Anyone familiar with Atlus’s deep and engaging role-playing games will be eager to see what the strange and magical Metaphor: ReFantazio has in store. And while it’s not directly connected to the popular Persona series, there are still some intriguing touches to its aesthetics and mechanics to attract fans and newcomers alike. Let’s take a closer look at some of these intriguing similarities and differences ahead of its October 11 release.
The battle is launched
Fans of Persona’s fast-paced yet detailed turn-based combat will be at home here, but Studio Zero has also given it a bit of a twist. You can engage in real-time combat with low-level enemies, taking them down with several targeted attacks or even a single blow if your current level is completely superior to them .
There’s a dedicated dodge button to avoid their attacks if they see you before you can act, which is also useful for enemies that are too difficult to take down in real time. In that case, you can initiate a turn-based battle after calming them down with an action attack – especially useful if you can catch the enemy off guard first, giving you a chance to hit for free in turn-based Squad Battles.
Real-time combat can also be used to give any monster an advantage. In one case, I thought some vicious beasts were blocked by some barrels, but they charged right through them, starting a Squad Battle and giving my party a free attack in the process . Lesson learned – From that point on, I used the main character’s Fae Sight more often to become more aware of nearby enemies and asked Gallica to assess their threat level. But if things go terribly wrong, you can also press L3 to restart the battle.
Time management is key
As the game’s main storyline progresses, one of your goals is to balance the day’s quests to gain democratic fame while completing other objectives to become stronger, make connections bond with other party members or achieve certain milestones in the story. Like in Persona, each of these consumes time as you progress towards specific events, and failure to meet deadlines for important events will result in a game over.
So map out each day, knowing when to hit time-consuming dungeons and when to rest – or even pass the time by doing more peaceful quests – can make all the difference . Thankfully, all activities are clearly indicated in terms of how much time they take, so you shouldn’t let your guard down.
Explore the United Kingdom of Euchronia
Metaphor: ReFantazio wastes no time in proving that we are not on Earth… or in a particularly safe land. The game’s inciting incident comes from a brutal act of suicide and things only get wilder from there with the medieval fantasy setting exploring themes of bigotry and the value of intelligence. imagination, especially when overcoming our own fears and anxieties.
Humans are very far from humans
In fact, the term ‘human’ in the game is synonymous with the giant, grotesque monsters commonly feared by the game’s diverse fantasy races. Even our blue-haired protagonist – who arguably has the closest physical resemblance to a traditional Persona character – is a rarity in a world full of horned Clemar Tribes, take the form of elves, fairies and more.
The music is more exciting
Persona is known for variety of tunes, from rock to acid jazz to electronic inspired beats. Granted its setting, the Metaphor: ReFantazio soundtrack leans more orchestral, with tense strings, dramatic drums, and chants present within the superbly composed battle themes that have become a staple. of flattering memes. Fans of the original series, Shin Megami Tenseimaybe they’ll feel their toes touch its sweeping, familiar sound.
Less summoning or fusion, more transformation
While Metaphor: ReFantazio features powerful Archetypes similar to Persona’s summoning system, there are some notable differences. The archetype is often awakened when a party member faces and overcomes a certain fear or anxiety, causing them to wield a form of magical armor that grants enhanced attacks and abilities.
These transformed characters are part of a job system where your party members can switch between over 40 differently skilled Archetypes, spread across 14 different lineages to suit with your playing style. For example, no matter what characters you have in your party, you can assemble a Savior from the Healer, Ninja Thief, and Demon Summoner lineage. Or a Magic Knight, Dragon Sniper and Brawler. And join them in creating combos in battle through breathtaking Synergy Skills.
Discover a safe haven
Soon in the game you will be transported to the mysterious Akademeia, by the equally mysterious More. This magical library is your spiritual home where you can learn about the Archetypes through books and lectures, and unlock additional aspects of their abilities. Initially, you won’t have much of a choice when it comes to Akademeia, but as the game progresses, you’ll be able to choose when to visit via the main character’s novel or More’s ghostly appearance.
There is much more to Akademeia than it first appears
While serving as an enemy-free hub for research and development, Akademeia also creates space for Metaphor: ReFantazio to delve into the story’s meta-commentary, testing the power of imagination and self-image. quality of storytelling. Without giving too much away, this also ties into one of your first actions in the game, where you as the player enter your own name. Oh, and there’s also a cute cat you can pet… which I usually do. Priority, right?
Personas aren’t the only ones with style
Sure, you’ve probably played medieval fantasy RPGs before, but have you ever played a game with this style? From the anime cutscenes to the hilarious in-battle banter to the gripping triumphant ending, Metaphor: ReFantazio rivals Persona for its sheer sense of sophistication. The user interface also maintains a familiar feel without directly mimicking it, opting for a slightly more uniform aesthetic.
Likewise, the game knows when to use bold color mixtures and when to opt for a more natural palette, delivering a nice blend of what we expect of classic fantasy without being sacrificing the panache and polish of Atlus.
Your main character has a voice
Perhaps the most notable aspect of Metaphor: ReFantazio’s cast is that your main character is voiced just like the rest of the characters. Although you can name him whatever you want, as the majority of the dialogue in the game is still delivered via text with the occasional voice.
A confederation of tribes
Notably, every member of the party you develop throughout the game represents each of the major tribes of the land. For example, the stoic knight Hulkenberg is a Roussainte, while the rodent-like Eugief tribe is represented by Heismay, who awakens the thief archetype. And the small but loyal fairy Gallica may not be able to fight but will offer valuable advice and guidance on your journey.
Create a connection with your followers
Romantic Persona fans won’t necessarily find such lucid connections in Metaphor: ReFantazio, but relationship building is still important. At various points, you have the opportunity to interact with other party members and NPCs, and spending specific time with them will form a bond. In turn, this can help awaken new Archetypes, with deeper relationships opening up deeper possibilities.
Real life connections also help
Staying online with the game gives you the option to explore the handy Traveler Opinions page. When you press the Touch Pad, you’ll see what other players have done in the section you’re in. So if you’re stuck in a dungeon, you can see what formations other people have used and what level they cleared the area with, as well as change your formation to suit the players. others to have a higher chance of success.
Traveler voices are also active in towns, helping you quickly learn where players spend the most time during the day. A nice little feature if you’re looking for a little guidance on how to spend your free time in Euchronia.
Rich, constantly surprising and stylishly elegant, Metaphor: ReFantazio is not only a delight for fans of Atlus games but also captivates newcomers with its magic. If you haven’t checked it out for yourself through the PS5 demo, you’ll get your chance when the full game launches on October 11 on PS4 and PS5.
