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Since we first met the Phantom Thieves, we all knew that Atlus had hit the mark on many things: lovable characters, slick style, and a fantastic background for every cast member. And, of course, the company took advantage of that. It has squeezed this fifth installment to the max, and Persona 5 Tactica is no exception. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Persona 5 Royal, this entry offers something I always enjoy, which is more adventures with the Phantom Thieves. And even though they’re not the ones who take most of the spotlight, this game is still an excellent tactical RPG with an iconic style, fun systems, and a somewhat entertaining story.
Persona 5 Tactica Review: The Phantom Thieves Are Back
At first, I thought Persona 5 Tactica would be a rather simple game, given the tremendous change in style. Truth be told, after playing Persona 5 Royal and Strikers, which have a severe and dark story, I thought this title would be a bit more light-hearted. While it is in some ways, in others, it surprised me. Even if the plot is not the best that has come out in this Persona universe, it still carries a message we can all relate to.
Story: Kingdom Come
To begin with, it is essential to mention that Persona 5 Tactica takes place just before the ending of Persona 5 Royal. While you can enjoy certain spin-offs without playing the main titles, I firmly believe you should play Royal first before heading into this one. There are too many references that you won’t understand. For example, in the first levels, some situations make Haru or Yusuke remember the struggles they went through in Royal. Those who do not play it will not feel the impact of these moments. In addition, it is necessary to know why the Phantom Thieves exist and where all these powers come from.
The story opens with the cast inside Leblanc, where their reunion is cut short as they are transported to another world. Initially, we all think they’re back in a Palace, but that’s not the case—this time, they find themselves in a Kingdom. A new place in the Metaverse. Sadly, despite having their suits, the group doesn’t have their powers to the fullest. And the worst thing is that as soon as they arrive, they face the tyrant of this kingdom: Marie. A woman who longs to control every person who sets foot in her kingdom. It’s up to our heroes to stop this, but not before getting a little help.
Soon enough, the game introduces Toshiro and Erina, and the story focuses on these two characters. The plot revolves around discovering why Toshiro, a Diet member, is trapped in Marie’s kingdom and unveiling the mystery behind Erina, the girl who leads the rebels of this place. While the story is very well narrated, as expected, it doesn’t feel as impactful as Royal‘s. If we were to look at it as an anime, it would feel more like a filler episode, which is not bad. It’s just there to give us fan service.
Despite that, there are some excellent moments in the narrative. The dynamics of the new characters are one of the best, given the contrast between the two. On the one hand, you have Toshiro, the politician who fights with words instead of fists and seeks a peaceful solution. On the other side, you have Erina, a young woman with a fiery spirit and an eagerness to free her people at all costs. I was fascinated to see them interact because they both complement each other. Sometimes, waiting for the best moment to attack is good, but putting words aside and fighting for what you want is also essential. Things that both characters teach us.
Fortunately, there are also some great moments for fans of the original band. Seeing the characters after the events of the main game is lovely. They have all grown up, and it shows in the way they are. Ryuji is still the knucklehead we all love, but you can see his maturity as he talks to Toshiro. It was also lovely to see Haru take the stage more since he has very little screen time in Royal. There’s a mission where she saves everyone’s bacon thanks to her experience with high society stuff, and I loved seeing her do it. While I would like a new mainline entry, my heart still belongs to the Phantom Thieves.
Gameplay: Tactics 101
Initially, because of the style, many will think that the game is similar to Fire Emblem. Still, the reality is that it feels more similar to XCOM and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, albeit with a lower skill ceiling for newcomers. The game does away with grid-based movement and instead allows you to move in a limited range. This range of movement can be increased if you get an extra attack, also known as One More, to fans of the series. This occurs by hitting an enemy out of cover, which encourages the player to look for ways to get the bad guys out of their safe place and into the open.
In addition, many things allow you to take enemies out of safety to create chaos on the battlefield. Each character has a melee ability and a firearm. The former allows you to hit them and blast them away. Conversely, firearms do range damage; some can be combined with other status effects. Besides, All-Out-Attacks return in a creative way. Whenever a character has a One More attack, they can triangulate with other characters and create a zone where those within it will suffer a lot of damage, and the game invites you to use this feature as much as possible to take out large groups.
Speaking of large groups, the game has an excellent map design where you face them. Each one feels like a puzzle. In one of them, I had to eliminate ten enemies in a single turn or fail the mission. To do that, I had to position my characters on a higher level and blast the enemies to the ground. I had to use my One More attacks and finish them with a three-point All-Out-Attack. Rather than feeling threatened by the enemies, the real challenge is using the terrain conveniently. Each level was a puzzle with several solutions, and it was gratifying to solve each one.
However, I cannot say the same about the enemies. The game has almost no variety. There are three types of enemies in the first 10 hours of the game; after that, you only see a new one. Then, you have to wait much longer for another to make an appearance. While the boss fights are fantastic, there aren’t that many. Thus, I think the enemy design is not optimal for a game where this is a crucial element. If it were a short game, there would be no problem, but on standard difficulty, it will take you at least 30 hours. If not for the levels, the game would get exhausting quickly.
Nonetheless, this game is an excellent entry point for new players. Using your Personas’ abilities is very easy since there is no strengths and weaknesses chart that Persona 5 Royal had a la Pokémon. Here, you use their powers to push, paralyze, or freeze, allowing you to cause more damage or stop enemies. It’s very intuitive, and the fact that all characters can use another Persona beyond their own makes the preparation for each fight crucial. Although you can only take 3 characters at a time, and the compositions are not as deep as in Royal, there is a certain degree of planning to finish levels quickly.
Graphics and Audio: Looking Cool, Joker!
Evidently, the style is very different from other games based on this franchise. Persona 5 Tactica goes for a more chibi and cartoonish approach. At first, I didn’t think I would take it seriously, and frankly, I wasn’t much of a fan. It only took an hour to prove me wrong and make me enamored with this new look for our heroes. While the game has a lighter and more comedic tone in its visual novel presentation, there are also serious moments where the new look doesn’t detract from their impact or minimize them.
Obviously, what was maintained was the high quality of the soundtrack. Lyn Inaizumi returns to perform the game’s music tracks, and they are all excellent. While we are used to the acid jazz of the previous games, given the theme of the revolution, the predominant genre is more rock or metal. The percussions accompanied by electric guitars make a somewhat static combat game feel more agitated than an action game. Atlus keeps pulling out the big guns for Persona 5‘s music, and it’s something anyone will love.
Conclusion: A Fantastic Tactical RPG
Persona 5 Tactica made me smile all the way through because I can’t get enough of the Phantom Thieves. Seeing the characters that made me cry and laugh more than five years ago is always a treat. Beyond that, I appreciated the revolution theme. Each kingdom deals with it differently. In some, they seek to free themselves from oppression and, in others, to go along with it to avoid trouble. Something we see a lot nowadays. Although I feel ready for a sixth installment and would like Atlus to stop exploiting these characters, I have an internal conflict because they are my favorite group. Perhaps another adventure wouldn’t hurt, provided it keeps the quality of the last spin-offs.
Persona 5 Tactica is available on PS4, PS5,
Review copy given by Publisher.
Persona 5 Tactica (PC Reviewed)
A new take on the Phantom Thieves' universe that ultimately allows us to see our favorite characters once more.
Pros
- Fun combat systems.
- Excellent level design.
- The new art style is quite fitting for the game's setting.
Cons
- Lack of enemy variety.
- Predictable plot.
