Persona 5 Strikers, the highly anticipated follow-up to Persona 5, has left fans both excited and puzzled about the absence of a significant character – Goro Akechi. Akechi, the charismatic detective and former Phantom Thief, played a crucial role in the original Persona 5 storyline. In this article, we aim to explore the reasons why Akechi is not present in Persona 5 Strikers. In addition, we aim to provide insights into the game’s narrative and character dynamics.
Akechi’s Fate in Persona 5
To understand Akechi’s absence in Persona 5 Strikers, it is essential to revisit his fate in the original Persona 5. During the climactic events of the game, Akechi sacrifices himself to save the protagonist and his friends. His storyline concludes with his presumed death, leaving players emotionally impacted by his final act.
Story Continuity and Focus
Persona 5 Strikers takes place several months after the events of Persona 5. In it, the Phantom Thieves embark on a new adventure. The absence of Akechi can be attributed to the narrative direction and focus of Persona 5 Strikers. The game primarily revolves around the core members of the Phantom Thieves, with a particular emphasis on their relationships and personal growth.
As Persona 5 Strikers aims to delve deeper into the existing characters’ stories, it makes sense for the game to prioritize their development rather than introducing new or resurrected characters like Akechi. To summarize the absence of Akechi allows the narrative to explore other characters. The game is allowed to dive further into their individual arcs without diverting attention from the established core cast.
The Game’s Setting and Plot
Persona 5 Strikers takes place during summer vacation, with the Phantom Thieves traveling across Japan to unravel a new mystery. The game’s setting and plot do not naturally align with Akechi’s previous role as a detective in Tokyo. The story’s focus shifts toward new locations, threats, and allies. Thus, making it challenging to organically incorporate Akechi’s character into the current narrative without compromising the game’s overall cohesion.
Development Constraints and Storytelling Choices
It’s important to acknowledge that game development often involves time constraints and creative choices. The decision to exclude Akechi from Persona 5 Strikers may be because of these factors. Game development teams must make difficult decisions about which characters to include and how to best allocate resources to create a cohesive and compelling experience for players.
While Akechi’s absence may disappoint some fans who were eager to see more of his story, it’s important to recognize that these decisions are made with the intention of creating a focused and engaging game that maintains a consistent narrative and gameplay experience.
Conclusion
Atlus’ Persona 5 Strikers explores new territories and focuses on the growth of the core Phantom Thieves. Ultimately, Akechi’s absence from the game is because of various factors. This includes the narrative direction, character dynamics, and the game’s setting and plot. While fans of Akechi might have hoped to see his return or further development, the absence of his character allows the game to concentrate on the established cast and their individual journeys.
Furthermore, it is crucial to understand that game development involves complex decision-making processes. And sometimes certain characters may not fit seamlessly into every sequel or spin-off. Nevertheless, Persona 5 Strikers offers an exciting continuation of the Persona 5 universe, allowing players to explore new stories, challenges, and character dynamics while keeping Akechi’s legacy alive in the hearts of fans of the original game.
