Persona 5 Tactica details Ryuji Sakamoto, Ann Takamaki, Toshiro Kasukabe, and battle system [Update]
Toshiro is a young member of the Diet rumored to be the next Prime Minister.
ATLUS has released new information and screenshots for Persona 5 Tactica, detailing more information about the game’s story, characters Ryuji Sakamoto, Ann Takamaki, and Toshiro Kasukabe, and the battle system.
Get the details below.
■ Story
A New Realm, Called the “Kingdom”
The Phantom Thieves of Hearts are thrown into a mysterious realm, where they are attacked by group called the Legionnaires. Despite trying to put up a fight, their leader “Marie” showed up, and brainwashed the entire team except for Joker and Morgana.
Saving the two from impending doom was “Erina,” the leader of the revolutionary army. They learn that this world they have been thrown into is called the “Kingdom.”
With the help of Erina, they were able to escape from Marie’s grasps to the revolutionary army’s hideout. But for some reason, it looks exactly like the Leblanc!
This isn’t the Palace. So what is this new realm called the Kingdom? Why is the Leblanc here? Rescue the brainwashed Phantom Thieves, and solve the mysteries of the Kingdom!
“Marie Kingdom”: The Goal is… A Wedding!?
Marie Kingdom, a place where the tyrant Marie and the military group Legionnaires rule. The reason Marie, who is so strangely fixated on power, abuses the citizens is… a ginormous wedding!?
Making a deal to help the “Revolution,” Joker and Morgana decide to first rescue the rest of the Phantom Thieves. However, locked in the prison was a man named “Toshiro Kasukabe.”
Toshiro Kasukabe is a politician from the real world, but has no recollection of how he came to this realm and why he is being imprisoned. Initially suspicious, Joker decides to just wait and see for the time being, when all of a sudden news comes in that Marie has found her spouse!
■ Characters
Ryuji Sakamoto (voiced by Mamoru Miyano)
A boy who became a notorious troublemaker after physical education teachers purposely failed him. He awakened his Persona when he wandered into the strange realm with the main character. He became friends with the main character, who sympathized with him through his own similar circumstances, and together they founded the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, fighting against adults with desires. He’s quick to put up his fists, but is also filled with compassion. When he sees a friend in need or someone who is oppressed, he and his sense of justice and bravery is willing to stand up to any opponent. His Persona is Captain Kid.
Ann Takamaki (voiced by Nana Mizuki)
An outstandingly good-looking girl who is a quarter American. In the past, those very looks had isolated her, and she made many sacrifices to protect her only friend who understood her. However, when she started to hang out with the main character, she decided to take revenge against evil adults. She becomes a member of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts after she awakened her Persona. Her kindness does not allow her to ignore a weak person, and her strong will fears no evil. She lived overseas before, so she can speak English well. However, she is in a race to the bottom with Ryuji regarding her grades for all other subjects. Her Persona is Carmen.
Toshiro Kasukabe (voiced by Tomoake Maeno)
A young member of the Diet rumored to be the next Prime Minister. He was imprisoned after wandering into the alternate realm. The Phantom Thieves freed him, and so now he joins the group and works with them. He is very logic his thinking, and very resourceful. He can look at a situation from a higher perspective, and commander type of person. Despite this, he is deathly afraid of fighting and getting hurt, and so he is always looking for the safest route.
■ Show Off Your Combat Skills With the New Battle System!
The Epitome of a Phantom Thief! Use “Cover” to Hide in the Walls!
During battles, it is important to utilize “Cover,” which will allow you to hide in the walls much like a phantom thief will do. When you end your turn while Covering, you will be in Guard Mode. You can lessen the amount of damage taken by enemies, or even completely block their attack! On the contrary, if you receive damage when you are not in Guard Mode, the enemy will activate 1MORE and perform another attack. Be mindful of your surroundings and constantly perform actions near walls!
Attack the Hidden Enemies! Get One More 1MORE with Connecting Attacks!
Just like you, the enemies will fight using Cover as well. Use close-range attacks on enemies hiding behind walls. When you do, you can literally knock them out of Cover and remove them from Guard Mode!
If you hit the unguarded enemy with another ally, you will activate 1MORE. If there is an enemy in Guard Mode, knock them into open space and look for a chance to use 1MORE!
Give Bad Statuses to Enemies Using Persona’s Skill-based Attacks!
