As a seasoned RPG connoisseur with a heart for immersive narratives and well-crafted characters, I find myself intrigued by Metaphor: ReFantazio. The game’s commitment to tackling weighty themes like prejudice, militarism, and inequality is commendable, even if the initial glimpse feels somewhat surface-level.
If you’re wondering why Atlus named their upcoming RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, you’re not the only one. This was one of the initial questions asked at a recent press event in New York City, where TopMob and other outlets played five hours of Metaphor: ReFantazio and spoke with some of its main development team members
The answer to the question is just as simple as it is intriguing: It’s because the entire game itself is a metaphor, producer Junichi Yoshizawa explained. And though that might sound obtuse or perhaps even a bit hamfisted, it didn’t take long for me to understand and appreciate just what he meant.
In contrast to other fantasy realms that share similarities with our own and carry familiar themes, the game Metaphor: ReFantazio is distinctive in its exploration of this link. Right from the start, instead of asking for your character’s name, you are asked your actual name, and then inquired about your perception of fantasy. This self-referential narrative element recurs frequently throughout the game, with the protagonist often consulting a book he carries, which tells tales of a technologically advanced world filled with skyscrapers, roads, and harmonious human existence – essentially, a fantastical reflection of our own reality. There are numerous ways this approach could go awry; the game could become overly didactic, sentimental, or excessively self-aware. However, my experience with Metaphor: ReFantazio managed to steer clear of these pitfalls
During my approximately five-hour interaction with it, I grew deeply captivated by its characters, unfolding plot, overall gameplay, and indeed, its profound symbolism. Impressed by how Atlus’ veteran creators skillfully applied their knowledge to construct a vast fantasy, one that manages to maintain a human touch despite the fact that humans are grotesque creatures in the game’s universe. There are certain reservations I harbor – the main cast appears less engaging compared to previous Atlus games, and some narrative aspects seem overly familiar, having been employed in numerous other fantasy titles. Nonetheless, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a game that leaves me yearning for another 60+ hours of immersion; it stands out as the game I am most eagerly anticipating this fall
During the preview, I had the opportunity to test two distinct segments of Metaphor: ReFantazio. One was an entirely fresh save file that showed me the initial moments of the game, while another was a save file approximately nine hours old, giving me a sneak peek into how its gameplay, mechanics, and storyline would develop over time
The adventure starts with the main character, who is distinctively voice-acted unlike those in Persona, traveling alongside a few unknown companions on a carriage journey towards the Royal City. Within a mere minute of starting the game, the vehicle is ambushed, causing our hero and his fairy-like companion Gallica to be separated from the group. This forces them to navigate the barren lands beyond the city on foot. It’s during this phase that we discover why they are bound for the capital; Gallica explains that we must join the royal army to locate our confidant and pass on an urgent message to him. As the plot unfolds, we learn additional details about the protagonist’s controversial Elda heritage, his connection to the current prince, and much more. Primarily, this early twist serves as a means to familiarize the player with exploration and combat mechanics
In essence, Metaphor’s battle system resembles a fusion of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, with its dynamic combat style borrowed from Persona and strategic Player Actions akin to SMT. Yet, the game presents a distinct feel due to numerous innovative elements. One significant alteration is the real-time combat system, where players gain advantages such as reduced enemy health or first strike upon successfully attacking enemies on the field. While similar tactics have been present in both Persona and SMT series, they play a more prominent role in Metaphor due to the added perks and the ability to swiftly eliminate weaker targets without engaging in turn-based combat, saving both time and frustration. In contrast to Persona 5’s Baton Pass system and enemies not always being stunned when their weaknesses are exploited, attacking powerful foes on the main map introduces a fresh strategy exclusive to Metaphor
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In the realm beyond conflict, Persona and Metaphor harmoniously coexist, each embodying three familiar and cherished mechanisms that uphold the social fabric of the game. The Royal Virtues are akin to Mass Effect 3’s Galactic Goodwill, while Followers are akin to Social Stats in essence, as one voyages across Euchronia, it is crucial to forge ties not merely with main characters, but also with the general populace of specific territories. For any BioWare nerd, this system echoes Mass Effect 3’s Galactic Goodwill, as you can mingle in at settlements and find yourself likely to secure their backing and allegiance for king
The calendar system in ReFantazio, as emphasized by the developers, plays a crucial role and serves as a symbol of the game’s central themes of fear and anxiety. This system, much like the ones in Persona games, doesn’t permit you to accomplish every task at hand. Instead, it forces you to make decisions about which missions to undertake and connections to forge. Although there appears to be no one-size-fits-all approach, those who strive for completion may find their anxiety rising due to the likelihood that they won’t be able to maximize every social link in this game, as multiple playthroughs might be necessary to experience all that it offers
However, the nice thing about this is your choices feel even more precious and rewarded. In the second part of the demo, I was given a great deal more freedom. Whereas some of the players around me darted straight toward the objective, I decided to go on a two-day journey down to a crypt, where an interesting boss battle and dark artifact awaited me. After doing this mission, I was able to form a new bond with a strange and shady character. It also gave me a better look at how dungeons will be structured and–thankfully–they differ from the largely procedurally generated ones found earlier Persona games or Mementos; according to the developers, each dungeon is uniquely designed, a choice they made to stress how important that aspect of the game is. Whereas Persona’s dungeons can begin to feel like the necessary but exhausting filler that keeps you from your next objective, Metaphor’s feel like worthwhile objectives in themselves.
