By Rob Dolen
Even though Persona 5 Strikers is a spin-off of the base game, it's also technically a follow-up/sequel to the base game, with some caveats.
Dynasty Warriors-style spin-offs have been doing wonders for some of the most beloved video game franchises recently.The Legend of Zelda fans got their fill withHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which functionally serves as a prequel toBreath of the Wild. Now it'sPersona that's getting the Musou treatment withPersona 5 Strikers, functionally a direct sequel to the originalPersona 5.Strikers serves as a welcome return, and proper send-off, to the Phantom Thieves' adventures. Taking place a few months after the originalPersona 5's ending, players embark on a whole new journey into the metaverse across Japan.
It's not unusual forPersonato utilize spin-offs to serve as pseudo-sequels or continuations to each respective mainline game. However,Persona 5 Strikers is a little different compared to examples likePersona 4 Arenaor theDancing spin-offs previously. Whereas those examples took place in the same world in the future, those spin-offs weren't dedicated sequels in the way thatPersona 5 Strikers is. However,for fans of the content in Persona 5 Royal,Strikers is missing a lot of the content from the definitiveversion ofPersona 5.There is a reason for that, as the canonicity ofPersona 5,Royal, and each games' relationship toStrikers is important to distinguish.
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Persona 5 Strikers is More Sequel Than Spin-Off
Persona 5 Strikers is the first entry in the franchise that actually resembles a true-to-form sequel, rather than just a spin-off in a different genre.Of course there wasPersona 5: Dancing in Starlight, one of the many Personarhythm game spin-offs, but obviously that wasn't anything close to a canon sequel. PreviousPersona games not only hadDancing counterparts, butPersona 4had theArenaand Arena Ultimaxfighting game spin-offs, which also featuredPersona 3characters. That's without even counting thePersona Q spin-offs, which are very clearly separate from anyPersona canon, acting more as fan service for the hardcorePersona fans.
This time,however,Persona 5 Strikers breaks the mold, and is the closest thing to a"Persona 5-2" if there ever was one. On a surface level,Persona 5 Strikers certainly looks like the action-infusedDynasty Warriors games that its foundation is based on, but underneath the gameplay systems are much closer toPersona 5 proper.Strikers plays like atraditionalPersona RPG: players collect and fuse Personas, learn new magic skills, target enemies' weaknesses, and combine attacks together to optimize damage. Everything about the gameplay resembles the originalPersona 5, just at a much faster pace for combat among some idiosyncrasies in between.
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Persona 5 Royal is Not Canon to Persona 5 Strikers' Story
However, forPersona 5 Royal fans, there's an important caveat toStrikers' existence as a sequel. Specifically,Persona 5 Strikers is a direct sequel to the events ofPersona 5, notPersona 5 Royal. The events of the third semester, certain characters, and certain events throughout the main game are not considered canon toStrikers. Along those lines, Phantom Thieves like Kasumi and Akechi are not featured inStrikers as well. While it's unfortunate consideringPersona 5 Royal can bequantified asthe definitive version of the fifth entry,Strikersoriginally released in Japan (known as Persona 5 Scramble) beforeRoyal, so the latest game is not canon toStrikers.
Granted, the actual canonicity between all games hasn't been officially denoted, butStrikers is specificallyPersona 5's "follow-up story." While it's unfortunate that now-iconic Phantom Thieves like KasumiandAkechi don't get to join Joker on his summer road trip, the game was likely far enough in development beforeRoyal began. Atlus does maintain the mantra that "anyone" can enjoyPersona 5 Strikers, regardless of their knowledge ofPersona 5, even though that's only technically true. The game does call back and rehash notions from the originalPersona 5 in a way that makes sense, but can also be repetitive forexistingPersona 5 fans.
In truth, the players who will get the most fromPersona 5 Strikers are the ones who've played and enjoyedPersona 5, whether it's the base game orRoyal. It is a shame that aspects fromRoyal won't transfer intoStrikers, but it doesn't interrupt the game's momentum in a tangible way.Persona 5 Strikers is a love letter just as much as it is an exciting twist on the originalPersona framework, and even withoutRoyal's content, it's still a worthy successor to both versions ofPersona 5.
Persona 5 Strikers releases on February 23, 2021, on PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of video games, particularly the Persona series, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the intricate details surrounding Persona 5 Strikers. My extensive knowledge extends beyond the surface level, delving into the nuances of the game's narrative, gameplay mechanics, and its relationship with other entries in the Persona franchise.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts discussed in the article:
Persona 5 Strikers as a Sequel
Persona 5 Strikers stands out as a unique entry in the Persona series, breaking away from traditional spin-offs. Unlike other spin-offs like Persona 4 Arena or the Dancing games, Strikers is hailed as the first true sequel in the franchise, resembling a "Persona 5-2." It distinguishes itself by maintaining the essence of the original Persona 5 gameplay while adopting the action-infused style of Dynasty Warriors games. This departure from the typical spin-off formula positions Strikers as a significant continuation of the Phantom Thieves' adventures.
Gameplay Similarities with Persona 5
Beneath the surface of its Dynasty Warriors-style action, Persona 5 Strikers retains core gameplay elements from the mainline Persona series. Players engage in a traditional Persona RPG experience, involving the collection and fusion of Personas, learning magic skills, exploiting enemies' weaknesses, and orchestrating combined attacks. The familiarity with Persona 5's gameplay is evident, albeit at a faster pace and with unique idiosyncrasies tailored to the combat dynamics of Strikers.
Persona 5 Strikers' Canon Status
An essential aspect discussed in the article is the canonical relationship between Persona 5 Strikers and its predecessor, Persona 5 Royal. Strikers is explicitly identified as a direct sequel to the events of Persona 5, excluding Persona 5 Royal from its narrative canon. The article emphasizes that certain events, characters (such as Kasumi and Akechi), and the third semester from Persona 5 Royal are not considered part of Strikers' canonical story. This distinction is crucial for fans invested in the overarching narrative of the Persona series.
Audience and Enjoyment
The article acknowledges that while Atlus claims "anyone" can enjoy Persona 5 Strikers, the game is best appreciated by those familiar with Persona 5, be it the base game or Persona 5 Royal. Despite the absence of Royal's content in Strikers, the game is portrayed as a love letter and a worthy successor to both versions of Persona 5. The narrative ties and callbacks to the original game may make the experience more meaningful for players with prior knowledge of Persona 5.
Release Information
The article concludes by providing information about the release date of Persona 5 Strikers, which is set for February 23, 2021, on PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
In summary, Persona 5 Strikers is presented as a significant addition to the Persona series, bridging the gap between spin-off and sequel while maintaining the essence of the beloved Persona 5 experience. The article provides valuable insights into the game's narrative choices, gameplay mechanics, and its place within the broader Persona universe.
