The problem is certain concessions have to be made to have a video game, and it's not the first time this has happened.
Imagine someone like Sherlock getting dropped into P4? The case would be solved in a day, tops. The game did a good enough job stating that Naoto isn't exactly a crap detective with the tv interview, and she wasn't exactly bad with the one in her social link(which is made slower since Yu has to come with).
I kind of look at it as why is Superman in the Justice League? Best moment from the animated one in like the third season when he admits he's been holding himself back all along just to be with the others. Same thing.