What Is The Best Persona Game?

The Persona series contains some of the best JRPGs of all time. However, even the Persona games can still be ranked accordingly.

When ranking the Persona games, it’s important to clarify that we’re considering only the best version of each title. Therefore, remakes or enhanced editions are what we’ll be focusing on. We’re also sticking to only main entry titles, so no spinoffs here.

Also, fair warning—there’s a notable shift in the series starting with Persona 3. While some fans are nostalgic for the earlier games, I believe the series reached new heights with the later entries. So, if you’re a fan of the older style, this list might not entirely align with your preferences.

Persona Ranked from Worst to Best

6. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

The PSP remake of the original Persona offers a better English localization and restored content that was missing from the original Western release. While the game introduces some interesting ideas, its age is evident in the gameplay and storytelling. The pacing can be sluggish, and it lacks the polish and depth of later entries. Still, it’s worth playing to see where the series began, but it’s clear that everything that follows improves upon it.

5. Persona 2: Innocent Sin

Innocent Sin improves on almost every aspect of the original Persona. The cast is more developed, and the story is richer and more engaging. However, like its predecessor, it shows its age, especially in terms of gameplay mechanics. This is also the game that famously features Hitler, which is a major talking point for many. Despite its flaws, it’s a significant step up from the original but still falls short of the series’ later masterpieces.

4. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Unlike Innocent Sin, the PSP remake of Eternal Punishment never made it to the West. Among the early Persona titles, this is undoubtedly the best. The story is exceptional, potentially even surpassing some of the later games in the series. The cast is phenomenal, and the narrative is gripping from start to finish. However, the game’s age and outdated mechanics hold it back. It’s a gem from the past, but it feels very much like a product of its time.

3. Persona 3 Reload The remake of Persona 3 adds modern polish to a game that was already a turning point for the series. The cast and story are top-notch, with themes that delve into darkness and mortality. The blend of social simulation and dungeon crawling was unique at the time and set the stage for future entries. While it sits right in the middle of this list, it’s a game that deserves every bit of praise it receives for being the bridge between the older and newer Persona games.

2. Persona 5 Royal Here’s where things might get controversial—Persona 5 Royal lands in the number two spot. It undeniably has the best dungeons in the series, the most refined gameplay, and a stylish presentation that’s unmatched. The music, visual design, and the heist-themed story arc are all top-tier. However, while the Phantom Thieves are a great cast, they don’t quite reach the depth of the characters in the top spot on this list. It’s an almost perfect JRPG with endless content to explore, but it just misses out on the top spot.

1. Persona 4 Golden Persona 4 Golden takes the crown as the best Persona game. The cast is unforgettable, with deep character development and relationships that feel incredibly real. The story balances light and dark themes masterfully, and the rural setting gives the game a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from the others. The murder mystery plot keeps you hooked from beginning to end, and the emotional beats hit hard. Persona 4 Golden is where the series truly perfected its formula, making it the best entry in the franchise.

In the end, the Persona series is one of those rare franchises where even the “worst” game is still a good experience. Each entry has its unique strengths, and while they may differ in gameplay style and storytelling approach, they all share a common thread of deep character development, compelling narratives, and unforgettable experiences.