Is Persona 5 Strikers an Ideal Starting Point for Newcomers?

Is Persona 5 Strikers a good starting point if you're new to Persona? There are a few things to consider before you dive in.

[Zeldafan64]

I don't get why Atlus would do this. Why release the "sequel" on the Switch first?

[Outlawzz]

Huh ??? They released it on switch first in japan ? Cus I know they both release tomorrow in the u.s.

[Xaphy]

He meant that persona 5 wasn’t released on switch. “Strikers” is considered a sequel.

[Zeldafan64]

What Xaphy said

[Outlawzz]

Lol doh!
Now I see haha
Yea same situation with trails of cold steel. Super annoying when companies do that.

They do it to gauge interest in the series a lot of times or based upon which would be quicker. They wanted to release it simultaneously with ps maybe. I would be surprised if we see p5 on switch, they usually have kept persona on ps and smt on nintendo. Strikers is a musou spin off so it kinda doesn't count imo.

[Unknown_Gamer5794]

Yeah, I don't get this at all either. Seriously, WTF Atlus? You can jump right into any new mainline Persona game because they all establish their own characters and settings that are semi-fictional, but are set in Japan. A spinoff that acts as a direct sequel on the other hand...no, I don't think I'd recommend this as a starting point.

I'm assuming this is mostly for multi-system owners...and maybe also so people stop wondering who the heck Joker is in Smash. I've used Joker in Smash before, but that's because I know him. Switch-only owners wouldn't, and it's a bit of a stretch to expect them to. Of course, that is the series that sometimes drops characters in from obscure Japan-only franchises, so Joker's not the most random addition to that game's line-up.

As for Strikers, I thought about getting the Switch version but ultimately decided to stick with the PS4 release, as I tend to like playing series on the same console if at all possible, so...the Switch release doesn't even do anything for someone like me.

[Zeldafan64]

There is a 3DS Persona 5 spinoff with Joker in it

[Unknown_Gamer5794]

That barely anyone outside of Japan played. Heck, some fans probably didn't even know Q2 was released, while still others did know about it but didn't bother with it. Not only is the 3DS not the Switch, but I doubt Q2 brought in too many complete newcomers, so...huh?

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Did anyone actually play Q2? I don't remember anyone talking about it, not like the first Persona Q, plus it released pretty late into the 3DS's life if I remember right.

[KingofBandits]

Atlus/Sega didnt develop this it was made by Koei-Tecmo. probably too many hardware limitations to port 5/Royal to the Switch, as the Switch is not as powerful as the original PS4 and the dev team probably just didn't have the time to do it. So for this game Koei had the ability to scale the game to work on Switch and it was either make the port and give Switch users this game or leave them out, which I'm sure most are glad they did not

[Zeldafan64]

P5 was on the ps3 and that's weaker than the Switch. No excuse.

[Killa78]

It's such a good game so far and I'm very much sold on the 'jails' and new combat system.

It will make it difficult to go back to turn based but if Persona 6 is a more in depth version of this with confidants, I'd be happy.

On that note, this game probably is fine to play without Persona 5 but you'd struggle to follow bits of the personal stories.

[Zeldafan64]

You must not have been playing rpgs for 25+ years.

[CrimsonWing69]

Lol, man I was thinking the same thing reading his comment.

[rCrysis]

If they haven't played P5 at all, you best probably start there?

[Unknown_Gamer5794]

Yeah, not only for the story, but also because a mainline Persona game is the best this series has to offer. The spinoffs have their strong points, sure, but IMHO, none can even hold a candle to a mainline game. I play these spinoffs because the mainline games got me invested in the characters, premise and setting, and some of the game mechanics that do carry over, and I love these follow-ups for it, but they really can't top a full-fledged Persona experience.

[ScootaKuH]

If you haven't played P5 then the best idea is to play P5 so you can see what a proper Persona game is.

Let's be honest, Strikers isn't Persona. It's Dynasty Warriors dressed up as Persona

[VersusDMC]

If you only have a switch and not a PS4/5(And P5 was also on ps3) get the free 15 day trial for funimation and watch the P5 anime that has the same voice actors/ music that covers the story of the game.

[CrimsonWing69]

No, that’s like asking if Final Fantasy Tactics is a good starting point for newcomers... although, it’s a damn good game.

[ScootaKuH]

Well, no. It's technically a sequel to P5, so you'll have missed out on all of the character development if you dive straight into Strikers. And the combat looks just rubbish in comparison P5. The depth to fusing personas is almost completely absent.

[BlaqMagiq1]

Um obviously not. This doesn't even warrant an article.