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.
RELATED:Persona 5 Strikers: How Many Jails Are There?
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.
RELATED:10 Video Games That Do Romance Right
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.
RELATED:Persona: The 10 Strongest Female Characters, Ranked
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.
RELATED:
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.
NEXT:10 Things Fans Didn't Know Behind The Development Of The Persona Series
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the Persona series, particularly Persona 5 and its spin-offs, I can confidently delve into the intricacies and mysteries presented in the article about Persona 5 Strikers. My extensive knowledge stems from firsthand experience with the games, meticulous exploration of in-game content, and an ongoing engagement with the Persona community.
The article touches upon several compelling concepts and unanswered questions in Persona 5 Strikers. Let's explore each of these concepts:
-
The Reaper in the Jail: The Reaper, a recurring formidable enemy in the Persona series, makes an appearance in Persona 5 Strikers within a Jail, the equivalent of a Palace. The article rightly points out that the reason for the Reaper's presence in the Jail remains unexplained. The speculation regarding a deeper reason behind this inclusion raises intriguing possibilities for future DLC, which could provide the much-needed clarification.
-
Romances and Confidants: Persona 5 Strikers diverges from its predecessor by excluding the romance and social link mechanics that players loved in Persona 5. The absence of these features may disappoint fans who enjoyed building relationships with various characters, including romance options. This departure, however, does not significantly impact the gameplay, given the game's focus on a different style of combat.
-
Goro Akechi's Whereabouts: The fate of Goro Akechi, a complex character introduced in Persona 5, remains ambiguous in Persona 5 Strikers. The article highlights the uncertainty surrounding Akechi's post-Maruki reality destruction and his absence in the game. The question of whether he is enjoying an existence in the afterlife becomes an interesting point for potential exploration in future DLC.
-
Kasumi/Sumire's Absence: Persona 5 Royal introduced Kasumi Yoshizawa, a new character with a unique backstory. The absence of Kasumi/Sumire in Persona 5 Strikers raises questions about her post-revelation journey and how she copes with the truth. Fans, especially those who romanced her in Persona 5 Royal, are left wondering about her fate.
-
Kuon Ichinose and Sophia's Fate: The departure of Kuon Ichinose and Sophia from the Phantom Thieves after defeating Demiurge leaves fans curious about their post-adventure destinies. The emotional investment in these characters during the 40-50 hours of gameplay raises the demand for answers regarding their understanding of the human heart and potential reunions with the Phantom Thieves.
-
Joker's Mysterious Past: Persona 5 Strikers maintains the mystery surrounding Joker's life before moving to Yongen-Jaya. The lack of insight into his family, siblings, and friends during his pre-Phantom Thief days remains unexplored in this sequel, leaving fans with lingering questions about Joker's past.
-
The Absence of Igor: Igor, a staple character in the Persona series, typically associated with the Velvet Room, has gone missing in Persona 5 Strikers. The article rightly points out that Igor's absence is often a worrying sign for the protagonist's fate, creating suspense and anticipation for players.
-
Team's Original Personas: Unlike the evolution seen in Persona 5, where characters awaken to their ultimate Personas, Persona 5 Strikers sees the team reverting to their original Personas. The absence of Joker's ultimate Persona, Satanael, raises speculation about its potential inclusion in future DLC, unlocking the full power of the Phantom Thieves.
-
Shadow Operatives from Persona 3: Persona 5 Strikers overlooks the presence of the Shadow Operatives, a group introduced in Persona 3. Given the attention-grabbing events in the game, fans are left wondering about the whereabouts of Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Aigis, members of the Shadow Operatives.
-
Inspector Zenkichi Hasegawa's Future: The introduction of Inspector Zenkichi Hasegawa as a new character in Persona 5 Strikers adds a fresh dynamic to the narrative. Fans are eager to know what lies ahead for Zenkichi and his daughter, Akane, following the events of the game. The evolving relationship between them becomes a focal point for potential exploration in future DLC.
In conclusion, the depth and complexity of the Persona 5 Strikers narrative, combined with the unresolved mysteries and character arcs, create a compelling case for additional downloadable content. As a seasoned Persona enthusiast, I share the anticipation and curiosity of the community in seeking answers to these captivating questions.
