Persona 5 Tactica is a wonderful spin-off that captures the essence of the main franchise. Though the artistry may take a sideways step, the characters, world and lore are familiar. On top of this, there is plenty of depth even if the action is broken down into bite-sized chunks. Accordingly, this is a fresh take on a much-loved JRPG series.
This turn-based strategy title was developed by ATLUS and published by Sega. Moreover, it reignites your love of the Persona 5 Royal characters. As such, if you adore the franchise, you’ll cherish another opportunity to explore the colourful and strange world.
Persona 5 Tactica twists the narrative.
The Phantom Thieves are sucked into an odd and oppressive realm. Doing what they do best, the team of heroes attempts to save the day. However, they are horribly outnumbered. Just as all hope is lost, a revolutionary named Erina helps them. Yet, this intervention comes at a cost. Subsequently, the band of heroes must undertake an action-packed adventure in a strange new world.
Though the story is new, it sits nicely between the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Persona 5 Royal. Accordingly, if you are new to the franchise, you are going to be super confused from the off. Unfortunately, this new endeavour assumes that you are a fan, and delivers little to no background of each character or the surrounding world. Consequently, newbies will be lost in a story-dense and character-driven environment.
Strategy and combat.
Persona 5 Tactica is an atypical example of the genre. Subsequently, its story is punctuated by short, sharp grid-based battles. Furthermore, there are unique kingdoms to explore and monstrous bosses to overcome. Additionally, there is a nice layer of character and gun progression. Alongside this, teamwork and fusible personas are key to your success.
The action demands that you utilise cover whilst drawing out your opponents. From here, you are expected to shoot, hit, and shove your foes across the board. The ultimate goal is to manipulate the situation to combine each hero’s strengths. This intriguing prospect creates a mouthwatering version of chess.
Though the gameplay loop is repetitive, there are objectives to mix things up. Whether you take no damage or bum-rush a level, it forces you to think differently.
Boss battles.
Though I enjoyed each boss fight, something was lacking. The Persona franchise usually tests your patience, skills, and nerves. However, Persona 5 Tactica rarely stretched me. This was disappointing, as I wanted my tactical abilities to be pushed to the limit. Instead, it felt like I was sleepwalking through these crescendo moments.
Persona 5 Tactica takes a unique approach.
The Chibi-esque visuals take some getting used to. Moreover, the bright and breezy colour palette felt at odds with the rest of the franchise. Yet, once you get used to it, your concerns will melt away. What was left was a wonderful combination of vibrant grid-based levels and clean and crisp cutscenes.
The jazzy and often upbeat audio juxtaposed the sense of doom and despair. However, it was wonderfully complemented by loud and often obnoxious sound bites. Moreover, the OTT sound effects capture the JRPG roots and tie this title in with the rest of the franchise.
Excellent controls.
The tactics genre is often tough to crack. If you then consider a gamepad for every input, it only makes matters worse. Thankfully, though, Persona 5 Tactica was undeniably easy to play. The clean UI and spectacular tutorial help to keep you on track and set you up. Alongside this, it was easy to understand each hero’s strengths and how they impacted every battle.
If you love this genre, you’ll enjoy this tactics game. Thanks to the interesting lore and blend of heroes, there is plenty to get your teeth into. On top of this, if you love Persona, there is so much depth, that you’ll adore every moment. Consequently, this has plenty of replay value and longevity.
Persona 5 Tactica was a pleasant experience.
Though this won’t be for everyone, I enjoyed it. The fantastic audio and vivid graphics complement the Persona experience. Moreover, the layers of tactical nuance and the interesting story kept me focused throughout. My only complaint is the boss battles. I wish the developer had upped the ante to test veterans of the genre. Despite this complaint, I loved it and I recommend that you buy it here! Will the Phantom Thieves complete their mission? Choose your team, work together, and destroy everything in your path.
