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Western RPGs like Baldur’s Gate, Mass Effect, Fallout, and Dragon Age are all well known for having dating and romance options, but they are less common in JRPGs. While many JRPGs have romantic storylines, it’s less common that they have dating sim elements where you can choose from a variety of different partners. If you’re looking for a JRPG to play with dating sim or romance options, here are 10 of our favorites.

Fire Emblem: Awakening 14c1o

When people think of JRPGs with romance options, many think of the Fire Emblem series, which has long allowed people to marry certain units and strengthen them. Fire Emblem: Awakening gets exceptionally deep into the romance options, and you almost need a spreadsheet in order to organize everyone optimally. Not only will you be planning out your marriage – and the spawn that ultimately comes from that relationship – but the marriage and children of your other units. Certain marriages will produce offspring with different traits that can give an advantage in battle, making romance strategic.

Persona 3 Portable 605n2y

Almost since the beginning the Persona series has had romance and dating options – more on that later – but they became far more overt with the modern series. In these games you can romance as many people as you like, but just be aware that if you invite them out for a date at the same time, they tend to not vibe with it. We’ve chosen Persona 3 Portable to represent the series, as it has a male and female MC with different dating opportunities. One of the cheesy things I love about this is that if you date one of the characters that dies mid-game, there is a post game dialogue that lets you know they are just in a coma. There aren’t many JRPGs where smooching will save lives.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 6x716l

Most of the games in the long-running The Legend of Heroes series have some dating or romance aspects, but the Trails of Cold Steel subseries takes it to a new level. There are four games in Trails of Cold Steel and while romances start fresh in every game, there are bonuses for characters that you romanced in other titles. In the first entry, if you choose someone to take to the dance near the end of the story, they’ll receive an EXP boost in the second game. It doesn’t just offer you additional cutscenes, but a few sweet rewards for your affections.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age 43236m

Dragon Quest hasn’t always had romantic or dating options, but Dragon Quest XI added the option to date certain characters in the post game. It’s still completely optional, but it adds an extra layer to the after credits quests for those who are deeply invested in the game. After you’ve finished the main story you’ll be asked to rebuild Cobblestone and once done, you can choose another character to live with forever. While you can only technically marry Gemma, you can choose to cohabit with a number of other characters giving you some options. 

Yakuza: Like A Dragon 2v2yy

Most of the Yakuza games don’t have dating sim or romance options outside of hostesses and that always felt more friendly than romantic. Yakuza: Like A Dragon switched this up with its personality stats that dictate which of six women our protagonist Ichiban can date. While it’s completely optional, dating certain NPCs and party has huge benefits, and there is even a side story related to dating all six women at once. For a man who fails so completely in love in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth he’s quite the lothario in his debut game.

Summon Night 6: Lost Borders 5d273e

Many of these games have dating or romance elements as an aside to the story, but Summon Night as a series is known for being part JRPG, part visual novel, and part dating sim. This is the series you will want to jump into if you want the dating to be at the core of your gameplay. At the end of every chapter someone will you up on the rooftop, and you can decide how much you vibe with them. While Summon Night 6 has some localization issues, you should try out the series if you want the quintessential JRPG meets dating sim experience.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth 276m4k

Just like in the original Final Fantasy VII there are some hidden dating and romance options in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Things you do and say with different party throughout the game will determine how they feel about you, and this culminates in a date that you have at the Gold Saucer. In the original FF7 you could date Tifa, Aerith, Yuffie, or Barrett, with Aerith being the standard option – sorry Tifa fans – but Final Fantasy VII Rebirth adds two new options. Cloud can also date Red XIII in Rebirth, or if you haven’t shared enough romantic moments with any of these characters you’ll share a romantic date with the boys: Cid, Vincent, and Cait Sith. Yes, at the same time.

Unicorn Overlord 73381c

Unicorn Overlord is one of the best games of 2024, and it also is the JRPG with the most dating and romance options. It’s all about recruiting characters and organizing them into armies to fight for the cause, and almost everyone you recruit can be romanced and married. In fact out of 70 recruitable characters you can smooch more than 60 of them. You need to build your bonds with everyone, by giving gifts, eating with them or having discussions, and maxing out your rapport means you can hand over the Ring of the Maiden and marry them. Aside from showing your love to that character they gain +5 in every stat, so there are definite benefits to falling in love.

