Released to rave reviews earlier this week, Metaphor: ReFantazio is now available. This new RPG from Atlus combines the familiar gameplay of Persona with a unique fantasy storyline set in a kingdom filled with monsters, corrupt rulers, and political turmoil. The immersive narrative justifies the lengthy runtime of Metaphor.
It won’t be long before fans start debating whether Metaphor is superior to Persona. However, comparing the two is unnecessary as they each have their own tonal and narrative strengths with distinct combat mechanics. Despite these differences, Metaphor introduces quality-of-life improvements to the formula, including addressing a major flaw in Persona’s design: the death mechanic.
One of the frustrating aspects of Persona’s gameplay is the system where if Joker, the protagonist, dies, it results in an immediate game over even if other party members are still alive. This irrational design choice not only breaks immersion but also undermines the sense of teamwork within the group. It also makes exploration tedious, especially when a random event leads to Joker’s demise, wasting valuable time in a lengthy game.
Fortunately, Metaphor: ReFantazio eliminates this flawed system entirely. Now, the protagonist can fall in battle without ending the game, allowing all party members to fight until defeat. This change enhances the importance of each squad member in battles.
In addition to this major change, Metaphor introduces numerous quality-of-life improvements to streamline the gameplay experience. Players can now restart battles instantly and easily experiment with different strategies. The game also offers a clearer bond system, efficient quest management, and other tweaks that minimize wasted time without compromising the core gameplay.
These enhancements make Metaphor a refined and engaging RPG that respects players’ time investment. With a focus on eliminating unnecessary frictions, Atlus sets a new standard with this title, potentially surpassing the Persona series in player enjoyment.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is now available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
