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For a first playthrough, begin with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden or Persona 5 Royal. Each is a modern, numbered Persona RPG that stands on its own, so you do not need to finish Persona 1 or Persona 2 first. Choose by tone and availability: Reload is the modern reimagining of Persona 3, Golden is the expanded Persona 4, and Royal is the expanded Persona 5. The one strict story rule is within the Persona 2 duology: play Innocent Sin before Eternal Punishment.
The best starting point for most players
The modern numbered games are the practical entry points. They share themes, terminology and occasional references, but Persona 3, Persona 4 and Persona 5 each introduce a new setting, cast and central conflict. Starting with one of them will not leave you lost.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Persona 5 Royal (PlayStation PS5) | $28.77 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Persona 5 Royal für PS5 (Deutsche Verpackung) | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Persona 5 Tactica (PlayStation PS5) | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Persona 5: Royal - AU (PS5) | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Start here | Best if you want | Edition to choose | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persona 3 | A darker story about mortality and responsibility | Persona 3 Reload | A modern reimagining of Persona 3 with contemporary presentation |
| Persona 4 | A rural murder mystery and an unusually warm team dynamic | Persona 4 Golden | The expanded edition to use for a first run |
| Persona 5 | A stylish urban rebellion story with the most immediately modern presentation | Persona 5 Royal | The expanded edition and the recommended way to begin Persona 5 |
If you only want to test one game, buy whichever of these three is available on your platform at a sensible price. You can move to the other two later without replaying earlier entries to understand the plot.
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Persona began as a branch of the wider Shin Megami Tensei family, but the numbered Persona games are designed around new protagonists and locations. Persona 3 does not continue the day-to-day story of Persona 2, and Persona 4 does not require knowledge of Persona 3. Persona 5 likewise introduces the Phantom Thieves as a new group.
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There are references and returning concepts, so playing in release order can make callbacks more noticeable. They are bonuses rather than prerequisites. The early games are the exception: Persona 1 and the two Persona 2 games are more directly connected, and the second Persona 2 episode assumes you know the first.
Full core-series order
For a complete run of the mainline Persona releases, use this sequence:
- Persona (often called Persona 1; the English release was titled Revelations: Persona)
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
- Persona 3 — use Persona 3 Reload for the modern version, or Persona 3 Portable if you specifically want its alternate presentation
- Persona 4 — use Persona 4 Golden
- Persona 5 — use Persona 5 Royal
1. Persona (Persona 1)
The first game establishes the series’ foundational ideas and belongs at the beginning of a release-style marathon. Most newcomers can skip it without losing the plot of Persona 3, 4 or 5. Its older design and presentation can make it a demanding first experience, so treat it as an optional historical starting point rather than a requirement.
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Innocent Sin starts the Persona 2 story. Its events and cast set up the next game, making this the first half of the series’ most tightly linked sequence.
3. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Eternal Punishment follows Innocent Sin. Reversing these two games is the main order mistake to avoid in a full-series playthrough; playing Eternal Punishment first removes context and can spoil developments from the preceding episode.
4. Persona 3 Reload
Reload is Atlus’ modern reimagining of Persona 3. It is the clearest contemporary way to experience that story and is the recommended version for most players. Persona 3 Portable remains an alternative if you specifically prefer its version-specific presentation; owning or completing both is not necessary.
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- Persona 5 Royal für PS5 (Deutsche Verpackung)
5. Persona 4 Golden
Golden is the expanded edition of Persona 4. Choose it rather than the original release when starting Persona 4, subject to current platform availability in your region.
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6. Persona 5 Royal
Royal is the expanded edition of Persona 5 and the version to select for a first playthrough. The official listing identifies it as a single-player RPG released on October 21, 2022, with versions for Xbox, Windows, Steam, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Storefront availability and editions can differ by country, so verify the listing for your system before buying.
Three routes for different kinds of beginners
The shortest modern route
Play Persona 5 Royal → Persona 4 Golden → Persona 3 Reload. This begins with the most current-feeling presentation, then moves to the rural mystery of Persona 4 before ending with Persona 3’s darker themes. If you would rather start with a lighter, more intimate mystery, swap the first two: Persona 4 Golden → Persona 5 Royal → Persona 3 Reload.
The release-style core route
Play Persona → Persona 2: Innocent Sin → Persona 2: Eternal Punishment → Persona 3 Reload → Persona 4 Golden → Persona 5 Royal. This preserves the historical progression while using the modern editions of the last three games. Expect a substantial change in mechanics and presentation as you move from the first two entries to Persona 3 and later.
The single-game test
Choose one of Reload, Golden or Royal based on the tone you want and the system you already own. Finish that game before deciding whether to commit to the rest. The main stories are self-contained, so this approach does not create a continuity problem.