Tokyo Xanadu Ex+ 3a1s5g

Technically Tokyo Xanadu Ex+ isn’t a dating sim in the sense that you don’t pledge yourself to one person, but you do choose which characters to spend your time with, and there isn’t enough time to get to know everyone. Finishing your bond with a certain character will give you a special final scene and item near the end of the game, giving you more incentive to spend as much time as possible with your favorites. There is a canon choice here that gives you more insight into the ending, but if you have a favorite teammate, you’ll want to make sure you spend your time with them as well.

Persona 2: Innocent Sin 5b5lp

The modern Persona series – Persona 3 onwards – put romance and dating at the forefront as an integral part of the gameplay. However, romance options began with Persona 2: Innocent Sin where our protagonist Tatsuya can choose to date Maya, Lisa, or Jun. Yes, Persona 2 had a same sex dating option, which the modern series will not give us for some reason. Your choice of romantic partner doesn’t have any major outcomes on the story, and if you play Persona 2: Eternal Punishment you’ll know that Maya is Tatsuya’s canon romantic partner, but it is still a beautiful touch to this early story.

Let us know what your favorite JRPG that has dating sim options is in the comments below!

The post Best JRPGs with Dating Sim Romance Options appeared first on Siliconera.

To celebrate National Cat Day in Japan on February 22, Atlus started a new poll to select the most popular cat character from a variety of the games. 17 feline characters have been chosen as examples, and the deadline for voting is February 24, 2025.

Anyone can participate in the poll regardless of region. To vote for the most popular Atlus cat, all people need to do is like the X (formerly Twitter) post featuring their cat of choice on the Atlus social media . Multiple votes are allowed, and people are also free to vote for any other Atlus cat character other than the 17 selected, by adding their own vote alongside the hastag #アトラスねこの日総選挙 (which translates to Atlus Cat Day General Election) in their post.

Here is the list of pre-selected 17 cat characters for the Atlus poll:

• Morgana from Persona 5
• Maneki Neko (Lucky Cat Statue) from Persona 2
• Helios from Persona 2
• Lieutenant General Zula from Persona 2
• Plateau from Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Neko Shogun from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Cait Sith from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Nekomata from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Senri from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Ose from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Flauros from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Byakko from the Shin Megami Tensei series
• Schrödinger from the Digital Devil Saga series
• Gouto-Douji from the Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha series
• Great Lynx from the Etrian Odyssey series
• Fluffy (Shippo in Japanese) from 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
• Socrates from Odin Sphere

You can also see the characters here:

In other related news for cat lovers and Atlus fans, Good Smile Company recently started taking orders for a figure of Morgana based on his appearance in Persona 5 Tactica, and the deadline for pre-order is March 5, 2025.

The post Atlus Starts Poll for Most Popular Game Cat appeared first on Siliconera.

The Persona series contains some of the best JRPGs of all time. However, even the Persona games can still be ranked accordingly.

When ranking the Persona games, it's important to clarify that we’re considering only the best version of each title. Therefore, remakes or enhanced editions are what we’ll be focusing on. We're also sticking to only main entry titles, so no spinoffs here.

Also, fair warning—there's a notable shift in the series starting with Persona 3. While some fans are nostalgic for the earlier games, I believe the series reached new heights with the later entries. So, if you're a fan of the older style, this list might not entirely align with your preferences.

Persona Ranked from Worst to Best 2j2f1u

6. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

The PSP remake of the original Persona offers a better English localization and restored content that was missing from the original Western release. While the game introduces some interesting ideas, its age is evident in the gameplay and storytelling. The pacing can be sluggish, and it lacks the polish and depth of later entries. Still, it’s worth playing to see where the series began, but it’s clear that everything that follows improves upon it.

