The echoes of Persona resonate throughout Metaphor: ReFantazio. From the familiar social simulation elements (Followers) to the manifestation of Archetypes for combat, and even the structured calendar system, the similarities are undeniable. However, as I delved deeper into Metaphor‘s nuanced gameplay, I discovered an RPG capable of standing on its own merits. While Persona’s shadow lingers, Metaphor‘s engaging characters, refined turn-based combat, and captivating art style create a compelling experience for RPG enthusiasts and Persona fans alike, even with a somewhat predictable narrative.
A Royal Tournament and a Hidden Agenda
Metaphor: ReFantazio introduces a blue-haired protagonist and their fairy companion, Gallica, as they navigate a tournament to determine the next ruler of the United Kingdom of Euchronia. The deceased king’s successor must earn the will of the people. Our protagonist carries a fantasy book depicting a utopian society mirroring modern-day Japan, complete with towering skyscrapers, where grotesque monsters known as Humans roam the land. Simultaneously, the protagonist strives to awaken a curse-stricken prince to reclaim his rightful throne.
Louis in Metaphor: ReFantazioLouis Guiabern, a compelling antagonist in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
While Metaphor‘s plot twists are often foreseeable, diminishing some of the narrative’s surprise, the journey remains enjoyable. The charming cast, particularly the royal army officer Louis Guiabern, elevates the story. Guiabern, the king’s murderer, serves as a compelling antagonist, a constant presence throughout the game. The protagonist’s infiltration of his entourage introduces elements of a spy thriller, adding intrigue to the unfolding narrative. Guiabern’s strength, both physical and intellectual, creates a constant tension, questioning his awareness of the protagonist’s true intentions. His unwavering belief in democratic ideals, mirroring the protagonist’s own, gradually unravels as desperation takes hold.
Among the playable characters, Heismay, the agile bat and the group’s elder, stands out. He provides wisdom and guidance to his teammates while grappling with the loss of his son, a narrative thread explored through the Follower system.
Forging Bonds and Unlocking Power
The Follower system, reminiscent of Persona’s Social Links and Confidants, allows players to deepen relationships with characters, uncovering their backstories and unlocking gameplay benefits. Forging a bond with Brigitta reduces shop prices, while Catherina can significantly impact battles by occasionally depleting enemy HP at the start of combat.
The turn-based battles in Metaphor: ReFantazioStrategic combat encounters in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
While Metaphor offers fewer bond opportunities compared to a typical Persona game, this fosters a tighter, more intimate circle around the protagonist, befitting a future king. A significant improvement is the removal of the pressure to choose “correct” responses to maximize relationship points. Instead, positive responses simply reward players with MAG, a currency used to unlock skills and Archetypes. This streamlined approach enhances the enjoyment of conversations without unnecessary micromanagement.
A Journey Across Euchronia
Metaphor‘s calendar and scheduling system diverges from Persona’s formula. While bond events and activities to enhance Royal Virtues (analogous to social stats) consume time, the party can also discover and travel to new locations. Travel duration, ranging from one to three days, introduces strategic considerations, balancing side quests, dungeon exploration, and other activities.
Metaphor: ReFantazioExploring the vibrant world of Metaphor: ReFantazio.
This travel mechanic, reminiscent of The Oregon Trail, adds another layer to Metaphor‘s gameplay. Certain bond ranks require conversations aboard the Gauntlet Runner, the party’s vehicle, and specific activities, like cooking recipes for healing items, are exclusive to travel. Integrating these elements with travel creates a satisfying sense of efficiency. During their journeys, the party encounters landmarks, engaging in brief conversations about their lore. These landmarks, presented as 2D portraits with the party in the background, showcase Metaphor‘s stunning art style. From the vibrant Sporico Cave to the intense hues of the Prismatic Sea, these visual interludes offer a welcome respite from the political turmoil.
Dungeons and Aesthetics
While the world map is visually captivating, the dungeons themselves are less impressive. These spaces often appear bland and lack the intricate, bespoke designs of Persona 5‘s Palaces. Resembling generic fantasy RPG dungeons, they contrast sharply with the stylish art found elsewhere in the game. The three towers, pivotal to a later side quest, exemplify this issue, their monotonous purple brick interiors offering a dull exploration experience.
Despite this shortcoming, Metaphor‘s overall art direction remains exceptional. The user interface is sleek and stylish, maintaining Atlus’ signature flair. The Archetype tree interface, modeled after da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, further emphasizes Metaphor‘s European aesthetic.
Mastering Archetypes and Combat
Metaphor‘s Archetypes function similarly to traditional RPG classes, allowing characters to specialize as Mages, Warriors, Gunners, and more. The system’s flexibility shines, allowing characters to explore Archetypes that don’t necessarily align with their natural affinities. Each hero can learn any skill by leveling up Archetypes and transfer a limited number to other classes using MAG. This system caters to min-maxers, offering a level of depth reminiscent of modern Fire Emblem games.
An archetype attacks in Metaphor: ReFantazio.Unleashing the power of Archetypes in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
A notable addition is the ability to engage enemies in real-time before turn-based battles. Filling an enemy’s stun meter allows for a preemptive strike, lowering their HP and granting a battle advantage. While similar to The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak, this mechanic adds a layer of engagement to encounters.
The turn-based combat system leans more towards Shin Megami Tensei than Persona. Each character receives turn icons, with actions consuming one icon. Synthesis Attacks, powerful team-up maneuvers, require two icons. This strategic element, combined with exploiting enemy weaknesses and vulnerabilities for additional icons, distinguishes Metaphor while retaining the strategic depth of Atlus’ combat systems. Winning battles unscathed grants bonus experience and MAG, further incentivizing strategic play.
A Distinct Visual Identity
Departing from the shared creature designs of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, Metaphor introduces original monster designs. Giant birds, skeletons, and dragons replace familiar demons, providing a fresh visual experience. While these enemy types are standard in fantasy RPGs, they offer a welcome change of pace within the context of an Atlus game.
A Promising New Chapter
Metaphor: ReFantazio occupies a unique space, blending familiar elements of the Persona series with innovative gameplay mechanics. The strategic combat, Archetype system, and globe-trotting elements offer a fresh perspective on a familiar formula. While the predictable plot may disappoint some, the engaging characters and refined gameplay create a compelling experience. Metaphor may not be perfect, but it demonstrates Atlus’ continued ability to innovate within the RPG genre.
Metaphor: ReFantazio was tested on Xbox Series X.
