Unveiling the Captivating Wonderland Essence of Persona 5 Tactica

Highlights

Persona 5 Tactica draws inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, with its storyline and themes mirroring those of the classic novel.

The game depicts the journey of the Phantom Thieves who venture through various kingdoms, each governed by oppressive rulers and dominated by themes of tyranny and injustice.

Gamers will engage in battles to rally the team and topple dictatorial leaders in surreal and whimsical realms, reminiscent of Alice's confrontation with the Queen of Hearts.

It is common to see video game franchises centering their storylines around popular cinematic themes. Many different forms of media have drawn inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, such as the Whole Cake Island arc in One Piece and the renowned Far Cry 3. The Shin Megami Tensei series and its spin-off franchise, Persona, have previously dabbled with incorporating the fictional character into their games. In Persona 5 Royal, Alice is portrayed as a formidable ghost and represents the Death Arcana, while Persona 5 Tactica aims to capture her essence once again in the latest spin-off of P5.

Each installment in the Persona series focuses on unique elements, and the franchise delves into the fundamental aspects of human nature. The captivating stories it weaves are a result of its distinctive concepts about the soul and the human heart. Garnering immense popularity, the franchise reached new heights with the intricately crafted Persona 5 storyline, leading to multiple spin-offs being created to satisfy fans while they eagerly await news about Persona 6's development. Persona 5 Tactica is the latest addition to the series, and its setting and characters bear resemblances to the tale of Alice in Wonderland.

Persona 5 Tactica and Alice in Wonderland Share Similar Themes

Similarities to Alice's story begin to emerge in the opening scenes of Tactica, as the Phantom Thieves mysteriously find themselves transported to a world of Kingdoms while meeting at Cafe Leblanc. However, unlike Alice who willingly fell into her rabbit hole, the Phantom Thieves had no control over their dimensional travel. Finding themselves in unfamiliar territory, the group is attacked by a militia serving the monarch of the first Kingdom, Marie. Only Joker and Morgana manage to escape the ruler's brainwashing with the aid of Erina, and players will embark on a journey to reunite the team.

Reassembling the band proves to be a challenging task, so the remaining Phantom Thieves form an alliance with Erina, the leader of the Rebel Corps, to fight against the oppressive rule of Marie. Marie's regime is authoritarian and her injustices become more evident as she prepares for her extravagant wedding. The setting of Persona 5 Tactica features a grand cathedral at the center of the playable area, serving as the backdrop for the opulent royal wedding. This overarching theme bears a resemblance to the Tea Party with the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, where Marie's dictatorial leadership echoes the Queen of Hearts.

Defeating Marie and eradicating her tyranny is merely the first step in Persona 5 Tactica. Players are transported to a feudal Japan-inspired Kingdom where the Phantom Thieves find themselves thrust into danger. They soon uncover the oppressive practices of this nation, where its citizens are closely monitored by Yoshiki, a seemingly righteous leader. It becomes evident that the country's political landscape is in chaos, with Yoshiki's vocal opponents being forcefully subjected to labor.

This dynamic closely resembles the themes of sham trials and unjust imprisonments seen in Alice in Wonderland. The Knave of Hearts is unjustly accused of stealing the Queen of Heart's tarts, with weak evidence and unreliable testimonies. Alice takes a stand against this unfairness. Persona 5 Tactica's various parts mirror the prevalent themes of Alice in Wonderland, giving the game a dystopian vibe reminiscent of the classic novel.

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