Persona 5 Tactica: A Strategic Spinoff Game

News: Persona 5 Tactica is a strategy game developed by P-Studio and published by Sega. It is part of the Persona series, which is a larger component of the Megami Tensei franchise. The game was released on November 17, 2023, and is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

The Storyline

The storyline of Persona 5 Tactica takes place simultaneously with Persona 5, which was released in 2016. In the game, players control the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, who find themselves in a different world filled with war and oppression. They team up with a group called the Rebel Corps to fight against the Legionnaires, the ruling forces in this alternate reality.

Gameplay

Persona 5 Tactica incorporates various gameplay elements, including strategy RPG mechanics such as grid-based movement, a weapon system, and turn-based combat. It also features familiar aspects of the Persona series, such as summoning and fusing Personas, as well as exploiting elemental strengths and weaknesses.

The Velvet Room

At the beginning of the game, players do not have access to the Velvet Room. They must progress through the story and reach the point where they have to rescue Ann and Futaba to unlock it. The story unfolds in an alternate metaverse within Toshiro’s mind. Lavenza, a character in the game, tasks the players with building a Fusion device from scratch. Only after rescuing Ann and Futaba from Marie’s mind control will players gain access to Fusion and different Personas. The new Velvet Room allows for Normal Fusion, Special Fusion, weapon forging, and weapon disassembling.

Battles

In Persona 5 Tactica, players control a group of characters in strategic battles on a grid-based map. They face off against enemy units in turn-based encounters. The team consists of members from the Phantom Thieves of Hearts and Erina, the leader of the Rebel Corps. During battles, characters can take cover to reduce or block damage. Players have the option to use close-quarters attacks or select actions from a menu, including using ranged weapons or summoning powerful entities known as Personas. The game incorporates elemental affinities, which influence how enemies react to different types of attacks. Knocking down an enemy without cover grants players an extra turn to choose their next move. Forming a triangular arrangement with allies on the grid enables players to unleash a powerful skill called “Triple Threat,” similar to the “All-Out Attack” in Persona 5. Throughout the game, players can collect more Personas, equipping them as Sub-Personas to gain additional abilities. These can be obtained as rewards in battles or by combining different Personas. The story unfolds through battles set in maps inspired by historical revolutions in three distinct kingdoms.

Review

Persona 5 Tactica is a spinoff game that may not match the epic feel of Persona 5 Royal, but it still offers an enjoyable opportunity to reconnect with beloved characters. The game’s grid-based combat system, while not as impactful as the original JRPG, showcases Atlus’ expertise in creating strategic battles. As the game takes place between the second and third semesters of Persona 5 Royal, it assumes a level of familiarity with the story, making it less suitable for newcomers. The art style, featuring partially chibi-fied characters, may take some getting used to, but the Persona 5 aesthetic still shines through. The menu screens and imaginative Kingdoms maintain the series’ unique flair, even if some locations, such as Leblanc, appear slightly different. Overall, while not a replacement for the main game, Persona 5 Tactica provides players with the chance to immerse themselves once again in the Persona universe.

In conclusion, Persona 5 Tactica offers a unique and strategic spinoff experience for fans of the Persona series. While it may not reach the same level of grandeur as Persona 5 Royal, the game’s tactical combat system and engaging storyline provide an enjoyable and immersive gaming experience. Whether players are new to the franchise or returning fans, Persona 5 Tactica allows them to delve back into the Persona universe and reconnect with their favorite characters.

FAQs

Q: Is Persona 5 Tactica available on all platforms?

A: Yes, Persona 5 Tactica is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Q: Can I unlock the Velvet Room in the beginning of the game?

A: No, players must progress through the story and rescue Ann and Futaba to unlock the Velvet Room.

Q: Are there any new gameplay mechanics in Persona 5 Tactica?

A: Yes, Persona 5 Tactica introduces grid-based movement, weapon forging, and weapon disassembling mechanics.