Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Atlus Game References Explained

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As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich worlds of SMT and Persona, I must say that Metaphor: ReFantazio is an absolute delight for fans like myself. It’s not just a game that pays homage to its predecessors, but one that manages to carve out its own unique identity while doing so.

Before the release of Metaphor, there was much speculation about how similar it would be to SMT and modern Persona games. Given that the creative team behind Metaphor has worked with Atlus in the past, it was expected that some elements from their repertoire would be incorporated into the game. However, after receiving critical acclaim and Game Award nominations, it’s become apparent that Metaphor, like its protagonist, carves out its unique path while also acknowledging its predecessors. In terms of mechanics, it draws inspiration from the modern Persona calendar system and press-turn combat found in SMT. Additionally, there are subtle references throughout the game that serve as clever winks to Atlus fans.

In essence, the core concept of “ReFantazio” is deeply rooted in its battle system, with the most obvious references appearing in the names of its Archetypes. The character initially played by most players, for example, belongs to the Elite Archetype known as ‘Soul Hacker’, which is a nod to the 1997 game “Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers”. Later on, Eupha from “ReFantazio” will unlock the Summoner lineage for the player. Diving into this base Archetype and the Magic Seeker, either Eupha or a character of the player’s choice gains access to the Devil Summoner itself, which is a faithful tribute to the extensive “Megami Tensei” series. The Devil Summoner Archetype mirrors the versatility found in the demons of “SMT”, offering a variety of beloved demons that enhance the strategic nature of “ReFantazio’s” combat.

How Metaphor: ReFantazio Pays Homage to Atlus’ Past

Metaphor’s Devil Summoner

Players can leverage the abilities of iconic characters from the Devil Summoner series such as Jack Frost and Mothman for elemental harm, shield themselves from physical attacks using Decarabia, inflict severe piercing damage with Cu Chulainn while weakening enemy defenses, offer healing with Lakshmi, and much more. Additionally, the Devil Summoner has the privilege of utilizing potent synthesis skills that echo series legends, like the monstrous Beelzebub or even Ishtar, reminiscent of challenging boss battles from games such as SMT3: Nocturne and SMT5, among other Megami Tensei appearances. These summons can be acquired through unique experiments, with talismans inscribed with demon race names being crucial for creating containers that harness their power, assisted by More.

The Arcana is the Means By Which All is Revealed

The idea behind the Persona Master Archetype, another clear metaphor in this context, is similar. It’s initially accessible through Junah’s ancestry, but any party member can use it if they level up the Masked Dancer role. The Persona Master can be customized with various abilities based on the mask they wear. These Archetypal masks are acquired by fusing Arcana masks, linking back to the Tarot influences that significantly impact the social bonds in contemporary Persona games. Players who opt for the Royal Masked Dancer (exclusive to Junah) will find a delightful reference in the synthesis skill Masquerade Change, where the Archetype is depicted wearing glasses and accompanied by an Evoker, with Tarot cards as their source of power surrounding them.

A Unique Skill From One of SMT’s Most Iconic Demons

In the character archetypes of Metaphor, there’s a nod to a talent often associated with triumph. The Royal Warrior Archetype, as depicted by Strohl, can master Hassou Tobi, a technique famously linked to Yoshitsune in gaming history. Yoshitsune is known as a powerful demon (or Persona) in Megami Tensei lore, due to his ability to deliver eight physical attacks simultaneously, which can be incredibly potent. In SMT5, this power is amplified by the demon’s consistent landing of critical hits with the attack, making it a valuable ally worth developing till the end. In Metaphor, Hassou Tobi delivers Slash damage to all enemies eight times, and given the game’s many physical attack buffs and front-row enhancements, this skill is undoubtedly beneficial.

In the narrative of “Metaphor: ReFantazio”, the game maintains its unique essence, yet there are distinct similarities between certain characters and those from “Persona 5” and “Persona 5 Strikers”. For instance, the character Strohl shares a resemblance with Ryuji from “Persona 5”, and Heismay’s role exhibits striking parallels to Zenkichi in “Persona 5 Strikers”. A notable scene close to the final boss fight in “Metaphor” mirrors Ryuji’s actions at Shido’s palace, hinting that although “Metaphor’s” characters can stand independently, it’s intriguing to observe the traits they share with beloved characters from Atlus’ games.

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2024-11-29 21:55