It’s amazing how popular Persona 5 has become, and instead of releasing the sixth installment in the series, Atlus has decided to give us another spin-off called Persona 5 Tactica. This new game offers a different style of gameplay compared to its predecessors. While Persona 5 Strikers introduced Warriors-style Musou battles, Tactica focuses on grid-based tactics.
I recently had the opportunity to play a demo of Tactica at Gamescom, and I must admit that I’m still unsure about the social simulation aspects that will be included alongside the battles. Relationships and time management have always been important in the Persona games, as they involve balancing efforts in both the real world and the demon world.
From what I could gather, the plot of Tactica revolves around a revolutionary theme. There’s a new character named Erina who joins the Phantom Thieves. She is described as a revolutionary and fights using a lance and twin pistols. Together with Erina, the team battles through a kingdom ruled by tyrant Marie and her Legionnaires—a setting reminiscent of Paris during Les Misérables.
The story segments I saw were presented in basic conversation form with simple backgrounds. The overall simplicity seems to be an intentional aspect of the game. However, I’m not entirely convinced that it will provide the same depth as fans expect from a Persona game. Nevertheless, combat in Tactica is simple yet enjoyable.
Tactics games already exist within the wider Persona series, such as Majin Tensei (only available in Japan) and DS Devil Survivor games. However, Tactica feels more like Mario and Rabbids than Fire Emblem due to its cute chibi-style characters and colorful visuals. While previous Persona games have delved into dark adult themes beneath their bright anime aesthetic, it’s difficult to take Tactica too seriously. There are even lighthearted references to gaming culture, such as Futaba claiming that eating restores her HP.
What I found enjoyable about Tactica is how it translates Persona 5’s combat into a tactics game. Characters can utilize both guns and melee weapons, as well as summon their Personas to use magical abilities. For example, Ryuji can summon Captain Kidd to unleash lightning on enemies hiding behind cover, while Morgana can use Zorro and his Garu wind ability to expose enemies. Exploiting enemy weaknesses will temporarily incapacitate them, and skipping a turn grants each character a unique ability. Erina, for instance, can shoot enemies in cover.
Positioning is key in Tactica—maneuvering behind blocks and barrels allows you to take shots with your gun before delivering a close-quarters sword strike. When an enemy is downed by weakness or a critical hit, all three characters can surround them in a triangle formation to perform a powerful Triple Threat attack similar to an All Out Attack from the main game. This devastating move deals massive damage and hits any other enemies caught in its path.
Despite its simplicity, the combat system is approachable and satisfying. I played through a couple of early missions that introduced me to the basics, and I never felt close to failure (I played on normal difficulty). Trailers have also shown that Tactica includes Persona fusion—a feature known in the series—which allows players to combine Personas for more powerful abilities. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to experience this or explore skill tree customization during the demo.
Tactica seems designed for newcomers to tactical games but may lack the complexity that fans of Persona 5’s strategic turn-based combat desire. As a continuation of the original game’s story, I’m not sure if I would recommend it as a starting point for newcomers either.
Nevertheless, despite its simplicity, Tactica offers a lot of fun. Taking down groups of enemies gradually is satisfying, and there is potential for further combat developments as the game progresses. It provides a more relaxed experience where you can immerse yourself in the stylish world of Persona, complete with flashy menus and an amazing soundtrack. Even though it has been a few years since I last played Persona 5, Tactica—and its music in particular—still brought back warm memories.
While Tactica may be different from what fans are used to, it still captures the essence of a Persona game. So get ready to embark on an exciting spin-off adventure that simplifies gameplay while retaining the unique charm of the series!
What Children will Enjoy
Children will enjoy Persona 5 Tactica because it is a fun and simple tactics game. They can control cute characters who use guns, melee weapons, and magical abilities to defeat enemies. The combat is easy to understand and they can perform special super moves for big damage. The game has bright visuals and a playful feel that kids will enjoy. They will also appreciate the cool menus and awesome soundtrack that the game offers.
Key Facts
- Persona 5 Tactica is a spin-off of the popular Persona 5 game.
- It is a grid-based tactics game with simplified gameplay.
- The story follows new character Erina as she joins the Phantom Thieves in battling against tyrant Marie and her Legionnaires in a Paris-like kingdom.
- The game features cutesy, chibi-style characters and colorful visuals.
- Combat involves using guns, melee weapons, and magical abilities to defeat enemies.
- Players can take advantage of enemy weaknesses for strategic advantages.
- Special super moves called Triple Threat attacks can be performed for massive damage.
- The gameplay is simple but enjoyable, suitable for newcomers to tactical games.
- It may not have the depth or complexity that fans of the original Persona 5 expect.
- Overall, Persona 5 Tactica offers a fun and relaxed experience with familiar Persona vibes.
