Reddit mentions of Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga - PlayStation 2

It's amazing people don't know they can still buy new copies off Amazon for like 15$

Take it from me, as I feel unbiased. There are always going to be asshats that will tell you that "You aren't a true fan" because you haven't done exactly what they've done.

It is true that the Persona games are easier than the Mainline-SMT+DDS+DS, but that doesn't mean it isn't a part of SMT as a whole, most people who enjoy SMT started at persona.

The easiest way of describing why persona is seen as easier can be summed up in 2 ideas

Expel/Death skills hit MUCH more often

Kaja/Kunda skills take 4 casts instead of 1 to get the same effect, are removed more often, and are pretty much essential to beating any given boss fight.

That being said, persona is a fantastic game, don't be ashamed for liking it

tl;dr Persona is easier, not inferior

also, if you liked persona, it's a better idea to jump in on other PS2 games, starting at Digital Devil Saga

http://www.amazon.com/Shin-Megami-Tensei-Nocturne-Playstation-2/dp/B00024W1U6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376512883&sr=8-1&keywords=shin+megami+tensei+nocturne

http://www.amazon.com/Shin-Megami-Tensei-Digital-Playstation-2/dp/B00008KTRS/ref=pd_sim_vg_1

http://www.amazon.com/Megami-Tensei-Digital-Devil-Playstation-2/dp/B000784XG2/ref=pd_sim_vg_2

Got $20 (or $60 for all three?)

If you can't purchase stuff online, try checking out a store for Amazon cards.

Now is the best time to purchase SMT games, as Atlus has been reprint crazy with them.

I'm pretty sure amazon has Raidou new.

(Yeah Raidou is around $30, and you completely overpaid for DDS https://www.amazon.com/Shin-Megami-Tensei-Digital-Devil-PlayStation/dp/B00008KTRS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473518397&sr=8-1&keywords=Shin+Megami+Tensei+Digital+Devil+Saga)

Digital Devil Saga and Strange Journey are the best for character driven story. Digital Devil Sage more so than any of the other ones. There are some really amazing set pieces. Amazon has it for 18 bucks I believe.

http://www.amazon.com/Shin-Megami-Tensei-Digital-Playstation-2/dp/B00008KTRS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372163887&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+devil+saga

I skipped over your traditional turn-based part of your post, sorry about that. That would eliminate these two as they are action based combat:(Play the first one first though if you want to give it a try.)

• Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army
  
• Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon
  
  If you are into a really Pokemon in Hell with demons play this one:(This is the hardest of all the ones I have posted.)
  
  
• Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
  
  These two have a really good story but a little harder than the Persona Series: (Play the first one first though if you want to give it a try.)
  
  
• Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
  
• Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2
  
  I honestly cant really think of another game that is really hard on the PS2 other than the SMT games.
  
  Edit: I provided you with the Amazon link for all of the games. Most of these have been reprinted that is why their cost is pretty low, before the reprint these games were rather expensive.