Over time, Atlus–the studio behind the Persona collection, Catherine, and Shin Megami Tensei–has developed a popularity for the best way it approaches grownup themes and darkish matters unabashedly. Whereas this typically makes for an M score and the gentle discomfort that accompanies the clumsy dealing with of delicate conditions, it additionally makes full sense. Lots of the studio’s titles discover humanity and the human situation, each of which include their justifiable share of darkness and messy conditions. They’re bold matters to discover, and for that, I’ve all the time had super admiration for Atlus and its Persona collection particularly. However much more vital than merely beginning the dialog is the best way the studio frames it–how it juxtaposes the darkness towards highly effective messages about braveness, morality, hope, and idealism to make all the things extra significant. These items mixed are what make Persona so beautiful–what shapes its id.
Persona 5 Tactica not solely exemplifies that id however revels in it. With its chibi-style artwork, together with conditions and dialogue that, at occasions, really feel straight out of the requisite seashore episode of an anime, the sport affords extra levity than Persona 5 Royal. But at its core, it stays centered on delivering highly effective messages, tackling complicated themes, and inspiring those that play it to not solely be extra certain of themselves however aspire to be extra idealistic and sort as properly. Tactica does all this spectacularly, utilizing a strong story and two new characters you possibly can’t assist however fall in love with. Collectively, these narrative parts draw gamers into the following chapter within the Phantom Thieves saga and reignite the flames of revolt. Although I went into the sport undecided if its style shift and even the sport’s existence would really feel really warranted–not certain if we would have liked but one other 30+ hours of Joker and friends–I walked away from the sport grateful for it and the consolation it gave me.
Set shortly after the occasions of Persona 5 Royal, Persona 5 Tactica follows the Phantom Thieves as they embark on a brand new journey via acquainted but uncharted territory. The journey begins at Le Blanc’s, the place Joker is serving up espresso and curry to his soon-to-be-graduated buddies whereas the group discusses their plans for the longer term. Nonetheless, conversations come to a halt after the Thieves discover time is now standing nonetheless and the Metaverse–the cognition-constructed realm our heroes totally explored within the P5–has seemingly consumed them as soon as once more. As shortly as they’re pulled again into the cognitive world, nevertheless, our heroes observe that one thing is totally different in regards to the Metaverse this time. Uncovering what that distinction is (and the way to get again house) then turns into the group’s first precedence and units all the things in movement, albeit a bit slowly.
That gradual start–as properly as the sport’s sloggy last hours–are Tactica’s greatest flaws. At occasions, it seems like the sport is drawn out merely for the sake of tacking on hours when an expedited starting and sticking to the sport’s pure finale would have vastly benefited the expertise. Fortunately, nevertheless, all the things between these two factors is great.
The Metaverse of Tactica takes form as a collection of kingdoms dominated by tyrannical leaders with a standard connection. A number of the sport’s main themes, in addition to its two new characters, Erina and Toshiro, are launched early in Act One and everything of the following 25 hours is maybe probably the most heartfelt and compelling Persona story arc I’ve ever skilled, managing to make use of its total narrative and the interpersonal dynamics of characters to forge an intense funding in what surprising conditions lie forward from the participant. In some ways, Tactica is a mix of Persona 5 and Persona 3, because it deftly weaves an intense and emotional private story into a bigger one about what it means to get older and turn into complicit within the subjugation of each others and your self. Although it’d sound unusual, I felt extraordinarily lucky to play Tactica after I did. It was comforting to be surrounded by its relentless idealism, given the state of the world in 2023.
On high of introducing two unbelievable characters, Tactica additionally makes the collection’ present solid of characters much more endearing. Whereas I did not really feel particularly near Haru in Persona 5, for instance, Tactica’s visible novel fashion gave her (and each character, actually) extra of an opportunity to converse with others and showcase her persona. It additionally options aspect quests and aspect conversations which can be typically extra lighthearted and permit sure sects of characters to work together with one another–or even give Joker the prospect to examine what marrying every of his celebration members would appear to be, with none added homophobia. I used to be notably keen on how the older solid of celebration members spoke to Erina and Toshiro, and the way the traumatic experiences they went via within the earlier video games formed their worldviews. The Phantom Thieves have been on fairly a couple of adventures now and the influence of them is clear in how they’re extra empathetic and extra assured of their life’s mission.
