Shin Megami Tensei Question?

[SycoMantis91]

Ok, so this may sound noobish but it's important to me. I have yet to play a Shin Megami Tensei game, though they all sound like games I'd enjoy very much. Given all the different series' this encompasses, plus all the games in said series' I have to know if the individual series' follow storylines through their games or if they all interconnect, or if like all the Final Fantasies without a "-2" in it, they're all their own separate entity with nothing story-wise connecting them? So basically do any of the games follow a progression, or are they all different stories and if they do interconnect, how so? This is vital for me to know before investing in any of these games. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[hazabaza1]

Depends on the series from what I understand.
For example, the Persona games are pretty much separate, and the only thing you'll end up missing is some references or hints towards a larger story.
Others, like the Digital Devil Saga are more connected, and are more "proper" sequels.

TBH, I'd do some research on a game by game basis.

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

The main series games, like the Persona games, are also largely disconnected. I played through Nocturne/Lucifer's Call just fine without having touched the first two (kind of a necessity, since they were never translated) and Strange Journey never references the other games either.

Persona 4 is also the only Persona game I've played (well, I played the opening segments of 2, but not enough to say what it's even like really) and I've had no issue following the story. Like Hazabaza said I think there's some hints that they occur in the same world and continuity but the plots are pretty much separate.

I would definitely recommend getting into the SMT games. I haven't played all that many so far but the ones I have played are absolutely incredible. Some of the best JRPGs ever if not THE best for me.

 

[Pearwood]

It's really only DDS that continues on to any real degree that I can think of anyway. I'm not really familiar with pre-Nocturne titles though because I've played a few of them and didn't like them at all. Honestly though if you've got Persona 4, DDS 1+2, Nocturne and Persona 3 (my top 5 in order) you're pretty much set for the year. Those games are LONG. Easiest ones to find too, all you need to remember is Nocturne is Lucifer's Call in Europe for some unknown reason.

(kind of a necessity, since they were never translated)

There are fan translations out there if you're curious but honestly they aren't that good.

 

[FalloutJack]

-Ask an expert!-

The core Shin Megami Tensei games are not exactly connected to each other, though stuff HAS been thrown in by the developers for laughs.

The Persona games... The first one and the second two (that's TWO second games, Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment) are directly connected to each other. The third Persona game has nothing to do with the previous games and Persona 4 appears to be IN the same world as Persona 3, but the two game plots are isolated incidents from each other.

 

[neonsword13-ops]

PFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTT~HAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!

...

There are Shinigamitensei games other than Persona 3 and 4?

That's news to me. :I

OT: Persona 3 and 4 take place in the same universe, but in order to get the throw backs in P4, you have to play 3 first.

Nocturne and Strange Journey don't require any previous knowledge.

Digital Devil Saga series are sequels, so you gotta start with 1.

For the other games, you should look at the other posts.

 

[jebara]

You can start most of them without any knowledge of the other games except for DDS2 which you have to play 1 first and Persona 4 Arena, which is the upcoming fighting game(Yeah, this one is not an RPG) where it puts the cast of 3 and 4 together.
My personal favorite is Persona 4 so I recommend that first since it is what got me into the series but 3 is what the majority of fans consider the best start.

 

[MammothBlade]

Like Final Fantasy, there are common series themes and hallmarks. The demons, personae, and spells are familiar throughout from Nocturne to Persona 4. The only exception I can think of is Digital Devil Saga, it's a bit "out there" in comparison to the other games from what I've played. Persona 3 and 4 are clearly set in the same universe. I recommend starting from Persona 3 or 4 as others have said, and most of all I hope you enjoy whichever you play

 

[Stalydan]

Ok, so this may sound noobish but it's important to me. I have yet to play a Shin Megami Tensei game, though they all sound like games I'd enjoy very much. Given all the different series' this encompasses, plus all the games in said series' I have to know if the individual series' follow storylines through their games or if they all interconnect, or if like all the Final Fantasies without a "-2" in it, they're all their own separate entity with nothing story-wise connecting them? So basically do any of the games follow a progression, or are they all different stories and if they do interconnect, how so? This is vital for me to know before investing in any of these games. Any help is much appreciated.

Okay, SMT 1 and 2 are a storyline, 2 picking up on 1's Neutral ending. Nocturne/Lucifer's Call seems to be its own story though there are some references in Digital Devil Saga that suggest that they might be sequels to it. Strange Journey is its own story too.

Personas 1 and 2 are their own stories but 3 and 4 are in the same universe, the conversation with the Super Boss in 4 makes heavy references to that.

 

[ila]

Either way, you're pretty much fine starting wherever you want with these games. It comes down to what you're looking for. Nocturne/Strange Journey/Digital Devil Saga/Persona 1/2 are more straightforward JRPGs while Persona 3 and 4 have the social elements to them as well.

 

[Cheesepower5]

SMT 1, 2, 3 and Strange Journey are in one setting but only hinted connecions.
Devil Summoner, Soul Hackers and Soulless Army are connected but loosely, King Abaddon is a direct sequel to Soulless Army.
Persona is all connected loosely like the main series.
Digital Devil Saga 1&2 are paired.
Devil Survivor 1&2 are connected but loosely.

That about covers it.

 

[Ultress]

The series shares demons and certain mechanics such as negations with demons but each part of the franchise has unique aspects to it.

SMT 1/2 which have fan translations are direct sequels to each other and Nocturne is implied to be the sequel.However you can play it with out knowledge of the first two This is known as the mainline series. Strange Journey may fit in this line as well but I'm not quite sure.The official 4th game in the series is going to be released on the 3DS.

The Persona series is more interconnected they all take place in the same world but 1/2 are a separate storyline then 3/4. Persona 2 has two parts Innocent Sin ans Eternal Punishment which should be played in that order. 3 should be played before 4 to catch all the references.

The Devil Summoner series has the Soul Hackers series and the separate Raidou Kuzunoha 1/2 that share some names like the titular detective but are mostly unrelated. The latter series is one of the rare times an SMT game is not turn based but action based instead.

Digital Devil Saga 1/2 are very interconnected and should be played in order.

The Demi Kids series happened because everyone was calling SMT a pokemon rip-off and decided to you know what we're going to make a pokemon rip off and did so. The games are ok and I'm not sure how connected each game is.

SMT:If Imagine and Nine are really not worth messing with.The Devil Survivor games are unrelated to each other but excellent none the less.They are both turn based strategy

My recommendation is to start form Persona 3/4 and work you way out from there.