As a seasoned RPG enthusiast with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the dungeons in Metaphor: ReFantazio have left quite an impression on me. The unique blend of fantasy and post-apocalyptic elements, coupled with intricate puzzles and challenging enemies, truly sets this game apart from its contemporaries.
The team behind Persona, particularly Atlus’ Studio Zero, has significantly improved their approach to creating dungeons over time. For instance, in Persona 3, you’d find a single repeatable dungeon lacking in diversity. In contrast, while there was some repetition in Persona 4, the various dungeons had distinct themes such as Kanji’s bathhouse, which added a unique touch to each location.
As a gamer, diving into the Mind Palaces of Persona 5 was an unforgettable experience, with each one meticulously designed like the transformed police station-turned-casino. So, how did Metaphor: ReFantasio elevate the dungeon game? Although it doesn’t quite scale the same heights as Persona 5, there are undeniably some impressive highlights. Let me walk you through the most remarkable aspects of this game, ranking them based on size, complexity, layout, and overall themes. Be warned, there will be spoilers ahead.
8 Giant Sandworm’s Belly
Escape Before Getting Digested
One of the game’s most distinctive dungeons is the lair of the colossal Sandworm, an unforgettable encounter in your quest to find Heismay, suspected of kidnapping children within the Martira region. Along this treacherous journey, you’ll eventually face the formidable boss, Greatworm Homo Butera. This battle isn’t particularly challenging, but beware – victory means being consumed by the creature!
7 Montario Opera House
A Homage To Final Fantasy 6’s Opera House
The Montario Opera House resembles the belly of a colossal sandworm in its small, confined nature. Thankfully, players are not subjected to a fast-ticking clock despite the sense of urgency portrayed in the story. In the game Metaphor: ReFantazio, Will and Eupha find themselves dashing through the upper corridors of this opera house to prepare for an attempt on Louis’ life. Unlike traditional dungeons, there are no boss fights or puzzles here. Instead, players must navigate around guards, creatures, and treasure chests that pose challenges throughout. This dungeon stands out due to its limited party size, as it occurs late in the game.
6 Louis’ Gauntlet Runner
It’s Time For A Bit Of Stealth
In the narrative, Louis’ Gauntlet Runner is stationed at Port Brilehaven, the initial city where the prospective monarchs are counseled to arrive. Since Louis has favored the players by this stage in the tale, they have unrestricted access to come and go from his Gauntlet Runner. Their mission is to discover a formula they believe could heal the Prince.
Despite their newly established trust, they can’t venture throughout the entire ship. This stealth mission in the dungeon offers players a bird’s-eye view reminiscent of stealth sequences from Metal Gear Solid. If detected, the game ends, so players must be cautious. However, it’s surprising that this mission is quite brief despite the generous amount of time provided to complete it on the schedule.
5 Nord Mines
A Solid Tutorial Dungeon
In simpler terms, the Nord Mines serve as a kind of labyrinth for the initial player experience. These mines are filled with loot, adversaries, and unexpected twists. Although the path is straightforward, it has intricate turns. The Fire Dragon Mauna can be engaged in an optional battle, which might seem early for the game “ReFantazio”. Despite its relatively simple design, it effectively introduces players to mechanics and exploration, making it a valuable part of the gaming experience.
4 Kriegante Castle
Something Is Lurking Beneath The Grates
Kriegante Castle, serving as the central fortress of Martira region, is often referred to as its underground labyrinth. In essence, it’s the castle’s subterranean complex. The main quest involves navigating through murky swamps and monster-ridden waters to uncover the truth about the child kidnappings in town. Players will also encounter obstacles such as a water sluice puzzle, where they must find the correct sequence to drain the water and progress. Furthermore, there are stealth sections where players need to stay hidden from the sight of a shadowy monster. These elements make Kriegante Castle unique and challenging.
3 Regalith Grand Cathedral
Take Me To Church
Although Nord Mines might be categorized as a dungeon, the Regalith Grand Cathedral is a true dungeon in the sense that fans of Atlus’ Persona series would recognize. However, it’s now under control of Zorba, one of Louis’ men, who has murdered the royal guards and brought them back to life as puppets.
This dungeon is vast and among the largest found in the game. If players aren’t skilled at managing their items, they might need several in-game days to finish exploring it. However, it isn’t overly complex with its puzzles, making it a great starting point for newcomers to the world of Metaphor: ReFantazio. The Nord Mines are also worth noting for their own merits.
2 Skybound Avatar
More Terrifying Than The Moon In Majora’s Mask
The Skybound Avatar is technically the name of the moon which has taken the form of the late King. It is the final dungeon of the game and it incorporates many elements from previous dungeons. It’s a very Mega Man-like design choice by the developers. For example, there are the horrific ear monsters from the Dragon Temple and there are blocked paths players need to clear by smashing crystals like in the Regalith Grand Cathedral. It’s nice that each section is like a callback and players aren’t doing the same thing repeatedly. And even though the Tyrant’s Star is not directly attached to the Skybound Avatar, it deserves a quick mention as the final area of the lead-up to the showdown against Louis.
1 Dragon Temple
A Twist On The Fantasy Trope
In the previously mentioned Dragon Temple, gamers initially find themselves navigating a labyrinth, guided by a light descending a grand stairway. If they stray, they’re returned to the start. This is typical in RPGs, but things quickly become unusual. Players might discover what appears to be a modern-day office building from our world, equipped with elevators and other familiar elements. A striking scene shows players gazing upon a devastated street outside, where buses lie wrecked and overgrown with vegetation. This transformation from a fantasy setting to a post-apocalyptic one, symbolically named ReFantazio, adds intrigue to the temple’s allure, as well as hinting at the depths it will explore. Navigating these complex corridors will prove challenging, especially with the ear monster guards patrolling, reminiscent of FOEs from Etrian Odyssey.
Read More
- SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
- ENA PREDICTION. ENA cryptocurrency
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
- USD ZAR PREDICTION
- USD PHP PREDICTION
- WIF PREDICTION. WIF cryptocurrency
- MDT PREDICTION. MDT cryptocurrency
- SEAM PREDICTION. SEAM cryptocurrency
- HYDRA PREDICTION. HYDRA cryptocurrency
2024-10-27 16:34