5. Persona 2: Innocent Sin

Innocent Sin improves on almost every aspect of the original Persona. The cast is more developed, and the story is richer and more engaging. However, like its predecessor, it shows its age, especially in of gameplay mechanics. This is also the game that famously features Hitler, which is a major talking point for many. Despite its flaws, it’s a significant step up from the original but still falls short of the series' later masterpieces.

4. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Unlike Innocent Sin, the PSP remake of Eternal Punishment never made it to the West. Among the early Persona titles, this is undoubtedly the best. The story is exceptional, potentially even suring some of the later games in the series. The cast is phenomenal, and the narrative is gripping from start to finish. However, the game’s age and outdated mechanics hold it back. It’s a gem from the past, but it feels very much like a product of its time.

3. Persona 3 Reload The remake of Persona 3 adds modern polish to a game that was already a turning point for the series. The cast and story are top-notch, with themes that delve into darkness and mortality. The blend of social simulation and dungeon crawling was unique at the time and set the stage for future entries. While it sits right in the middle of this list, it’s a game that deserves every bit of praise it receives for being the bridge between the older and newer Persona games.

2. Persona 5 Royal Here’s where things might get controversial—Persona 5 Royal lands in the number two spot. It undeniably has the best dungeons in the series, the most refined gameplay, and a stylish presentation that’s unmatched. The music, visual design, and the heist-themed story arc are all top-tier. However, while the Phantom Thieves are a great cast, they don’t quite reach the depth of the characters in the top spot on this list. It’s an almost perfect JRPG with endless content to explore, but it just misses out on the top spot.

1. Persona 4 Golden Persona 4 Golden takes the crown as the best Persona game. The cast is unforgettable, with deep character development and relationships that feel incredibly real. The story balances light and dark themes masterfully, and the rural setting gives the game a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from the others. The murder mystery plot keeps you hooked from beginning to end, and the emotional beats hit hard. Persona 4 Golden is where the series truly perfected its formula, making it the best entry in the franchise.

In the end, the Persona series is one of those rare franchises where even the "worst" game is still a good experience. Each entry has its unique strengths, and while they may differ in gameplay style and storytelling approach, they all share a common thread of deep character development, compelling narratives, and unforgettable experiences.

The post What Is The Best Persona Game? appeared first on Siliconera.

Persona 3 Reload releases in early 2024 as a monumental entry. It represents one of the few remakes in series that mostly dealt with the occasional remaster, re-release, or updated version, but never quite a true remake from the ground up. However, Persona 3 Reload should only be the first of several remakes, including a Persona 2 Remake.

Persona 2 has a unique status in the series as not one, but two games that make up its storyline. Innocent Sin released first in 1999 for the PS1 and was followed up a year later with its direct sequel Eternal Punishment in 2000. Sure, Atlus remastered both of these games for the PSP, but only one released outside of Japan.

However, that awkward release isn’t even the main issue with these games. Both Persona 2 titles (and the original for that matter) are such a challenge to go back to. I played them for the first time over a decade ago on the PSP, and they were a trudge to get through even back then. If people think Persona 3 needs a remake, it goes doubly so for these two games.

The isometric perspective feels awkward when exploring both in and out of dungeons. The turn-based combat is somewhat similar to later games, but feels slow and like a chore at times. This is all a shame, because the Persona 2 duology offers some of the finest storylines in the series if you can get through the frustrating gameplay.

Both titles focus heavily on the power of rumors. This plays a part in the gameplay, where the player makes choices and spreads rumors for events to happen. It also deals with a very different Joker than the iconic Phantom Thieves leader in Persona 5 and a surprising story with twists and turns.

Without spoilers, both titles feel essential and intertwined with one another to make the overall Persona 2 plot. This is why I feel like a Persona 2 Remake with both games in a singular story could be fascinating. Alternatively, it could come in a package of separate games.

The overall plot and lovable characters can remain the same, especially in the case of the rare female protagonist Maya, but the graphics and gameplay could benefit from a modern touch. It would be nice to see some of the features from the later core titles as well, such as the Persona Compendium and a deep social link system.

