The Arcana, high schoolers who can summon ‘demons’ and social links. These are but a few things that describe the Persona series. A spin-off of the Megami Tensei series, in the Persona games players can summon beings that are the manifestation of their psyche.
There are six main games, with Persona 5 as the newest. The Persona series has become pretty popular due to its characters, the stories in each game, its gameplay mechanics and more.
While there are plenty of games in the series to keep you busy, these 10 games are great alternatives to play if you enjoy the Persona series.
Updated February 27th, 2020 by Lacey Womack: The Persona series is one that has been popular ever since it started, but Persona 5 Royal being released worldwide in March definitely has more eyes on the franchise than usual. But, even after completing Persona 5 Royal, it’s easy to be left wanting more of the action and adventure that these RPGs give us. Luckily, there are a ton of them out there. We’ve come back and added five more amazing games to play if you’re a fan of the Persona games.
15 Xenoblade Chronicles Series
Tetsuya Takahashi is a game developer that has become known for his work on a variety of different fantasy role-playing games over the years, including classics like Final Fantasy V, Chrono Trigger, and the Xenoblade Chronicles series.
The Xenoblade Chronicles series started in 2010 and most recently released Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on the Nintendo Switch in 2017. This game is a fairly open-world one, but it has a really story-driven series in which the player joins Pyra to search for Elysium, a fabled paradise from ancient myths and legends.
14 Catherine
Although most of the games on this list are RPG-style games like the Persona series, there are a lot of genres of games out there. While fans of the Persona series may be drawn to similar RPGs, there are also games in other genres that can also appeal to fans of turn-based RPGs.
Catherine is a puzzle game that was released in 2011. This game follows a man named Vincent. It’s divided between daytime segments in which Vincent is having some issues in his personal life and the unusual puzzles that appear in his nightmares. The unique puzzles and interesting storyline will definitely appeal to Persona fans, even though this game is a relatively different genre.
13 The Banner Saga
The Banner Saga is a tactical role-playing game that was originally released in 2014. The game has a massive variety of different characters that can be played and is set in a Viking society. The game is unique because of the fact that the choices the player makes changing the entire course of the storyline, giving it a lot of replay-ability.
This game has a heavy focus on battles and the outcome of these battles can change the outcome of the story and the way that your character interacts with the rest of the world. If a fun RPG with a unique battle system is what you’re after once you’re done playing Persona, this game is one to check out!
12 Bravely Default
Bravely Default is a role-playing game that was released in 2012 on the Nintendo 3DS. This RPG is similar to a lot of other classic RPGs in that it has a turn-based combat system and a job system, so fans of that style of game will definitely feel right at home during their playthrough of Bravely Default.
This game was initially in development as a sequel to Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light before being developed into a game of its own. The game is set in a world called Luxendarc where the Crystal Orthodoxy keep the balance of the Earth in order through protecting sacred elemental crystals.
11 I Am Setsuna
I am Setsuna is an action-RPG that was released in 2016. The game takes heavy inspiration from classic JRPGs and anyone who has been a longtime fan of the franchise will definitely enjoy the art style and different gameplay elements at work in this game.
The game follows a woman named Setsuna who finds her homeland, her people, and her self in great danger after hostile demons descend on the area. It’s up to Setsuna to muster up all the bravery within herself in order to make a great sacrifice to save her people.
10 Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler is an “HD-2D” RPG for the Switch. Players have the option of choosing eight different paths, each one following a specific character and their personal quest. Players can choose to play the game as just one character or join all eight in a party.
Octopath Traveler shares a similar gameplay mechanic to the games in the Persona series. Both feature turn-based battles and require players to figure out enemy weaknesses. In both games finding an enemy’s weakness breaks their defense and can force them into a stunned or “downed” state, which makes them take more damage.
9 Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XV is set in the fictional world of Eos, which is mostly controlled by the empire of Niflheim. Players take control of the prince of Lucis, Noctis, who ends up having to retrieve a powerful magical item called the Cyrstal from Niflheim after it was stolen from Lucis.
