Uncovering the Untold Secrets of Persona 6's Velvet Room: Persona 5 Tactica's Revelation
Persona 5 Tactica shakes up the Persona series with its innovative gameplay, but it may also signal the departure of a beloved character in future installments
Attention Persona 5 fans: Be warned that this article contains spoilers related to late-game content. Proceed with caution.
Exciting news has surfaced regarding a new spin-off title for Persona 5. An accidental leak from Atlus has revealed the existence of Persona 5 Tactica, along with the remake Persona 3 Reload. It seems that Persona 5 Tactica is the title associated with the mysterious P5T domain that had fans speculating about a new Persona 5 game. While this is great news for fans looking forward to more content featuring the Phantom Thieves, the trailer also hints at a potential departure for a major character in the franchise. This could have significant implications for Persona 6.
As the flagship title that catapulted the series into mainstream popularity, it's no surprise that Persona 5 has spawned a multitude of spin-offs such as Persona 5 Strikers and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight. However, the upcoming Persona 5 Tactica appears to be taking the franchise in a new direction by incorporating tactical RPG gameplay elements akin to the likes of Fire Emblem or XCOM. Interestingly, the game's trailer hints at the absence of Igor from the Velvet Room, possibly setting a precedent for the future of Persona 6.
Persona 5 Tactica Could Suggest Igor Will Be Missing From Persona 6
Throughout the Persona series, Igor stands out as a crucial recurring character. As the servant of the mysterious Philemon and the owner of the Velvet Room, he offers his powers to protagonists who utilize them to fuse Personas. Despite his unconventional appearance, with a long nose and lanky limbs, Igor proves to be a valuable ally in every entry of the franchise. He serves as a trustworthy guide for holders of the Wild Card, making him an essential figure for players to encounter.
In Persona 5, Igor's role is altered as he is revealed to be an imposter in a late-game twist. The god of control, Yaldabaoth, has taken on his identity and divided his attendant Lavenza into two beings, Caroline and Justine. Following Yaldabaoth's defeat, the true Igor returns and Lavenza is reunited, restoring the Velvet Room to its intended state. Although Persona 5 Royal's addition of a third semester allows players to interact with Igor and Lavenza as intended, future games appear to be phasing out Igor's presence in the Velvet Room. Despite his return at the end of Persona 5, spin-off titles such as Persona 5 Strikers and Persona 5 Tactica feature Lavenza as the sole Persona fusion attendant, suggesting Igor's absence may be a deliberate move by Atlus to eventually retire the character from the series.
Throughout the Persona series, the Velvet Room has undergone changes in both appearance and inhabitants. In the original Persona, Igor was accompanied by Nameless and Belladonna, while the Demon Painter joined them in the Persona 2 duology. Starting from Persona 3, Igor has had different attendants in each entry, but he himself has never been absent from the Velvet Room. Although his absence in Persona 5 Strikers and Persona 5 Tactica may be due to them being spin-offs, it sets a precedent that could potentially lead to either Igor's triumphant return in Persona 6 or his departure from the series altogether. Persona 5 Tactica is set to release on November 17, 2023, for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
