Metaphor: ReFantazio Shows that Persona 6’s Cast Could Benefit from One Narrative Change

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As a longtime fan of the Persona series, I must admit that my heart skipped a beat when I first heard about Metaphor Refantazio. While it may not be a direct spin-off, its focus on character relationships and high-fantasy storytelling is reminiscent of the beloved franchise. However, one significant difference between the two games left me yearning for more: romance subplots.

Metaphor Refantazio diverges significantly from the Persona series, yet they share an unbreakable bond, similar to how Persona is constantly associated with Shin Megami Tensei. Similar to Persona, Metaphor Refantazio focuses heavily on the protagonist’s relationships with NPCs, requiring players to cultivate connections with each party member (and more) to access a wealth of advantages, whether in or out of combat.

But one central piece of the Persona life simulation puzzle is missing in Metaphor Refantazio: romance subplots. In the Persona series, the player can choose to romance most of their opposite-sex Social Links, which can provide a deeper and more meaningful connection between the player and the game world. While many Persona fans were disappointed by the omission of such romance features in Metaphor Refantazio, the high-fantasy story proved to be just as riveting and intimate without it, thanks to its exceptional character writing. But still, it’s not like romance couldn’t have worked in Metaphor, on some level, and perhaps a happy medium can be found in Persona 6.

Persona 6’s Characters Could Benefit by Putting Romance On the Back Burner

Metaphor Refantazio’s Cast Isn’t Defined by Romance

In the game series, Persona, it’s typically clear which characters could potentially be romantic interests. For instance, Yukari from Persona 3 and Ann from Persona 5, who aren’t officially romanceable until later in the game, are presented as potential love interests through various hints such as observations, jokes, or emotionally charged interactions. This pattern implies that many relationships between opposite-gender characters in the Persona games could have romantic undertones.

In Metaphor, things are different when it comes to player-NPC interactions. Unlike some games, there are no romance mechanics, which gives each character a bit more independence and freedom from being solely defined by their relationship with the protagonist. The player-character serves as a guide for these characters on their personal journeys, but unlike in traditional committed relationships, they aren’t part of the characters’ ultimate objectives. Additionally, because players are aware that these relationships are meant to be platonic, it fosters a more organic dynamic between the protagonist and NPCs, as players aren’t constantly trying to reach a romantic victory state.

It’s heavily implied that Eupha shares a romantic bond with the main character of Metaphor, but unlike the interactive and changing romance narratives in Persona, their relationship is distinctly different.

How Persona 6 Can Adapt Metaphor Refantazio’s Platonic Approach Without Adopting It

In the world of Persona, romance is a recurring theme, so it’s understandable and refreshing when it’s absent in Metaphor. However, this shouldn’t be the case for Persona 6. That said, the next installment of Persona can incorporate the aromeatic aspects found in Metaphor’s character development without completely eliminating romance from the storyline.

In a refreshing twist for the “Persona” series, like Mitsuru from “Persona 3,” some of the most captivating romantic relationships might initially begin as friendships rather than romances. This could be a notable change in “Persona 6,” where the default state of these relationships would start off as platonic and gradually develop into something deeper. This approach, coupled with fewer predictable romance subplots, could encourage players to explore unique character interactions more organically, rather than solely pursuing romantic rewards early on. By taking a subtler and less universal approach to romance in “Persona 6,” the game could potentially feature richer characters and more compelling romance narratives overall.

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2024-12-18 00:23