Both series emphasize the bond the protagonist shares with their friends and the strength of their friendship. In the Persona series it’s shown through strengthening social links and in Final Fantasy XV it’s shown by having Noctis explore his friendship with Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis.
8 Tales Of Berseria
Tales of Berseria is one of the many games in the Tales series. Players take on the role of Velvet who seeks revenge for the death of her younger brother.
The world of Berseria is inhabited by dangerous creators called Daemons, which Velvet becomes one of after her arm was possessed by the Daemonblight.
The way Daemons manifest in the world is similar to the way they do in the Persona, specifically Persona 3. Shadows are born from human emotions, generally negative ones. And the Daemonblight that creates Daemons is caused by the collective negative emotions of humanity.
7 Dragon Quest XI
Dragon Quest XI is the latest game in the Dragon Quest main series. The game is set in the fictional world of Erdrea.
The protagonist learns the truth about who he is after a strange glowing mark appears on his hand and lets him summon lightning. On his journey to discover the truth he comes across others who join him, and the group sets out to defeat evil.
It has a similar battle style to the Persona series, using turn-based battles. And just like in the Persona series, players can swap different party members out of the active group.
6 Ys Memories Of Celceta
Ys: Memories of Celceta is an action roleplaying game that was originally made for the PSVita. It is considered to be the third canon game of Ys IV and features the same protagonist of the other Ys games, Adol Christin.
Taking place between Ys II and The Oath of Felghana, Adol arrives in a town with amnesia. As the game progresses he meets up with varies people who claim to know him.
It’s similar to the Persona series in that items characters wear and their weapons can be crafted using materials earned in battle, which also affects their stats.
5 Shenmue Series
Shenmue follows Ryo Hazuki, a teenage martial artist from Japan. Ryo embarks on a journey of revenge against the man who killed his father. He also wants to figure out the mystery behind a phoenix mirror that his father had hidden away.
Both the Shenmu games and the Persona series have open persistent worlds, more specifically Persona 4 and 5. Outside of combat and the story, players can explore the world the protagonist lives in. Every character has their own routine and things work according to the in-game clock. Both series put a lot of detail into daily activities.
4 Fire Emblem: Three Houses
In Fire Emblem: Three Houses players can take on the role of either a female or male Blythe and become a professor to students of the Garreg Mach. The game eventually fast-forwards five years later as the world is plunged into war.
Both Three Houses and the games in the Persona series take place in an academic setting, although instead of being another student, players are the teacher. Both game series also encourage players to develop relationships with the characters. You can even romance certain ones is they acquire an S-rank Support or max out their social link.
3 The World Ends With You
This game is set in the fictional Shibuya, where the chosen dead participate in an event called the Reapers’ Game. The winner earns the right to be brought back to life or to ascend to a higher spiritual existence. The game follows Neku as he takes part in the games and tries to recover his memories of how he died.
Both The World Ends With You and the games in the Persona series feature protagonists who start off as asocial but through the people they meet and the bonds they establish they grow into more sociable human beings.
2 Tokyo Xanadu
The game was made by the same developer of The Legend of Heroes and the Ys series and is another action RPG. It takes place in an alternate reality of Tokyo, where a devastating earthquake has rocked the city.
Taking place ten years after that event, the game follows a high school student named Kou who finds himself sucked into a nightmare realm called Eclipse, where he joins the group Nemesis.
It has a similar plot of the Persona series, with highschoolers battling through monster-filled dungeons. There are also events similar to social links called bonding events.
1 Tokyo Mirage Session FE
It probably isn’t a surprise that Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is on this list. After all, it’s an actual crossover game between Atlus and Nintendo that combines elements of the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem series.
Set in modern-day Tokyo a group of teenagers fight against evil beings called Mirages, that seek to steal people’s energy known as “Performa”. The group works with good Mirages and work under the cover of a talent agency, working as idols and other performers.
The battle system is pretty much set up exactly like the one in the Persona games.
NEXT: 10 Things Atlus Cut Out Of The Persona Series That Will Have You Asking Why
