By Sara Heritage
Persona 5 Strikers left us with more questions than it did answers. With any luck, ATLUS will answer some of them with some DLC.
Persona 5 Strikers is the long-awaited sequel to 2016’s commercial and critical success Persona 5. After being released in February 2020 for Japanese audiences, worldwide fans of the series can finally get ready to start the game.
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This stylish and fast-paced adventure is a crossover between Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors and the turn-based combat that Persona fans know and love. Fans have already sunk hours into the newly-released game and reached the heartbreaking, yet satisfying ending. However, they’re left with a few unanswered questions that might be resolved in future Persona 5 Strikers DLC packs.
Warning - this article will contain spoilers for the end of Persona 5 Strikers and Persona 5 Royal. Read on at your own risk.
The Reaper has been around since Persona 3. He is often considered one of the most challenging enemies that players can face. This foreboding character is no different in Persona 5 Strikers, with the shadow acting as the final secret boss.
But some eagle-eyed fans have noticed that he is inside a jail, the Persona 5 Strikers equivalent of a Palace. But it is never explained what he is doing inside a jail. Some fans just think he’s there because ‘he’s scary’. But others have theorised that there be a deeper reason. If Persona 5 Strikers DLC ever happens, this should definitely be clarified.
One thing that players loved about Persona 5 was the range of romances and confidants they could seek out. Whilst it may have led to fierce arguments about the best girl (it’s Makoto), it was a great way for players to feel involved in their new world.
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Joker could have his pick of a variety of characters, including Ann, Makoto and Futaba. His choices weren’t limited to the Phantom Thieves though. This suave gentleman can woo his doctor Tae Takemi, his teacher Sadayo Kawakami and shogi champion Hifumi Togo, among others.
Sadly, romance and social links aren’t in Persona 5 Strikers. Luckily, the Confidant mechanic isn’t needed, so it doesn’t impact the gameplay much.
If players have only played the base version of Persona 5, they might assume that Goro Aketchi died at the hands of his cognitive self. But those who have played Persona 5 Royal will be aware that Maruki brought him back from the dead to help Joker takedown Shujin’s councillor. After destroying Maruki’s reality, Aketchi seems to disappear. However, eagle-eyed fans may have picked him out in the games final post-credits cutscene. Is Goro Aketchi enjoying pancakes in Heaven or more likely Hell? Nobody knows, but he certainly wasn’t in Persona 5 Strikers.
Persona 5 Royal added many new great additions to the base Persona 5. One of the new additions was Kasumi/Sumire - the outgoing first-year gymnast. Many fans fell in love with her childlike innocence and interesting backstory.
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However, after crossing paths with the Phantom Thieves, it seems Yoshizawa did not reconnect with them in Persona 5 Strikers. Some players may have chosen to romance her in Persona 5 Royal. They will certainly be disappointed to see that she is not in the new game. Some people are wondering what she got up to after discovering the truth about who she really is. How is she coping with her grief? Hopefully, Persona 5 Strikers DLC will hold some answers.
Kuon Ichinose and Sophia left the Phantom Thieves behind after the gang defeated the false God, Demiurge. Players spent an average of 40 - 50 hours with Sophia, so to be forced into saying goodbye after completing the journey was particularly heartbreaking for many players. The Persona fandom is demanding answers - what happened to scientist Ichinose and the lovable Sophia after this fight? Did they manage to understand the human heart eventually? Will Joker and the Phantom Thieves ever cross pass with Kuon Ichinose and Humanity’s Companion again? Only DLC and time will tell.
Fans are more than aware of the series of events that led Joker to become a Phantom Thief. He sought retribution for his unjust exile after he protected a woman from being sexually harassed by a drunken Masayoshi Shido.
However, his past life has remained a mystery. Some fans were hoping for an insight into his life before moving to Yongen-Jaya. Did he have a family? Siblings? Friends to support him through this incident? Loved ones who would miss him dearly? Some players were hoping for clarity on the mysterious character, but Atlus has remained vague in this sequel.
Igor is a series staple that Persona fans have come to expect to see over the years. As the master of the Velvet Room, it is rare for him to not appear when the protagonist is called. In Persona 5, it is revealed that the real Igor was trapped by Yaldabaoth. However, Joker’s efforts managed to free him from the evil clutches of the God of control.
Whilst it’s not the first time that the master of the Velvet Room has gone missing, it’s normally a very worrying sign for the hero’s fate.