The home windows Tactica affords into its characters–as properly as its relaxation system, which strengthens characters who sat out of combat–made me extra wanting to check out totally different celebration members and techniques on the grid-based battlefield. This was closely rewarded, as fight in Tactica feels extremely customizable and oftentimes extra partaking than Persona’s conventional turn-based fight. By cleverly positioning your celebration for Triple Assaults, touchdown crucial hits to acquire a One Extra Time motion, and putting teammates in the proper locations for alternative assaults, you can also make one flip pack all of the oomph of a number of and fully change the tide of a battle. It very successfully mimics the circulate and feeling of exploiting a weak point and delivering an all-out workforce rush assault within the current Persona video games. Moreover, every character includes a pretty sizable ability tree (you could respec at any time) that provides them distinctive talents and contributions to battles, in addition to a set of inherent expertise. Haru, for instance, has vastly decreased motion velocity however packs an enormous punch with the proper weapon. Ann, however, can traverse the battlefield with velocity however focuses extra on magic than bodily assaults.
One other unbelievable change is that the majority of the motion now not resides with Joker. Now, each character can dual-wield Personas. Considered one of these will all the time be their signature persona, akin to Cranium’s Captain Kidd or Mona’s Zoro, however the different is completely your determination. This modification makes each character really feel extra viable and thrilling to make use of. By giving my characters with excessive SP a persona with devastating heavy magic assaults and reserving these with skill-based talents for extra melee-based characters, my workforce felt extremely optimized and adept. These programs and Tactica’s battles, which vary in problem ranges, inspired me to make each battle mentally stimulating for myself. I used to be all the time wanting to check out new celebration formations and persona combos and tried my hardest to finish every battle in a method that met all its non-obligatory victory situations along with its mandated one.
I used to be regularly shocked by Tactica’s robustness throughout its story, programs, and battle mechanics. Even the choices introduced to you within the Velvet Room have been expansive, with all of the numerous Personas featured in P5 returning to be summoned as soon as extra in Tactica, together with the power to fuse them. There isn’t a a part of the sport that feels resigned to being a mere spin-off. Had you no expectation of what a full-sized Persona recreation entails, you could possibly simply mistake Tactica for being the primary attraction. Ambition is perhaps the sport’s solely actual hindrance, as its last hours really feel very tacked on, particularly contemplating there’s a level that seems like an especially pure decision to the sport. The opposite main bump towards Tactica is its efficiency, which was generally a difficulty on my Nintendo Swap OLED, notably the occasional framerate dips and noticeable load occasions.
But that is to not say the sport’s visuals are missing. I used to be additionally stunned by simply how a lot I cherished the sport’s artwork fashion, which, whereas comparable in its boldness and coloration palette, deviates considerably from the unique recreation’s glossy and mature anime aesthetic. As an alternative, Tactica adapts one thing a bit extra chibi-like, full with small, rounded characters, vast eyes, and cartoony expressions. But even throughout the recreation’s extra intense and tragic cutscenes, this artwork fashion works properly. It provides a vibrancy, power, and playfulness that I like, and, alongside the fight shifts, contributes to giving Tactica its personal id separate from what’s come earlier than.
Finally, Persona 5’s transition to tactics-based fight is a triumph. Each facet of Tactica is so properly conceived and transferring that what’s created is one thing really distinctive, particularly in regard to its story. I grew to adore the Phantom Thieves much more and fell in love with Toshiro, Erina, their story, and all the things their characters stood for. Regardless of being a spin-off, Tactica has a fantastic message delivered with a transparent voice. It is a unbelievable addition to the Persona 5 universe–one that celebrates its spirit and resolve whereas additionally taking the conversations and beliefs explored within the recreation to new heights.