It's not that bad, I played through most of the main Persona series (only one I've yet to play is IV) and SMT wasn't too bad. Oh you'll get creamed now and then, that's for certain, but it's not at horrible as I've heard some people say.
SMT thread
Just go for it. Read a guide if you need to, but if you feel like you need to grind for levels consider trying to recruit and fuse better demons instead. Also give everyone tons of vitality it's the best Stat in the game next to luck.
As someone who's played II 3 times now, it gets pretty fucking bad. The two massive midgame fetch quests are literally back to back, the moon pillar one would be nearly impossible without a guide
Playing both SMT I and SMT II on PS1 is the definitive way to play both games.
The second that pillar crap came up I popped open a guide but only for that. I can't handle that shit as an adult but I know I'd have scoured every nook and cranny if I were a kid.
I can't bear the PS1 version of "Castle of Four Gods" so, no.
PS1 has smoother scrolling so now matter what it is the better version.