Despite being a spin-off series the Persona series has become Atlus’ best-selling JRPG series. The SMT series is often associated with its difficulty which can be off-putting for many gamers. Though the Persona games are still challenging in their own right, they are far more accessible.
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Persona 5’s successled to the release of an expanded remaster Persona 5 Royal. The new version functions as something of a director’s cut with its additional story and gameplay mechanics. However, as great as Persona 5 Royal is, the game does come to an end so we’ve put together a list of games that fans may want to try if they loved P5R.
Updated by Michael Llewellyn October 17, 2021: The Persona series is often credited as the JRPG series that popularized the dating sim mechanic that has appeared in so many JRPGs in recent times. Additionally, the coming-of-age story that takes place in a modern school is a big enough departure from fantasy JRPGs that it has a broader appeal to fans outside of the genre.
The school setting isn’t often explored by games but it’s easily the most relatable for many gamers. Whether it’s gamers that are of school-age or older players that love reliving their youth through the eyes of their character it’s a setting that works in film and video games. If it’s bonding, relationships, or a school setting there are great alternatives for fans looking for a game like Persona 5 or the themes it relies on.
19 Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth
Released: 2019 Developer: Atlus Platform: Nintendo 3DS
The sequel to the original Persona Q, the mix of Etrian Odyssey-inspired dungeon crawling with Persona’s style and flair. It’s a game for series fans as it brings together the cast from 3, 4, and 5 to fight alongside each other and share an absolute ton of cute dialog.
If one really felt a genuine bond forming with the P5 cast during a playthrough, there’s no surprise that Persona Q2 is an easy recommendation for P5 fans.
18 Persona 3 and 4
Released: 2007 and 2008 respectively Developer: Atlus Platform: PS2, PSP, PS Vita, and PC
Without a doubt, Persona 3 and Persona 4 are the closest a gamer can get to Persona 5. Just like P5’s Royal edition, both titles have extended versions that function as something of a director’s cut in Persona 3 FES, P3P, and Persona 4 Golden.
Originally released worldwide on the PlayStation 2 in 2007 and 2009 respectively, P3 and P4 follow the same themes as P5R. Both entries in the series take place in modern Japanese high schools where relationship building and character development play a vital role. More importantly, the games feature intriguing and mysterious storylines that are equally gripping and emotional.
17 Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
Released: 2005 and 2007 respectively Developer: Atlus Platform: PS2
Now that both Shin Megami Tensei V and Nocturne are slated to release for the Switch in 2021, mainline SMT is more popular than it’s been in quite a while, and there’s no better time to jump in than the present.
What separates Digital Devil Saga from games like SMT IV or Nocturne is its greater focus on a character-driven narrative, which will allow Persona fans to feel right at home. DDS has a tight-knit cast of memorable characters, challenging and rewarding gameplay, and a sequel to flesh out its fantastically interesting story.
16 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Released: 2010 Developer: Spike Platform: PSP, Android, iOS, PSVita, PC, OS X, Linux, PS4, and Nintendo Switch
Danganronpa and Persona are often mentioned in the same conversation on the internet as they do share a lot of similarities. This high school murder mystery will definitely be enjoyed for those who got more out of Persona’s slice-of-life side rather than its turn-based, demon-collecting combat.
The Danganronpa series are hefty visual novels that span quite a few games, meaning that there’s a ton of content here to be enjoyed. One could get easily lose hours of their lives getting lost in Danganronpa’s world.
15 Tokyo Xanadu
Released: 2015 Developer: Falcom Platform: PSVita, PS4 and PC
First released in 2015 for the PlayStation Vita, Tokyo Xanadu was later ported in an enhanced expanded version for the PlayStation 4 in 2017 called Tokyo Xanadu eX+. It was developed by Nihon Falcom the creators of the Ys and The Legend of Heroes series.
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While Tokyo Xanadu doesn’t have the depth or the character relationship mechanics of a Persona game it does have an engaging story set in around modern-day Tokyo high school. Additionally, it features interdimensional dungeons that need to be traversed to move the story forward. Each character is given their chance to shine and the action-based combat is engaging and easy to pick up.
