Japanese RPGs come in a variety of forms. While few JRPGs tote the sheer iconography of a property like Final Fantasy, the Shin Megami Tensei series, which dates as far back as 1987 and continues to receive new titles to this day, is an exception.

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With its spin-off series, Persona, exploding in popularity in recent years and a remake of the fan-favorite Nocturne slated for release later this year, there's no time like the present to appreciate the Shin Megami Tensei series. Often characterized by its blend of demonic fantasy and modern urban life, the series definitely possesses a distinct voice and aesthetic. Therefore, let's examine the SMT games that received the best reviews and currently hold the highest ratings on Metacritic.

Updated on September 21, 2023, by Mark Sammut: Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei has been around for decades, and the franchise has spawned a wide range of successful spin-offs. With a few Persona games set to debut over the next few months, this is the best time for new and old fans to revisit a couple of the best Megami Tensei games.

17 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon - 79 (PS2)

Megami Tensei's Devil Summoner sub-series has struggled to reach the same heights as the main games or Persona. Prior to the release of 2022's Soul Hackers 2, 2008's Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon was the last entry in this spin-off.

Set during the 1920s in Japan, Devil Summoner 2 has style and personality for days. Developers rarely dive deep into this era of history, and the game's setting might be its greatest feature. Unlike most other SMT properties, Devil Summoner 2 is an action JRPG; while the real-time combat system is not especially deep, it is generally fun. Players also have the option to summon demons in battles.

16 Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux – 80 (3DS)

A port of the DS game Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey, Strange Journey Redux is an enhanced port of the game for the 3DS, released in 2018. Strange Journey is the sixth game in the Shin Megami Tensei series, featuring several recurring core mechanics of the series such as turn-based battles and the ability to negotiate with foes.

While the original release of the game already featured branching story paths, Redux included yet even more choices for the player to make as well as a new playable character.

15 Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne – 82 (PS2)

Originally released for the PS2 in 2004, Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne is the third core entry in the main SMT series. Despite not garnering that high of a Metascore, Nocturne is often considered by fans of the series to be one of the best Shin Megami Tensei games of all time.

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Like many entries in the series, the game is a blend of the modern and the mystical. Through its demon negotiation and fusions systems, Nocturne offers great replay value for those willing to experiment.

14 Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 – 82 (PS2)

Released in 2005, Digital Devil Saga 2 is regarded for having stellar gameplay that is only offset by a notably high enemy encounter rate. At the time of its release, it was viewed as an improvement over its predecessor in every regard, toting superior gameplay, combat, graphics, and even story.

As far as non-Persona games are concerned, this entry in the series is viewed as one of the best Shin Megami Tensei games on the PS2.

13 Persona Q: Shadow Of The Labyrinth – 83 (3DS) & Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth – 81 (3DS)

Released exclusively for the 3DS, Persona Q is a crossover series that brings together characters from the last three entries in the spin-off series. Persona 5's Phantom Thieves are featured prominently in Persona Q2, while Persona 3 and 4's cast are in both titles.

While retaining many elements from the mainline entries, Persona Q is a dungeon crawler in the vein of Etrian Odyssey. Consequently, the story takes a backseat to the combat.

12 Persona 5 Strikers – 83 (PS4)

A sequel/spin-off to Persona 5, Strikers drops the turn-based combat for hack and slash action akin to Musou titles. The title was developed by P-Studio and Omega Force, and the latter's experience with Warriors games shines through in the gameplay.

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Persona 5 Strikers follows the Phantom Thieves on a cross-country excursion that involves them infiltrating Jails. Although not taking itself too seriously, the story is still pretty good, and the characters are as likable as ever.

11 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Eternal Punishment – 83 (PSP)

Persona 2 was originally released in 1999 for the PS1 and was available as two games, Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. This game paved the way for modern Persona releases, employing the use of a grim tone that creates a distinct atmosphere when paired with the game's setting of modern Japan.

As is the case with each entry in the Persona series, this game features characters who fight demonic foes utilizing beings known as Personas that can be summoned at will.

10 Shin Megami Tensei 4 – 83 (3DS)

Released in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS, Shin Megami Tensei 4 came out an entire ten years after Nocturne. The game was regarded as a solid return to form for the series, including the strengths of previous entries while adding new mechanics to keep things fresh.

A turn-based RPG like the majority of the entries in the series, this title allows the player to recruit demons they encounter to fight alongside them. These demons can also be fused together to create even more potent allies.