The latter is especially vital, since these games introduced romance for the first time. Players could romance and get special endings with a few of the party , including the first same-sex relationship in the franchise. These games were far ahead of their time at the turn of the millennium but the graphics and gameplay feel severely outdated today. Here’s hoping the release of Persona 3 Reload leads to an eventual Persona 2 Remake or two.

Persona 3 Reload will release for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on February 2, 2024.

The post Persona 3 Reload Should Pave the Way for a Persona 2 Remake appeared first on Siliconera.

Persona is a series that's done super well for Atlus over the years. Basically, a Shin Megami Tensei spin-off turned into an IP that is more recognizable to some than the original RPGs that spawned it. This does mean it might seem a bit overwhelming to hop into the series. Especially since there are numbered installments and spin-offs. However, it's all really quite approachable, and it isn't too difficult to jump in if you're wondering how to start playing through the Persona games.

How to Play the Mainline Persona Games in Order 10l1v

First, here is the full list of Persona games. Only certain entries really should be played in order.

You should play Revelations: Persona/SMT Persona before Persona 2: Innocent Sin, then Innocent Sin before Eternal Punishment. There are overarching elements that all tie together here, as well as recurring characters.

With the later Persona games, it’s best to start with a Persona 3 entry, then move on to Persona 4 and 5. However, all three are completely self-contained, so you don’t have to play them all in order or worry about losing context if you only choose to go through one.

• Revelations: Persona (PSX) or Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (PSP)
• Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSX, PSP) - The PSX version only appeared in Japan.
• Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PSX, PSP) - The PSP version only appeared in Japan.
• Persona 3 (PS2), Persona 3 FES (PS2), or Persona 3 Portable (PS4, PSP, Switch, Xbox One, XSX, PC) - I’d recommend Persona 3 FES, as it is the fullest experience, but Persona 3 Portable is the easiest one to find and play now.
• Persona 4 (PS2) or Persona 4 Golden (PS4, Switch, Vita, Xbox One, XSX, PC) - Go with Persona 4 Golden here, as it is the easiest to find and features the most lore and gameplay.
• Persona 5 (PS3, PS4) or Persona 5 Royal (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, XSX, PC) - Persona 5 Royal is the smart choice here, as it’s available on more platforms and includes additional story elements.

But What About the Persona Game Spin-Offs? 5b3dt

Okay, this isn’t too tricky. Mainly, because only one line of spin-offs actually has a consistent story to it. Even though the Dancing and Q games are considered sequels, there’s no overarching story.

Persona 4 Arena 354o3w

These are the fighting games with Persona 3 and 4 characters. Ultimax takes place after the original, so play them in order to get the full story! Though if you’re getting one of the more modern remasters of Ultimax, you’re good and can already go through things properly in order.

1. Persona 4 Arena (PS3, Xbox 360) -
2. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox 360, PC) -

Persona Dancing 302c1i

All of the Persona Dancing entries are rhythm games. A good rule of thumb is to play the ones for entries whose soundtracks you enjoyed most.

1. Persona 4: Dancing All Night (PS4, Vita) - As this is the entry with a story mode, you’ll want to play it first.
2. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (PS4, Vita) or Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (PS4, Vita) - As these entries aren’t as story heavy and “take place” at the same time, you can go with whichever entry’s music you prefer first.

Persona Q z3rh

These are essentially Persona takes on the Etrian Odyssey dungeon-mapping formula. Each installment is self-contained. So play the original if you only like the Persona 3 and 4 characters, and go into Persona Q2 if you like the Persona 3, 4 and 5 folks. The sequel does build on mechanics, so you may want to go with that second if you play both.

• Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (3DS)
• Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (3DS)

Persona 5 Strikers 3y12k

This is a weird one too! It takes place after Persona 5. Not Persona 5 Royal, to be specific. It’s a Musou-style beat’em up, so play and beat Persona 5 before getting into this PS4, Switch, and PC game for the best experience.

The post How to Get Started with the Persona Series appeared first on Siliconera.

The Persona 2 protagonists, Tatsuya Suou and Maya Amano, are ready to investigate...as Nendoroids. The two are available to pre-order from Good Smile Company. Tatsuya will appear as he does in Innocent Sin, which is the game he was the protagonist of. You will have until July 6, 2022, to pre-order these Nendoroids. They will both come out in November 2022 for Japan and January 2023 for North America.

