Persona 5 Tactica is out now, and it promises to deliver a familiar experience that fans of the series will enjoy, all while featuring a tactical RPG gameplay system that offers a fresh twist on the series formula. Aside from its gameplay though, a new story featuring the Phantom Thieves is surely welcome for Persona 5 fans.
Speaking of its story, some fans may be wondering what kind of tale Persona 5 Tactica tells. Is it a spinoff like Persona Q2 or is it a proper sequel like Persona 5 Strikers? Also, when exactly do the events of Tactica happen in the whole Persona 5 timeline?
Most importantly of all though, is Persona 5 Tactica canon? Well, we’re here to answer all of these story-related questions! And don’t worry, this article is spoiler-free, so you can jump right ahead to Persona 5 Tactica without the story experience being spoiled.
Is Persona 5 Tactica Canon?
Perhaps the burning question among many fans is if Persona 5 Tactica is canon. Thankfully, there is a simple answer to this.
Yes, Persona 5 Tactica is canon, meaning it’s a proper entry in the story of the Phantom Thieves. So, this means fans who want a proper Persona experience will not be disappointed with this game story-wise.
To be exact, the game follows the Phantom Thieves as they find themselves transported into an alternate universe during a meetup at Café Leblanc. There, the Phantom Thieves will meet members of the Rebel Corps who act as a resistance group against the world’s authoritarian rulers.
The game’s story features new characters, though it will still follow the members of the Phantom Thieves as they step in the heart of the action much like in the original Persona 5 story.
When Does Persona 5 Tactica Take Place in the Timeline?
Speaking of Persona 5, some fans may wonder when this game takes place in the series timeline. Does it happen after Persona 5? Or do the events take place after Persona 5 Strikers?
Again, the answer is surprisingly simple. The events of Tactica take place during the events of Persona 5.
Specifically, the game begins before the third-year members of the Phantom Thieves graduate. This means Tactica’s story happens before Persona 5’s big finale.
Without getting into spoiler territory, Persona 5 Tactica’s story can be seen as another major story addition to Persona 5. This makes it a must-play for fans who want more new adventures featuring Joker and the rest of his crew.
What Do You Need to Start Playing Persona 5?
Persona 5 Tactica is canon, and it’s established that the game’s events happen during the Persona 5 story. So, what do players need to have played so they can enjoy Tactica?
Fans of the series have probably already played lots of Persona 5 projects at this point. But for those who haven’t explored some of the other releases should still fully be able to enjoy Tactica if they’ve played Persona 5.
This is because, for the best experience, players ideally would’ve played Persona 5. After all, Tactica’s story happens during Persona 5. Plus, players would be able to fully appreciate the characters and story elements if they’ve played the first game.
Of course, players who are still playing through Persona 5 can still very much enjoy Tactica. As long as they’re familiar with what’s going on, Tactica should be easy to understand.
As for the other games in the series like Persona 5 Strikers, they aren’t required to play to enjoy and understand Tactica. Of course, playing them is definitely a bonus as you’ll be much more familiar with the personalities and dynamics of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts members.
But what about players who are new to the series? After all, tactical RPG fans’ interests may have been piqued by Tactica’s gameplay.
Well, even though Tactica is a must-play for long-time Persona 5 fans, it should still be a good starting point for newer players. Even though playing Persona 5 no doubt enhances the experience, the game doesn’t require players to play the original before jumping right in here.
This should be great news for those who are interested in trying the game out thanks to its tactical RPG combat system but are worried about having to do the necessary story homework to enjoy it.
Plus, players who became intrigued by the gameplay may also stay for the story, enough that they’ll pick up Persona 5 and more.
Persona 5 Tactica – Available Now!
So, there you have it, Persona 5 Tactica is a canon entry in the series, and it promises to deliver another compelling adventure featuring Joker and friends as they face off against a tyrannical foe.
Thanks to this, it’s a must-play for any and every Persona 5 fan thanks to its compelling combination of a proper Phantom Thieves story as well as tactical RPG gameplay that offers a fresh take on the series’ formula.
Persona 5 Tactica is available today on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Switch, and PC.