14 Final Fantasy XV
Released: 2016 Developer: Square Enix Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, and PC
Looking for something a little more fast-paced that still retains the feel of forming unbreakable bonds with the game’s party members? Final Fantasy XV is quite different when compared to any other game in the long-running franchise, straying away from turn-based combat and focusing on being a full-on action RPG.
FFXV’s main cast of four is rather slim when compared to Persona 5’s eleven main party members, but the road trip across Eos with Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis creates an unreal amount of bro-chemistry that’s almost too heartwarming to be true.
13 Xenoblade Chronicles
Released: 2012, 2015, and 2020 Developer: Monolith Soft Platform: Wii and Switch
First released on the Nintendo Wii in 2012, the New Nintendo 3DS in 2015, Xenoblade Chronicles was remastered and expanded for the Switch in 2020. It is regarded as one of the best Japanese RPGs of the last decade. Developed by Monolith Soft, a studio comprised of the same team that created Xenogears and the Xenosaga trilogy.
Xenoblade Chronicles is an epic open-world RPG with a gripping story and a great turn-based combat system. For PPersona fans there’s a bonding system in Xenoblade built around boosting the protagonist’s affinity with the other party members.This is achieved by developing a friendship with the said characters throughout the game’s story.
12 Etrian Odyssey
Released: 2008 Developer: Atlus Platform: Nintendo DS
For gamers looking for something a bit more challenging than Persona 5 then Etrian Odyssey fits the bill. The dungeon-crawling mechanics featured in Persona Q will be familiar to fans of that series albeit with a steeper learning curve.
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Etrian Odyssey is peculiar in the fact that most of its games allow the player the choice of either creating their own party members or playing through a story with a set cast. This flexibility may come as a refreshing change of pace for Persona fans that spend tens and hundreds of hours with the same characters.
11 Bully
Released: 2006 and 2008 Developer: Rockstar Platform: PS2, Xbox 360, PC, Android, and iOS
Developed by Rockstar the studio behind the Grand Theft Auto series, Bully is an action-adventure game set in a high school and its fictional town Bullworth. While it’s not an RPG, those that enjoyed the social interactions around a school environment will find a lot to enjoy in Bully.
The game was first released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006 and was remastered for the Xbox 360 in 2008. Just like the GTA series, Rockstar’s Bully was also the recipient of a great deal of controversy upon its release due to the game’s satirical nature being misunderstood by the media. Bully was actually a coming-of-age story about social hierarchy, cliques, relationships, and the struggles of growing up.
10 Yakuza 0
First released in 2015 for the PlayStation 4 Yakuza 0 was later released on Xbox One and PC in 2020. It’s an open-world action RPG that places the player in the shoes of a young Yakuza named Kiryu Kazama and his long-time rival Goro Majima.
While the game doesn’t have much in common with the Persona series in terms of combat or a high school setting, fans will enjoy the contemporary setting of a 1980s Tokyo. Furthermore, Yakuza 0 features friendship sub-stories that revolve around building relationships with NPCs throughout the city. Where Yakuza 0 shines, however, is its flawless character development and mature storylines. This level of quality continues throughout the series. As a prequel, Yakuza 0 is the perfect starting point for newcomers.
9 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
Released: 2015 Developer: Atlus Platform: Wii U and Switch
First released on the Nintendo Wii U in 2015, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is a crossover JRPG between Shin Megami Tensei and the Fire Emblem series. It was developed by Atlus so the game shares a lot of similarities to the Persona series in terms of its themes and modern-day Tokyo locations to explore.
The narrative isn’t as dark or as complex as the Persona series and is often predictable in its story beats. However, the side stories and interactions with other party members are reminiscent of Persona. The Fire Emblem characters appear in the form of Mirages are Persona-like in their gameplay mechanics and execution.
8 Attack On Titan 2: Final Battle
Released: 2018 Developer: Omega Force Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, and Stadia
Attack on Titan 2 was released on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, and the Xbox One in 2018, and released on the Google Stadia platform in 2019. It’s an action RPG developed by Omega Force based on the Attack on Titan anime and manga series.
RELATED: Great Anime Games No One Talks AboutIts expansion Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle was released in 2019 and the physical disc version adapts the first three seasons. AoT2 is a fast action game where the player has to take down gigantic titans that feed on humans. While that’s the departure from Atlus’ series, the relationship and friendship-building mechanics in the game will appeal to Persona fans.