This place is particularly captivating, as enchanting as it is to explore Metaphor’s realm – I was eager to see what lay beyond. Although extensive travel between cities and key destinations is usually restricted to choosing a location on a broader map, the places I visited were stunning and, above all, seemed vibrant as I delved into them. I found myself drawn to the ancient castle town of Martira, with its cobblestone streets and quaint yet beautiful Bavarian houses. In the winding lanes of the town, and around the fountain placed right in the heart of its square, I encountered discontented villagers, peculiar storytellers, arrogant knights, and more
Despite my limited time spent on Martira, I felt like I understood the history and culture Atlus intended to portray, which is quite remarkable given P-Studio’s previous works. Usually, their games are set in real-world Japan, but Metaphor’s fantasy setting required them to create a new world entirely. This switch has its advantages and disadvantages: on one hand, it’s exciting to step away from real-world and high school settings and witness Atlus’ creativity in an original universe, particularly its visual aspects. On the other hand, at times, Metaphor seemed to borrow heavily from other fantasy JRPGs. If you’re familiar with games like Final Fantasy, Xenoblade Chronicles, or Trails, you might recognize some similarities in Metaphor
Despite finding the innovative narrative and real-world inspiration of the game quite captivating, it’s important to acknowledge that Metaphor can also be considered a political game, not just because it revolves around an election. In fact, I’ve long appreciated Atlus for their ability to tackle social issues and engage in thoughtful discussions with players. Their games often explore themes such as abuse of power, prejudice, mental health, abuse, grief, love, and more
I still find myself both excited and cautious about the game’s characters. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate those I encountered, but the current party seems a bit compact and its members seem to lack depth. The moment Strohl unveiled his Archetype by tearing an iron heart from his chest gave me goosebumps—making him an appealing new character for me. However, much of his personality and backstory feels reminiscent of other fantasy archetypes, as does the game’s mentor-like character, Grius
To clarify, Atlus might deliberately employ fantasy archetypes, given that their jobs are named Archetypes, but since they excel in depicting relationships and developing intriguing characters, I’m hoping for more as I proceed. In Metaphor: ReFantazio, the character designs stand out, the voice acting is top-notch, and my interactions with my teammates during the Gauntlet Runner journey felt unique and personal. In essence, though I can’t romance any of them (too bad, too sad), I yearn to feel a connection with them instead
In discussing this game, it seems hardly essential to delve into its artistic and musical aspects as Atlus has consistently excelled in these areas. The characters maintain their distinctive Atlus aesthetic, infused with a touch of fantasy. The monsters continue to be imaginative, eccentric, and occasionally phallic – fitting well within the studio’s established norms. It’s worth mentioning that the incorporation of fantasy allows for more blood than usual, which was initially startling but now feels organic and lends a darker atmosphere to the game
In contrast to the Persona games, which maintain a consistent aesthetic with their shared color palette, style, and overall atmosphere, Metaphor deliberately employs contrast. The game’s darker tone is softened by its vibrant user interface, filled with colors like pink, teal, yellow, and more, offering a wider spectrum than the deep reds of Persona 5 or the blacks and blues of Persona 3. This visual blend sets Metaphor apart as a unique series. The game’s music also contributes to this distinctiveness, deviating from the studio’s typical pop-influenced soundtracks. Shoji Meguro, the composer behind Persona 3, 4, and 5, excels at crafting a world that feels both oppressive and regal through sound alone, with each track I heard being dramatic and intense, often featuring operatic voices singing in Latin
The greatest praise I can give in a preview is simply, “I did not want to stop playing it,” and that is certainly the case with Metaphor: ReFantazio. I am eager to know these characters better, to understand how Euchronia connects to our world, to see how the game’s themes of fear, oppression, and resistance play out, and to see the protagonist crowned king. Suffice to say, I am eagerly awaiting October 11, when Metaphor: ReFantazio releases on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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2024-09-06 00:12