Choosing between Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royal
| Factor | Persona 3 Reload | Persona 4 Golden | Persona 5 Royal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Story mood | Darker, reflective and focused on mortality | Rural mystery with a close-knit, conversational group | Stylish urban rebellion and social injustice |
| Presentation | Modern remake-style production | Expanded edition of Persona 4 | Expanded edition of Persona 5 |
| Continuity needed | None beyond its own story | None beyond its own story | None beyond its own story |
| Modern platforms stated by Atlus | PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Steam | Check the current regional storefront listing | Xbox, Windows, Steam, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch |
| Best choice when | You want the newest interpretation of Persona 3 | You prefer a mystery in a smaller community | You want the most contemporary urban setting and systems |
All three are long, calendar-driven role-playing games with social links or confidants, dungeon exploration and turn-based battles. No reliable, comparable completion-time figure is established for them, so do not use an advertised hour count to choose between editions.
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- Gather a team of popular heroes to face the armies of oppressors in exciting turn-based battles
- Lead a riot of hearts in a brand new story that plays in the legendary Persona universe
- Beat your enemies with powerful personas, a selection of weapons and defeat them in style!
- In addition to the game, the first edition includes a DLC code for 2 Persona games ("Orpheus Picaro" & "Izanagi Picaro") in the box
Do you need Persona 1 and Persona 2 before Persona 3?
No. Persona 1 is optional for newcomers, and Persona 3 does not require either Persona 1 or Persona 2. Start with Persona 3 Reload if its setting and tone appeal to you.
If you want the complete early-series story, put Persona 1 before the Persona 2 duology, then play Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment in that order. The dependency is about the two Persona 2 games themselves, not a requirement imposed by Persona 3.
Where the spin-offs fit
Spin-offs assume that you already know the cast they feature. Play the relevant numbered game first, then use the following placement:
| Spin-off | Play after | Why this order is least confusing |
|---|---|---|
| Persona 4 Arena | Persona 3 and Persona 4 | It brings both casts together |
| Persona 4 Arena Ultimax | Persona 3 and Persona 4, after Arena | It follows the crossover fighting-game storyline |
| Persona 4 Dancing All Night | Persona 4 | It uses the Persona 4 cast and setting |
| Persona 5 Strikers | Persona 5 | It continues the Phantom Thieves in an action-RPG format |
| Persona 5 Tactica | Persona 5 | It is a strategy-RPG spin-off built around that cast |
| Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth | Persona 3 and Persona 4 | It is a crossover of those two groups |
| Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth | Persona 3, Persona 4 and Persona 5 | It includes all three modern casts |
| Persona 3 Dancing in Moonlight | Persona 3 | Optional fan-service content that assumes character familiarity |
| Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight | Persona 5 | Optional fan-service content for the Phantom Thieves |
There is no complete official chronology for every crossover spin-off. Treating Q, Q2 and the dancing games as post-main-game extras avoids spoilers and removes the need to reconcile every crossover event with the numbered timelines.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to install or buy
Persona 3
Install Persona 3 Reload when you want the modern version. Atlus describes it as a “captivating reimagining” of the genre-defining RPG. Keep Persona 3 Portable in mind only if its alternate presentation is specifically what you want.
Persona 4
Install Persona 4 Golden, the expanded edition. If it is not listed for your system or region, check the current official storefronts before choosing an older release.
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Persona 5
Install Persona 5 Royal, not the original Persona 5, for a first run. The official listing confirms the platforms named above, but regional catalogs and hardware support can change.
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A practical play-order checklist
- Pick one of Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden or Persona 5 Royal as your first main game.
- Use the expanded or modern edition: Reload for Persona 3, Golden for Persona 4 and Royal for Persona 5.
- Finish that game before starting a direct spin-off featuring its cast.
- If you decide to play the early series, begin with Persona 1, then continue to Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
- For crossover titles, wait until every numbered game represented in the crossover has been completed.
- Check your local store for current platform, edition and regional availability; prices and stock are not fixed by the series’ story order.
Common order mistakes
Starting with Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
This skips the first half of the Persona 2 narrative. Start with Innocent Sin instead.
Assuming Persona 1 is mandatory
It is important historically but not a prerequisite for Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden or Persona 5 Royal.
Playing a crossover before its parent games
Q, Q2, Arena and the dancing titles rely on recognition of returning characters. Delaying them protects story context and makes their fan-service material meaningful.
Buying every Persona 3 edition
Reload is the modern recommendation. Portable is an alternative for its distinct presentation, not an additional required chapter.
Bottom line
Most players should start with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden or Persona 5 Royal, then explore the other numbered games in any order. Only the Persona 2 sequence is essential: Innocent Sin before Eternal Punishment. Put each spin-off after the numbered game that introduces its cast, and reserve crossover games for after you know all of the participating teams.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
