Persona 5 Tactica

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 737 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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"Persona 5 Tactica" is a spin-off of the popular Persona series, offering a new combat-focused adventure. As part of the Phantom Thieves, players navigate through strategic battles, utilizing personas to fight enemies and solve mysteries. This thrilling game combines tactical combat with the series' signature art style and storytelling, promising a unique experience for fans and newcomers alike.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 737 reviews
story122 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • The game features a fresh gameplay style that combines tactical RPG mechanics with the beloved Persona 5 characters, making it enjoyable for fans of the series.
  • The story introduces new characters, Toshiro and Erina, who are well-developed and add depth to the narrative, while the familiar Phantom Thieves provide nostalgic charm.
  • The art style and soundtrack maintain the signature Persona aesthetic, with vibrant visuals and catchy music that enhance the overall experience.
  • The game lacks depth in its tactical mechanics, making it feel overly simplistic and easy, even on higher difficulty settings.
  • The story can be predictable and doesn't offer the same level of character development for the Phantom Thieves as seen in previous titles, leading to a less engaging experience.
  • The game is relatively short for a full-priced title, which may leave players feeling that it doesn't provide enough content for the cost.
  • story464 mentions

    The story of "Persona 5 Tactica" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it engaging yet predictable and lacking depth compared to the mainline titles. While some appreciate the new characters and emotional themes of rebellion, others criticize the plot for being basic and overly reliant on familiar tropes from previous games. Overall, the narrative is seen as a fun addition for fans of the series, but it may not meet the expectations set by earlier entries in the franchise.

    • “The story is a close second; without going into details to spoil anything, I wasn't expecting to like the story based on the trailers and promo material I had seen. I was incredibly surprised to find that this game's story is fantastic and really had me hooked and invested beyond just more Phantom Thieves adventures like I was expecting.”
    • “The story is interesting, but the combat is super easy.”
    • “The story is fitting for a Persona title but lacks the detail of a full entry due to the game being much shorter and having no extended cast, and the gameplay strips out much of a Persona title’s breadth and flexibility, while remaining on the shallow end even for its adopted genre.”
    • “The story itself is also very bland.”
    • “The plot is predictable and bland.”
    • “The story is so bland it could actually be AI generated.”
  • gameplay257 mentions

    The gameplay of Persona 5 Tactica is a blend of turn-based tactical mechanics reminiscent of XCOM and Mario + Rabbids, featuring accessible combat that emphasizes positioning and character abilities. While many players appreciate the engaging and fun mechanics, some criticize the gameplay for its simplicity and lack of depth, leading to repetitive combat experiences. Overall, it appeals to fans of the Persona series looking for a fresh take, but may disappoint those seeking a more challenging tactical RPG.

    • “Persona 5 Tactica takes the beloved Phantom Thieves and places them in a turn-based tactical game that combines the series' signature aesthetics with new mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is the star of the show and it is fantastic; each fight is essentially a puzzle with enemies, and your objective is to eliminate them in the most effective way possible. Putting all of your tools and techniques together to come out victorious is so satisfying.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and should appeal to everyone, with quests that play out more like puzzles keeping the gameplay somewhat fresh.”
    • “Genre veterans might find the gameplay too simplistic.”
    • “The gameplay is as deep as a puddle.”
    • “Gameplay gets super repetitive super fast and isn't particularly challenging, even on harder modes.”
  • music140 mentions

    The music in "Persona 5 Tactica" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its signature style and the return of familiar vocal talents, particularly Lyn. However, several players noted that the soundtrack lacks the memorable quality of previous entries, describing it as underwhelming or even generic at times, with some tracks feeling like mere ambient noise. While the music remains a highlight for some, it is often overshadowed by issues such as volume balance and a perceived lack of standout compositions.

    • “The music, a signature element of the Persona series, continues to shine here.”
    • “Fans have lauded the soundtrack as a high point, with familiar tunes and new compositions setting an immersive and engaging tone.”
    • “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 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.'”
    • “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.”
    • “Pretty solid gameplay, but the story and music leave something to be desired.”
  • graphics93 mentions

    The graphics of Persona 5 Tactica have received mixed reviews, primarily due to its chibi art style, which some players find cute and charming, while others feel it undermines the game's serious themes. The visuals are described as stylish and vibrant, maintaining the series' signature aesthetics, but opinions vary on whether this new approach enhances or detracts from the overall experience. Despite the divided reception, many agree that the game's animations and character expressions are well-executed, contributing to its appeal.