9 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor – 84 (DS)

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor was released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS and was the first game in the series to be made for that console. Fighting by recruiting demons similarly to the previous entry, Devil Survivor somewhat epitomizes many trends found within the main series.

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Be it Devil Survivor's modern Japan setting, the overarching mystery that is uncovered over the course of the campaign, or its tight and refined turn-based combat, this story-driven game is a perfect example of the series' strengths.

8 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker – 84 (3DS)

Though Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 was initially released on the Nintendo DS, a definitive enhanced version of the game was brought to the 3DS in 2015 in the form of Record Breaker.

Including everything from the original Devil Survivor 2, Record Breaker notably adds a great deal of new content, including a sizable playable arc that takes place after the original ending.

7 Shin Megami Tensei 5 – 84 (Switch)

Fans had to wait for quite a long time for a new main Shin Megami Tensei JRPG, and their patience was rewarded. Shin Megami Tensei 5 is not a huge departure from previous entries in the series, particularly in relation to its turn-based combat.

The 2021 game focuses on refining certain mechanics that might have been obtuse or frustrating in its predecessors; consequently, SMT 5 is the most accessible mainline entry in the series. Just to be clear, this is still a punishing JRPG that expects players to make use of all of its systems in order to attain victory.

6 Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse – 84 (3DS)

Rather than serve as a traditional sequel, Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse takes place at the same time as the original SMT 4. While the player controls a completely different character and gets a brand-new perspective of this world, the game takes the gameplay and combat of the previous entry, polishing it further and improving upon it.

While similar in tone to its predecessor, Apocalypse continues to succeed in the same areas while fixing some problems the original Shin Megami Tensei 4 had.

5 Persona 4 Arena – 86 (PS3)

• The image shows Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

Atlus has proven time and again that it is not afraid to experiment with its properties, especially when it comes to Persona. The SMT spin-off has produced its own share of spin-offs, and Persona 4 Arena is the best. Developed in conjunction with Arc System Works, this fighting game drops Persona 4's lovable cast in a strange tournament against Shadow Operatives.

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Arc System Works has few peers in the fighting genre, and the developer treated Persona 4 Arena with the same care as its own licenses. The combat mechanics are a bit streamlined compared to Guilty Gear, but they still offer plenty of depth.

4 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES – 89 (PS2)

Persona 3 is often described as the first modern game in the series, and it's not hard to see why. The first entry to employ the social link system that Persona is known for, the game is split between school life during the day when the player can develop friendships and relationships, and the night, in which the player explores the massive Tartarus and fights monstrous shadows.

This release redefined the Persona series, setting the standard for combat and other gameplay mechanics that are now standardized in the franchise. Persona 3 FES was the second version of this entry to be released for the PS2, adding additional content such as a post-game in which the player assumes control of the fan-favorite character, Aigis.

3 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable – 89 (PSP)

Though Persona 3 Portable may appear to be little more than a PSP port of Persona 3, it is often viewed as the definitive version of the game for two key reasons.

The first is that, unlike the PS2 versions of Persona 3 which only enable players to offer suggested actions to the other party members, the PSP iteration allows them to be controlled directly. This prevents plenty of headaches caused by questionable AI.

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The second reason is that this version of Persona 3 is the first and only entry in the Persona series to allow the player to choose their character's gender.

2 Persona 4 Golden – 93 (PS Vita)

Though Persona 5 is undoubtedly the most popular entry in the series, Persona 4 built upon the structure set by Persona 3 and is a genre-defining JRPG. Putting the focus of the game completely on the characters, the game's story is an engaging and ominous mystery that blends the terrifying realness of serial killers with the supernatural.

The game is often regarded for its bosses that take the form of Shadows, twisted reflections of the party members in the game, providing incredible insight into the game's characters in an extraordinary way. Persona 4 Golden is the definitive edition, adding new social links, costumes, and other content to an already great game.

1 Persona 5 Royal – 95 (PS4)

No other entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series has experienced as much mainstream success as Persona 5 Royal. Persona 5 was originally released for the PS4 in 2016 and the game is easily the most visually impressive game in the series to date, featuring an incredible stylized art direction and jazzy musical direction that has garnered many fans. Building upon an already rock-solid foundation Persona 5 Royal expands on an already great JRPG, adding additional content such as new party members and bosses.

With a stellar user-friendly interface, incredible and endearing characters, a further fleshed out support system, and fine-tuned combat, it's not hard to see why Persona 5 is as acclaimed as it is.

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