Metaphor ReFantazio: hands-on review

Anyone who is familiar with Atlus’s complex and engaging role-playing games has been excited to see what the odd and wonderful Metaphor: ReFantazio has in store. And while it’s not directly connected to the well-known Persona line, there are some interesting touchstones across its appearance and mechanics that will charm both fans and visitors. Before the release date of October 11th, let’s take a closer look at some of these interesting parallels and variations. Supporters of Persona’s fast-paced yet comprehensive turn-based conflict may find themselves at home here, but Studio Zero has given it a little twist, also. If your current level completely outstripes their levels, you can participate in real-time fight against low-level foes by using a few qualified strikes or even a single blast to defeat them.
If they see you before you can work, there is a dedicated dodge option, which is useful for real-world enemy who are too difficult to defeat. If you can get an enemy off guard second, giving you a free strike during the turn-based Squad Battle, you can start a turn-based fight after softening them up with an activity attack.
Real-time conflict can be used to any demon’s advantage, also. In one instance, I believed some violent beasts were blocking me with some containers, but they smashed right through them, starting the Squad Battle, and paying a free hit to my gathering in the process. Lesson learned: From that point on, I used the author’s Fae Sight much more frequently to be more conscious of local enemies and have Gallica determine their danger levels. But if things are going really hard, you can also push L3 to resume the fight.
One of your goals as the game’s major plot develops becomes balancing tasks throughout the day to gain political popularity while completing additional goals to become more powerful, form relationships with other party members, or reach specific story milestones. As in Persona, each of these takes up more time as you progress toward particular situations, and failing to finish a game will cause problems.
Knowing when to insert time-consuming dungeons and when to rest can make a big difference, but planning out each day, or even passing the time on by performing more quiet tasks, can help. Thankfully, all activities are clearly denoted with how much time they eat up, so you should n’t be caught off guard.
Metaphor: ReFantazio wastes no time establishing that we’re not on our Earth … or in a particularly safe area. The show’s inciting incident comes from a brutal act of fratricide, and things just get wilder there with its medieval fantasy world, which explores hatred and the value of imagination, particularly when we overcome our personal fears and anxieties.
In fact, the term “human” in the video game is frequently used to refer to huge, hideous monsters that the various dream races of the game fear. Yet our blue-haired protagonist, who probably resembles a Persona character the most, is a rarity in a world filled with the winged Clemar Tribe, elven-looking Roussainte Tribe, elves, and many other species.
Persona is known for its eclectic collection of beats, which range from rock to acidity jazz to digital beats. Givenits environment, Metaphor: ReFantazio soundtrack leans towards the more instrumental, with anxious strings, serious drums, and chants manifest in its wonderfully composed battle themes that are already assignment to rightly attractive memes. Followers of the family series, Shin Megami Tensei, may discover their toes tapping in its broad musical familiarity.
While Metaphor: ReFantazio’s strong Archetype types are identical toPersona’s calling system, there are some significant differences. Archetypes are usually woken up when a group member confronts and overcomes a specific fear or anxiety, which allows them to use a mysterious equipped form ready of stronger attacks and abilities.
Your group members may switch between the 40+ different qualified archetypes spread across 14 various lineages to suit your playstyle while these transformed figures are a part of a work system. For example, despite which characters you have in your group, you can set up a Saviour from the Healer heritage, a Ninja Hacker and a Devil Summoner. Or a Magic Knight, Dragoon Gunner and Martial Artist Brawler. And with them, use their incredible Production Skills to form powerful packages in war.
It is n’t long in the game before you’re transported to the mysterious Akademeia, by the equally mysterious More. This enchanting collection offers you access to additional features of archetypes ‘ abilities and provides you with information about them through books and lectures. First you’ll not have much choice in going to Akademeia, but as the game advances, you’ll be able to decide when you visit via the author’s book or More’s shadowy number.
While acting as an enemy-free hub to study and grow, Akademeia also gives space for Metaphor: ReFantazio to delve into the tale’s meta commentary, examining the power of imagination and the nature of storytelling. Without going too far, this is also connected to one of your first solo plays, in which you as the player type your own name. Oh, and there’s also a cute cat you can pet … which I often did. Priorities, right?
You might have previously played medieval fantasy RPGs, but have you ever played one this sophisticated? Metaphor: ReFantazio rivals Persona for its sheer sense of flair, from its anime cutscenes to its fun battle chatter to its slick victory outros. The user interface keeps its familiarity without acting like a direct imitation, sticking to a slightly uniform design scheme.
The game also makes an effort to use a bold palette and to opt for a more naturalistic palette, producing an eye-catching blend of what we’d expect from a classic fantasy genre without sacrificing the Atlus panache and polish.
The voice acting on your protagonist is the same as it is on the other characters, which is perhaps Metaphor: ReFantazio’s cast’s most notable feature. Although you can call him whatever you want, the majority of the in-game dialogue is still written in text with sporadic vocalizations.
Tellingly, each of the nation’s main tribes is represented by every party you form throughout the game. For example, the stoic knight Hulkenberg is a Roussainte, while the rodent looking Eugief tribe is represented by Heismay, who awakens the thief archetype. And Gallica, a diminutive but steadfast fairy, may not be able to fight but offers valuable guidance and advice on your journey.
Romantic Persona fans wo n’t necessarily find the same starry-eyed connections in Metaphor: ReFantazio, but building relationships is still important. At various points, you have the opportunity to interact with other party members and NPCs, and a particular amount of time spent with them forms a bond. In turn, this can help awaken new Archetypes, with deeper rapports unlocking further abilities.
You have the option to explore the handy Travellers’ Voices page by staying online while playing the game. What other players have done in the section you’re currently in can be seen by pressing the Touch Pad. So if you’re stuck in a dungeon, you can check out what party formations other players have used, what levels they’ve cleared, and how to adapt your formation to fit in with that of another player for a better chance of success.
Travellers ‘ Voices also works in towns, handily letting you know where players spend the most time during the day. A helpful little resource if you’re looking for some tips on how to pass some time in Euchronia.
Rich, constantly surprising and stylishly elegant, Metaphor: ReFantazio is not only a delight for fans of Atlus’s games, but will charm newcomers with its magic, too. If you’ve not already found out for yourself via the PS5 demo, you’ll get the chance when the full game launches October 11 on PS4 and PS5.