Japanese developers Atlus have long established themselves as one of the premier RPG developers in the world. With the likes of Shin Megami Tensei and its spin-off series Persona scoring highly with fans and critics alike gamers are undoubtedly excited for the next major release from the studio.
Over the years, Atlus has developed and published many games but for the benefit of this list, it is only going to focus on the game they actually developed. The studio was responsible for publishing the likes of Demon’s Souls in the US but they had no hand in the game’s development. The same can also be said for Vanillaware’s Dragon Crown and 13 Sentinals: Aegis Rim. So this feature focuses entirely on their talents as developers, not as a publishing studio.
10 Etrian Odyssey IV
Released in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS, dungeon-crawling JRPG Etrian Odyssey IV is largely considered to be the best game in the series. This includes its successive title Etrian Odyssey V which still only included one explorable dungeon.
By comparison, Etrian Odyssey IV has a more open overworld with smaller dungeons. Additionally, it’s also the most approachable entry in the series and arguably has one of the most compelling storylines in the franchise.
9 Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2016, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is both a follow-up and rework of Shin Megami Tensei IV released three years prior. Apocalypse follows a brand new timeline to its predecessor so the game is more welcoming to newcomers and features quality of life changes that make it a much better game.
Its visual design and art style are fantastic and manages to rise above the limitations of the 3DS’s graphical capabilities. In addition, the game feels more in line with SMT: Nocturne which is a favorite entry for many fans of the franchise.
8 Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux
Released in 2017 for the Nintendo 3DS, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux is a remastered and expanded version of the Nintendo DS original that released in the US in 2010. It’s a dungeon-crawling RPG with mechanics similar to that of the Etrian Odyssey series.
The game mixes elements of classic science fiction movies along with the dark fantasy horror themes that the series has become known for. Just like its predecessors, it features multiple endings, an amazing amount of depth, and a tough but fair learning curve.
7 Persona 3 FES
First released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006, Persona 3 was the first game that really captured RPG fan's attention taking the Shin Megami Tensei series into the mainstream. It remains one of the most popular entries in the series to date and is still highly regarded as one of the greatest JRPGs of all time.
Persona 3 FES followed a year later on PS2 and included new storyline elements, a post-game epilogue, and new Social Link options. It’s the Social Links and the organic way that it develops the story and characters that set the series apart from JRPGs.
6 SMT Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abbadon
Released in 2009 on the PlayStation 2, Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abbadon is the direct sequel to the first game released on the same system featuring Raidou.
Just like its predecessor it’s set in an alternate universe in 1930s Japan and features real-world characters from that time period. At first glance, it doesn’t look like it’s much of a departure from the first game but the quality of life improvements and more refined combat made for a much better game.
5 Digital Devil Saga 1 And 2
The Digital Devil Saga is a two-part series of post-apocalyptic JRPGs that were released in two parts that released in 2004 and 2004 respectively. Even by Shin Megami Tensei standards, Digital Devil Saga is dark, violent, and as grim as it gets.
The characters, setting, and story development is among most of the gripping in the SMT universe. In addition, Digital Devil Saga is a far more character-driven story than many of its sister series where many of the characters are blank slates for the player to develop. Character customization is still a very strong point for DDS, however, and the game’s difficulty is far more forgiving than the core SMT series.
4 Persona 4 Golden
First released on the PlayStation 2 in 2008, Persona 4 like its predecessor placed its players in the shoes of a student transferring to a new high school. All of the expected Social Links features are in the game and there is even a great murder mystery story to solve.
Persona 4 Golden is the enhanced and expanded version of the PlayStation 2 original for the PSP and now the PC. It features new cutscenes, post-game content, and a brand new protagonist to choose from at the start of the game.
3 Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology
Released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2018, Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is an expanded edition of the Nintendo DS original which launched in 2011. Taking inspiration from 16-Bit classics like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI Radiant Historia features beautifully rendered sprites and one of the best stories in two generations of handheld systems.
Just like Chrono Trigger, Radiant Historia features a storyline based around time travel but it goes the extra mile in its execution of multiple timelines and intertwining storylines.
2 Persona 5 Royal
Released worldwide in 2016 for the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4 the original version of Persona 5 is one of the highest-rated games across two generations. The expanded and enhanced version Persona 5 Royal continued the same success becoming one of the biggest and best-reviewed JRPGs of all time.
Just like Persona 3 FES and Persona 4 Golden, Persona 5 Royal plays more like a director’s cut with added storyline features, cutscenes, and post-game content. In addition, the combat was more refined and exploration was made far more interesting with the addition of a grappling hook. Persona 5 Royal is by far the best version of the best JRPGs in a generation.
1 Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
First released on the PlayStation 2 in 2003, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne – or Lucifer’s Call in Europe – is still regarded by fans of the series as one of if not the best entry in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. A remaster is due to be released in the West in 2021 on the Nintendo Switch to prepare fans for the upcoming Shin Megami Tensei V which is also set to be released later the same year.
The level of customization is off the charts with so much flexibility and freedom in how the player wants their version of the Demi-Fiend to develop. Players have the chance to build a character that’s powerful enough to defeat God and destroy the very meaning of time and space.