The Persona 2: Innocent Sin Tatsuya Nendoroid will have two face plates: a standard one and a surprised one. He will also come with a sword, a microphone, a mic stand, and a lighter. It is a little difficult to see which lighter it is. However, as this is the version of Tatsuya from Innocent Sin, it is likely the lighter he received from Jun. The Tatsuya Nendoroid will cost 6100 JPY, or $55.99.

[gallery columns="5" ids="927467,927466,927465,927464,927463" link="file"]

The Persona 2: Eternal Punishment Maya Nendoroid will lend herself to slightly more variations in poses. Unlike Tatsuya, she will have three expressions: a standard one, a surprised one, and a winking one. She will come with her two pink handguns and interviewing equipment, which consists of a microphone and a bag. She will also come with a guardrail that has a butterfly on it, which you can set next to her. The Maya Nendoroid will cost 6200 JPY, or $56.99.

[gallery columns="6" ids="927473,927472,927471,927470,927468,927469" link="file"]

Good Smile Company first announced Nendoroids for the Persona 2 and 3 protagonists in February 2022. Pre-orders for the Persona 3 Protagonist Nendoroid are open until June 2, 2022. The Tatsuya and Maya Nendoroids are available for pre-order until July 6, 2022.

The post Persona 2 Tatsuya and Maya Nendoroids Open for Pre-Order appeared first on Siliconera.

Felissimo is making a special line of commemorative merchandise for the Persona series' 25th anniversary, and the items are now available for pre-order. Atlus launched a special Persona x Felissimo anniversary goods site to showcase the line, which will ship to customers in Japan in late 2022. [Thanks, Persona Central!]

https://twitter.com/felichara_info/status/1526035424900423680

Pre-orders for the Persona x Felissimo line are open and will run until June 15, 2022. Delivery of pre-ordered items is scheduled for the September-October 2022 window.

The items featured in the line cover all the extant Persona series titles, and there are also items celebrating the series as a whole.

The Persona 25th Anniversary multi-use cloth combines art and game screens from all five mainline Persona entries into a collage printed onto a microfiber cloth. The cloth itself has a glossy, satin-like composition. It costs 2,200 yen (about $17 USD).

The Persona 25th Anniversary School Logo Multi-use Pouch is an A4-sized pouch decorated with the emblems of the schools attended by the Persona series protagonists. These emblems include St. Hermelin High School from Persona, Seven Sisters High School from Persona 2, Persona 3's Gekkoukan High School, Persona 4's Yasogami High School, and Persona 5's Shujin Academy. The interior lining is colored Velvet Room blue and printed with the game logos. The pouch also has pockets to store items like notebooks, gadgets, and other miscellaneous items. It costs 3,400 yen (about $27 USD).

Several items in the Persona x Felissimo collection are specific to Persona 5. These include a t-shirt decorated with the HP Heart UI element (4,400 yen, about$35 USD), a long-sleeved tee mimicking the prison uniform worn by the protagonist when visiting the Velvet Room (5,720 yen, about $45 USD), a Velvet Room-themed teacup and saucer set (3960 yen, about $30 USD), and even nail stickers themed after the game and the Velvet Room (1,815 yen, about $14 USD).

Check out the items in the gallery.

[gallery ids="927209,927211,927212,927213,927214,927203,927202" link="file"]

The Persona x Felissimo merchandise line is available for pre-order in Japan. The Persona Super Live P-Sound Wish 2022 Concert will take place in October 2022, with streaming tickets available for international fans.

The post Persona x Felissimo 25th Anniversary Goods up for Pre-Order appeared first on Siliconera.

Three new Persona Nendoroids are on the way, and they're figures from older games. At WonHobby 35, Good Smile Company announced Persona 2 and Persona 3 Nendoroids. Tatsuya Suou from Persona 2: Innocent Sin, Maya Amano from Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, and Makoto Yuki from Persona 3 will all appear. Only unpainted prototypes showed up at the event.

