Persona 5 Tactica Review: Is It Worth Your Time?
A Turn-based Strategy Game with the Persona 5 Gang
The Persona 5 kids are back, but this time in a turn-based strategy game called Persona 5 Tactica. Developed by Atlus and published by Sega, this game brings the gang together for another adventure. But is it worth your time? Let’s dive into the review to find out.
Game Details
- Developer: Atlus
- Publisher: Sega
- Release Date: November 17th, 2023
- Platform: Windows
- Available: Steam, Game Pass
- Price: £55/€60/$60
- Reviewed on: AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 16GB RAM, Nvidia GTX 1070, Windows 11
Story and Gameplay
In Persona 5 Tactica, the Phantom Thieves find themselves trapped in high school, with their semesters stretched into infinity due to numerous spin-offs and crossovers. This time, they are embroiled in an X-COM style turn-based strategy game. The story revolves around a tyrannical bridezilla who has an entire kingdom under her control using evil anime magic.
The story may seem nonsensical with its mixture of cartoonish fantasy and Japanese political intrigue. It lacks a real sense of danger or tension, as it takes place concurrently with the events of the main game. However, if you’re emotionally invested in the Persona 5 gang, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with your favorite characters.
Turn-based Strategy or Puzzle Game?
Persona 5 Tactica may not live up to the expectations of hardcore turn-based strategy fans. The stages are often simple and set up for specific approaches, making it feel more like a puzzle game with straightforward solutions. Combat relies on identifying the correct placements and moves to overwhelm the enemy.
Outside of combat, the game offers limited activities such as chatting with comrades, customizing equipment and abilities, and engaging with a truncated persona fusion system. Character building is a minor distraction with simple skill trees for each character. Team composition doesn’t heavily impact battles, making it easy to navigate through most encounters.
A Deluge of Exposition
One of the downsides of Persona 5 Tactica is the excessive amount of exposition. Scattered between the brief skirmishes, players are subjected to endless scenes of discussion between characters. These discussions often revolve around the characters’ next plan and can be exhausting and repetitive.
Is Persona 5 Tactica Worth It?
For diehard fans of the Persona 5 series, Persona 5 Tactica offers another opportunity to spend time with beloved characters. However, for those looking for a deep turn-based strategy experience or a well-written JRPG, there are better options available. The game’s simplicity and repetitive nature may not appeal to everyone.
Ultimately, whether Persona 5 Tactica is worth your time depends on your affinity for the Persona 5 brand and your willingness to overlook its shortcomings. If you’re looking for a casual strategy game with familiar characters, it can provide some enjoyment. But for those seeking a more engaging and complex gaming experience, it may fall short of expectations.
This review is based on a review build of the game provided by Sega.