Persona 5 Tactica

Persona 5 Tactica is a great tactical RPG that uses the series’ signature battle mechanics to perfection. While the story has pacing issues and isn’t friendly for newcomers, this spin-off still succeeds thanks to an addictive battle system and simple customization options. You may have seen this coming.

The Switch port of Persona 5 Tactica is absolutely wonderful, and it's a perfect game to play portably thanks to its lovely bite sized missions.

Persona 5 Tactica is a thrillingly varied tactical RPG that fans of the Phantom Thieves and the genre should take note of. It's a little on the easy side, but the varied gameplay, excellent soundtrack, striking visuals, and lovable characters all make for a very easy recommendation here. We’d especially suggest you pick this up if you really enjoyed the original Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, as we noticed a lot of parallels that can be drawn between the two. It remains to be seen if this is the last time we’ll be seeing the Phantom Thieves don their masks, but if this does turn out to be their finale, Persona 5 Tactica is a massively enjoyable sendoff for the beloved crew.

Persona 5 Tactica fulfills many expectations like strong plot, sharp writing, interesting new characters and satisfying tactical combat with Personas at hand. Very solid entry into the series with more gameplay mechanics as you initially expected.

Persona 5 Tactica is a good spin-off of the franchise that introduces a rather interesting story with new characters and a cute chibi art style. We found it to be a good experience that will appeal to both fans of Persona 5 and strategy video games.

Persona 5 Tactica has to accept compromises to its name model, but still carries out the genre change with flying colors and offers entertaining tactical fun for fans of the Phantom Thieves.

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.

Persona 5 Tactica is a game that offers tricky battles, an intriguing story and the comeback of beloved characters, which makes it a must-have for any Persona 5 fans. While there is a lack of exploration and some of the dialogue can become tedious, it is fundamentally a beautiful little title that is well worth playing.

I never got into Mario + Rabbids despite multiple attempts, mostly due to the Rabbids, but throwing characters I care about into this formula worked really well for me. Persona 5 Tactica is certainly the most replayable Persona game in years for someone who doesn’t try to see every romance option, and if Atlus can get out from the crunch for Persona 3 Reload to fix up the load times this could be a sleeper for best strategy game on Switch.

Persona 5 Tactica showcases just how well-built the Persona 5 universe is, and even though its story is a mere pretext, it surprises with its gameplay based on the tactical role-playing genre.

Persona 5 Tactica offers a captivating tale in a really cute world. The game is solid in every aspect, but the battle system and the soundscape are undoubtedly where the game shines brightest. The simpler mechanics may be initially dismaying for veterans of the series, but they fit the game nicely once the player gets used to them. Persona 5 Tactica is an easy recommendation for both fans of the series, while newcomers who want to dip their toes into its stylings will find it very welcoming.

Persona 5's transition to tactics-based combat is a triumph. Every aspect of Tactica is so well conceived and moving that what's created is something truly exceptional, especially in regard to its story. I grew to adore the Phantom Thieves even more and fell in love with Toshiro, Erina, their story, and everything their characters stood for. Despite being a spin-off, Tactica has a beautiful message delivered with a clear voice. It's a fantastic addition to the Persona 5 universe--one that celebrates its spirit and resolve while also taking the conversations and ideals explored in the game to new heights.

I had a lot of fun with Persona 5 Tactica, especially after I took the risk to crank the difficulty up on the strategy game so friendly fire would be enabled. The characters, Personas, and concept all adapted well to the genre shift. Atlus also executed it in a way that makes it easy for people new to tactical titles can wade into it without encountering too many barriers. I do wish there’d been more elemental elements to it and certain characters didn’t feel a little too perfect for every situation, but it is entertaining and I appreciated the creativity behind the design direction.

Persona 5 Tactica is a fun, lighthearted strategy RPG with a clever level design and some interesting gameplay choices which feel properly Persona's.

