Atlus' recent announcement of Persona 5 Tactica marks another addition to their growing list of Persona 5 spin-offs. While this new game shows promise, its release may mean the delay or cancellation of a highly anticipated spin-off, Persona 5 Arena. As the anticipation for Persona 6's reveal builds, the lack of news about Persona 5 Arena, which was once rumored, suggests it may be sidelined in favor of exploring new avenues.
Even after nearly seven years since its release, Persona 5 continues to captivate audiences with its beloved characters and unique aesthetic. This popularity has led to the expansion of the franchise into various genres, including rhythm games, musou-style games, gacha games, and now tactical games. While many fans are excited to see the Phantom Thieves in these diverse experiences, the abundance of Persona 5 spin-offs has left others eagerly awaiting news about Persona 6. Therefore, one can't help but speculate whether Tactica will be the last spin-off before the announcement of the next installment in the mainline series.
Persona 5 Tactica Could Leave Little Room for a Persona 5 Arena
The ports of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax have generated a lot of excitement among fans, who were hoping it would be included in the Persona series' 25th anniversary celebration. However, despite over a year passing, there is still no news or official confirmation of the game's existence. It is possible that Atlus may consider creating a Persona 4 Arena follow-up in the future, but the release of a game called Tactica suggests that such a game may not be seen for at least another year, if at all.
Adding to the speculation, recent leaks suggest that Atlus intends to take a more global approach to the Persona franchise. This includes the development of a unique spin-off game that brings together all the protagonists from the mainline entries in the series. While these rumors have not been confirmed, the buzz around this project, codenamed "Asa," indicates that it will not be a typical Arena game. Instead, it is believed to be a cooperative experience that serves as a tribute to the loyal Persona fanbase. If these rumors hold true, the chances of Persona 5 Arena happening become even slimmer.
The future of the Persona series could take an exciting new direction if Atlus continues to focus on developing spin-off games. However, this raises concerns about whether or not players' interest will be sustained if these spin-offs continue for several more years. One way to keep things fresh and engaging would be to incorporate past characters from the series into the Phantom Thieves' adventures, which could make a potential Persona 5 Arena release even more relevant for the company.
With the wait for Persona 6 still ongoing, some fans may be feeling burnt-out from the frequent appearances of the Phantom Thieves. However, if Persona 5 Tactica proves to be the final spin-off based on Persona 5, the lack of a new Arena game could disappoint many. Considering Atlus' recent reveals and their tendency to create spin-offs, it seems likely that they would at least consider the idea. It will be interesting to see what direction Atlus takes with the Persona series in the coming years.
Persona 5 Tactica is set to release on November 17th for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.