The 10 Best Games Like Persona

What are the best games like Persona?

Persona fans are a special breed of gamer who love Japanese role-playing games, Atlus titles, and life simulators that are more than a little unusual.

This series dives deep into relevant psychological and sociological issues and tops it all off with some of the most badass music in games today.

For those of us who are solidly addicted to Persona, only a handful of games can touch this franchise of taboo topics and innovative mechanics.

The 10 Best Games Like Persona

The Persona franchise is so addictive it’s hard to find anything as amazing, but we referenced top sources online to get you what you need.

We’ve pulled together some games that will scratch your itch for life simulations, high school nightmares, fantasy battles, and good, old-fashioned mind-screws.

So, add these to your must-plays because you’re going to find a brand new obsession from our list of the 10 best games like Persona:

We’ve to bring you this curated list of the 10 best games like Persona:

10. Catherine

Another fantastic Atlus game, Catherine continues the weird with this story about a man caught in a bizarre relationship dilemma.

Fans who love Persona for its art style and narrative examination of human psychology will love Catherine because it excels in these areas.

With mechanics reminiscent of Q*bert, one of the best Atari games ever, we travel through the nightmare land of Vincent, who isn’t ready to settle down.

Vincent weighs his love for his girlfriend (Katherine with a “K”) against the intoxicating freedom of bachelorhood – and the results are perilous.

The team that developed Catherine, often called the “MegaTen” team by fans, also developed Persona and other beloved Atlus games.

That explains why there’s such a strong Persona vibe in Catherine, which pairs daily life with psychological horror, all wrapped up in anime-style art.

In fact, the developers later explained that Catherine served as a learning experience that helped the team later create the runaway success, Persona 5.

Gamers who love a challenge, take note: This was originally considered too difficult in 2011, so Atlus had to release a patch with an easier mode.

9. Octopath Traveler

One of the best RPG Nintendo Switch games is also a fantastic choice for anyone looking for something to play after binging Persona.

Known for its unique graphical style that developers dubbed “HD-2D,” Octopath Traveler is so much more than a pretty game.

Persona fans who love the series for its exploration of several characters’ lives will find exactly what they need here.

This 2018 release on the Nintendo Switch was an instant success with gamers who fell in love with the deep, immersive story.

In Octopath Traveler, players progress through – you guessed it – eight inter-woven storylines to uncover a rich and fascinating narrative unlike most other games out there.

The different protagonists take gamers on different journeys, each with its own importance placed on turn-based battles and in-town reputations.

Octopath Traveler took home several awards for its art, gameplay, and overall excellence – and it racked up more nominations, as well.

If you’re a Persona gamer looking for something with deep storytelling, multiple characters, and interesting art, then look no further.

8. Final Fantasy XV

This game features likely the greatest cover of “Stand By Me” ever, mixing iconic Final Fantasy music with vocals by Florence + the Machine.

But that’s not all there is to love with this 2016 PS4 and Xbox One release that followed the popular MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV.

One of the best Final Fantasy games ever made, FFXV is also a great title to pick up if you’re a Persona fan.

It’s a single-player RPG in the same vein as previous installments in the Final Fantasy franchise, with one major difference: This is a buddy story.

If you’re thinking that all Final Fantasy games are essentially about the power of friendship in the face of evil, that’s true.

But FFXV takes this theme to the next level with the story of four friends on a road trip to save the world.  

The graphics are stunning, and the story is both funny and heartbreaking at different moments, securing its place in the hearts of fans.

Persona players should give this a try because of its dedication to the buddy tale and the unbreakable bond among true friends.

7. Tales Of Berseria

This is a standout in the Tales franchise that is perfect for Persona fans because of its darker story and tragic protagonists.

Tales fans will recognize the setting of this 2016 release as a prequel to the previous installment, Tales of Zestiria.

In Berseria, there’s a strong emphasis on the soul, taking players deep into a psychological drama through both story and game mechanics.

With themes of revenge, death, and the afterlife, Tales of Berseria brings the kind of existential gaming experience that Persona fans love.

It’s not all sadness and serious moments, though; this game can be cute and even funny at times, as the characters’ personalities shine through.

If you’ve fallen in love with Persona games, then chances are you enjoy lengthy stories with nuanced characters and dilemmas.

You’ll get all that and more with Tales of Berseria, which has become a masterclass in stories with compelling anti-heroes. 

If you’re completely new to Tales, check out the Tales of Crestoria tier list to find a whole new obsession. 

6. Dragon Quest XI

As is common in Japanese RPGs, this may be the eleventh in the series, but it’s as good a starting point as any for newcomers.

In fact, it’s arguably one of the best places to start, as it blends powerful storytelling with tried-and-true Dragon Quest mechanics.

With critics calling the writing “brilliant” and the game one of the best of 2017, there’s no doubt this is a must-play title.

But it’s the art and story that make it a great fit for Persona fans who appreciate anime-style aesthetics and deep character-building.