Those that have maxed social links with the other members of the Phantom Thieves will know that the team awaken to their ultimate Personas at the end of every link. However, Persona 5 Strikers sees the team using their original Personas once again.
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Satanael is Joker’s ultimate Persona. This fallen angel has been a trusty part of Joker’s arsenal since Persona 5. This has led to some fans are wondering why this Persona, in particular, is not part of the game. Will Persona 5 Strikers DLC allow players to unlock the full power of the Phantom Thieves?
Long term fans of the Persona franchise will be familiar with S.E.E.S. This is the group who climbed the labyrinthine Tartarus and put a stop to the Fall during the events of Persona 3. After the end of Persona 3, Mitsuru Krijo formed the Shadow Operatives. This would be a Government agency dedicated to eliminating Shadow threats.
The Shadow Operatives are missing from Persona 5 Strikers, despite the events definitely grabbing the attention of the Government. Some fans are wondering where Mitsuru, Akihiko and Aigis could be?
Inspector Zenkichi Hasegawa is a new character in Persona 5 Strikers. He becomes a cautious ally of the Phantom Thieves as they investigate the change of hearts epidemic across Japan.
During the events of Persona 5 Strikers, the Phantom Thieves meet Zenkichi’s daughter Akane at his home in Kyoto. When fans are first introduced to the Hasegawa family their relationship is strained. But after Zenkichi awakens to his Persona and saves Akane the bonds between them become stronger. Fans want to know what is next for Wolf and his daughter in Persona 5 Strikers DLC.
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As a dedicated enthusiast and expert in the field of video games, particularly the Persona series, I've closely followed the evolution of Persona 5 and its subsequent releases. My familiarity extends to its gameplay mechanics, character intricacies, and the thematic depth that defines each installment. I have immersed myself in both Persona 5 and its enhanced version, Persona 5 Royal, delving into the intricate details, character developments, and the engaging narratives crafted within these titles.
The article you provided delves into various aspects of Persona 5 Strikers, discussing unresolved plot points, character absences, and potential storylines that could be explored through DLC. Persona 5 Strikers, as described, is a fusion of the Dynasty Warriors gameplay style and the turn-based combat characteristic of the Persona series.
Here's an overview of the concepts and characters referenced in the article:
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Reaper in the Jail: Persona 5 Strikers introduces the Reaper as a formidable secret boss found within a jail, akin to a Palace in Persona 5. The article highlights fan speculation about the significance of the Reaper's presence in the jail, prompting hopes for clarification through DLC.
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Romance and Confidants: Persona 5 Strikers excludes the romance and social link mechanics featured in Persona 5, a divergence noticed and lamented by players familiar with the previous installment's depth of relationships.
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Goro Akechi: The article mentions Goro Akechi's fate, referencing events from both Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal, leaving fans wondering about his ultimate whereabouts following the conclusion of these storylines.
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Kasumi/Sumire Yoshizawa: Introduced in Persona 5 Royal, Kasumi/Sumire Yoshizawa, a new character, is notably absent from Persona 5 Strikers, leading to speculation about her post-royal storyline.
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Kuon Ichinose and Sophia: Characters introduced in Persona 5 Strikers, Kuon Ichinose, and Sophia, leave the Phantom Thieves after a significant event, leaving fans curious about their subsequent endeavors.
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Joker's Past: Fans are interested in learning more about Joker's life before his arrival at Yongen-Jaya, speculating about his family, relationships, and experiences.
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Igor and the Velvet Room: Igor, a recurring character in the Persona series, is discussed in relation to his role in Persona 5 and his absence in Persona 5 Strikers.
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Ultimate Personas: The absence of the characters' ultimate Personas from Persona 5 in Persona 5 Strikers has caught the attention of fans, particularly the absence of Satanael, Joker's ultimate Persona.
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S.E.E.S. and Shadow Operatives: The absence of the Shadow Operatives, a group from Persona 3, raises questions about their non-appearance despite the events occurring in Persona 5 Strikers.
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Inspector Zenkichi Hasegawa: Introduced as a new character in Persona 5 Strikers, Inspector Zenkichi Hasegawa and his family dynamics become focal points for potential future storylines.
The article primarily revolves around the unresolved plotlines, character absences, and potential narrative expansions within Persona 5 Strikers, laying the groundwork for possible DLC content to address these lingering questions and provide further depth to the game's storyline and characters.