First, here's a look at Tatsuya from Persona 2: Innocent Sin. He's wearing his normal uniform.

#WonHobby35 Figure Update!

Good Smile Company
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Nendoroid Tatsuya Suou

Web Gallery: https://t.co/1cYGQTBJF6#Persona2 #nendoroid #goodsmile pic.twitter.com/PFgfCOwIVp

— GoodSmile_US (@GoodSmile_US) February 11, 2022

Next is the Maya Nendoroid from Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.

#WonHobby35 Figure Update!

Good Smile Company
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Nendoroid Maya Amano

Web Gallery: https://t.co/yu6O2etRYe#Persona2 #nendoroid #goodsmile pic.twitter.com/2kXm0r2TPG

— GoodSmile_US (@GoodSmile_US) February 11, 2022

Finally, here's the Makoto Persona 3 Nendoroid. Of the three, he's the only one with accessories shown. He's holding a tarot card and has an Evoker in the holster around his waist.

#WonHobby35 Figure Update!

Good Smile Company
Persona 3
Nendoroid Persona 3 Hero

Web Gallery: https://t.co/u56F8jBbIZ#Persona3 #nendoroid #goodsmile pic.twitter.com/Pf1DTaewSW

— GoodSmile_US (@GoodSmile_US) February 11, 2022

Good Smile Company's released quite a few Nendoroids from different installments. One of Yu Narukami from Persona 4 showed up in November 2021.

There's no release date for any of these new figures yet.

The post Persona 2 and 3 Nendoroids Announced appeared first on Siliconera.

Atlus revealed a new batch of Prime 1 Studios Cutie1 Plus figures made to commemorate the Persona 25th anniversary celebration. The figures are fashioned after the five main protagonists of the Persona series and will appear in November 2022.

The Cutie1 Plus figures are 12 cm tall and will cost 5,000 yen (roughly $50) each. They not only reflect the distinct poses and weapons of each protagonist, but also feature the Cutie1 Plus line's distinctive button eyes and zippers. This design choice is meant to reference the company's stuffed animals line. The leads from Revelations: Persona, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 are all here.

News of these figures comes on the heels of Atlus announcing the opening of both a Persona 25th anniversary website and a worldwide Shop Atlus online store. Other items already revealed for the anniversary include a watch based on Persona 3's Velvet Room, the re-release of Persona 5's protagonist figma figurine, and a Velvet Room Persona music box.

MegaHouse also announced two new additions to its own Persona 5 Royal Lucrea series of figures. These will be of Lucrea Joker and Lucrea Crow Loki ver. (Goro Akechi) in their "Show Time" poses, and will be the first time Akechi is depicted in his Loki form. Previous figures in the series include Lucrea Makoto Niijima and Lucrea Kasumi Yoshizawa.

Pre-orders are now live for the figures in Japan, with a release window of November 2022.

The post Cutie1 Plus Persona 25th Anniversary Figures Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.

People will soon have a new way to get Persona information and find items related to Atlus series. Atlus took to Twitter to announce the opening of a Persona 25th anniversary website and a new worldwide Shop Atlus online store. The former is open now. The latter will open its virtual doors in October 2021 and launch with a Persona collection.

The Persona 25th anniversary site is a bit barren at the moment. It only consists of a few things. One is a welcome announcement celebrating the occasion. There is a section with digital wallpapers for PCs and mobile devices. Finally, there’s the announcement about the storefront.

As for the storefront, some of the Shop Atlus online store details are vague as well. It will open in October 2021 with Persona items. Catherine and Shin Megami Tensei merchandise also came up in the reveal. Finally, it said that new collections based on series will periodically appear.

In Japan, details about Persona 25th anniversary items are already coming up quite frequently. For example, there will be a watch based on the Velvet Room in Persona 3. A made-to-order Velvet Room Persona music box is in the works as well.

The Shop Atlus online store will open in October 2021.

The post Shop Atlus Store Will Open With Persona 25th Anniversary Collection appeared first on Siliconera.

With the remastered release of Saga Frontier, we’ve been thinking a lot about the original PlayStation. What are the best PS1 RPGs to check out today? Which stand the test of time? The experts here at Siliconera are here to help!

