Persona 5 Tactica

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 570 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Persona 5 Tactica Game Cover
Persona 5 Tactica is a tactics game unlike any other, with really clever combat that requires a lot of thought and that Persona style we all love.
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In "Persona 5 Tactica: Digital Deluxe Edition," players join the Phantom Thieves in a challenging turn-based combat adventure within a mysterious realm. This new story brings back beloved characters from the Persona universe, with additional content including the Repaint Your Heart Challenge Pack, Weapon Pack, and Picaro Summoning Pack. The Phantom Thieves must navigate dangerous encounters, led by the enigmatic Erina, to uncover the truth behind their predicament and escape this strange world.

  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 570 reviews
story99 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • The game features a fun and engaging tactical combat system that combines elements from Persona 5 with strategy gameplay.
  • The story introduces new characters, Toshiro and Erina, who are well-developed and add depth to the narrative.
  • The art style is charming and the soundtrack is excellent, maintaining the high standards set by previous Persona games.
  • The game is relatively short and may feel overpriced for the amount of content it offers.
  • The difficulty level is low, even on higher settings, which may disappoint players looking for a challenge.
  • The story can be predictable and lacks the depth and character development found in mainline Persona titles.
  • story370 mentions

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its emotional themes of rebellion and character development, while others criticize it for being predictable and relying on clichés like amnesia. Many feel that the narrative lacks depth compared to previous Persona titles, often describing it as bland or unremarkable, though some enjoy the new characters and the integration of tactical gameplay. Overall, while the story has its moments, it tends to fall short of the high standards set by earlier entries in the series.

    • “The story is interesting, but the combat is super easy.”
    • “The story is a slow burn but once you reach the halfway point it gets really really good.”
    • “The story was strong for a tactical RPG and was worth the hours in the game.”
    • “The story is bland and doesn't even attempt to develop the characters any further like in Strikers, and I'm so over the 'amnesia' cliché they pull with Toshiro.”
    • “The story is predictable, there's almost no meaningful interaction between characters and the townspeople are just the same sprites used over and over again for unsubstantial interactions.”
    • “The story tries to dangle so many plot hooks in front of you but it doesn't actually follow through on enough to make it feel like anything matters.”
  • gameplay202 mentions

    The gameplay in "Persona 5 Tactica" is a blend of tactical RPG mechanics reminiscent of titles like "Mario + Rabbids" and "XCOM," featuring a turn-based system that emphasizes positioning and combo attacks. While the initial mechanics are engaging and offer some fun puzzle-like elements, many players find the combat becomes repetitive and lacks depth as the game progresses, with simplistic AI and limited enemy variety diminishing the challenge. Overall, the game is enjoyable for fans of the Persona series, but those seeking a more complex tactical experience may be left wanting.

    • “The gameplay is engaging.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and challenging, the soundtrack is a jam and I am looking forward to see where the story goes!”
    • “The strategy gameplay this game offers is very fast-paced and feels very nice to play.”
    • “The gameplay gets super repetitive super fast and isn't particularly challenging, even on harder modes.”
    • “I was expecting new enemies and mechanics but all it was was just re-skinned and buffed enemies from the first kingdom... the combat got extremely repetitive as well basically just encouraging you to abuse knockdowns and all out attacks to complete missions...”
    • “Even excusing the poor quality and boring writing, the gameplay has none of the depth that I'd expect from the genre.”
  • music114 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and alignment with the Persona series' signature style, while others find it underwhelming compared to previous titles. Some tracks are highlighted as standout pieces, particularly in the DLC, but many players feel that the overall soundtrack lacks memorability and fails to reach the heights of earlier installments. Additionally, issues with audio balance, where music drowns out character dialogue, have been noted, impacting the overall experience.

    • “Everything is just amazing, the soundtrack, the story, the gameplay.”
    • “The music is amazing, as persona music usually is, the combat is fun and rewarding, the story is emotional and full of twists, and the art style is adorable.”
    • “The soundtrack is a banger as always.”
    • “The music feels like a collection of demos and b-sides to the original game’s soundtrack, but there are a few catchy standouts.”
    • “In Tactica, most songs are so generic and boring that it's insulting. I heard someone describe it as ChatGPT being tasked to make a P5 inspired song, and it fits so much.”
    • “The music is bottom tier Persona music; it lives up to past games but nothing shines. I'm not coming back for more like 'Rivers in the Desert' or 'Love the Wonderland.'”
  • graphics74 mentions

    The graphics of the game feature a chibi art style that has received mixed reactions from players; while some find it adorable and charming, others feel it detracts from the overall experience. Many appreciate the vibrant visuals and character designs, noting that the art style grows on them over time, though some prefer the traditional aesthetics of previous Persona titles. Overall, the visuals are considered well-executed and fitting for the game's tone, despite some criticisms regarding character proportions and the simplicity of the style.

