Difficulty

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Difficulty screen in Persona 3 Reload

Difficulty is a recurring mechanic in the Megami Tensei franchise.

Overview

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Mechanics by Game

Shin Megami Tensei series

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne

Nocturne has two difficulties: "Normal" and "Hard".

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster

The HD Remaster of Nocturne introduces the "Merciful" difficulty as free downloadable content. The difficulty can be adjusted at any time.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux

Redux has three main difficulty options. The "Impossible" difficulty is unlocked after beating the game once.

Shin Megami Tensei IV

Shin Megami Tensei IV has two main difficulties: "Prentice" and "Fellow", the latter of which is unlocked if Flynn dies in battle twice. Master difficulty can be unlocked after beating the game once.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

Apocalypse has three main difficulty levels: "Skirmish", "Conflict", and "War". Two additional difficulties were added as downloadable content, being "Paradise" and "Apocalypse". As of the Nintendo 3DS eShop's closure on March 27, 2023, it is no longer possible to purchase or download any of the game's downloadable content.[1]

Shin Megami Tensei V

The "Safety" difficulty was only available as free downloadable content in the original version of Shin Megami Tensei V. As of the delisting of Shin Megami Tensei V on June 14, 2024 following the release of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, it is no longer possible to purchase or download the game's downloadable content.[2] It is instead included in the base game of this version.

Modifier Safety Casual Normal Hard
Ally damage dealt x10 x1.2 x1.0 x0.7
Ally accuracy x1.5 x1.1 x1.0 x0.95
Ally damage taken x0.1 x0.8 x1.0 x1.3
Enemy accuracy x0.8 x0.9 x1.0 x1.1
Escape rate x5 x1.5 x1.0 x0.5
Ally critical rate x1.5 x1.2 x1.0 x1.0
Enemy to Ally status rate x0.05 x0.7 x1.0 x1.3
Ally to Enemy status rate x2 x1.3 x1.0 x0.7
Chance of allies being killed by Hama/Mudo x0.01 x0.7 x1.0 x1.3
Chance of enemies being killed by Hama/Mudo x2 x1.2 x1.0 x0.7
Chance of pre-emptive strike x2 x1.2 x1.0 x0.7
Macca/HP/MP needed to satisfy demons x0.3 x0.8 x1.0 x1.2
Rank of items asked for by demons Rank -1 Rank -1 Rank +0 Rank +1
How much Macca can be demanded from a cornered demon x3.3 x1.3 x1.0 x0.8
In-Game Description

Devil Summoner series

Soul Hackers 2

Soul Hackers 2 has three difficulties: "Easy", "Normal", and "Hard". The achievement "Hardcore Hacker" can only be obtained by beating the game on hard mode.[3]

Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army

Unlike previous games in the Raidou series, Raidou Remastered introduces difficulty options. The four options available for a new game are "Sleuth", "Gumshoe", "Private Eye", and "Truth Seeker". A fifth difficulty level called "Detective Legend" is available when beginning Cycle 2 onward. The difficulty is initially selected at the beginning of the game, but can be changed at any time from the Settings menu. Additionally, the player is given the option to change their difficulty after getting a Game Over when playing on any of the four initial options.

Modifier Sleuth Gumshoe Private Eye Truth Seeker Detective Legend
HP damage amount
(Ally → Enemy)
x2.25 x1.5 x1 x1 x0.8
HP damage amount
(Enemy → Raidou)
x0.25 x0.5 x1 x1.5 x2
HP damage amount
(Enemy → Allied Demon)
x0.25 x0.5 x1 x1 x2
HP damage amount
(Ally → Ally)
x0.25 x0.5 x1 x1 x1.5
Allied Demon weak point stun duration x0.5 x0.5 x1 x1 x1
MAG recovery amount upon "Drain" affinity occurrence x1.5 x1.5 x1 x0.8 x0.8
Weak point shield durability x1 x1 x1 x1 x2
Ailment occurrence rate
(Ally → Enemy)
x1.5 x1.5 x1 x1 x1
Ailment occurrence rate
(Enemy → Ally)
x0.5 x0.5 x1 x1 x1
Time elapsed to successfully escape from battle x0.25 x0.25 x1 x1 x1
Game Over Cannot Game Over; HP of Raidou and Ally Demons will be fully restored if it reaches 0 Can retry battle Can retry battle Can retry battle Cannot retry battle
In-Game Description An unorthodox difficulty in which you and your allies cannot die. Conquer all challenges with indomitable Spirit. (Difficulty does not affect the game's story.) A comfortable difficulty. Chase ambition, led by your Spirit. (Difficulty does not affect the game's story.) A standard difficulty. Let your strong Spirit guide your investigation. (Difficulty does not affect the game's story.) A difficulty teeming with hardship. Unwaveringly pursue the truth and survive on the power of your Spirit. (Difficulty does not affect the game's story.) The greatest difficulty, reserved for legends in the making. Your Spirit must burn at its brightest. (Difficulty does not affect the game's story.)

