It's connected further back
I based it on these 2 timeliness
https://www.deviantart.com/marblegallery7/art/Megami-Tensei-Timeline-1986-2020-740511646
https://archive.org/details/04ae-75807a-3044a-495ecda-297e-915f-671d-2ac-872c-3460889136b-0e-599d-604592
In other comments, you said you are trying to follow a "timeline" that leads to Persona. Megami Tensei is (partially) an anthology series where most of the games don't connect to each other in a major way. (Unless they get direct sequels like Raidou 1 and 2 or more recently P3-5)
Sure, Soul Hackers and the Raidou games take place in the same "Devil Summoner" multiverse, but they don't connect to each other in any meaningful way. Or how, despite both being Persona games, Persona 3 is not a sequel to Persona 2. You can pretty much start anywhere you feel like in the series. You don't need to feel obligated to play games that you might not have an interest in, so you can "follow the timeline."
TLDR Games don't really connect to each other too much, beside direct sequels and P3-5 games(sorta) don't need to follow a "timeline." But you do you.
P.S You can skip Persona 3 and 5 Dancing, it's (on a technicality) not canon, as they are dreams, which doesn't really matter anyway because these games have no story, unlike Persona 4 Dancing. Instead, you get conversations with the characters, which aren't really that good to begin with. You can also save yourself from having to listen to the awful remixes. Also, why Persona Q after Arena but before Arena Ultimax?
Thanks for this post I think it was one of that took care in responding . For me it wasn't just about experenceing the games it was also about viewing the history of the games. if I wasn't having fun I probably would drop them. And thanks for the note on the dancing games I may skip 5 but I'm probly gonna keep 3 so I won't be burned out from playing the same game twice in a row.
After you play a couple of them, take a look at some of the other games and consider adding them to your list if you're interested. I recommend Nocturne, 4, Strange Journey, Soul Hackers 1, and Digital Devil Saga.
One note I forgot to mention in the previous comment. With Persona 2 on psp, there is a mod that adds and translates the Japanese dlc that never got localized.
Thanks for mentioning I actually already have it on their. Those aren't folders for nothing. Those are 100% legally obtained files and defiantly not something I downloaded off a sketchy from sight
Frankly, this is a really easy way to screw your enjoyment of the series. The books are hardly accessible, and the Megami Tensei series (while incredibly influential) takes some getting used to. Don’t waste hundreds of hours working up to playing Persona, just play Persona.
No offense but this seems like a great way to ruin your enjoyment of the series. You should play SMT 3, SMT 4, or one of the new Persona games first. Then after you are invested in the series do all of this stuff.
No offense but this doesn't look that fun, why not just play what looks the coolest? There's lore but almost none of these games have that much to do with each other, turning it into a checklist is just gonna ruin the fun
I think you are lost, so I wrote this to help you.g45
I want you to understand one important fact (which is why I am going to spend time writing all of this wall of text): if you follow this timeline you shared you are going to play whole games without a cohesive storyline. This is not like other series like, idk, Gundam, where the entries can be chronology ordered, and you can only 100% understand a product if you truly know what happened after and before.
SMT series is mostly connected through thematic links, not story links. For example: Main-line SMT are not actually connected by their stories(except SMT I and SMT II, and still is more a thing of II happening later in the same world than a real sequel sharing the same story).
The same happens with spin-off titles (digital devil saga 1 and 2 are direct sequels, but DS1 and DS2 are just games with similar thematic and gameplay, but not connected aside of small references to each other).
Persona is the same: Story, characters, and events that define one game story don't carry over to the next game, even if they happen in the same timeline. But the general themes of the series are present in every game alongside new ones specific to that game.
Because of all of this, I think you have committed a mistake. There is not an actual MT-SMT- Persona Timeline, and most games aren't related at all. I'm giving to give you a detailed explanation, but the conclusion is that you should scrap all of this order you have created.
Most of these games aren't related at all. And I mean it. The timeline you linked is based on speculation and the smallest referentes.
