Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Length Could Spell a Growing Scope Problem for Persona

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Metaphor: ReFantazio's Length Could Spell a Growing Scope Problem for Persona

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt and countless hours spent in various JRPGs, I eagerly await the arrival of Metaphor ReFantazio. The prospect of a new game that seems to be heavily influenced by the Persona series, yet carves its own path, is tantalizing. However, as someone who’s battled through the marathon that was Persona 5, I can’t help but feel a twinge of apprehension about the game’s reported length.

The eagerly awaited launch of the captivating game titled Metaphor ReFantazio is just around the corner, igniting excitement among dedicated followers of the Persona series. While Metaphor ReFantazio deviates from the traditional elements of the Persona games in some aspects, it appears to draw inspiration from Atlus’ popular JRPG franchise, both positively and negatively, in areas such as its artistic aesthetic, social bonding with non-player characters, and turn-based combat system.

From a fan’s perspective, it wouldn’t do justice to fully grasp Metaphor ReFantazio as merely a “medieval fantasy version of Persona.” While there are undeniable parallels between the two intellectual properties, Metaphor seems to be evolving into a spiritual successor to the Persona games. Much like how Persona initially emerged as a spin-off from Shin Megami Tensei, it eventually developed its own unique identity.

Metaphor Refantazio Will Follow Persona’s Playtime Lead

Metaphor Refantazio Will Be Extremely Long

Katsura Hashino, the creative head behind “Metaphor Fantasia”, has shared insights about the game’s duration, suggesting it will be similar to that of “Persona 5”. This means a player can expect to spend around 100 hours completing the main story. Given that “Metaphor” is also a choice-based RPG with various outcomes based on player decisions, and it’s intended for replay, it could offer an extended playtime of several hundred hours in total.

For some gamers, hearing about a lengthy game is fantastic; they often believe that the longer a game lasts, the more value it provides, since a $60 or $70 investment might only yield a dozen or so hours of enjoyment for shorter games. However, others have the opposite perspective: some games can seem overly long, becoming tiresome and losing appeal after several weeks of play. Massive games can also appear daunting, especially for those who enjoy sampling multiple titles: investing a hundred hours into an RPG might not be appealing if it consumes all one’s limited free time.

As a gamer, I’ve found that the “Persona” series has been a bit of a turn-off for many, including myself, due to its lengthy playtime. Even though the dense social mechanics, captivating art style, and rewarding combat and progression are enticing, the series’ penchant for extended gameplay can be daunting. It seems that “Metaphor” is continuing this style of structure and duration, leading me to suspect that future “Persona” games will follow suit, potentially pushing away gamers who prefer compact, manageable gaming sessions.

Studio Zero, a team renowned for creating the engaging game “Catherine: Full Body,” is the one behind the development of Metaphor Refantazio. Unlike Catherine, which can be completed within approximately 10 hours, this upcoming JRPG promises a much larger scale.

Metaphor Refantazio’s Length Doesn’t Have To Be a Bad Thing

Many games often include excessive material that dilutes the overall enjoyment, which might have been trimmed during editing. However, games developed by Atlus, such as the Persona series, don’t quite fit this description. Although they can be extremely lengthy, they validate their duration with rich, complex narratives and diverse gameplay that seldom feels like superfluous content. Here’s hoping that Metaphor ReFantazio, upon its release, will receive similar acclaim for its storytelling and gameplay depth.

Although some players may decline Metaphor and upcoming Persona games due to their immense scale, it’s perfectly fine. Every game can’t cater to everyone’s taste. The crucial aspect is that Atlus should not misinterpret the success of these games as a mandate to produce 100-hour RPGs just because it’s the norm. Instead, they should invest the necessary time in crafting each story effectively, rather than rushing to meet expectations.

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2024-10-06 14:24