Persona series

Persona 3

Persona 3 FES

Persona 3 Portable

Persona 3 Reload

Modifier Peaceful Easy Normal Hard Merciless
EXP x1.5 x1.2 x1.0 x1.0 x1.0
Yen x1.5 x1.2 x1.0 x1.0 x1.0
Damage dealt x1.6 x1.25 x1.0 x0.8 x0.6
Damage taken x0.5 x0.5 x1.0 x1.3 x1.5
Ally to Enemy status rate x1.5 x1.2 x1.0 x1.0 x0.8
Enemy to Ally status rate x0.1 x0.5 x1.0 x1.0 x1.2
Weakness damage x1.0 x1.0 x1.0 x1.0 x1.36
Critical damage x1.0 x1.0 x1.0 x1.0 x1.34
Death Can revive Game over Game over Game over Game over
In-Game Description

Persona 4

Persona 4 Golden

Modifier Very Easy Easy Normal Hard Very Hard
Damage done by Shadows x0.50 x0.50 x1.0 x1.6 x1.6
Damage done to Shadows x2.0 x2.0 x1.0 x0.8 x0.8
EXP gained x3.0 x1.0 x1.0 x1.0 x0.4
Money gained x5.0 x1.0 x1.0 x1.0 x0.4
Dungeon Retries Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
In-Game Description

Persona 4 Revival

Persona 5

Persona 5 Royal

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

This article is in need of research.
Reason: Get gameplay information and check if the info is the same in the original Arena game

When starting a round in Arcade Mode, the player can choose from five difficulty levels.

Modifier Safety Easy Normal Hard Risky
In-Game Description A difficulty level that anyone can play. A difficulty level perfect for those who are getting used to the game A standard difficulty level A difficulty level perfect for fighting game experienced players A perfect difficulty level for those who fight all day

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth

Modifier Safety Easy Normal Hard Risky
Change Difficulty? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Damage Done Increase Increase Standard Decrease Decrease
Damage Taken Decrease Decrease Standard Increase Increase
EXP Increase Increase Standard Decrease Decrease
Collections No change No change Standard Decrease Decrease
Game Over Continue allowed KO/petrify ends game KO/petrify ends game KO/petrify ends game KO/petrify of leader ends game
In-Game Description Recommended for those wishing to easily enjoy the story. Even easier than EASY, you can immediately continue if your party falls in battle. Recommended for those who don't want to fight strategically. The difficulty is low, for players to enjoy the game with ease. This is the recommended difficulty to allow the player to enjoy the distinct tension that comes from exploring the labyrinths. The difficulty is harsher, and is recommended for players who are experienced strategists. You're crazy for choosing this. If the protagonist dies in battle, the game will instantly end. It's super-hard, too.

Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

Modifier Safety Easy Normal Hard Risky
Change Difficulty? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Damage Done Increase (L) Increase (S) Standard Decrease (S) Decrease (L)
Damage Taken Decrease (L) Decrease (S) Standard Increase (S) Increase (L)
EXP Increase (L) Increase (S) Standard Decrease (S) Decrease (L)
Game Over Continue allowed KO ends game KO ends game KO ends game KO of P5 protagonist ends game
In-Game Description "SAFETY" is for players who just want to enjoy the story. Battle difficulty is lower, and even if your party falls, you can immediately continue. This difficulty can be changed later. "EASY" has a low difficulty, and is suited for people interested in a casual playthrough. This difficulty can be changed later. "NORMAL" is recommended for people who want to enjoy tense battles and strategize through each encounter. This difficulty can be changed later. "HARD" is for experienced strategists who enjoy grueling battles and the thrill of a tactical challenge. This difficulty can be changed later. "RISKY" is for the battle-hardened few who laugh in the face of certain death. The protagonist is required in your party, and his death will end the game. This difficulty cannot be changed later.

Persona 4: Dancing All Night

Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight

Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight

Persona 5 Strikers

Persona 5 Tactica

Modifier Safety Easy Normal Hard Merciless
Enemy HP x0.5 x0.75 x1.0 x1.0 x1.5
Enemy Atk x0.25 x0.5 x1.0 x1.25 x1.5
Yen x2 x1.5 x1.0 x1.25 x1.5
Baton Touches Unlimited 3 3 2 1
Friendly Fire No No No Yes Yes
Additional Effects +2 turns for stages with turn limits (excludes quests/challenges)
All allies can be healed and revived after being knocked out
+2 turns for stages with turn limits (excludes quests/challenges)
In-Game Description Safe mode allows you to enjoy the story without worry, as you can revive during battle an unlimited number of times.
You can change the difficulty later.
Easy mode has less challenging battles for players unsure of their skill.
You can change the difficulty later.
Normal mode is for those who want a balance between a riveting story and exciting gameplay.
You can change the difficulty later.
Hard mode is for the advanced player looking for advanced tactics action.
You can change the difficulty later.
Merciless mode is for those looking for the most punishing experience, where a single lapse in judgement can spell the end.
You can change the difficulty later.

Persona 5: The Phantom X

Nomenclature

Names in Other Languages
Language Name Meaning
Japanese 難易度 Nan'ido Level/degree of difficulty

Gallery


References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ "As announced previously, sales of software and DLC for the Nintendo 3DS family and Wii U via Nintendo eShop will end at 5:00 PM Pacific Time on Monday, March 27, 2023." Nintendo Support: Wii U & Nintendo 3DS eShop Discontinuation. Retrieved July 14, 2023. Support.Nintendo.com.
  2. ↑ Nintendo Switch™『真・女神転生Ⅴ』(2021年11月11日発売)ダウンロード版及び配信コンテンツ販売終了のお知らせ. Published May 13, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024. atlus.co.jp.
  3. ↑ "Won the final battle on HARD difficulty." Hardcore Hacker Achievement. Retrieved June 22, 2025. TrueAchievements.com.