Anyone familiar with Atlus’ deep and immersive RPG games has been eager to find out what the strange and magical Metaphor: ReFantazio holds. And while it’s not directly related to the popular Persona series, there are some intriguing points of reference in its aesthetics and mechanics that will appeal to fans and newcomers alike. Let’s take a closer look at some of these intriguing similarities and differences ahead of the October 11 release date.
The fight is unleashed
Fans of Persona’s swift yet detailed turn-based combat will feel right at home here, but Studio Zero has also given it a bit of a makeover. You can engage in real-time combat with low-level enemies, eliminating them with a few targeted strikes or even a single punch if your current level completely surpasses them.
There is a special dodge button that allows you to avoid their attacks if they see you before you can take action, which is also useful for enemies that cannot be eliminated in real time. In this case, you can start a turn-based battle after softening them up with an action attack – especially useful if you can catch the enemy off guard first, giving you a free hit during a turn-based team battle.
Real-time combat can also be used to each monster’s advantage. At one point I thought some of the vicious beasts were blocked by the barrels, but they broke through them, initiated a team battle, and got a free hit on my team in the process. Lesson learned – From this point on, I used the hero’s Fae Sight much more to be more aware of nearby enemies and allow Gallica to assess their threat level. But if things are going really bad, you can also press L3 to restart the battle.
Time management is key
As the game’s main story progresses, one of your goals becomes balancing tasks throughout the day to gain democratic popularity while pursuing other goals to become more powerful, bonding with other teammates, or reaching certain story milestones. Just like in Persona, each of them consumes time as you approach specific events, and failure to meet key deadlines results in game over.
So planning each day and knowing when to enter time-consuming dungeons and when to rest – or even kill time with more leisurely tasks – can make a huge difference. Fortunately, all activities are clearly marked with how long they take, so you shouldn’t be surprised.
Exploring the United Kingdom of Euchronia
Metaphor: ReFantazio wastes no time in establishing that we are not on our Earth… or in a particularly sheltered country. The game’s inciting incident stems from a brutal act of regicide, and from there things get even crazier with a medieval fantasy setting that explores themes of bigotry and the value of imagination, especially when overcoming one’s fears and anxieties.
People are far from people
In fact, the term “human” in the game is synonymous with the often gigantic, grotesque monsters feared by the game’s various fantasy races. Even our blue-haired hero – who probably most closely resembles the customary Persona character – is a rarity in a world filled with the horned Clemar tribe, the elven Roussainte tribe, fairies, and many other species.
The music is more operatic
Persona is known for its an eclectic range of songs, from rock to acid jazz to electronica-influenced beats. Given Metaphor: ReFantazio’s soundtrack leans towards the more orchestral side, with taut strings, dramatic percussion, and chants present throughout the wonderfully composed battle themes, which are already the subject of some deservedly flattering memes. Fans of the parent series, Shin Megami Tenseithey can feel their fingers tapping in its immense familiar tones.
Less recall and connection, more transformation
While the powerful forms of the Metaphor Archetype: ReFantazio are similar to the Persona summoning system, there are some noticeable differences. Archetypes typically awaken when a party member confronts and overcomes some fear or anxiety, causing them to assume a magical, armored form capable of enhanced attacks and abilities.
These transformed characters are part of a quest system where your party members can switch between over 40 archetypes with different abilities, spread across 14 different lanes, to suit your playstyle. For example, no matter what characters you have on your team, you can create a Savior from the Healer line, a Ninja Thief, and a Devil Summoner. Or a magic knight, dragon shooter and martial artist brawler. And with them, create combos in battle with spectacular Synthesis Skills.
Discovering a sheltered haven
It won’t be long in the game before the equally mysterious More transports you to the mysterious Academy. This magical library is a spiritual home where you can learn about Archetypes from books and lectures and unlock additional aspects of their abilities. Initially, you won’t have much of a choice as to whether or not to go to Akademeia, but as the game progresses, you’ll be able to choose whether to visit it through the main character’s novel or through the ghostly figure of More.
There is much more to Akademimei than it might seem at first glance
Acting as a foe-free center for learning and development, Akademeia also provides Metaphor: ReFantazio with a space to delve into a meta-commentary on stories, exploring the power of imagination and the nature of storytelling. Without giving too much away, this is also related to one of the first actions in the game where you, as a player, enter your name. Oh, and there’s also a cute cat you can pet… which I did often. Priorities, right?
Persona isn’t the only one with style
Sure, you may have played medieval fantasy RPGs before, but have you played one as stylish as this one? From anime cutscenes to hilarious battle chats to flashy victory endings, Metaphor: ReFantazio rivals Persona in terms of sheer sense of talent. The user interface also maintains a sense of familiarity without being a direct imitator, opting for a slightly more uniform aesthetic.
Similarly, the game knows when to exploit a bold color mix and when to opt for a more naturalistic palette, providing an eye-pleasing mix of what you’d expect from the classic fantasy genre without sacrificing Atlus’ panache and polish.
Your hero has a voice
Perhaps the most notable aspect of Metaphor: ReFantazio’s cast is that your character’s voice is played in the same way as the rest of the characters. Although you can name him whatever you want, as most of the game’s dialogue is still text-based, with the occasional vocalization.
Union of tribes
Significantly, each team member you develop during the game represents each of the main tribes of this land. For example, the stoic knight Hulkenberg is Roussainte, while the rodent-looking tribe Eugief is represented by Heismay, who evokes the thief archetype. And the diminutive but faithful fairy Gallica may not be able to fight, but she offers valuable advice and guidance on your journey.
Building a bond with your followers
Fans of the romantic Persona won’t necessarily find the same connections in Metaphor: ReFantazio, but relationship building is still crucial. At various times you have the opportunity to interact with other party members and NPCs, and spending specific time with them creates a bond. This in turn can facilitate awaken fresh Archetypes, and deeper relationships will unlock further skills.
Real-life contacts are also helpful
While staying online in the game, you can browse the useful Travelers’ Voices website. Pressing the touchpad shows what other players have done in the section you are currently in. So if you get stuck in a dungeon, you can check what team formations others have used and at what levels they cleared the area, and change your formation to match another player’s formation to enhance your chance of success.
Travelers’ Voices also works in cities and easily tells you where players spent the most time during the day. A nice feature if you’re looking for tips on how to spend some free time in Euchroni.
Rich, constantly surprising and stylishly elegant, Metaphor: ReFantazio will not only delight fans of Atlus games, but will also enchant newcomers with its magic. If you haven’t seen it yet by watching the PS5 demo, you’ll have a chance when the full game releases on October 11 on PS4 and PS5.