Ultimately, Persona 5 Tactica is another fun spin-off that proves the depth of its source material. Persona 5 has successfully ported itself to the musou, rhythm, and tactical genres, all the while maintaining the charm and flash that made it so instantly recognizable. At this point, it would be weirder to see a genre that the series didn't successfully adapt itself to than one it does.

If you want a little more time with Joker and the crew, then Tactica should be a welcome addition to your games collection.

Though the Phantom Thieves’ journey never seems to end, you can’t deny the games are good, and Persona 5 Tactica is no different. Play as Joker and co in a different setting and stretch those strategic muscles across challenging and fun stages, wrapped in a delightful story.

While not particularly revolutionary despite the theming, Persona 5 Tactica is certainly moving. It's easy to imagine it fanning the flames of rebellion (to use the game's own parlance) in the hearts of players. It's not as all-encompassing as a mainline Persona, and lacks some of the charming odds and ends usually present in them, but it's hard to fault a new kind of spinoff that is mechanically competent and features a compelling narrative.

Mostly carried on by another amazing soundtrack from talented Lyn Inaizumi and by a cast of lovable (and much loved) characters, Persona 5 Tactica is an enjoyable if a little by-the-book SRPG that wil surely please Persona 5 fans. But the ones looking for a challenge and for more complex game mechanics will surely have a lot of better choices in the same genre.

So if the idea of a tactics game starring the Phantom Thieves, clocking in at a neat 30ish hours, sounds appealing, then Persona 5 Tactica is for you. It’s not as deep or compelling as other options, but it’s got the style and characters you like. The ending wraps up nicely too, even if getting there is a bit drawn out at the start. I’m happy I spent some time in the tactical Kingdoms of Persona 5 Tactica myself. But I also think I’m ready for a new crew to get the spotlight.

Persona 5 Tactica wasn’t the mechanically satisfying nor thematically engaging tactics game I hoped it might be. However, if you want to spend more time with the Phantom Thieves, you will find a fun diversion in the turn-based tactics and an emotionally affecting narrative during this 25-30 hour journey. I commend Atlus for trying something more serious and impactful with this Persona spin-off, even if it doesn’t quite stick the landing.

Persona 5 Tactica is another worthy Persona 5 spin-off that feels justified in its existence. It's always a joy to spend more time with the Phantom Thieves of Hearts but it's Tactica's new characters and puzzle-like combat encounters that I'll remember it for the most. It certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, but offers a more than competent tactics experience within a framework that's sure to please any Persona fan.

All in all, Persona 5 Tactica is far from perfect. But it looks pretty sound, it sounds excellent, and it is fun. If you just want to see more of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, you could certainly do worse. And if you open your heart to the new cast, Erina and Toshiro have a lot going for them. Just be prepared to replay levels a lot on higher difficulties.

The thing about roller coasters is that even some of the best ones have moments of downtime, but ultimately remain thrilling and fun. The ride didn’t leave me changed in any way, but I certainly want to get back on and go again.

Persona 5 Tactica doesn't capture the magic of Persona 5 or even Persona 5 Strikers. It may remind fans instead of the Persona Q games, dungeon-crawler spinoffs designed for the Nintendo 3DS. Those game have their fans, as Persona 5 Tactica surely will as well. Yet, while the game has its moments, there are too many flaws to earn a full-throated recommendation. Those who live at the intersection of "Persona fan" and "tactical RPG fan" will likely find it worth at least a look and die-hard Persona 5 fans probably won't want to miss another Phantom Thieves adventure. More casual Persona enjoyers will be fine passing on this outing.

Persona 5 Tactica is undone by the fact it's unsure if it's putting the Persona twist on the tactical grid game, or using Persona characters to introduce newcomers to the genre. Maps and missions are repetitive, the more interesting elements that each Persona brings are sanded off, and there's an overreliance on basic gun and melee attacks that don't suit the Phantom Thieves at all. But when it clicks, there is an unmistakable charm about the Phantom Thieves themselves, and drawn-out though they may be, the epic scale of the bosses is a good shake-up for the genre. It's not the perfect goodbye of Strikers, but it is a sign that the sun should set on the Phantom Thieves in peace.