Unveiling the Unparalleled Tactical Mastery and Irresistible Charm of Persona 5 Tactica - A Must-Read!

The Persona series has a history of spin-off games, with the property itself starting as a spin-off to Atlus' long-running Shin Megami Tensei series. Over the past 30 years, the studio has explored various genres using the series' memorable characters and storylines. However, despite all the different adventures our protagonists have embarked on, from battles and dancing to dungeon-crawling and hack-and-slash action, they have yet to enter the grid-based world of a tactics-style game. Persona 5 Tactica aims to change that.

Having had the opportunity to play Persona 5 Tactica for about half an hour, I was immediately captivated by Atlus' approach to a strategy RPG. The gameplay was not only enjoyable but also seamlessly integrated into the series' essence. The tactical challenges impressed me with their careful design, mirroring the spirit and mechanics of the original game. Unlike many spin-off titles that feel like experimental attempts to generate more revenue from an established intellectual property, Persona 5 Tactica left me confident that it can fully justify the return of the Phantom Thieves for another round of thrilling vigilante justice.

In Persona 5 Tactica, players have the opportunity to embark on a fresh storyline with the Phantom Thieves, who find themselves entangled in supernatural events after a National Diet member vanishes. Although I didn't delve deeply into the game's political backdrop, it is evident that something peculiar is occurring. Instead of the familiar Metaverse, where the Thieves combat adversaries in Persona 5, they find themselves in an unfamiliar alternate world. Within this realm, Lady Marie, who possesses both charm and a quick temper, reigns as a despotic figure alongside her legion of followers. Joker and the team swiftly become adversaries of this Queen-of-Hearts-like ruler and align themselves with a revolutionary named Erina, in a bid to topple her regime.

Unlike the customary turn-based battles, players now engage in strategic position-based combat, reminiscent of games like XCOM, Final Fantasy Tactics, or the aptly comparable Mario + Rabbids series. This transition is executed exceptionally well, as it retains the Persona series' emphasis on strategy and making the most of your turns, albeit in a completely fresh manner.

Whereas traditional Persona battles can become monotonous, a designated area filled with environmental hazards, strategic cover options, and diverse enemy types completely transforms the game. This change goes beyond exploiting elemental weaknesses, executing baton-passing maneuvers, and unleashing powerful All-Out Attacks. Instead, it involves infiltrating enemy lines, capitalizing on allies' unique abilities, and carefully balancing offense and defense to dismantle opposition units. I discovered that diligently maintaining cover and attentively observing my surroundings became crucial, especially considering that even at the default difficulty level, the enemies possessed considerable strength.

Fox strategically positions himself behind a crate while engaging an enemy in combat. Each character possesses their individual ranged and melee attacks, as well as the option to forgo their turn and focus on boosting their chances of inflicting critical damage. The series' iconic Personas also come into play as distinct character abilities. For instance, Morgana can summon his Persona Zoro to generate a powerful gust of wind that dislodges enemies from their cover, while Joker's Arsene delivers a devastating, wide-ranging fire attack. Additionally, Tactica introduces a fresh twist on Persona 5's All-Out Attack known as the Triple Threat Attack. To execute this maneuver, players must position their characters in a triangular formation, adding an extra layer of strategy when maneuvering units on the battlefield. Moreover, each battle presents a unique set of bonus objectives, such as completing a match within a specified number of turns or ensuring the survival of all characters. Although I'm unsure if these objectives merely serve as a challenge or offer rewards, their mere presence motivated me to strive for maximum efficiency.

The few battles I experienced in Tactica felt dynamic without becoming overwhelming. The game's tutorials are quick and its mechanics are straightforward, avoiding confusion. However, there is room for battles to become more challenging and complex, and I hope they do. Tactica's unique approach to combat was refreshing, but it could become stagnant without the introduction of new elements and tactics by Atlus.

Although I didn't spend much time outside of the new world and its battlefields, the time I did spend was enjoyable. It was delightful to hear the original voice actors reprising their roles as the Phantom Thieves, with their familiar banter and laughter accompanied by a lo-fi version of "Beneath the Mask" in the background. While I couldn't freely explore LeBlanc's anymore, I still appreciated the visual novel-style art of the characters and the comforting atmosphere it provided. The game's chibi-style character art added to its charm and gave Tactica its own distinct identity, showing that it is not simply a cash grab by Atlus using their popular franchise.

After a battle, bonus objectives are displayed. Tactica feels like a natural companion to Persona 5, offering an alternative for future spin-off titles. It challenges us to reconsider the familiar combat system and view our allies and attacks from a fresh perspective. There's a great deal of potential for enjoyable gameplay, and I'm eagerly anticipating its release. Persona 5 Tactica will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch starting from November 17th.