Japanese RPGs come in a variety of forms. While few JRPGs tote the sheer iconography of a property like Final Fantasy, the Shin Megami Tensei series, which dates as far back as 1987 and continues to receive new titles to this day, is an exception.
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With its spin-off series, Persona, exploding in popularity in recent years and a remake of the fan-favorite Nocturne slated for release later this year, there's no time like the present to appreciate the Shin Megami Tensei series. Often characterized by its blend of demonic fantasy and modern urban life, the series definitely possesses a distinct voice and aesthetic. Therefore, let's examine the games in the series that received the best reviews and currently hold the highest ratings on Metacritic.
10 Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 – 82
Released in 2005, Digital Devil Saga 2 is regarded for having stellar gameplay that is only offset by a notably high enemy encounter rate. At the time of its release, it was viewed as an improvement over its predecessor in every regard, toting superior gameplay, combat, graphics, and even story.
As far as non-Persona games are concerned, this entry in the series is viewed as one of the best Shin Megami Tensei games on the PS2.
9 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Eternal Punishment – 83
The first of many Persona titles on this list, Persona 2 was originally released in 1999 for the PS1 and was available as two games, Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. This game paved the way for modern Persona releases, employing the use of a grim tone that creates a distinct atmosphere when paired with the game's setting of modern Japan.
As is the case with each entry in the Persona series, this game features characters who fight demonic foes utilizing beings known as Personas that can be summoned at will.
8 Shin Megami Tensei IV – 83
Released in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS, Shin Megami Tensei IV came out an entire ten years after Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturn. The game was regarded as a solid return to form for the series, including the strengths of previous entries while adding new mechanics to keep things fresh.
A turn-based RPG like the majority of the games in the series, this title allows the player to recruit demons they encounter to fight alongside them. These demons can also be fused together to create even more potent allies.
7 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor – 84
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor was released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS and was the first game in the series to be made for that console. Fighting by recruiting demons similarly to the previous entry, Devil Survivor somewhat epitomizes many trends found within the main series.
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Be it Devil Survivor's setting within a modern Japan, the overarching mystery that is uncovered over the course of the campaign, or its tight and refined turn-based combat, this story-driven game is a perfect example of the series' strengths.
6 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker – 84
Though Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 was initially released on the Nintendo DS, a definitive enhanced version of the game was brought to the 3DS in 2015 in the form of Record Breaker.
Including everything from the original Devil Survivor 2, Record Breaker notably adds a great deal of new content, including a sizable playable arc that takes place after the original ending.
5 Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse – 84
Rather than serve as a traditional sequel, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse takes place at the same time as the original Shin Megami Tensei IV. While the player controls a completely different character and gets a brand new perspective of the world of Shin Megami Tensei IV, the game takes the gameplay and combat of the previous entry, polishing it further and improving upon it.
While similar in tone to its predecessor, Apocalypse continues to succeed in the same areas while fixing some of the problems the original Shin Megami Tensei IV had.
4 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES – 89
Persona 3 is often described as the first modern Persona game and it's not hard to see why. The first game in the series to employ the social link system that the series is known for, the game is split between school life during the day where the player can develop friendships and relationships, and the night, in which the player explores the massive Tartarus and fights monstrous shadows.
This entry defined the Persona series, setting the standard for combat and other gameplay mechanics that are now standardized in the franchise. Persona 3 FES was the second version of this entry to be released for the PS2, adding additional content such as a post-game in which the player assumes control of the fan-favorite character, Aigis.
3 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable – 89
Though Persona 3 Portable may appear to be little more than a PSP port of Persona 3, it is often viewed as the definitive version of the game for two key reasons.
The first is that unlike the PS2 versions of Persona 3 that only enable players to offer suggested actions to the other party members, the PSP iteration allows them to be controlled directly. This prevents plenty of headaches caused by questionable AI.
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The second reason is that this version of Persona 3 is the first and only entry in the Persona series to allow the player to choose their character's gender.
2 Persona 5 – 93
No other entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series has experienced as much mainstream success as Persona 5. Released for the PS4 in 2016, the game is easily the most visually impressive game in the series to date, feating an incredible stylized art direction and jazzy musical direction that has garnered many fans.
With a stellar user-friendly interface, incredible and endearing characters, a further fleshed out support system, and fine-tuned combat, it's not hard to see why Persona 5 is as acclaimed as it is.
1 Persona 4 Golden – 93
Though Persona 5 is undoubtedly the most popular entry in the series, Persona 4 built upon the structure set by Persona 3 and is a genre-defining JRPG. Putting the focus of the game completely on the characters, the game's story is an engaging and ominous mystery that blends the terrifying realness of serial killers with the supernatural.
The game is often regarded for its bosses that take the form of Shadows, twisted reflections of the party members in the game, providing incredible insight into the game's characters in an extraordinary way. Persona 4 Golden is the definitive edition, adding new social links, costumes, and other content to an already great game.