Persona 5 Tactica
- November 16, 2023
- ATLUS
- 9h median play time

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.
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.
Reviews
- story766 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of Persona 5 Tactica has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it predictable and reliant on clichés, such as amnesia and mind control. While some appreciate the emotional themes of rebellion and the return of beloved characters, others feel the narrative lacks depth and fails to develop its characters meaningfully. Overall, the story is seen as a decent but unremarkable addition to the Persona franchise, with some players enjoying its charm and pacing, while others criticize it for being bland and overly familiar.
“The story is a slow burn but once you reach the halfway point it gets really really good.”
“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.”
“Persona 5 Tactica beautifully translates the mechanics of the game it spun off from into the strategy genre – wrapped up in an art style that doesn’t support the interesting story it’s trying to tell, but does capture the charm of its characters better than ever.”
“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 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.”
“The story is very predictable and the new characters are very boring and annoying.”
- gameplay418 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Persona 5 Tactica is a blend of turn-based tactical mechanics reminiscent of games like Mario + Rabbids and XCOM, featuring a charming chibi art style and engaging character interactions. While the initial mechanics are fun and offer some strategic depth, many players find the combat becomes repetitive and lacks the complexity expected from a tactical RPG, with simplistic AI and limited enemy variety. Overall, the game is enjoyable for fans of the Persona series, but those seeking a more challenging tactical experience may find it underwhelming.
“The gameplay is just amazing and a great way to get into strategy RPGs if you hadn't already.”
“The strategy gameplay this game offers is very fast-paced and feels very nice to play.”
“With combat mechanics that elevate the game and a story that ramps up to be enrapturing and heart-wrenching, Persona 5 Tactica is easily my favorite Persona spin-off, and I hope Atlus makes more SRPGs with this style of gameplay.”
“But if you're looking for more of the tactics gameplay, this will probably be underwhelming as hell.”
“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.”
- music233 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in "Persona 5 Tactica" has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as a continuation of the series' high standards, while others find it disappointing and lacking memorable tracks compared to previous titles. Many players noted that the soundtrack feels less impactful, with some tracks described as generic or unremarkable, although a few standout songs were highlighted, particularly in the DLC. Overall, while the music is generally considered solid, it does not reach the heights of earlier Persona games, leading to a sense of underwhelming expectations for fans of the franchise.
“The music slaps, but that's a given for Persona.”
“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.”
“As always, the soundtrack is amazing!!”
“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 Te 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.”
“Excellent puzzle-like tactical battles await in this enjoyable Persona 5 spinoff, but its bland presentation and shockingly average soundtrack drag down the experience as a whole.”
- graphics158 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of Persona 5 Tactica feature a charming chibi art style that has received mixed reactions from players; while some find it adorable and fitting for the gameplay, others prefer the traditional aesthetics of previous titles. The visuals are described as bright and bold, with expressive character designs that enhance the overall experience, though some players feel the art style detracts from the storytelling. Overall, the graphics are well-executed and appealing, particularly for those who appreciate the unique artistic direction.
“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.”
“I'm not a fan of the art style, and the voice acting doesn't seem up to par for a typical Atlus release.”
“I didn't really mind the art style during the gameplay, but during the visual novel part of the game, I absolutely hated it.”
“All the characters were a bit dumbed down, the cutesy graphics didn't win me over as some of the expressions (for Morgana especially) were too uncanny and weird for me.”
- emotional29 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Persona 5 Tactica" is highlighted by its touching themes of rebellion and personal growth, though some narrative elements feel clichéd and detract from the overall impact. Players report genuinely moving moments, particularly through character interactions and voice acting, which enhance the emotional weight of the story. While the plot may recycle familiar storytelling tropes, it ultimately delivers heartfelt experiences that resonate with players, making it a compelling addition to the franchise.
“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.”
“And thanks to the voice actors, I can't describe in words how awesome your work is. Erina's voice lines felt so touching; you could feel her rage, you could feel Futaba's anxiety when she was giving tips to Toshiro about a problem she could relate to, and Yusuke, oh Yusuke, he's such a character. He's either being completely silly and making you laugh with his crazy way of thinking or he's deadly serious with his 'I'll slice you to pieces.' Matthew makes Yusuke so special; I love it.”
“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.”
- humor26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative 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 several funny and sweet moments. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and amusing 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 consistently strong, it adds a delightful layer to the game's narrative and character development.
“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!”
“Thanks, Atlus, for making another great game! It always makes me smile to see the gang together again, their conversations and funny moments together.”
- character development15 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely focused on two new characters, with the original Phantom Thieves receiving little to no growth, making them feel secondary to the narrative. While the newcomers, particularly Toshiro, are well-written and exhibit solid development, the overall scope of the game limits the depth of the established characters. Despite this, the game is praised for its engaging story, charming art, and entertaining dialogue.
“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!”
“[Deceptively complex combat, charming art and character designs, a resonant story worthy of the Persona name].”
“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 grow 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.”
“Little to no character development.”
- grinding13 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative 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 low difficulty and lack of replay value contribute to a generally frustrating experience, overshadowing the enjoyment of the gameplay. Overall, while some appreciate the game's beauty, the grinding elements detract significantly from its appeal.
“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.”
“It's mechanically solid and it has all of the flash and panache of Persona 5 in its style, but its abysmal story, clunky UI (there are two different menus that should be condensed into one but just...aren't), and generally tedious experience did not so much take my heart as it did break my heart.”
- stability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its stability, with users noting that it runs smoothly with little to no glitches or bugs. While it lacks balance and fine-tuning, it performs well on platforms like the Steam Deck at 1080p, indicating a solid overall experience.
“The game has little to no glitches or bugs.”
“The game is really cool, runs great on Steam Deck out of the box and at 1080p!”
“The game has little to no glitches or bugs.”
“Not in the traditional buggy, unoptimized way, but in a 'nothing was balanced or tweaked' way.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the challenge of higher difficulty levels 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 achievements.”
“Replayability comes from higher difficulties.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users perceiving it as a cash grab reminiscent of mobile games that require minimal engagement. However, others argue that the development team did not intend for it to be a cash grab, suggesting that poor advertising may have negatively impacted the game's reception.
“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.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game's optimization issues stem from a lack of balance and fine-tuning rather than traditional bugs or performance problems. Players feel that the overall gameplay experience suffers due to this oversight.
“Not in the traditional buggy, unoptimized way, but in a 'nothing was balanced or tweaked' way.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users express dissatisfaction with the changes in visuals and atmosphere, indicating a preference for the original aesthetic and ambiance of the game.
“I really dislike the changes in visuals and atmosphere.”
“The alterations to the visuals and atmosphere have been disappointing.”
Critic Reviews
Persona 5 Tactica review
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.
90%Persona 5 Tactica XSX Review
A surprisingly bare bones take on the tactical RPG genre, kept interesting largely by its great writing and presentation.
76%Persona 5 Tactica review
A supremely satisfying turn-based strategy spin-off, and one of Persona's best ever stories.
90%