drandahl wrote:Now I want to play some of these games at some point (would like a recommendation on a first game to play).
I'M!! REALLY HAPPY that you became interested in the series! For a taste of the main series, I'd recommend starting with SMT3: Nocturne. It's challenging, classic and has great plot and characters. I'd also recommend Digital Devil Saga, even if it's not actually a part of the main series, but the battles are really engaging and fun, and I love the character development that happens in this series. These will give you a good idea of what the series is about, but without holding your hand!
For a more beginner-friendly experience, I'd go with SMT4. The only reason it's not my #1 rec, besides the amazing story and fun mechanics, is that the fact that it's a lot easier than the previous games MIGHT make you feel like the previous games are too outdated and unplayable by current standards. They aren't!!! But if the 3DS is a readily available console for you, pls pick up SMT4.
Still, you are most likely to wander into the Persona territory. That's ok!! Persona games are great! You could start playing Persona 3 and you'll become acquainted with the series main themes and meet some hella cool characters in the way. Then move onto Persona 4, because it makes everything that was cool in P3 even better. I made the mistake of playing Persona 4 before 3 and, as a result, I kind of hated P3??? It was just weaker in a lot of points, imo, but there are some people who will seriously defend P3 as the best one. I haven't played P2 or P1, but that's just because I haven't had the opportunity yet!
TL;DR, I'd recommend starting with either SMT3: Nocturne (or DDS), SMT4 or Persona 3 or 4. They'll get you hooked into the series :-) fwiw, Persona 4 was what dragged me here! And I never looked back.