    • “Persona 5 Tactica takes the beloved Phantom Thieves and places them in a turn-based tactical game that combines the series' signature aesthetics with new mechanics.”
    • “The game's art style is really slick and fits the Persona 5 cast perfectly.”
    • “The art style is very fun; I don't know much about strategy games, but I adore the chibi art style.”
    • “This game is way less generous than Persona 5 Royal and Strikers; the art style is way simpler, there are no 'real life scenes', no serious Phantom Thieves bonding, and you cannot move freely in an overworld.”
    • “The chibi art style isn't quite my jam, but I get that if we're controlling little characters on an overhead map, it shouldn't matter.”
    • “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.”
  • humor14 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 story. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and funny expressions of characters like Yusuke and Makoto, as well as the comedic interactions in the DLC featuring Akechi and Joker. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its RPG elements, making for a delightful and entertaining experience.

    • “Fun game, turn-based, funny & great story.”
    • “The DLC was really cool too, Akechi and Joker throwing jokes at each other always made me laugh, and seeing Kasumi again is a blessing.”
    • “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!”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a heartfelt narrative that explores themes of rebellion and personal sacrifice, though it occasionally relies on cliches and recycled storytelling. Players report experiencing genuine emotional moments, particularly through character interactions and voice acting, which enhance the overall engagement despite some predictability in the plot. While the story may not reach the tragic depths of the main game, it still delivers a touching experience with memorable highlights.

    • “A very fun and heartfelt story.”
    • “I cried.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while some players find the grinding in the game manageable and not overly time-consuming, many others view it as tedious and repetitive, particularly when attempting to achieve 100%. The grinding for experience and resources can feel forced and lacks the engaging complexity found in other titles, leading to a generally uninspired gameplay experience. Overall, the grinding aspect detracts from the enjoyment, with players expressing frustration over the lack of meaningful challenges and the repetitive nature of the tasks involved.

    • “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.”
    • “Trying to 100% the game was also just boring, as it included farming the same stage for 3 hours for experience and money.”
  • character development9 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely lacking for the main cast, particularly the original Phantom Thieves, who receive little to no growth as the story focuses on two new characters. While the newcomers, especially Toshiro, exhibit solid development, the absence of depth for the established characters may leave players unfamiliar with their backstories feeling lost. Overall, the game excels in visual design and gameplay but falls short in character exploration compared to previous entries in the series.

    • “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!”
    • “No additional character development of the main cast.”
    • “While I enjoyed getting more content with the characters from Persona 5, it's nowhere near the day-to-day social elements and character development that you get in the other games.”
    • “Only the game’s newcomers see any kind of character development or growth in any way, and while that’s understandable for the game’s small scope, the Phantom Thieves are very much just along for the ride here.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game is generally stable, with minimal glitches or bugs reported, and it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck at 1080p. However, some users experience long loading times, crashes, and freezes, suggesting that a lack of balance and optimization may affect performance for certain players.

    • “The game has little to no glitches or bugs.”
    • “The game runs great on Steam Deck 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.”
    • “It's most likely the cause for my long loading times and is likely also the reason why the game doesn't run at higher FPS and crashes and freezes for some people.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The optimization in Persona 5 Tactica has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the focus on finding the most efficient strategies for missions, others report technical issues like game crashes and performance problems that hinder the overall experience.

    • “This makes it so there is less emphasis on turn-by-turn strategy from moment to moment, allowing you to repeat the battle until you find the most optimized route to complete a mission.”
    • “The optimization in the game allows for a smoother gameplay experience, making it easier to focus on strategy rather than getting bogged down by unnecessary mechanics.”
    • “Players appreciate the streamlined mechanics that enhance optimization, enabling them to experiment with different strategies without feeling overwhelmed.”
    • “This makes it where there is less emphasis on turn-by-turn strategy from moment to moment, leading you to repeat the battle until you find the most optimized route to complete a mission.”
    • “Not in the traditional buggy, unoptimized way, but in a 'nothing was balanced or tweaked' way.”
    • “However, not all is perfect in the world of Persona 5 Tactica. Some players have encountered technical difficulties, such as game crashes and performance issues, which detract from the overall experience.”
  • 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, suggesting limited 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 has been criticized as feeling like a cash grab, reminiscent of mobile games that require minimal engagement. However, reviewers acknowledge that the development team is not solely focused on profit, suggesting that poor advertising may be contributing to this perception.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    Users have mixed feelings about the atmosphere; while some appreciate the new graphic style and find the atmosphere to be great, others express dissatisfaction with the changes in visuals and overall ambiance.

    • “The new graphic style and the atmosphere are great.”
    • “I really miss the original atmosphere; the changes in visuals have taken away the charm.”
    • “The new visuals completely alter the atmosphere, making it feel less immersive.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired compared to what it used to be.”
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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