ATLUS, a renowned video game developer, has unveiled fresh information about their highly anticipated strategy RPG, Persona 5 Tactica. The game is slated for release on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, on November 17, 2023.
Kingdoms Overview
In Persona 5 Tactica, the beloved Phantom Thieves of Hearts find themselves unexpectedly transported to a peculiar dimension called The Kingdoms. This new realm is inhabited by a military group known as the Legionnaires, led by the tyrannical Marie. During their initial encounter, Marie brainwashes all the Thieves except for the protagonist, Joker, and his trusty feline companion, Morgana. Fortunately, they are rescued by Erina, the leader of the Rebel Corps, who reveals the name of this strange realm.
As Joker and Morgana evade Marie’s pursuit with Erina’s assistance, they stumble upon a hideout resembling Leblanc, a familiar location to fans of Persona 5. The enigma deepens as they question the nature of The Kingdoms and the unexpected presence of Leblanc in this foreign realm. Their mission becomes twofold: uncover the secret behind The Kingdoms and save their brainwashed comrades, the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
Marie’s Kingdom
Marie’s Kingdom is under the oppressive rule of Marie herself and her military organization, the Legionnaires. Marie’s fanatical desire for power and control culminates in her grand plan—to orchestrate the perfect wedding. To aid the Rebel Corps, Joker and Morgana strike a deal and set out to rescue their friends. Their journey leads them to a prison where they encounter Toshiro Kasukabe, a missing politician in the real world who has no memory of how he entered the Metaverse or why he was imprisoned. While Joker and Morgana remain skeptical of Toshiro’s story, they decide to proceed cautiously. Soon after, news breaks that Marie has chosen a groom for her impending nuptials.
Character List
Persona 5 Tactica features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique personalities and abilities:
- Protagonist (VA = Xander Mobus): A second-year high school student and leader of the Phantom Thieves. Known as Joker in the Metaverse, his Persona is Arsène. After awakening as a Persona-user, he joins forces with the Phantom Thieves to confront corrupt adults. Alongside Morgana, he finds himself transported to The Kingdoms.
- Morgana (VA = Cassandra Lee Morris): A talking black cat (?) who was initially trapped in the Metaverse until rescued by Joker. While appearing as a regular cat in the real world, Morgana possesses extensive knowledge of the Metaverse and serves as a guide for the Phantom Thieves.
- Erina (VA = Leeanna Albanese): A mysterious girl who comes to the Thieves’ aid before their inevitable defeat in the Metaverse. With her unwavering confidence and determination, she leads the Rebel Corps, striving to free the land from oppression. Erina strikes a deal with the Phantom Thieves, joining forces to achieve their mutual goals.
- Ryuji (VA = Max Mittelman): A high school student who was coerced into abandoning his dreams and labeled a troublemaker by a malicious teacher. Ryuji and the protagonist venture into the Metaverse together, awakening as Persona-users. He becomes a loyal friend, showcasing unwavering courage and moral conviction in their battle against corrupt adults. Ryuji’s Persona is Captain Kidd.
- Ann (VA = Erika Harlacher-Stone): A stunningly beautiful girl of mixed heritage. Due to her unique appearance, she faced isolation from her peers. Ann selflessly sacrificed herself to protect her best friend, leading her to awaken as a Persona-user and join the Phantom Thieves. With her exceptional strength of will and compassion, she defies evildoers and aids those in need. Ann’s Persona is Carmen.
- Toshiro (VA = MacLeod Andrews): A rising star in politics and a rumored future prime minister. Toshiro mysteriously finds himself lost and imprisoned in the Metaverse. Although he possesses rationality and strategic acumen, his fear of combat often hinders his progress, as he prioritizes safety above all else.
Gameplay
Persona 5 Tactica introduces several gameplay features that enhance the strategic experience for players:
Taking Cover: In this installment, taking cover strategically plays a crucial role. By ending a turn while in cover, characters receive reduced damage from enemies, or in some cases, block their attacks entirely. However, if a character is not in cover and gets hit by an enemy, the enemy gains an advantage and can launch another attack. Players must plan their moves carefully to ensure they are near suitable cover.
Battle System: The game introduces a fresh twist to the classic elemental weaknesses system. Players can employ skills like the Burn attack Agi to inflict damage when enemies end their turn, or use the Shock attack Zio to immobilize enemies temporarily. Exploiting different elemental attacks allows players to afflict various ailments in this revamped battle system. Furthermore, landing a hit on an enemy taking cover with a skill triggers a One More opportunity, enabling players to strike again. Skillful utilization of skills can create advantageous situations and turn the tide of battle.
Unique Skills: During battles, characters accumulate Voltage points when hitting or being hit by enemies. Once the star-shaped Voltage gauge reaches its maximum capacity, players can unleash character-specific unique skills. These abilities range from devastating attacks to valuable support actions. Even when facing dire circumstances, players should never lose hope, as a well-timed unique skill can reverse the situation in their favor.
Skill Tree: Each party member possesses an individual skill tree, offering players the opportunity to customize the growth and development of each character. By winning battles or engaging in Talk events, where characters engage in conversations at the Hideout, players can earn Growth Points (GP) to unlock skills within the skill tree. The flexibility of resetting acquired skills allows players to experiment with various combinations and tailor each character to their preferred playstyle.
Talk Events: Talk events serve as moments for players to delve deeper into the story and witness engaging conversations between group members at the Hideout. These events shed light on new topics and previously unseen situations, providing players with additional insights into the Thieves and Erina’s characters. Engaging in Talk events also rewards players with GP, further fueling character growth.
Persona 5 Tactica promises an immersive strategy RPG experience, inviting players to explore The Kingdoms, rescue the brainwashed Phantom Thieves of Hearts, and uncover the secrets that await within this captivating realm. With its dynamic battle system, unique characters, and customizable skill trees, the game aims to captivate both long-time fans and newcomers to the Persona series. Mark your calendars for November 17th, 2023, as ATLUS delivers another exciting addition to the beloved franchise.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
