What Persona game should I play first?

[Judier]

Since there are the steam sales going on, I really wanna dabble on the Persona franchise. I have already played some SMT titles, such as Strange Journey and Devil Survivor, and I really wanna know which would be best. I like the social aspect in games of Atlus a lot, since I also played Catherine, one of my favourite games ever. Let me know which I should buy!

 

[SliperyHippo]

The only one I've actually played all the way through and beaten was Persona 4 Golden! I loved that it was a murder mystery that takes place in one of those nothing towns that you maybe drive through while on a road trip and wonder how possibly anyone could live or grow up there. I think the story really resonated with me because I grew up in a nowhere town like that!
I tried playing Persona 3 portable, but I really didn't like the main character and not a lot was happening in the story up to the point that I got and I never really got invested in any of the characters since the social links were a hassle and the main character was lame. (I think I'd have liked playing FeMC better, I hear she's way cooler)
I have a friend who LOVES Persona 5 and several other friends who've bounced off of Persona 5, one of which I got to play through Persona 4 and he liked that one a lot more.

 

[TheMinuMaster]

If you're a bit depressive, start with the third one; if you're more cheerful, go for the fourth; if you're more crazy, start with the first. But seriously, start with the fourth, because once you finish it, you'll be able to play all the others without any problem.

 

[RustySK]

Since you're interested in the social aspects specifically, I'd say Persona 5 Royal is probably a decent place to start.
It seems people overall have kind of soured on that game over the years, but of the modern trilogy, I still think it nails that aspect the best.

That said, P3 and P4 are good choices as well, can't really go wrong in that regard. If you end up going with P3 though I'd recommend P3Fes over P3Reload though - while pretty to look at, the remake sanded all the interesting edges off of the experience.

If you want a good story, then the Persona 2 duology is still the best game in the series though.
For gameplay meanwhile I'd recommend a game that might not be part of the series, but might as well be - Metaphor: Refantazio.

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

If you want to go in order: Persona 1 (PSP)
If you want a good story: Persona 2 Innocent Sin (either version really)
If you’re curious about the older version of Persona 3: Persona 3 FES
If you want the ability to play as a girl: Persona 3 Portable
If you want something more cheery: Persona 4 Golden
If you want what’s currently the new wave: Persona 5 Royal
And if you were one of the people waiting and HOPING Persona 3 would get a remake: Persona 3 Reload

 

[blahbleh]

If you're planning to play persona 3, don't start with the portable one. Persona 3 portable has less content, also it plays like a visual novel.

 

[Bakuma1997]

If you already played SMT, some people would reccomend persona 1 or 2

Those opinions are wack, the games weren't as polished, i reccomend to begin with 4, since is the most PERSONA game i can think of, 5 is a good choice too but it downplays the school ambient in favor of a conspiracy plot, either way i reccomend the first two if you REALLY want to get in the subsaga

 

[Elwiwi]

5 or 4 golden don't bother with any other game ( nice pfp btw)

 

[DanCalibur]

All stories are pretty much independent with just a few references or recurring characters. It's ok for non crazy people to play them in any order they want, but if you are some sort of masochist like many Megaten fans then you better play them in order starting with Shin Megami Tensei If

 

[RestoredaftrLostv2]

1 and 2 aka both parts, are a very different than 3 onwards. Personally I love them more than the modern games, but not saying 3+ are bad. Unfortunately they haven't released them again.