Traditionally, this series has used a system where you attack a weakness by looking at the compatibility of attributes. However, in this game, the system has changed. Now, attributes impart bad statuses on enemies, such as:
Agi – Forces an enemy to be in a damage-receiving state at the end of a turn.
Zio – Stops enemy movements for one turn.
Furthermore, you can remove enemies from Guard Mode if you inflict damage by Skill on those in Cover.
Battles will require utilizing Skills effectively by imparting bad statuses and activating 1MORE attacks by removing them from Guard Mode.
Turn the Tables with Unique Skills
During battle, attacking and being attacked will fill up the star-shaped “VOLTAGE” gauge located on the bottom right of the screen.
When this gauge becomes full, characters will be able to activate their “Unique Skills” that are special only to them! There are many types of skills, ranging from dealing massive damage to providing support-type effects. Even if you are in a disadvantageous position, Unique Skills can help you turn the tides with one single move!
Grow Your Party Members However You Want With the Skill Tree
Any character that you can add as a member of your party can grow to your liking with the Skill Tree.
GP (Grow Points) used for the Skill Tree can be obtained by raising the level of the Phantom Thieves through battles, or by watching the fun character conversations, called “TALK.”
Skills that you acquire can be reset at any time, and the GP used will also be returned. Try out different Skill formations and create your own original party member.
“TALK” Lets You Enjoy Conversations Among Members at the Hideout
You can observe conversations among members at the hideout through “TALK.” You might see conversations discussing the story, or dialogue that helps you enjoy it even more. You may even come across chats between characters that you’ve never seen interact before! “TALK” allows you to enjoy the story and character interactions by showing you a side of the Phantom Thieves and Erina that you’ll never expect!
In fact, “TALK” also allows you to obtain GP used for the Skill Tree. Your enjoyment will also lead to the growth of the characters. It’s like killing two birds with one stone!
Watch the latest “Nyahoo! News” trailer below. View the screenshots at the gallery.
Nyahoo! News Vol. 2
English
Japanese
Screenshots
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Update 07/18/23 at 10:00 a.m.: ATLUS West has sent out the official English version of this press release, including English screenshots. The screenshots above have been updated to include the English versions. Here is the English press release:
■ Kingdoms Overview
The Phantom Thieves of Hearts find themselves suddenly transported to a bizarre Metaverse and surrounded by a military group known as the Legionnaires. The Thieves put up a fight, but it was to no avail as the Legionnaires’ leader, Marie, entered the fray and brainwashed all the Thieves except for Joker and Morgana.
The two are narrowly rescued by the leader of the Rebel Corps, Erina, who informs them that the Metaverse they’ve stumbled into is called The Kingdoms.
They manage to evade Marie’s pursuit with Erina’s help, but when they arrive at the Rebel Corps hideout they’re shocked to find that it’s the spitting image of Leblanc…
Since the new Metaverse, The Kingdoms, doesn’t seem to be a Palace, then what is it? And what is Leblanc doing in this foreign realm?
Your task is to uncover the secret of The Kingdoms and rescue the brainwashed Phantom Thieves of Hearts!
Marie’s Kingdom
Marie’s Kingdom is ruled by the tyrant Marie (pron. MAH-ree-ay) and her military organization, the Legionnaires. Her crazed obsession with power and control of the citizenry is all part of her master plan—to stage the perfect wedding!
After striking a deal in which they agree to aid the Rebel Corps, Joker and Morgana set out to rescue their friends, but their search brings them to a jail where they stumble upon a man named Toshiro Kasukabe (pron. TOH-shi-roh KAH-su-kah-bay).
Toshiro is revealed to be a politician who went missing in the real world, but he claims to have no memory of how he wandered into the Metaverse or why he was imprisoned. Joker and Morgana have their doubts about his story, but decide to wait and see how things go. Not long after, there is an announcement that Marie has found the groom she intends to marry…
■ Character List
Protagonist (voiced by Xander Mobus in English)
A second-year high school student. He goes by the codename Joker in the Metaverse; his Persona is Arsene. He becomes embroiled in the psychotic breakdown incidents that take place in Tokyo and awakens as a Persona-user. He soon becomes the leader of the notorious Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a group commited to purging the twisted desires of corrupt adults. The Phantom Thieves are all kicking back at Leblanc one day when they are suddenly transported to a mysterious, never before seen part of the Metaverse.
