Warning: This article contains spoilers for Persona 5 Tactica
A brief daydream sequence inPersona 5 Tacticahas churned up a section of the subseries' fan base, and it seems like a lot of players may be ready for a Persona game that offers up more than just male-female pairings for romance options.
The sequence in question occurs after events in the game have the Phantom Thieves, who are all high school-age teenagers, thinking about marriage. After Ryuji asks Ren (the main character better known as Joker, although the player is free to name him whatever they want) which of the Phantom Thieves he would marry, the player is able to choose from a list of all active members of the team. Whichever one is chosen, a daydream sequence will play out depicting the wedding scene between Ren and that character, as well as a brief conversation with them back in the real world.
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Although the Persona games have always shied away from same-sex coupling, this dream sequence surprisingly includes Ryuji and Yusuke, who have both always been presented as heterosexual male characters, as candidates for this imaginary wedding. (Based on the Persona 5 timeline and Tactica’s place in it,Goro Akechiis not an option).
Time For More Romance Options?
Building friendships and romance has been a longstanding tradition in Persona games, and the player is able to unlock skills and buffs through building those relationships. Called Confidants inPersona 5, the vanilla game allowed you to pursue any or all candidates from a list of nine eligible girls and woman, while Persona 5 Royal added a tenth option. This trend is consistent throughout the series, althoughPersona 3 Portabledid allow the player tochoose between a male or female protagonist, but either way, same-sex romance was never an option (and the female player characterwill not be coming backforPersona 3 Reload).
In all, the sequences try to stay true to how Ren perceives his teammates…
Over onthe Persona 5 Reddit, a lot of players seem excited by the more progressive change in tone, even if it is only for a daydream sequence. Redditor OoguroRyuuya5 seemed pleased with the inclusion aspect, as it allows the player to entertain the notion that Joker is open to same-sex relationships, even if they aren’t available in the Persona 5 main game, adding “Even if it’s based on Joker’s imagination it’s still nice…” While several people have stated that this scene now makes Joker bisexual in canon, Reddit user noncombativebrick pointed out “Not really. It’s more that your version of Joker is bisexual if you choose that.”
Still, it should be noted that most of these dream sequences are a humorous aside from a juvenile perspective, and the options are all played for laughs. Ryuji’s wedding conversation turns to asking whether you prefer single or double-ply toilet paper before, back in the real world, he comes out of LeBlanc’s restroom complaining about the lack of toilet paper. Yusuke’s sequence is more heartfelt and genuine, yet Ren seems agitated when he lists procreation as one of the three “secret[s] to a healthy marriage”.
In all, the sequences attempt to stay true to how Ren perceives his teammates, which includes poking fun at their eccentricities, and several include lines of dialogue in which his potential spouse becomes angry about his lack of response, as he falls into the archetypical JRPG silent protagonist role.
Persona 5 Tactica
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