/smtg/

As mentioned earlier, the main draw of mainline is doing battle alongside a hand-picked team of mythological demons. The protagonist of these games is always equipped to fight with swords, guns, and occasionally magic. However, the protagonist can also summon demons to aid in battle as active participants. Any demon encountered in a fight can be negotiated with - after forking over enough items and cash, a pact will be formed and that demon will be a permanent member of your party. A huge draw of mainline lies in recruiting demons and customizing their skills and magic to fit your team's needs. Any demon can become a force to be reckoned with if you leverage the following system to maximize a demon's potential:

Demons are able to perform skills that turn the tide of battle. Therefore, it is imperative that you get your demons in tip-top shape with powerful attacking, healing, and buffing skills. The main way to achieve this is through the Demon Fusion system. You can take any two demons and fuse them together to summon a stronger demon - the resulting fusion will inherit some of the skills you select to be passed down via fusion. By leveraging this system to its full potential, you can build a team that stomps once-tricky bosses with ease. In addition, most games contain a "Demon Compendium" that will allow you to resummon past demons for a fee, allowing dedicated planners to chain fusions and pass down excellent skills if they so choose. But what is the framework for how humans and demons do battle?

Older games in the series play out as traditional JRPGs: you select your moves, then watch them play out according to speed. However, newer entries in the series incorporate the Press Turn system: each party member gets one turn by default, but hitting a demon's elemental weakness grants you additional turns to deal more damage. Beware - enemy demons are capable of doing the same to you! Fights are fast and furious as each side scrambles to exploit the opponent's weaknesses while protecting theirs. This system allows the aforementioned Demon Fusion system to really shine: a team of Ice specialists will crush even the toughest of Fire demons with ease. Press Turn is a thrilling combat system that keeps friend and foe alike on the razor's edge until one side emerges victorious.

Most mainline games take place in entirely separate universes, usually set in a post-apocalyptic or otherwise ravaged Tokyo. We can occasionally get a glimpse of life before the apocalypse and feel lulled into a false sense of security. But inevitably, the world will soon find itself flooded by demonic invaders. You can expect to be roaming the wasteland, kicking ass, and taking names with your demons. But who's asses will you be kicking, and why?

In the world of mainline, faction lines are not divided upon meaningless terms such as "good" and "evil". Instead, the humans and demons tend to align themselves with one of three main ideologies: Law, Neutral, or Chaos.

The Law alignment priorities security above all else, including freedom. On the lighter end of the alignment, this manifests as the strong desire to protect the weak and keep them safe from harm. On the darker end of the alignment, this strong desire for security can manifest in lawful zealots who wish to control society and change the very nature of humankind. After all, nothing is safer than a human brainwashed to do no harm. This faction is typically lead by YHVH, the all-knowing Abrahamic God who may appear himself or be represented by one of his Archangels.

The Chaos alignment priorities freedom above all else, including safety. On the lighter end of the alignment, this manifests as a group fighting back against the unjust laws that plague their society and hamper people's full potential. The idea of being born into a hierarchy that shapes the rest of your life is unacceptable. On the darker end of the alignment, this desire for freedom can manifest in chaotic tyrants who kill and maim without restraint. After all, the strongest demon can take as he pleases - who will stop him? This faction is typically lead by Lucifer, a powerful fallen angel who takes on crafty disguises and beguiles others to fight back against the tyranny of YHVH.

The Neutral alignment strives for a balance of security and freedom, making sure not to fall victim to the dogmatic thinking of either alignment. Where Law favors angels and Chaos favors demons, the Neutral alignment typically carries a more human focus. Strong Neutral characters recognize the need for both ideals and push back against a black-and-white world to walk a third path. Weak Neutral characters find themselves drowning against the tide, unable to establish a new paradigm and ultimately dooming humanity to a life of angelic or demonic subserviance.

This alignment war rages endlessly, and it's up to the protagonist to bring about a decisive end to the battle. As the player, you will shape the story by joining up with one of these alignments, a decision you fall into by making choices during the story. Will you fight to protect the world as a warrior of light? Will you liberate the world from the oppressive rule of the angels? Or will you find another path for humanity? These decisions are yours and yours alone to make, but others will help and hinder your journey.

