So why did Ari_Gold in his post tell Soriku to try Persona 3: FES first?

Dunno.  He likes that game better?  Both are great but Persona 3 has a darker story and art.  Also, it features 1 single dungeon with a way to exit ever once in a while.  In Persona 4, there are multiple smaller dungeons, and you must either use an item bought at the store to exit, get to the end of the dungeon, or backtrack out of it to exit.  Having the option to use an item makes it easier IMO but you have to remember to buy it before you go in.

Personally, if I were new to the Megaten series I would recommend starting with Persona 4 or Digital Devil Saga because Persona 4 seems a bit easier and more mainstream and Digital Devil Saga has the easiest gameplay although the story doesn't pick up until the second game... Persona 3's story is grander but I appreciate the different story of Persona 4, which is basically a murder mystery.

Nocturne is many people's favorite but it has less story and the hardest gameplay of all.  It just depends on what you want I guess... All of them are good, even Devil Summoner.

Now I'm like really stoked to play this series! I mean I found the box art really gravitating and like I said hearing the positive word on the web makes me what to try these games out!

So no really order, I could by Persona 4 and still won't have to know anything storywise to play? Cool then I will purchase Persona 4 next week! I'm currently stuck playing No More Heroes and Mass Effect

All thanks to you silentmac, I will buy it I should by it now but it will leave my wallet empty

xlost8 said: Now I'm like really stoked to play this series! I mean I found the box art really gravitating and like I said hearing the positive word on the web makes me what to try these games out! So no really order, I could by Persona 4 and still won't have to know anything storywise to play? Cool then I will purchase Persona 4 next week! I'm currently stuck playing No More Heroes and Mass Effect All thanks to you silentmac, I will buy it I should by it now but it will leave my wallet empty

No problem... One thing you should know is that Persona 4 has about 2-3 hours of story where you aren't fighting or doing anything at the begging of the game.  People who pick it up usually complain about that but just remember, it is easy to spend 80+ hours on this game so 2-3 isn't that bad.  Also, don't expect some grand world affecting plot (i.e. Final Fantasy), Persona 4's plot is an old fashioned murder mystery story... Half of the game is a friendship/dating sim where you improve your stats by doing activities with your friends at high school.  The other half, is a rogue-like dungeon crawler where you traverse randomly generated dungeons.  There are no random battles though as you can see the enemies before you fight them.  In many respects, it reminds me of playing Rune Factory in that it divides the gameplay up between sim and dungeon crawler.  It is awesome though.  Undoubtedly you will love it if you spend enough time with it.

@silentmac

I'm sold I think Mass Effect is like that. It's boring right now! I haven't actually gone any deeper in the game and I get bored. But i consider JRPG's like manga or anime so I have absolutely no problem with the 2 to 3 hours of story with no fighting!

I hope its not like MGS4, all cinematics and no gameplay

As great as the Persona-series are, Atlus should really develop Shin Megami Tensei IV next, a new game for the main series, the last main series game was SMT III: Lucifer's Call/Nocturne.

I agree.  I hope it comes to PS3 with HD visuals but I imagine it will be either PS2 (if that is still an option) or Wii to save money.  People will buy these games no matter what and I imagine Atlus will not want to risk a release on an HD console...

xlost8 said: @silentmac I'm sold I think Mass Effect is like that. It's boring right now! I haven't actually gone any deeper in the game and I get bored. But i consider JRPG's like manga or anime so I have absolutely no problem with the 2 to 3 hours of story with no fighting! I hope its not like MGS4, all cinematics and no gameplay

No it's not like MGS4 at all.  It just takes a while for the game to start, Twilight Princess is the only game I can think of that I have played in the last few years that I can think of that is similar.  Only, this game has pretty much no gameplay for quite a while.  You just walk around and are introduced to the characters and are introduced to the plot.

I agree staying with the last generation PS2 for that manner is really a nice choice. Cheaper production and more fans on that console then the switch to HD consoles. Plus they always have the handheld PSP for spin-off adaptions. Atlus is doing a awesome job on reserving the next generation presence until it is needed!

Wasn't a Shin Megami Tensei- game listed in Atlus's PS3-gamelist? I wonder if it was canceled or put on freeze to give time for other games like Devil Survivor.