As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that Metaphor: ReFantazio is a gem in the RPG genre, one that has undoubtedly stolen a significant chunk of my precious gaming time. If you’re an Atlus fan, or better yet, if you’ve ever found yourself entangled in the intricate web of Persona, then prepare to be captivated by this magical medieval adventure.
Amongst RPG enthusiasts, you’d probably find many who’d name Persona or Shin Megami Tensei as their favorite games in the genre, both developed by Atlus. These games have been captivating me for hours without end, and I wouldn’t trade a second of that time back. It has been some time since Atlus introduced something entirely fresh, but recently, they’ve surprised us with Metaphor: ReFantazio, offering a more fantasy-oriented experience.
In this enchanting medieval tale, our protagonist is an exceptionally uncommon character from the Elda race, often subject to prejudice. Unlike others of his kind, he shares a long-standing friendship with a prince who has been afflicted by a curse and must kill its creator to lift it. However, chaos ensues when the king is assassinated, causing widespread distress as they search for a new ruler.
The narrative of Metaphor: ReFantazio revolves around a realm where individuals who differ are ostracized. To address this problem, the king, employing his potent magic, arranged for the people to select their monarch, believing that a touch of democracy would unite everyone and provide them with a ruler who serves them optimally. With no alternative but to participate in the magical election and find the one responsible for cursing the Prince, you and your eclectic group embark on an international journey.
In Metaphor: ReFantazio, though the game primarily revolves around an election and countering xenophobia, you’ll occasionally find yourself in heated battles. The combat system is turn-based, and those familiar with Atlus’ other productions will feel comfortable here. The key strategy is exploiting weaknesses to launch additional attacks. Each character in your team has a variety of weapon types and spells at their disposal for this purpose. While the combat system may not be revolutionary, coming from the creators of the modern Persona series, it’s still engaging and maintains a thoughtful, fast-paced rhythm that keeps gameplay fresh and exciting.
In Metaphor: ReFantazio, instead of characters relying on Igniters for magical abilities, your party members unlock the power of character classes known as Archetypes, which aid them during combat. These Archetypes serve similar functions to traditional role-playing game classes, such as mage, healer, gunner, and merchant. To make battles more manageable, it’s beneficial to create a diverse team that leverages various Archetype abilities. However, the specific composition of your party is flexible according to your strategy.
While exploiting vulnerabilities can be a common strategy for winning battles, there are numerous alternative ways to utilize Archetypes when constructing characters. For example, instead of relying solely on casting spells, you might choose to boost your team’s stats in combat, or inflict debilitating status effects on the enemy to hinder their offensive capabilities. Each Archetype brings something unique to your party during battles, and you can even acquire skills from other Archetypes to customize your moveset according to your preferences.
In the quest for kingship, displaying battle skills is crucial, but cultivating relationships and enhancing your royal traits are equally significant. This aspect mirrors the social and time management elements found in games like Persona. In Metaphor: ReFantazio, you’ll have opportunities to interact with your party members and other allies. Each character you can socialize with represents a distinct Archetype, and their development is dependent on the strength of your bond with them. I found it enjoyable getting to know these complex characters, and the rewards are satisfying too.
As a game enthusiast, I’ve found that if I’m not focusing on fostering relationships, it’s crucial to develop my protagonist into a multidimensional character that appeals widely. This can be achieved by enhancing five key attributes through various experiences (such as reading books or observing people from a park bench). These characteristics significantly impact how my character interacts with others at pivotal junctures. For instance, a new bond might only become accessible when my courage level is unyieldingly fearless, or I’ll need to have an extraordinarily vivid imagination to persuade someone to aid me. It’s not dissimilar to boosting personality stats in Persona, but with a more refined, regal flavor.
If you’ve had experience as a superpowered school student saving the world in Persona before, you might recognize the likenesses between that cherished series and Metaphor: ReFantazio. However, there are aspects where it surpasses those timeless RPGs, such as its dungeon layouts that include intriguing puzzles, chase sequences, and other engaging elements to keep the action fresh and thrilling.
It’s reassuring to know that the anticipated new RPG from Atlus won’t disappoint in terms of visual appeal and catchy music, which fans have grown accustomed to. Fortunately, there’s no need for concern on this front. Although it may not reach the vibrant heights of Persona’s colorful menus, Metaphor boasts a distinctive style that’s a bit more rugged, fitting with its overall tone. In terms of audio, the game is filled with numerous songs that I find myself still humming even after the credits have rolled, and to top it off, the voice acting is top-notch as well.
Despite being among the top RPGs of the year, Metaphor: ReFantazio does come with a few minor drawbacks to consider. For most of the gameplay, I found myself completely captivated and had trouble taking my hands off the controller. However, the ending act felt a bit prolonged. Additionally, there’s a slight hiccup in the combat system, as it can be a bit awkward when you have specific weapon types equipped, especially if you’ve chosen a more magic-oriented main character like myself. Overall, these are minor issues that may not significantly impact your experience but are worth noting.
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve stumbled upon ReFantazio – another unmissable RPG from the brilliant minds behind Persona. This game offers exhilarating combat sequences, captivating time management aspects, and a tale so intriguing it keeps you hooked till the very end. If you’re ready to invest some serious gaming hours, you’ll be richly rewarded with one of this year’s standout games.
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2024-10-07 17:16