Morgana (voiced by Cassandra Lee Morris in English)
A talking black cat(?) who was imprisoned within the Metaverse until being rescued by Joker, who he accompanies thereafter. He looks just like a cat in the real world, and though the Phantom Thieves can understand his speech, anyone else only hears cat sounds until they’ve seen him in the Metaverse. He has vast knowledge of the Metaverse, serving as a combination mascot/guide for the Phantom Thieves.
Erina (voiced by Leeanna Albanese in English)
A mysterious girl who rescues the Phantom Thieves before they suffer a complete loss in the Metaverse. She has a habit of rushing to the aid of anyone dealing with injustice. Though caution is not her strong suit, her confidence and spunky personality drive her Rebel Corps to give their all. She aims to liberate the land from its oppressive ruler and makes a deal with the Phantom Thieves to this end.
Ryuji (voiced by Max Mittelman in English)
A high school student who was once forced to give up his dreams by a malicious P.E. teacher and branded as a troublemaker beyond correction. He and the Protagonist stumble into the Metaverse together and awaken as Persona-users. The two quickly bond over their similar plights and create the Phantom Thieves of Hearts in order to wage battle against adults with twisted desires. Although he does have a short fuse, he more than makes up for it by being a steadfast friend with the courage and moral conviction to stand up against anyone who does harm, comrades or otherwise. His Persona is Captain Kidd.
Ann (voiced by Erika Harlacher-Stone in English)
A stunningly beautiful girl who is one-quarter American. She was once isolated from her peers because of her looks. When her best friend and sole confidant was in a bind, Ann sacrificed herself to protect her. After spending some time with Joker and the others, she resolves to take a stand against corrupt adults, thus awakening as a Persona-user and joining the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. She possesses a remarkable strength of will that allows her to defy evildoers, as well as the compassion to help those in distress. Having lived abroad, she excels in English, but struggles just as much as Ryuji in other subjects. Her Persona is Carmen.
Toshiro (voiced by MacLeod Andrews in English)
A young, up-and-coming Diet member rumored to be the next prime minister. After becoming lost, then imprisoned in the Metaverse for reasons he can’t recall, he opts to tag along with the Phantom Thieves after being rescued. He is straight-laced and hyperrational, and although he shines as a strategist thanks to his political savvy and his ability to view situations objectively, a neurotic fear of fighting and injury will often set him back into a safety-first mindset.
■ Gameplay
Taking Cover
This time, taking cover like a true Phantom Thief is key! By ending your turn while taking cover, you will take reduced damage from enemies or even completely block their attacks!
But, on the flip side, if you’re not taking cover and get hit by an enemy, the enemy will get a One More and be able to attack again. So always make sure to make your move near a place you can take cover!
Battle System
Experience a new twist on the classic system of elemental weaknesses:
Use the Burn attack Agi to make enemies take damage when they end their turn, or use the Shock attack Zio to make enemies unable to move for one turn! Inflict various ailments using the different elemental attacks in this new battle system!
In addition, after hitting an enemy taking cover with a skill, get a One More by hitting them again! Utilize skills to the max and outplay the enemy by inflicting ailments and creating opportunities to get a One More!
Unique Skills
Whenever you hit an enemy or get hit by an enemy during battle, the star-shaped Voltage gauge near the bottom right-hand side of the screen will fill up.
Once the gauge is fully charged, it’s time to unleash a character-specific unique skill! There are a wide variety of skills, from hard-hitting attacks to helpful support abilities. Even if the situation looks dire, never give up! Turn the tables with a powerful ability!
Skill Tree
Every single party member has their own skill tree, and you get to choose how each character grows and evolves!
By winning battles to increase the levels of the Phantom Thieves or by listening in on the group’s interesting conversations in Talk events, you can earn GP (Growth Points) that will unlock skills in the skill tree!
You can reset all the skills you’ve acquired to get back all the GP you’ve used at any time, so feel free to try out different skill combinations as much as you want to customize each character to your exact liking!
Talk Events
Listen to chitchat between group members at the Hideout in Talk events. Listen to conversations that will pull you deeper into the story, including discussions between characters about new topics and situations that have never been heard before!?
Get a glimpse at a never-before-seen side of the Thieves and Erina all while enjoying more of the story in Talk events!
In addition, listening to Talk events will net you GP you can use in the skill tree! Listening to fun conversations all while helping your characters grow—what a steal!
