Is Persona 5 Strikers a True Sequel? Unraveling the Phantom Thieves’ Continued Journey
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Yes, Persona 5 Strikers is indeed a direct sequel to Persona 5. It picks up the story a few months after the ending of the original Persona 5, following the Phantom Thieves of Hearts as they reunite for a summer vacation that quickly turns into another thrilling adventure. However, a crucial distinction must be made: Strikers is a sequel to the “vanilla” Persona 5, not Persona 5 Royal.
Understanding the Persona 5 Timeline
The Persona series, while largely self-contained in each installment, presents a unique challenge when considering canonical sequels, particularly with enhanced versions like Royal. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
- Persona 5 (Vanilla): The original game, laying the foundation for the Phantom Thieves’ story.
- Persona 5 Royal: An enhanced version of Persona 5, featuring new characters, storylines (including a significant “third semester”), and gameplay mechanics.
- Persona 5 Strikers: A direct sequel to the events of the original Persona 5, disregarding the new content introduced in Royal.
Strikers: A Continuation of the Original
Strikers treats the events of the original Persona 5 as canon, meaning that the storyline follows directly from the ending players experienced in the first game. The characters, their relationships, and the resolution of the original plot points are all carried over. However, the additions in Royal, such as Kasumi Yoshizawa (also known as Violet), Takuto Maruki, and the extended third semester, are not acknowledged in Strikers.
This is a critical point for players to understand, as knowledge of Royal’s new content won’t enhance, nor is required for enjoying Strikers. In fact, expecting Royal elements to be present could lead to confusion or disappointment.
Why the Discrepancy?
The reason for this lies in the development timelines of the two games. Persona 5 Royal and Persona 5 Strikers were developed concurrently. Therefore, Strikers couldn’t incorporate the story additions of Royal, since that narrative was still under development.
A Unique Genre Blend
Adding to its unique status, Persona 5 Strikers is not a traditional turn-based RPG like its predecessor. Instead, it’s a Musou-style action RPG, developed in collaboration with Koei Tecmo, the creators of the Dynasty Warriors series. This means that the gameplay shifts to real-time combat against hordes of enemies, while still retaining core Persona elements like Persona summoning, elemental weaknesses, and the overall stylish aesthetic.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Persona 5 Strikers
To further clarify the position of Persona 5 Strikers within the Persona universe, let’s address some frequently asked questions:
Is Persona 5 Strikers a separate game?
Yes, Persona 5 Strikers is a standalone game that can be enjoyed without having played the original Persona 5. However, prior knowledge of Persona 5 will greatly enhance the experience, as it provides context for the characters, their relationships, and the overarching themes.
Is Persona 5 Strikers a spinoff?
Technically, Persona 5 Strikers can be considered a spinoff due to its departure from the traditional turn-based RPG gameplay of the main Persona series. However, it’s a story-driven spinoff that directly continues the narrative of Persona 5.
Is Persona 5 Strikers a sequel to Royal?
Persona 5 Strikers is not a sequel to Persona 5 Royal. It only considers the events of the original Persona 5 as canon.
Is Persona 5 Strikers a prequel?
Persona 5 Strikers is not a prequel. It is a direct sequel, set months after the ending of Persona 5.
Should I play Persona 5 Strikers or Royal first?
You should play Persona 5 (vanilla) or Persona 5 Royal first. If you play Royal, be aware that Strikers doesn’t acknowledge Royal’s new content. Playing either version of P5 before Strikers will help you understand the setting and characters better.
Is Persona 5 Strikers a canon sequel?
Yes, Persona 5 Strikers is considered a canon sequel to the original Persona 5. This means that its events are officially part of the Persona 5 timeline, as defined by Atlus, the game’s developer.
Does Strikers reference Royal?
Strikers does not reference Royal due to their simultaneous development.
Is Akechi mentioned in Persona 5 Strikers?
Goro Akechi, a significant character in Persona 5, is not explicitly mentioned in Persona 5 Strikers. This is likely due to the game’s focus on the core Phantom Thieves and its adherence to the original Persona 5 storyline.
Is Joker in Persona 5 Strikers?
Yes, Joker (Ren Amamiya), the protagonist of Persona 5, is the main character in Persona 5 Strikers. Players control Joker throughout the game. There is also the concept of “Akane’s Joker” being a shadow version of himself within the story.
Does Persona 5 Strikers have confidants?
Persona 5 Strikers does not feature the Confidant system from Persona 5. Instead, it uses a Bond system, which is a simplified version of the social link mechanic.
What is the difference between Persona 5 and Persona 5 Strikers?
The primary difference is in the gameplay. Persona 5 is a turn-based RPG, while Persona 5 Strikers is a Musou-style action RPG. The story and characters are connected, but the way you interact with the game world and engage in combat is drastically different.
Is Persona 4 not canon?
All Persona games are canon. In cases of base versions and enhanced versions, the enhanced versions typically take precedence in the established canon.
Which girlfriend is canon Persona 5?
No single romance is officially canon, but relationships within the “Lovers Arcana” are often considered the most thematically appropriate love interest.
Is Persona 5 Strikers a good sequel, according to Reddit?
Reception to Persona 5 Strikers is largely positive. Reddit users often praise the game for its engaging story, satisfying combat, and faithful portrayal of the Phantom Thieves.
Does Persona 5 Strikers mention Royal?
No, Persona 5 Strikers specifically follows the original Persona 5 and does not include any references to the events or characters introduced in Persona 5 Royal.
Persona 5 Tactica and the Expanding Universe
Persona 5 Tactica is the newest title in the Persona 5 universe. Persona 5 Tactica is canon to Persona 5 Royal.
Conclusion: A Worthy Sequel in Its Own Right
Persona 5 Strikers, while not a traditional sequel in the RPG sense, offers a compelling continuation of the Phantom Thieves’ story. Its unique blend of Persona elements with Musou-style gameplay provides a fresh and exciting experience for fans of the series. While it’s essential to understand its relationship to Persona 5 and its distinction from Persona 5 Royal, Strikers stands as a worthy addition to the Persona 5 canon, delivering a thrilling summer adventure with the beloved characters we’ve come to adore.
The series is engaging and offers a rich set of experiences, as it demonstrates innovative ways to integrate learning through gameplay. You can read more about the intersection of games and learning by visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.