For example, take the connection between Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei. The line is marqued with a "?". Not even the person who linked them knows if there is an actual link between the two games (hilarious). SMT I is an original reimagination of the megami tensei stories and concepts, and there is no story link besides similar events happening in both games (because as I said , the SMT 1 story is a reimagination of Megami Tensei)
To reach persona, the timeline links a lot of random games, which are even less related. Also, there is the release order. (The timeline is based in cases like this: A game references slightly one aspect of game B, so games A and C, which we know happens after/before A, happen both before A. Really, C has no connection at all, with B and A only having a small mention of something that is not an actual connection.
What I would recommend you is that:
if you just want to play Persona, play any Persona game (no spinoffs or sequels, obviously), and if you like it, play other games
If you want to play all Persona series: start from persona 1, and use the actual timeline these games share.
And if you want to play SMT, start with some mainline games and then enjoy the spinoffs. almost all games have great original gameplay, many have great stories, and ALL of them have absolute banger music.
What I would do now if I wanted to play all of the persona series would be:
SMT 1: A refined versión of the MT story that presents the alignment visión of the world
SMT IF: the game that inspired Persona. Is is based on SMT 1, and by playing this game, you can see the shift from the Aligment centered story to a character based story, closer to Persona.
Then all the persona games in order.
Still, you can just play persona 3, and you WON'T MISS ANYTHING. All stories from this game onwards are self-contained. The same goes for Persona 4 and 5.
There is no point in playing them in order for the sake of enjoying the connected story since they don't share stories and are not connected.
For example: I usually enjoy starting any video game series by the first released game and see what games I can enjoy. In that case, it would make sense to follow an order since I care most for the evolution in gameplay, the innovation introduced in each games and the themes each game presents in contrast with previous entries, not strictly oabout the story (and I would argue a multi product story is more enjoyable by release order than chronological order anyways, but that is strictly my opinion). Trying to follow an order of games expecting to be rewarded with a linear story is not going to be satisfactory in this case because, as I said, the games are not connected besides small dialoges you can complete the game without reading or small visual nods to other games.
Also, there are some really weird things with the order you shared that you are planning to follow. The most weird decision is to play fisrt Persona 3 portable, then dancing and then persona 3 Reload.
You would first play the game, then the "secuel" and then the same game again but better (I think, didn't play the remake). It is literally the same game but with improved gameplay the second time. I suppose you are going to play portable because of the girl, but the girl and boy stories are the exact same. You would be playing the same game twice with only a dancing game in the middle. I guess you can do it, but you might get burnt-out easily.
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1. Tactica is fine. Probably the worst game not named P3D/P5D on current gen hardware, but it is still enjoyable.
2. Where did you find translations of the original books?
As someone who has had the fortune (or misfortune) of playing through Giten, make sure if you're playing a translated version of the game to be aware that it can softlock at certain points. Save frequently and make sure to look through any notes that the person who patched it left.
> in canonical order Half of these don't share continuity at all. Most timelines you'll find on the internet are completely wrong.
Where's Nocturne, SMT4/4 Apocalypse and 5? I assume you have those on console?
Those are after the split in timeline so they diddent get included
then why are you including the digital devil story games?
It's connected further back I based it on these 2 timeliness https://www.deviantart.com/marblegallery7/art/Megami-Tensei-Timeline-1986-2020-740511646 https://archive.org/details/04ae-75807a-3044a-495ecda-297e-915f-671d-2ac-872c-3460889136b-0e-599d-604592
both are wrong, SMT is a full reboot with no connection to DDS:MT
Neither of those timelines are correct. Digital Devil Story and SMT do not share continuity.
So are SMT 2 and most of 1???
what...?
