The Ultimate Guide: Understanding Persona 5 Tactica's Timeline

Highlights

Persona 5 Tactica is a spin-off that takes place outside Persona 5's Tokyo, featuring the Phantom Thieves on a new rebellious journey in a realm fraught with injustice.

Positioned on the timeline, it implies that Tactica unfolds following the events of Persona 5 but prior to Persona 5 Strikers. Clues hint that it unfolds within the timeframe of February and March. The presence of specific characters and Lavenza serving as Joker's Velvet Room aide solidify that Tactica occurs subsequent to the decisive clashes of Persona 5.

Persona 5 Tactica, a new addition to Atlus' Persona 5 spin-off titles, follows the Phantom Thieves on a rebellious journey. The game takes the beloved characters of Persona 5 to a different world, where they encounter a mysterious revolutionary leader fighting against injustice. While Tactica is a spin-off set outside of Tokyo, fans have been speculating about its placement in the timeline. The trailers provide some hints about the story, but it remains unclear if Tactica's narrative will be considered canon. It is possible that the characters may forget the events that occurred after their return home, considering the game's focus on a Metaverse-like realm. Unlike Persona 5 Strikers, which closely resembled the base game with its "jails" acting as palaces, Tactica takes a different approach by predominantly existing in an alternate world, except for the introductory cutscene.

Persona 5 Tactica Appears to Take Place Toward the Conclusion of Persona 5, Before Strikers

The narrative decisions in the game hint at the placement of Tactica in the Persona 5 timeline. The opening synopsis from Tactica's first news volume suggests that the events take place between February and March, indicated by the snowy weather and the mention of graduation for the third-years. This places Tactica before the summer road trip in Persona 5 Strikers.

The absence of Kasumi Yoshizawa suggests that Tactica occurs after the conclusion of the original game, rather than during Persona 5 Royal before Joker returns home. However, the rumors about Tactica's DLC complicate the timeline. The speculated appearances of Akechi and Yoshizawa in the add-on content raise questions about whether Tactica will follow Royal's story or stick to the original game. Akechi's involvement also implies that he is still alive after the events of Shido's palace, resolving a previously ambiguous aspect of the original and Royal.

Lavenza serves as Joker's attendant in Tactica's Velvet Room, indicating that the game takes place after the conclusive battles in Persona 5. Despite rumors of appearances by Zenkichi and Sophia from Persona 5 Strikers, it is unlikely as Tactica's story occurs before the Phantom Thieves encounter them. However, since the laws of the new Metaverse world explored in Tactica have not been established, there is still a possibility.

Persona 5 Tactica fills the gap between Persona 5 (potentially Royal) and Persona 5 Strikers, which is intriguing as it moves slightly back in the timeline. This allows the group to realistically be together, considering Joker's relocation and Makoto's graduation. It also raises the question of whether a spin-off featuring the adult Phantom Thieves will ever be released. Nonetheless, fans can anticipate the release of Tactica later this year.

Persona 5 Tactica is set to release on November 17, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.