25 PlayStation Games You Must Play Before You're 25

20. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4

Part of writing a definitive list of recommendations is to shine a light on certain franchises that maybe get otherwise forgotten about, next to their more popular brethren. For example, the Persona series: One that's played second fiddle to both Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest over the years, but - for its fourth instalment in particular - is an absolute masterclass in scriptwriting, characterisation and RPG game mechanics.

Set against the backdrop of a high school wrapped up in a serial killer murder mystery, you and your band of newly-made friends must solve the crime, whilst also dealing with a Stranger Things-style parallel universe you can only tap into at certain times.

Therein lies a bevy of monsters and creatures to slay, alongside where you'll take part in some classic turn-based battling (yes! Turn-based, thank the RPG gods!), all as you build relationships with your classmates and have to maintain a regular school schedule.

It sounds taxing, but the overall gameplay loop of battling, learning, hanging out and living in the dual worlds Atlus have created is one of the most enrapturing you'll ever come across.