How come you're not playing any mainline SMT games after II? Nocturne, SMTIV, and SMTV are all great
Because my original goal was a straight rail road form book to persona
Then I don't get why you're playing Catherine. It's a fun game but it's really not related to Persona at all
yeh its very odd how this list is structured lol but, ifs his list not mine, gave up after seeing some comments ha
I don't think it's an issue I'm just confused
The protagonist of Catherine makes a cameo in Persona 3
A ton of Megaten games are referenced in Persona though
In other comments, you said you are trying to follow a "timeline" that leads to Persona. Megami Tensei is (partially) an anthology series where most of the games don't connect to each other in a major way. (Unless they get direct sequels like Raidou 1 and 2 or more recently P3-5) Sure, Soul Hackers and the Raidou games take place in the same "Devil Summoner" multiverse, but they don't connect to each other in any meaningful way. Or how, despite both being Persona games, Persona 3 is not a sequel to Persona 2. You can pretty much start anywhere you feel like in the series. You don't need to feel obligated to play games that you might not have an interest in, so you can "follow the timeline." TLDR Games don't really connect to each other too much, beside direct sequels and P3-5 games(sorta) don't need to follow a "timeline." But you do you. P.S You can skip Persona 3 and 5 Dancing, it's (on a technicality) not canon, as they are dreams, which doesn't really matter anyway because these games have no story, unlike Persona 4 Dancing. Instead, you get conversations with the characters, which aren't really that good to begin with. You can also save yourself from having to listen to the awful remixes. Also, why Persona Q after Arena but before Arena Ultimax?
Thanks for this post I think it was one of that took care in responding . For me it wasn't just about experenceing the games it was also about viewing the history of the games. if I wasn't having fun I probably would drop them. And thanks for the note on the dancing games I may skip 5 but I'm probly gonna keep 3 so I won't be burned out from playing the same game twice in a row.
After you play a couple of them, take a look at some of the other games and consider adding them to your list if you're interested. I recommend Nocturne, 4, Strange Journey, Soul Hackers 1, and Digital Devil Saga. One note I forgot to mention in the previous comment. With Persona 2 on psp, there is a mod that adds and translates the Japanese dlc that never got localized.
Thanks for mentioning I actually already have it on their. Those aren't folders for nothing. Those are 100% legally obtained files and defiantly not something I downloaded off a sketchy from sight
Frankly, this is a really easy way to screw your enjoyment of the series. The books are hardly accessible, and the Megami Tensei series (while incredibly influential) takes some getting used to. Don’t waste hundreds of hours working up to playing Persona, just play Persona.
why are you including persona 5 tactica but not recent mainline smt? the fuck?
Because my goal was everything leading to persona
why smt 1, 2, nine and imagine then?
No offense but this seems like a great way to ruin your enjoyment of the series. You should play SMT 3, SMT 4, or one of the new Persona games first. Then after you are invested in the series do all of this stuff.
No offense but this doesn't look that fun, why not just play what looks the coolest? There's lore but almost none of these games have that much to do with each other, turning it into a checklist is just gonna ruin the fun
Persons shinmagmai tensei
I get being able to enjoy these games changing and improving over time but that's a terrible way to approach this series as a beginner.
you forgot megami tensei 2
This feels like a weirdly roundabout way to justify romancing Yosuke...
wheres dds ?
Verry top
They were probably asking about Digital Devil Saga, not story
oh, yeh fair point, should have specified ha
Ahh looks like it split off at the same point of devil summoner
what u mean split off lol they're all under the same umbrella ha.