Some character archetypes are inevitable in a mainline game. These are the Law Hero, Chaos Hero, and Heroine. While these characters don't appear in every single game, they appear enough to keep an eye out for. In most games, one of the characters will find themselves more and more entralled with the virtues of Law. Likewise, another character may begin to covet freedom, strength, and the other benefits of Chaos. Finally, you may have a travelling companion to aid you on your quest. If they do show up, then expect these characters to play a major role in the story.

Your journey begins at the start of the Spring semester, and is shaped by the choices you make over the next year. After school each day, you decide what you want to do with your time. This calendar system elevates Persona to a new level of player choice: you play out every single day, choosing who to hang out with, what extracurricular activities to pursue, and when to venture out to the shadow world. Balancing these decisions is key to not only surviving the shadow world, but also having the most enjoyable year possible. The memories are yours to make.

During your school experience, you will meet a colorful cast of characters both in school and out. In accordance with the Jungian themes, your relationships with these characters are classified with a major arcana of the tarot deck. You might end up befriending a Star athelete, a Devilish prankster, or someone with very good Fortune, to give a few examples. These relationships, known as Social Links, are created and nurtured by choosing to spend some free time with the other person. You'll meet all sorts of people, not just high schoolers: chain-smoking monks, distressed stepmothers, and frisky teachers are just some of the more outlandish people you may form a Social Link with. Most importantly, the bonds you forge with others are extremely important for your night journeys into the other world - your Social Links empower your Persona, helping you survive another dangerous night.

After school, you will find yourself delving deeper and deeper into an alternate world that reflects some of the uncomfortable truths about society. Each game focuses on its unique themes, but one thing is guaranteed: these worlds are full of dangerous Shadows, creatures born of collective fear and worry. To combat this, you and your friends can manifest your Persona, tamed shadows that represent the user's personality. With the help of your friends and the inhabitants of the mysterious "Velvet Room", you'll begin to understand the true nature of the shadow world - and its implications for society.

The Demon Fusion system from before makes a return: in a mysterious location known as the "Velvet Room", you can fuse two of your personas to create a new one with inherited skills. Your friends will stick to their single Persona, but outfitting your character with powerful Personas will greatly aid in your survival. Don't be fooled by the intimidating nose - Igor and his assistants are eager to offer you services such as Persona fusion and resummoning. Mastering the services of the Velvet Room is a must. After preparing for a journey into the shadow world, you'll be able to try out your new Personas via the One More battle system.

Persona uses its own battle system, known as One More. Similar to Press Turn, you'll want to exploit enemy shadows' weaknesses as soon as possible. However, instead of gaining additional turns, you'll knock the enemy shadows into a downed state. If you down all enemies, then your team will be able to utilize a technique known as the All-Out Attack: your whole team will jump in for an amazingly powerful AoE attack. Build a strong lineup and master One More to maneuver across the dungeon floors with ease.

One-sentence hook: You play as the leader of the Phantom Thieves, a secret group of rebels who metaphorically "steal the hearts" of the unjust and corrupt while evading the law that seeks to subvert their moral quest.

Ryuji is a hot-blooded "problem student", known for causing trouble in class. He's aggressive and straight to the point, but deep down, Ryuji just wants the best for his friends and to do the right thing. In the Metaverse, he's clobbering shadows left and right as the Phantom Thief "Skull", a position he enjoys much more then doing schoolwork. Ryuji represents the Chariot arcana - he's a guy who never stops charging forward, even when it wouldn't hurt for him to do so.

Ann is a kind and caring student, acting as the moral member of the Phantom Thieves. Although she struggles with feelings of isolation and being closed off, Ann does her best to connect with the group and keep spirits high. Once an innocent bystander, story events push Ann to become a woman of action. She is disgusted by those who abuse their power, causing her to don her whip as the Phantom Thief "Panther". Ann represents the Lovers arcana, befitting of the Phantom Thief with the biggest, most welcoming heart.

