This guide includes everything you need to know about choosing what order to play the Shin Megami Tensei games.
Do You Need to Play the Shin Megami Tensei Games in Order?
No, you do not need to play the Shin Megami Tensei games in their numerical order. Similar to other JRPG series like Final Fantasy, the Shin Megami Tensei games are all separate from each other. And thank goodness for that, because unfortunately, there has never been an official English-language release of Shin Megami Tensei II. In addition, the only official English version of the first Shin Megami Tensei game was released on iOS and has since been delisted.
If you’re seeking Shin Megami Tensei games to play, your main options are Shin Megami Tensei III, IV, or V, and these aren’t connected to each other. You can tackle them in whatever order you please. But what about Shin Megami Tensei games that have the same number but different subtitles?
Shin Megami Tensei Sequels Versus Upgraded Versions
Shin Megami Tensei V and Vengeance
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an upgraded version of Shin Megami Tensei V. You do not need to play V before Vengeance—in fact, it’s recommended you go straight to Vengeance if you haven’t played the original game already. The original story of SMT5 is available with quality-of-life improvements in Vengeance, as well as an all-new storyline. You can choose between the original story (called Canon of Creation) or the new story (called Canon of Vengeance) at the start of a new game in Vengeance. You’ll also gain access to a bonus superboss in Canon of Vengeance if you play Canon of Creation first, so you can pass over the original SMT5 game altogether and start with Vengeance for the most complete experience.
Shin Megami Tensei IV and Apocalypse
Shin Megami Tensei IV is the one big exception to all this: SMT4 is its own game, and Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is its sequel, not an upgraded version. If you’re interested in tackling the SMT4 series, you should play Shin Megami Tensei IV first. Afterwards, you can play Apocalypse if you’re interested in experiencing the sequel.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and HD Remaster
All English-language versions of Shin Megami Tensei III have the subtitle Nocturne because Nocturne is the upgraded version of the game. The original SMT3 was never officially released in English. The original English release of Nocturne iconically features Dante from the Devil May Cry series. The HD Remaster is based on the upgrade of the upgrade that Japan received, which features Raidou Kuzunoha from the Devil Summoner series instead. If you have the HD Remaster of the game, you can still access Dante via DLC, giving the HD Remaster a bit of an edge content-wise compared to the original.