Set in the world Erdrea, Dragon Quest XI opens with an attack, and an infant barely surviving the horrors of the day.

That infant grows up to be the protagonist of the game, and the story plays out beautifully in both Japanese and English, with top-notch localization.

For Persona gamers who love traditional Japanese RPGs and stellar storytelling, Dragon Quest XI could be what you’re seeking.

5. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Strategy, storytelling, choices, and life simulations – that’s what you’ll get in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, one of the best Fire Emblem games to date.

Persona players who can’t get enough of balancing daily life sim choices with battles will be thrilled with this one.

This is a tactical RPG, which means combat plays out in a way that’s often likened to chess, though that is an oversimplification.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses makes excellent use of this tactical element, giving players free rein to choose and develop jobs at will.

The life sim moments see the player chatting with students, choosing lessons, cooking, fishing, and completing requests – all of which enhance the story and battles.

Persona fans beware: This is the kind of game you can lose many hours to, and it has high replay value.

If you’re looking for more greatness like this, then look no further than the best Fire Emblem games ranking for your shopping list.

4. Tokyo Xanadu

When the starting screen for Tokyo Xanadu references high school students with psychic weapons, so you know you’re in for something good.

That’s an immediate green light for Persona fans, who have a special place in their hearts for stories about gaining special powers during high school.

It’s even better than that, though, as Tokyo Xanadu follows much of the classic Persona gameplay style and storytelling structure.

Every day, you’ll experience normal life, with classes, interactions with friends, and more, before you descend into another realm to do battle.

Topping it all off is a classic anime art style, complete with cinematic cut scenes and badass music to really set the mood.

Tokyo Xanadu came out in 2015 and is still a favorite among fans of developer Nihon Falcom, known for Trails, Ys, and more.

It got a port to Nintendo Switch in 2023, signaling its lasting power with fans who love a good mix of life sim and JRPG.

3. Xenoblade Chronicles 2

First of all, let us say that we know the entire Xenoblade series is fantastic – but Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is special.

We should start with some information about the incredible music, which is always a major draw for die-hard Persona players.

Featuring performances from god-tier choirs from around the world, this game brings us some of the most emotionally compelling scores ever recorded for a game.

And then there’s the story, written to feel like a movie, and which fans are quick to tell you will pull at your heartstrings.

Released in 2017, this remains one of the number one titles fans will recommend to RPG players – including Persona gamers.

In fact, the Xenoblade series has given us what is now considered one of the best JRPG games of all time.

If you check that list, you’ll find Persona 4: Golden not far from Xenoblade in the ranking, which tells you everything you need to know.

2. The World Ends With You

Released in 2007, this game has never gotten old, and it’s a no-brainer recommendation for anyone who needs a Persona-style fix.

Developed by the same team who made Kingdom Hearts, still among the best PS2 games ever, TWEWY was made specifically for the Nintendo DS.

That is what led to the innovative – and sometimes maddeningly difficult – touchscreen control mechanics the game became known for.

Using a split-world scenario, this game mirrors a lot of what we love about Persona, with the “real” world vs. another setting that’s more sinister.

When it comes to the Persona connection, this game hits practically every button; it’s even been criticized for copying Persona at times.

The popular counterargument to this is that TWEWY provides a more focused, solid story than Persona is usually known for providing.

However you feel about it, TWEWY is an obvious choice for Persona players to grab when they’re ready for a new franchise to explore.

1. Tokyo Mirage Session FE

We return to Atlus, with Tokyo Mirage Session FE, for the top recommendation on our list of best games like Persona.

This is a crossover RPG between the Shin Megami Tensei (“Mega-Ten”) and Fire Emblem series, which should be enough said right there.

As in the Persona games, the story of Tokyo Mirage Session FE cycles back and forth between a recognizable world and a supernatural one.

Battle systems are both nuanced and fun to master, with combo attacks and turn-based mechanics that complement the world perfectly.

Weird trivia: This was originally conceived as a crossover between Fire Emblem and Pokemon, but that idea was shifted to a different collaboration.

The result was this strange and addictive Wii U release in 2015 for Japan and then 2016 in North America.

If you haven’t tried this one yet, then grab your Switch or power up your old Wii U today to treat yourself to something fantastic.

Summary

Persona’s edgy narratives and hybrid mechanics may be considered a niche flavor in gaming, but those who love it simply can’t get enough.

The amount of times we’ve been asked what someone should play after they’ve finished a Persona game is enough to warrant this list.

So, when a replay just won’t cut it, give one of these titles at shot a blowing your mind in that quintessential Persona way.  

Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best games like Persona:

1. Tokyo Mirage Session FE
2. The World Ends With You
3. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
4. Tokyo Xanadu
5. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
6. Dragon Quest XI  
7. Tales of Berseria
8. Final Fantasy XV
9. Octopath Traveler
10. Catherine

Which of these games feels most like Persona to you? Leave a comment below.