>>31361337SMTIV Final/Apocalypse is a good starting point although the tone is a bit lighter than most of the games in the franchise, especially the Bonds route. I'd suggest starting with Nocturne since it gets you used to getting your ass handed to you from time to time and saving often, but that requires purchasing older hardware. I wouldn't suggest SMTIV since it's your first game because the tutorial and first dungeon is fucking rough even by SMT standards
funny enough, SMT IV was my first main series game. Haven't played Strange journey yet, so I can't give any input on that.
TL;DR, I suggest starting with either Nocturne or SMTIV Final/Apocalypse for having a better pacing than IV, I and II are out of the question for a first game because they are that archaic
