Megami Tensei
"Persona" is the largest and most popular spin-off from the "Megami Tensei" series. The first entry in the series, "Megami Ibunroku Persona" (originally released overseas as ""), was released in 1996 in Japan and North America. The first "Persona 2" title, "", was released in 1999 in Japan. The second game, "", was released in 2000 in Japan and North America. "Persona 3" was released in 2006 in Japan, 2007 in North America, and 2008 in Europe. Its sequel, "Persona 4", was released in 2008 in Japan and North America, and in 2009 in Europe. A sixth entry in the series, "Persona 5", was released in Japan on September 15, 2016, and was released in North America and Europe on April 4, 2017, to critical acclaims. In addition to the main "Persona" games are spin-offs, so far focused on "Persona 3" and "4": the canon spin-off "", two fighting games "Persona 4 Arena" and its sequel "Arena Ultimax" as well as the crossover fighting game "", and rhythm game "". While "Persona 3" and "4" used the "Shin Megami Tensei" moniker, it was dropped for the "Persona 4 Arena" duology and "Persona 4 Golden" as it would have made the titles too long to be practical.
Persona 5
It was ranked as one of the best games of 2017 by "Eurogamer", "Zero Punctuation", "Polygon", "The Verge", "GamesRadar+", and "Electronic Gaming Monthly" end of year lists. Ray Porreca of "Destructoid" named it his 5th best game of 2017. The website also nominated the game for "Best PS4 Game" at its Game of the Year Awards 2017. Readers and staff of "Game Informer" voted it as their best role-playing game of 2017, as well as having the best narrative and cast. In their reader's choice awards, it also came in second place for "Best Sony Game" and third place for Game of the Year. The game won the Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game at the New York Game Awards 2018. It was also nominated for the "Best Visual Art" award at the Game Developers Choice Awards. In addition, it was nominated for best role-playing game at the 2018 D.I.C.E. Awards, and for "Excellence in Musical Score" and "Excellence in Art" at the 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards. At the 2018 NAVGTR Awards, the game won the "Art Direction, Contemporary"; "Costume Design"; "Direction in a Game Cinema"; "Game, Franchise Role Playing"; and "Writing in a Drama" awards.