Topic: Persona 3 (And Series) Questions

Hi guys. I am thinking about getting Persona 3 Switch 2 version, but I have never played a Persona game before. Is it worth getting, and also is it a good game to start Persona series in? If not, where/how should I start the Persona series, and do I need to play the previous games to understand what is going in the 3rd? Thoughts and help on all of this appreciated

@OmegaX83 Great to hear you’re interested!

Numbered Persona games are standalone so can be played in any order. So you won’t be missing anything by playing 3 first, or 4, or 5…

3 is a good starting point as it is the first “modern” Persona game (although bear in mind that the original was a ps2 game), with 3 Reload being an excellent remake that helps bring the game to today’s standards. I played it on PC so can’t really comment on the Switch 2 version in particular, but it’s receiving a 60 fps patch so I imagine performance is reasonable.

That said, I personally recommend playing Persona 5 Royal. Not necessarily because it is the best starting point, but I find it to be the better game with more varied level design. Persona 3 and 4 are both great but have randomised dungeons that offer lower variety than the detailed dungeons of 5. Plus I find 5’s integration of social links to provide a far better gameplay loop.

However if story is your main concern you might want to consider 3 or 4. 3, 4 and 5 all have excellent but distinct stories and the one that vibes most will be down to taste. I recommend looking up a spoiler-free synopsis of these if possible.

If you want a game that is more a technical showcase of your Switch 2, then it will have to be Persona 3 Reload. Unfortunately the Switch Persona games do not take full advantage of the Switch 2 hardware and 5 Royal in particular is 30 fps / lower resolution.

@Buizel
Thank you so much for the info and help! Really appreciate it and am looking forward to checking this Series out!

Hi again. I do have Persona 5 Royal, but haven't really started much of it yet. Should I still get Persona 3 Reload for my Switch 2? P3 is still on sale for a few more days in the eShop. Further thoughts and help appreciated

@OmegaX83 yeah go ahead and get it, I spent over 130 hours on the switch 2 version of p3 reload and it was brilliant.
Bought the dlc too and it was best switch 2 experience imo.

@OmegaX83 Can’t really advise on how you spend your money. I guess the risk is that you don’t like the game, in which case:
1. You could give Persona 5 Royal a try as you already own it.
2. I believe there’s a Switch 2 demo for 3 Reload so you could give that a try.

Might be worth having a short play of both to see if either vibes with you? Keep in mind these are very long games (I’d say ~70 hrs for 3 and ~100 for 5) so if you commit to one it will be a while until you get to the other!

If you have played Persona 5 Royal, then Persona 3 Reload will be quite a bit of a downgrade on gameplay variety. While an excellent remake, it is still based on the now 20 years old Persona 3 game.

Metaphor:Refantazio is another evolution on Persona 5, way more refined and even more diverse gameplay. Of course its a new IP with totally different setting. Unfortunately its also only playable on other platforms and seeing how poor and low effort of a port Persona 3 Reload is, I don't see it coming to the Switch 2 any time soon, if ever.
So for now I play all my Persona (3, 4 and 5) games and Metaphor:Refantazio on my PS5 and PS Portal (handheld). As Persona 5 Royal is also still an inferior port on the Switch, with very low/grainy resolution and not got a Switch 2 update yet either.

My traditional recommendation for a first time player is Persona 4. It hits a fairly nice balance between being more refined and accessible than Persona 3, while being less oppressively grim ( and a tad bit overly indulgent ) than Persona 5. That said, this was my opinion before the Persona 3 Remake came out, which I haven't played and can't truly judge. If and when I get around to trying it, it might edge out Persona 4, due to combining the more modern mechanics from 5 with the ( hot take! ) still best in the entire series story of 3.

That said, my other recommendation is "You already have Persona 5. Play that, and don't buy any more games in the series until after you've finished." Its a giant game, and its not guaranteed you'll like it well enough to want to continue. Don't waste money on excess enthusiasm.