The Persona series is no stranger to spin-off games. You could even argue spin-offs are in its DNA, as the property itself began as a spin-off to developer Atlus' long-running Shin Megami Tensei series. In the nearly 30 years since then, the studio has explored a handful of different genres using the series' memorable characters and storylines. But while we've seen our protagonists and their ragtag band of misfits duke it out, dance all night, dungeon-crawl, and take on hordes of enemies in a Musou-style hack-and-slash, we've yet to see them venture onto the gridded field of a tactics-style game. Persona 5 Tactica, however, is here to remedy that.

I recently got the chance to play about half an hour of Persona 5 Tactica, and in that short time, I was sold on Atlus' vision for a strategy RPG. Gameplay was not only a lot of fun but felt like such a natural extension of the series. I found myself repeatedly impressed by how well thought out its tactical challenges were and how much of the original game's spirit came through in its style and mechanics. Whereas many spin-off titles can feel like pseudo-experimental ways for a studio to rake in more cash using an established IP, I walked away from Persona 5 Tactica feeling confident the game can justify bringing back the Phantom Thieves for another round of vigilante justice.

In Persona 5 Tactica, you get the chance to experience a new Phantom Thieves' story as the gang gets pulled into some supernatural drama following the disappearance of a National Diet member. While my time with the game didn't dig too deep into its background politics, it's clear something is up. The team then finds themselves not in the Metaverse--the name given to the cerebral universe they take on baddies in in Persona 5--but rather a new, alternate world they've yet to nail down. In this world (or at least in this portion of the world), the charming-yet-short-tempered Lady Marie rules with an iron first and an army of Legionaries. Joker and the team quickly find themselves on the outs with this Queen-of-Hearts-esque dictator, and join up with a revolutionary named Erina to help take her down.