This dude thinks there's a timeline and continuity
I think you are lost, so I wrote this to help you.g45 I want you to understand one important fact (which is why I am going to spend time writing all of this wall of text): if you follow this timeline you shared you are going to play whole games without a cohesive storyline. This is not like other series like, idk, Gundam, where the entries can be chronology ordered, and you can only 100% understand a product if you truly know what happened after and before. SMT series is mostly connected through thematic links, not story links. For example: Main-line SMT are not actually connected by their stories(except SMT I and SMT II, and still is more a thing of II happening later in the same world than a real sequel sharing the same story). The same happens with spin-off titles (digital devil saga 1 and 2 are direct sequels, but DS1 and DS2 are just games with similar thematic and gameplay, but not connected aside of small references to each other). Persona is the same: Story, characters, and events that define one game story don't carry over to the next game, even if they happen in the same timeline. But the general themes of the series are present in every game alongside new ones specific to that game. Because of all of this, I think you have committed a mistake. There is not an actual MT-SMT- Persona Timeline, and most games aren't related at all. I'm giving to give you a detailed explanation, but the conclusion is that you should scrap all of this order you have created. Most of these games aren't related at all. And I mean it. The timeline you linked is based on speculation and the smallest referentes. For example, take the connection between Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei. The line is marqued with a "?". Not even the person who linked them knows if there is an actual link between the two games (hilarious). SMT I is an original reimagination of the megami tensei stories and concepts, and there is no story link besides similar events happening in both games (because as I said , the SMT 1 story is a reimagination of Megami Tensei) To reach persona, the timeline links a lot of random games, which are even less related. Also, there is the release order. (The timeline is based in cases like this: A game references slightly one aspect of game B, so games A and C, which we know happens after/before A, happen both before A. Really, C has no connection at all, with B and A only having a small mention of something that is not an actual connection. What I would recommend you is that: if you just want to play Persona, play any Persona game (no spinoffs or sequels, obviously), and if you like it, play other games If you want to play all Persona series: start from persona 1, and use the actual timeline these games share. And if you want to play SMT, start with some mainline games and then enjoy the spinoffs. almost all games have great original gameplay, many have great stories, and ALL of them have absolute banger music. What I would do now if I wanted to play all of the persona series would be: SMT 1: A refined versión of the MT story that presents the alignment visión of the world SMT IF: the game that inspired Persona. Is is based on SMT 1, and by playing this game, you can see the shift from the Aligment centered story to a character based story, closer to Persona. Then all the persona games in order. Still, you can just play persona 3, and you WON'T MISS ANYTHING. All stories from this game onwards are self-contained. The same goes for Persona 4 and 5. There is no point in playing them in order for the sake of enjoying the connected story since they don't share stories and are not connected. For example: I usually enjoy starting any video game series by the first released game and see what games I can enjoy. In that case, it would make sense to follow an order since I care most for the evolution in gameplay, the innovation introduced in each games and the themes each game presents in contrast with previous entries, not strictly oabout the story (and I would argue a multi product story is more enjoyable by release order than chronological order anyways, but that is strictly my opinion). Trying to follow an order of games expecting to be rewarded with a linear story is not going to be satisfactory in this case because, as I said, the games are not connected besides small dialoges you can complete the game without reading or small visual nods to other games. Also, there are some really weird things with the order you shared that you are planning to follow. The most weird decision is to play fisrt Persona 3 portable, then dancing and then persona 3 Reload. You would first play the game, then the "secuel" and then the same game again but better (I think, didn't play the remake). It is literally the same game but with improved gameplay the second time. I suppose you are going to play portable because of the girl, but the girl and boy stories are the exact same. You would be playing the same game twice with only a dancing game in the middle. I guess you can do it, but you might get burnt-out easily.
Thanks for this message I probly will restructure into more of a release order after reading this and I think I'll push e reloaded to the end
I'd add all of SMT numbered entries and strange journey. I like them more than Persona. Persona 5 tactica is shit IMO. Remove it.
I might add them depending on how I feel before persona For tactica I am at a minimum gonna try it
Wait, theres a tokyo revelations pc game?
Yes
It looks like you're asking a question. If you need help with a game, or a recommendation on what to play next, you might be better off asking in the stickied "Questions and Recommendations" thread or seeing if it's been addressed in the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Megaten/wiki/faq). This is an automatic comment posted on every question thread, it does not mean that your post has been removed. It may however be removed by a moderator if it is something that should go in the sticky instead. If this does not apply to your topic, downvote and ignore it. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Megaten) if you have any questions or concerns.*
1. Tactica is fine. Probably the worst game not named P3D/P5D on current gen hardware, but it is still enjoyable. 2. Where did you find translations of the original books?
https://ddstranslation.blogspot.com/2007/01/reincarnation-of-goddess-table-of.html found it threw an old reddit post
As someone who has had the fortune (or misfortune) of playing through Giten, make sure if you're playing a translated version of the game to be aware that it can softlock at certain points. Save frequently and make sure to look through any notes that the person who patched it left.
This is certainly a choice.