When people think RPGs on the PlayStation, Square immediately comes to mind. Any Final Fantasy is an easy pick, but there is a title that I believe stands out even more. While Vagrant Story's combat may not have aged fantastically, it is still remains one of the best RPGs of that generation. Perhaps, even, one of the most relevant.

Known for its complex storytelling that touches on various aspects of class and global politics, Vagrant Story is also a testament to what the PlayStation could do graphically. Looking for a game with a narrative that will leave you contemplating on the various perspectives of those intertwined and caught in the tangle of war? One that oftentimes soars above and beyond what more modern AAA games have attempted to present? Vagrant Story is what you need. — Kazuma

PS1 RPGs are a great place to recite a list of the usual suspects. It's been long enough that I'd wager a majority of today's players only know those games by reputation rather than personal experience. My picks: Suikoden and Suikoden II, two games largely overshadowed by Final Fantasy that built a world distinctly their own. One famous line of the '90s was the notion that "it takes a village." In Suikoden, getting things done takes a whole castle's worth of heroes and allies, many of whom can't even fight.

Suikoden acknowledges that single heroes and their closest friends just aren't enough to render real change. That's a prospect I appreciate more as a crusty old nerd. It also helped that they crammed in nifty strategic battles, too. Though Konami seems pretty firmly out of the Suikoden business, some key creators haven't forgotten that energy. I'm hoping they can recapture that magic for a new set of players. — Josh

Tales of Eternia, released as Tales of Destiny 2 in America, was the first game in the franchise to really nail down the action-oriented battle system. In earlier games, you were basically the only person doing anything. It’s a colorful and flashy feast for the eyes that plays smoothly and comfortably. Not only is Tales of Eternia's battle system fun, but its main cast and story are also memorable.

I liked the way the game fleshes out the characters’ relationships in the main and side stories. The journey is everyone’s, not just Reid’s or Meredy’s. Though the story focuses on one of Tales’ favorite themes — racism and acceptance — it approaches it from a more personal angle as opposed to the grandiose scale of Tales of Rebirth. For fans still waiting for Tales of Arise, Tales of Eternia is one of the best PS1 RPGs to revisit. — Stephanie

When you think about it, Valkyrie Profile aged pretty well! Its story pulls from Norse mythology, something that wasn’t exactly common at the time, and explored the lives of people right as they were about to die. Some were sympathetic! Others, less so.

But it isn’t just about the dearly departed. It is also about those left behind and Lenneth, the Valkyrie, herself. As she collects of a group of mercenaries, we see what the left behind go through. As the seal on Lenneth weakens, we learn what her life is like when she isn’t called into service.

It also has a battle system increasingly implemented in more modern games like Indivisible and Super Neptunia RPG, which is exciting to see. Not to mention the multiple endings you get for making the “right” choices. — Jenni

The most wonderful thing about playing the best PS1 RPGs in 2021? There are so many more options opened up through the efforts of fan translation teams. My pick, then, is Tear Ring Saga! A Fire Emblem game in all but name, Tear Ring Saga offers more great action from creator Shouzou Kaga. It's familiar in all the right ways. Though the legal action surrounding the game likely will continue to scare off anyone from bringing the game over officially, the fan work takes away a lot of that pain. — Graham

I'm not sure how no one else has mentioned either of these yet, but two of my top three PS1 RPGs are Revelations: Persona and Persona: Innocent Sin. (Number one is FFIX, the best Final Fantasy ever made. No further questions.)

These Shin Megami Tensei spinoffs laid the foundation for what has become one of the most beloved JRPG series. Perhaps it was the relatable high school students coming to with adulthood and delving into some pretty heavy topics most games were too afraid to cover at the time that makes me nostalgic. It could also be that Persona was the first PlayStation game I ever played. Either way, if you can find either of these, I recommend taking them for a spin. — Annette

What do you think are the best PS1 RPGs to play today? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter! And read our other handy roundtables for more thoughts from the Siliconera team.

The post The Best PS1 RPGs to Play in 2021 appeared first on Siliconera.