7 Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalpyse
Released: 2016 Developer: Atlus Platform: 3DS
Released in 2016 on the Nintendo 3DS, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is an alternate version of the fourth entry in the mainline series. For the developers Atlus, Apocalypse seems like another chance for them to rectify many of the original game’s issues and is a much better game.
Despite having some connections to the original, Apocalypse is designed so that newer players can jump right into it. It’s not as narratively driven as the Persona series as the gameplay, demon hunting, and world-building take precedence. However, the writing, story, and character development are superb and Persona fans should feel at home with the mechanics.
6 Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Released: 2019 Developer: Intelligent Systems Platform: Switch
Released in 2019, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a Nintendo Switch exclusive. It’s a tactical RPG developed by Intelligent Systems who also created the highly regarded Advance Wars strategy series. Interestingly Three Houses was co-developed by Koei Tecmo who also worked on Fire Emblem Warriors and Attack on Titan 2.
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In addition to the strategic combat, Three Houses place a significant emphasis on socializing, developing relationships, and building bonds that directly affect a character’s actions on the battlefield.
5 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel Series
Released: 2015 Developer: Falcom Platform: PS3, PSVita, PS4, Switch, and PC
First released for the PlayStation 3 and the Vita in 2015, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel was the beginning of a new trilogy in the Trails arc. It was eventually released in 2019 for the PlayStation 4 along with its sequels Trails of Cold Steel 2, 3, and 4 released in 2016, 2019, and 2020 respectively.
The player is cast as a new student called Rean Swcharzer at an elite military academy. Similar to the Persona series much of the player’s time will be tasked with building relationships which in turn unlocks new abilities in combat. The world-building and character development in the trails series are on another level. It is also worth seeking out the Trails in the Sky trilogy too due to their deep narrative connections.
4 Neo: The World Ends With You
Released: 2021 Developer: Square Enix Platform: Switch, PS4, and PC
Neo: The World Ends with You is a sequel to the Nintendo DS original The World Ends with You. Despite several allusions to its predecessor, gamers can approach Neo as a newcomer to the series without feeling lost. However, the original game is fantastic in its own right worth a look if one isn’t put off by a game’s age or touch screen mechanics.
The highly stylized modern-day Japanese setting and themes that center around high school students will resonate with fans of Persona 5. There is a sense of anti-authoritarianism with the main characters but it’s not quite as dark in its themes. However, it’s a great alternative for fans of Persona 5 looking for another game with a similar look and feel.
3 Life Is Strange
Released: 2015 Developer: Dontnod Entertainment Platform: PS3. PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, OS X, Switch, Linux, iOS, and Android
Originally released as an episodic series throughout 2015, Life is Strange is an interactive murder mystery game with a non-linear plot. The story changes according to the choices the player makes in the game and its narrative changes with these choices.
Much of Life is Strange is set in a high school and played through the eyes of a teenage girl named Max. Max has the power to reverse time and she uses this ability to find out who the serial killer in her town is and solve problems around the school. The first three games in the series are getting remastered for current-gen systems and set to release in February 2022.
2 Lost Judgment
Released: 2021 Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Released in 2021, Lost Judgment is the direct sequel to 2019’s Judgment and a spin-off from the Yakuza series. However, it works well as a standalone title with its own story to tell.
Fans looking for a game with a high school setting like Persona 5 will enjoy the “School Stories” sub-quests in Lost Judgment. The School Stories play like their own separate entity from the main game with its own mysteries and story arcs that deal with mature themes and sensitive issues that transcend the format in unexpected ways.
1 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Released: 2020 Developer: Vanillaware Platform: PS4
A sleeper hit from 2020,13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a visual novel with elements of real-time strategy RPG. Its plot is a complex time-traveling tale that focuses on the lives of high school students in different time periods. The game’s plot begins in 1985 where Japan is attacked by giant monsters known as Deimos.
The students are capable of fighting back by summoning and piloting giant robots known as Sentinels. There’s a hint of the movie Pacific Rim but the narrative has far more depth. 13 Sentinels does an amazing job subverting the usual archetypes and tropes seen in JRPGs and visual novels with some genuinely surprising twists and turns. It’s a game that Persona fans will like but there’s else quite like 13 Sentinels.
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