression, 3 isn't as polished but has a great story and it doesn't take that long to get used to the earlier mechanics (especially since you'd be playing P instead of Fes so you have controllable party members), and 4 is an improvement over 3 gameplay wise and its tone is great after 3 crushes your soul