I’m scared that in what is already shaping up to be a stacked end to 2024,Metaphor: ReFantaziois going to inhale what was left of my free time.
The latest release from RPG powerhouseAtlusis, in many ways, a culmination of all the studio’s previous work on series likePersonaandShin Megami Tensei. After four hours getting to know the new fantasy setting, characters, and battle system, I’m convinced we have yet another GOTY contender on our hands.
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Combat certainly isn’t a million miles away from what you’d expect from a Persona game, thoughMetaphorcertainly has its own ideas and identity. Battles revolve around which ‘archetypes’ you select for your heroes, special forms that can be summoned to pull off extra powerful elemental spells and attacks.
There are, based on what I could see from the game’s various menus and upgrade trees, a huge number of archetypes available to unlock throughout the game, both via optional quests and simply progressing the story. During my preview my party consisted of a healer, a thief, a knight, and a mage. These are, of course, classic fantasy RPG character templates, butMetaphortreats them more likePokémontypes, with their own unique moves, advantages, and disadvantages.
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It’s this election that DEFINITELY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AMERICA that ultimately forms the spine ofMetaphor. In our race to become king of all the land, we have to explore, meet new people, complete quests, and form lasting bonds.
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There are a huge number of contenders in this kingly election, presumably because even in fantasy land people have cottoned on to the fact that a two-party system is bullshit. As a result, we as the player start from a level of relative obscurity. In fact, the way every act inMetaphorultimately feeds into every other facet of gameplay is one of the most fascinating and exquisitely designed parts of the experience.
An example: as I explored one city I was robbed of a precious item, but a mysterious NPC told me they could help me get it back… if I was willing to travel to an ancient tomb for them and fetch back a mysterious and powerful artefact.
It’s here I should mention thatMetaphoroperates on a time limit. There’s a limited number of days until a new king is chosen, which means you have to pick your quests carefully. You simply won’t be able to do everything and help everyone in one playthrough. The tomb I needed to travel to was two days away, meaning I really had to weigh up whether I thought the journey and quest were truly worth it.
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There’s an element of Moral Anxiety Studio’s excellentRoadwardenin this aspect of the game, withMetaphorforcing you to really consider every request. This isn’t likeThe Witcher 3where you can nip off across the world and play cards for a few weeks while your adopted daughter remains missing, there is a very real sense that time is running out, and every decision matters.
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As it transpired I did elect to take on the quest, which led me to a showdown with a rival candidate for king and a dungeon filled with treasure chests that could spring to life and attack. Throughout all of this I was able to strengthen bonds with my party, improve my own “kingly attributes” and rank in the election, and unlock a brand-new archetype which opened up a completely new range of battle options. That I got all of this simply for doing one side quest tells me beyond all doubt thatMetaphoris a game of staggering depth, and after four hours I’ve barely begun to scratch the surface.
While elements of Persona are still clear, from Atlus’ ability to create the most stunning and stylish UI you’ve ever seen in a video game, to the sharp writing and instantly memorable characters,Metaphor: ReFantazioalso pulls from classic fantasy RPG adventures to create something wholly original. I’d start booking some time off now, because this game is going to dominate our lives going forward.
Topics:Persona,Sega,Preview