Rebellion and the nature of justice are integral themes to Persona 5. Throughout the course of the game, the Phantom Thieves will be forced into difficult and potentially unpopular decisions as they crusade against corrupt officials and high-status individuals. The Thieves continously work towards the dismantling of unfair situations and rage against the oppressive forces keeping them down, no matter the situation. If they don't, then who will?

Persona 5's greatest claim to fame is the style with which it presents itself. The game just oozes class, from the slick UI design and menus to the punchy one-button control scheme for battles. Every second of playing Persona 5 is a treat for the eyes, and certainly a reason to consider this as your first Persona game.

One-sentence hook: The sleepy town of Inaba is shocked awake by the murder of local TV announcer Mayumi Yamano - coincidentally, you and your friends decide to check out the fabled Midnight Channel after her passing...

Yosuke is a city slicker who moved to Inaba a couple of months before you did. He's a bit of a klutz and has a tendency to say things at the worst times, leading to many awkward moments. Despite this, Yosuke considers himself good with women as all characters of the Magician arcana do. He tries his hardest to woo the ladies with pitiful results. The most important lady of all is Saki Konishi: he's got a major crush, and he would literally kill to spend more time with her...

Chie has lived in Inaba all her life and gives you a warm welcome on your first day. She's energetic and loves kung fu, practicing her moves at every possible opportunity. Like all Chariot characters, she's always ready to go - on any given day, Chie is off in a field training to be strong and protect the weak. When she's not practicing her killer kicks, Chie can usually be found hanging out with her best friend Yukiko.

Yukiko is the introvert to balance out Chie's extroverted nature. Her family runs the historical Amagi Inn, which they have every intention of passing down to her. Her beauty, befitting of a High Priestess, cements Yukiko as the center of every student's eye. She spends her days hanging out with Chie and laughing at every corny joke. But don't you dare make Yukiko upset: if looks could kill, she would be a mass murderer.

The distortion of truth is an integral theme to Persona 4. As a murder mystery, the game primes the player to keep their eyes peeled for the truth. In a community so eager to be enveloped by the fog of lies, will you be able to tell fact form fiction? The Investigation Team makes it their mission to uncover the truths that Inaba itself seems to be hiding in a shroud of mystery...

For so many players over the years, Inaba feels like the sleepy countryside town you never knew you needed. Of the newer games, Persona 4 feels especially laid back and relaxed. You'll find yourself relaxing in the fields, fishing in the river, and planting vegetables with your family to pass the time. Life has never been so simple; it is this simplicity being challenged which helps motivate you to stop the killer and return peace of mind to Inaba.

One-sentence hook: By day, SEES is just another club at Gekkoukan High School - but by night, the Special Extracurricular Execution Squad climbs ever higher through Tartarus, the twisted tower that sprouts up from Gekkoukan during the darkest hour.

Representing the Lovers arcana, Yukari is your first dormmate and the one who helps you get accustomed to life at Gekkoukan. She can be a bit difficult at times, but ultimately Yukari means well and cares a lot for the people in her life. Events in her past have shaped who she is, and as you get to know her, you'll come to understand how hardship and tragedy have shaped her worldview.

Representing the Magician arcana, Junpei immediately makes his presence known from your very first chat. When he isn't trying his luck with the ladies, Junpei is a dreamer: he's excited to join up with SEES and become a true hero by exploring Tartarus. Like Yukari, Junpei's past has factored into who he is today. He jumps headfirst towards the opportunity to be somebody for the first time in his life.

Death and the celebration of life are integral themes to Persona 3. The spectre of death looms over the world of Tatsumi Port Island, and it seems everyone you meet has their own story about losing a loved one. Despite this, SEES can never lose hope - all focus lies on the mission to explore Tartarus and uncover its true nature. Persona 3 asks you to value the life you have while you still can: memento mori.

Each member of the Special Extracurricular Execution Squad has their own life outside of the player. Squadmates frequently go off on their own adventures, missing Tartarus expeditions to study or fulfill personal obligations. Even during battle, Persona 3 has the guts to restrict control to your character only, all in service of a greater thematic truth. You can't control others: all you can do is put your faith in them and hope they come through. Though tricky to work around, this system does wonders towards making each member of SEES feel like a living, breathing human being.