Sometime during the third semester, some strange events transpire. The Phantom Thieves find themselves in another strange world found within the Metaverse. This time, the Phantom Thieves need to unravel another mystery while attempting to figure out how to escape to return to their world. Will Joker and the game be able to do so, or will they be stuck and unable to solve this case? Let’s find out in our review of Persona 5 Tactica!
Persona 5 Tactica
Developer: P-Studio
Publisher: Sega, JP: Atlus
Release Date: November 17, 2023
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Tactical RPG
*Special thanks to Atlus PR for providing a review key*
Intro/Story:
From the official website:
After a strange incident, the Phantom Thieves wander into a bizarre realm where its citizens are living under tyrannical oppression. Surrounded by a military group named Legionnaires, they find themselves in grave danger until a mysterious revolutionary named Erina rescues them and offers an enticing deal in exchange for their help. What truth lies behind Erina and the deal she offers to the Phantom Thieves?
Persona 5 Tactica features an all-new story, the return of fan-favorite characters, and brand-new allies and foes. Join the group as they lead an emotional revolution in this thrilling combat adventure!
Persona 5 Tactica places the players back in the shoes of The Phantom Thieves as they wander the metaverse in this new world. The story is what is to be expected from a Persona 5 game. It is well-written and paced out very well. The story is delivered in a visual novel-type perspective and it is balanced out between action and narrative delivery. Compile this with the characters we learned to love over the years, the charm, and the visual aesthetic, and players have a solid packet in Persona 5 Tactica.
However, there is one key factor that is different from this Persona 5 spinoff compared to the other Persona 5 entries. That is the combat/gameplay. It is clear from the start that it is very different. Is it a good element, or not? Let’s check out the gameplay.
Gameplay:
The gameplay in Persona 5 Tactica deviates from previous entries. This time the players are exposed to a tactical RPG battle system. The simplest way to describe this is XCOM gameplay with Persona 5. Players are given tutorials into the game and are required to use strategy at each level to accomplish the goal. The goals can simply be to wipe out all the enemies, reach the end goal, or accomplish something in a set number of turns.
This can be done in the main story missions, or the side missions as well. Mix this with other persona elements such as making personas, and weapons, and finding the best loadout for each character. The tactical approach in Persona 5 Tactica breathes new life into the Persona 5 games. It is a welcome change-up, which does not overstay its welcome in the least bit.
Audio/Visual:
As usual with all Persona soundtracks, the music is top-notch. In addition, the sound work is fantastic, and so is the voice work. Hats off to the entire team who worked on the game. They never fail to bring the characters back to life, no matter what circumstances we find our Phantom Thieves in.
Visually, the artwork is solid across the board for being a tactical RPG for Persona 5 Tactica. People may not like the aesthetic of it, but it fits the worlds that our Phantom Thieves visit. No matter where they are, the world is brought to life by the artwork, atmosphere, and environment.
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Wrap-up/Conclusion:
Persona 5 Tactica is a surprisingly good tactical RPG. It takes all of the charm of the characters we know and love, mixes in new elements, and the delivery lands. It can be understandable if tactical games are not everyone’s cup of tea, but the game does land in its approach. It also does ask the question, how much more can be done with Persona 5? The characters are fantastic and it’s always fun to revisit them. It is like reuniting with old friends. However, the side stories take place either within Persona 5’s story or a few months later. I would like to see some sort of time jump with them. This is coming from a huge Persona 5 fan.
Until next time, Mgs2master2 out!