    • “The game's art style is really slick, and fits the Persona 5 cast perfectly.”
    • “What impressed me the most are the visuals, really well made!”
    • “The art style is amazing and reminds me so much of Mario and Rabbids: Sparks of Hope.”
    • “The art style is completely new to Persona 5, and for the most part, it nails it.”
    • “I would also like to say I'm not a fan of this art style at all and I know a lot of other people aren't either, but it's just something you have to look past to play this.”
    • “I didn't really mind the art style during the gameplay, but during the visual novel part of the game, I absolutely hated it.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its charming chibi art style and engaging character dynamics, particularly between Erina and Toshiro, which provide amusing moments throughout the plot. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and funny character expressions, especially from Yusuke and Makoto, as well as the comedic interactions in the DLC featuring Akechi and Joker. Overall, while the humor may not be the central focus, it effectively enhances the game's appeal and contributes to a lighthearted experience.

    • “I wouldn't call it outright bad by any means though, as the characters of Erina and Toshiro, their dynamic and development are interesting to observe and overall, there are some engaging and funny moments sprinkled throughout the plot.”
    • “Yusuke's expressions always made me laugh, Makoto's angry expressions were perfect, it was really cool to see the cast drawn in a different way, I really liked it.”
    • “The game is an absolute masterpiece with the amazing new chibi character designs, satisfying combat and gameplay, and funny and entertaining characters and dialogue you expect from a Persona game!”
  • emotional11 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a heartfelt narrative that explores themes of rebellion and personal sacrifice, though it suffers from clichéd storytelling and recycled elements from previous titles. Players report experiencing genuine emotional moments, particularly through well-voiced characters and touching scenarios, despite some optional dialogue feeling flat. Overall, while the story may take time to engage, it ultimately delivers impactful themes and memorable emotional experiences.

    • “A very fun and heartfelt story.”
    • “I won't spoil too much of it, because you should experience it for yourself, but it's very emotional, and has some great themes.”
    • “The story took a little bit to get going but once it did I was enthralled and there were some genuinely touching moments, with both the existing cast and the new characters.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unfulfilling, often feeling forced to achieve repetitive tasks without meaningful rewards. Despite the game's mechanical strengths and stylish presentation, the lack of engaging content and low difficulty contribute to a frustrating experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment.

    • “I am 36 hours deep, did all the side content (except getting all the personas, it's a farming nightmare), did the main campaign and I am yet to play the DLC.”
    • “I need to milk it for 10 more hours at least, but there's very little replay value, to be honest, just forced grinding achievements.”
    • “Overall the difficulty is too low and difficulty settings don’t make the game more complex, just more tedious.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely focused on the new characters, with the original Phantom Thieves receiving little to no growth, making them feel secondary to the newcomers. While the new characters, particularly Toshiro, are well-written and engaging, the lack of development for the established crew leaves some players wanting more depth in their arcs. Overall, the game excels in design and gameplay, but character development is uneven, favoring the new additions over the original cast.

    • “The story is interesting and the new characters are great, plus the top-down character designs are strong for what they are - the game looks great.”
    • “As for Toshiro, he's actually a pretty solidly written character who is funny and has some good character development behind him.”
    • “The game is an absolute masterpiece with the amazing new chibi character designs, satisfying combat and gameplay, and funny and entertaining characters and dialogue you expect from a Persona game!”
    • “There's no character development done to the original Phantom Thieves crew, with the story focusing heavily on two new characters.”
    • “Only the game’s newcomers see any kind of character development or growth, and while that’s understandable for the game’s small scope, the Phantom Thieves are very much just along for the ride here.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability with minimal glitches or bugs, running smoothly on platforms like the Steam Deck at 1080p. However, players note that the game lacks balance and fine-tuning, which affects gameplay experience.

    • “The game has little to no glitches or bugs.”
    • “The game runs great on Steam Deck right out of the box and at 1080p!”
    • “The overall stability of the game enhances the gaming experience significantly.”
    • “Not in the traditional buggy, unoptimized way, but in a 'nothing was balanced or tweaked' way.”
    • “Game has little to no glitches or bugs.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the challenge of higher difficulties and the resolution of narrative questions, others find it lacking due to forced grinding for achievements and minimal incentive to replay.

    • “Good replay value, and does a great job of eventually providing an answer for all the questions you could ask while playing by the time the credits roll.”
    • “I need to milk it for 10 more hours at least, but there's very little replay value, to be honest; just forced grinding for achievements.”
    • “Replayability comes from higher difficulties.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization of the game is perceived as leaning towards a cash grab, reminiscent of mobile games that require minimal engagement, although the development team is not seen as exploitative. Poor advertising has negatively impacted the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “In comparison, Tactica feels like a cash grab or a game designed for mobile devices where you don't have to pay much attention to what's going on.”
    • “Bit of bad advertising really hampers the fun of this game.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Reviewers note that the game's optimization issues stem from a lack of balance and fine-tuning rather than traditional bugs, resulting in gameplay that feels unrefined and inconsistent.

    • “Not in the traditional buggy, unoptimized way, but in a 'nothing was balanced or tweaked' way.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    Users express dissatisfaction with the changes in visuals and atmosphere, indicating that these alterations negatively impact their overall experience of the game.

    • “I really miss the original atmosphere; the changes in visuals have taken away the immersive experience.”
    • “The new visuals completely alter the atmosphere, making it feel less engaging and more generic.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired compared to what it used to be; the changes have not improved the experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

9hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
3-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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