Atlus just started a new 2017 survey for the fans, where they ask fans what they’d like to see, including a spinoff title for Persona 5, an HD remaster of previous Persona games and more.

The main question about Persona series asks if fans would like to see a new fighting game for Persona 5, a board game for the Persona series, an HD remaster of Revelations: Persona, a Persona 3 dance game, Persona series online game, a Persona shooter, Persona 6, a new version of Persona 5 with additional scenario and new content, a Persona 5 dance game, a HD remaster of Persona 3, HD remasters of the Persona 2 games, or a sequel/port for Persona Q. The survey also asks for each of the aforementioned titles whether you'd like to see it on PS4, PSVR, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, smartphone, or others.

It's also worth noting that there isn't anything on the list mentioning Persona 4, so it looks like Atlus is looking to further expand on their other Persona titles.

Some of the questions in the survey ask if fans would purchase follow-up titles to Devil Survive 2: Record Breaker, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir.

One of the questions asks what other non-Atlus titles fans know about, and it includes a bunch of popular titles that have yet to release, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Dragon Quest XI, NieR: Automata, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Kingdom Hearts III, and so on.

The survey is available to take here, but it’s in Japanese and takes an estimate of about 25 minutes to complete and will be around starting today through February 7 at 11:59pm JST.

Atlus says that they’ve done the same survey twice in the past, and received plenty of great from fans and they’ve put a lot of consideration into it, so they’re looking to hear more from fans again.

The purpose of the survey is to help Atlus create games that can provide more unique and entertaining experience, and they’re asking for cooperation from the fans to achieve the goal.

The post Atlus Asks If You Want To See A New Persona 5, Persona HD Remasters, Or Other Spinoffs appeared first on Siliconera.

Missed the soundtrack CD Atlus bundled with Persona 2: Innocent Sin? You can the Joker theme from iTunes. That song plus Ramen Shiraishi, Silverman Residence, Yukino's theme, and the Boss Battle song from the Persona 2 Innocent Sin X Eternal Punishment Sound Collection Volume 2 album.

Each song is 150 yen ($1.75) or you can get the whole album for 2,400 ($27.50) yen.

The post Persona 2 Sound Collection Volume 2 Now On iTunes appeared first on Siliconera.

Atlus added a feature to Persona 2: Eternal Punishment that lets players inherit their save data from Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

You don't need to beat Persona 2: Innocent Sin to utilize this feature either. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment will retain Tatsuya's level and stats. The fusion skill list, monster conversation commands, and spare tarot cards will transfer into Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. Atlus hints that transferring Innocent Sin save data may change some event scenes in Eternal Punishment too.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment comes out in Japan on May 17.

The post Save Your Persona 2: Innocent Sin Data For Persona 2: Eternal Punishment appeared first on Siliconera.

Are you looking for a RPG to play on Vita? Check out Atlus' digital PSP library which has games like Yggdra Union for $9.99 and the game that started the Persona series for $19.99.

Class of Heroes might be worth a look too since MonkeyPaw announced plans to localize the sequel and future games in the series. The school themed Wizardry game is now $14.99.

Here's the full list of Atlus PSP games cut the price of:

• Class of Heroes -- now $14.99 (was $39.99) 
• Crimson Gem Saga -- now $14.99 (was $29.99)
• Hexyz Force -- now $14.99 (was $29.99) 
• Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble -- now $14.99 (was $39.99)
• Knights in the Nightmare -- now $14.99 (was $29.99)
• Riviera: The Promised Land -- now $9.99 (was $14.99)
• Shin Megami Tensei: Persona -- now $19.99 (was $39.99)
• Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin -- now $29.99 (was $39.99) 
• Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable -- now $19.99 (was $39.99)
• Yggdra Union -- now $9.99 (was $14.99)

Update: I think the world "sale" implied there was a time limit, but the price change isn't temporary! You can get Persona 3: Portable for $20 whenever as long as you have a US PSN .

The post Atlus PSP Price Drop Discounts The Original Class Of Heroes And Persona 3 Portable appeared first on Siliconera.