November 15th 2023.
Persona 5 Tactica - a pleasant surprise
Persona 5, the beloved JRPG classic, has once again seen an unexpected spin-off in the form of Persona 5 Tactica. Taking inspiration from XCOM, this tactical role-playing adventure is set in the Metaverse and has been met with much anticipation.
While there is usually a substantial gap between Persona sequels, that's usually filled with multiple spin-offs. These are all usually vastly different genres, from fighters to rhythm action games, and quite unusually, they tend to be of a very high quality. Persona 5 Tactica is, as its name implies, a strategy game, drawing some of its key elements from Western titles such as XCOM, rather than the more obvious Final Fantasy Tactics.
The mashup of Persona 5 and a strategy game could be seen as a double-edged sword. While it may attract strategy fans who may not have previously been interested in the franchise, they may be a bit lost when it comes to the characters and plot. However, if you're a Persona fan and unsure about playing a strategy game, we would suggest giving it a try. Despite some issues, it is a peculiar combination that has worked out well.
Although having played Persona 5 would certainly give you a better understanding of the game, the plot is entirely self-contained. After the final boss fight from Persona 5 and before its epilogue, the Phantom Thieves, a group of high school students who can control manifestations of their subconscious called persona, find themselves dragged back into the Metaverse.
Unfortunately, there is one consistent issue with the Persona spin-offs, and that's the simplification of the characters. Persona 5 Tactica does try to tackle the characters in a more interesting manner, introducing two new characters, Erina and Toshiro. And while the game does try to tackle some serious topics, the cartoonish visuals and jokey script often undermine the effort.
Persona 5 Tactica - familiar turn-based combat
The turn-based battles in Tactica will be very familiar to genre fans, as the basics are the same as XCOM. You move around a grid-based map, taking cover where possible, and everyone has a gun as well as the ability to use their persona to perform various magic abilities. These range from knocking enemies backwards and out of cover, to transmitting a status effect like fear across a wide area.
The level design is particularly impressive, as it presents enemies and cover opportunities in an interesting and clever manner. However, there is a lack of new ideas, with the most original element being the magic abilities. There is also no extra equipment to buy or upgrade, and no base building, which is a bit disappointing.
On the plus side, there is a significant difference in abilities and stats between each character, as well as a unique skill tree that can be re-specced. There are also team-up moves and variations on series mainstays such as Batton Pass and One More, that allow you to chain together attacks between characters.
Persona 5 Tactica - not quite a classic
Persona 5 Tactica is a good spin-off for Persona 5 and a decent turn-based strategy, perfect for those new to the genre. However, with a little more work, it could have been a classic in its own right. As it stands, it doesn't quite reach those heights, but it is a welcome distraction while we wait for Persona 6.
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