I would stay away from the mainline Shin Megami Tensei games if you want beginner friendly games. Those games tend to be much less forgiving.
Pulling up just to say that if the OP ever gets an interest to the MegaTen (short form of Megami Tensei, the overarching franchise where SMT, Persona, Raidou, etc. come from) franchise. SMT 1&2 are the easiest SMT (referring to Main SMT, not the whole franchise. Just making sure.) games but they still will give you some trouble (and are also highly addicting once it gets going). The other nice entry, especially since OP likes Hack&Slash games, is the Raidou series or Maken. Matter of fact, the remaster of Raidou 1 came out yesterday. And it's top tier so far. Best way to play it.
The bare minimum of a beginner friendly MegaTen game is the Persona series, specifically P3R, P4G and P5R. These mofos are easier or arguably easier than Pokemon. Persona 1 is mid diff at best but still possible. And then the sequel, P2: Innocent Sin is stupidly easy. Equally easy as P5 and stuff. P2 EterPunish is a sequel and ACTUALLY BRAIN ACTIVATING challenging! So big no no. Mainly cus it's a sequel.
When you're more experienced on RPGs and want to dive into this pushing 40 yo franchise. I'd recommend Nocturne or SMT4 only cus these two are the best gateways to the whole franchise and the modern gameplay system. Unless you're a Tactics/Strategy RPG fan, then go for Devil Survivor (or Majin Tensei). Or you want to tango with the classic style, then go with SMT1&2, SMT If (pretty challenging game especially in comparison to SMT1&2), Soul Hackers, Megami Tensei 2, Kyuuyaku Tensei 1 or Strange Journey (this game is hard as bricks tho).
Well that's my MegaTen series guide/recommendations. In short: Play SMT 1&2 lol.