Shin Megami Tensei/Persona series?

Hey there. I thought this would be the best place in order to ask this question. My time spent here at Gamespot I have constantly heard about Shin Megami Tensei/Persona series whispering through the cracks of gaming discussion. I've done some preliminary research, trying to figure some stuff out about the series, but perhaps I didn't look hard enough; or perhaps felt that you guys would be better at answering my question.

For some reason this gen, instead of progressing forward with the new games of the consoles/PC, I seem to be heading backwards; and so I wish to try and check out the Shin Megami Tensei/Persona series. Are these series connected (I realize that Persona is a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei, but the question I was more directly trying to ask was would I be lost if I jumped into Persona 3 versus Persona 4). Is it best to try and start from the very beginning and work my way up, or are there some in the series that you guys feel that should be played first before others?

In essence, I am completely ignorant of these series, so if someone (or several people) could give me a clear in-depth description of these games and such, it would be most appreciated :)

I too have just started on the SMT series. Persona 3 & 4 aren't related so doesn't matter which you start out with. Although there may be some minor references in P4 from P3, but makes no difference. P4 is basically a polished version of P3 in terms of battles and dungeon limits. My first SMT game was P4, which was awesome, and atm I'm playing Devil Summoner which I hear doesn't get much praise from SMT fans. I find it perhaps better than P4.

First off no games in the collection are connected except the Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2 and Devil Summoner 1 and 2 the rest are not connected in any way so if your going to get DDS or Devil Summoner you should start with the first one.Now the Persona games are completely serperate no connection at all except for the name now with Persona 3 you want to get the FES version since it has an extra 30 hour expansion now if your interested in a soundtrack and Artbook you could try looking for the original release of the game but it is hard to come by and doesn't have the 30hour expansion.The games are very good I would say also look into Nocturne it is very good from what I hear all the Shin Magami games are great and I highly recommend them I would just say pick the ones that intrest you the most and go from there

I really love Tsumi/Innocent Sin (2), but I hate 1 & 3. :/

Hey there. I thought this would be the best place in order to ask this question. My time spent here at Gamespot I have constantly heard about Shin Megami Tensei/Persona series whispering through the cracks of gaming discussion. I've done some preliminary research, trying to figure some stuff out about the series, but perhaps I didn't look hard enough; or perhaps felt that you guys would be better at answering my question.

For some reason this gen, instead of progressing forward with the new games of the consoles/PC, I seem to be heading backwards; and so I wish to try and check out the Shin Megami Tensei/Persona series. Are these series connected (I realize that Persona is a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei, but the question I was more directly trying to ask was would I be lost if I jumped into Persona 3 versus Persona 4). Is it best to try and start from the very beginning and work my way up, or are there some in the series that you guys feel that should be played first before others?

In essence, I am completely ignorant of these series, so if someone (or several people) could give me a clear in-depth description of these games and such, it would be most appreciated :)

It doesn't matter, just try the ones that sound good to you, they all get good reviews.

You'll be fine if you jump into Persona 4 before Persona 3. The stories are not connected. Play them both though because they are fantastic games and Persona is my favorite game this generation. It's that awesome.

SMT: Nocturne is a stand-alone game, but obviously Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2 are related. 3 more fantastic games. SMT is my favorite gaming franchise. You'd do well in getting access to these games and experiencing them for yourself.

I have just started the SMT 3 and am all new to this RPG thing. I never liked them. But seeing SMT, I really had to change my thought. SMT series has all games rated very good. But I am sure about SMT 3 and 4 that they are new stories. Nothing to do with the previous installments of the game. Maybe DEVIL SUMMONER 1 and 2 are linked. I don't know for sure. But 3 and 4 are really superb. You gotta play them.