Highlights
- Metaphor: ReFantazio will be missing the romantic relationship options found in Persona games, but features its own social bond-building system.
- Players can deepen relationships with allies to unlock new Archetypes in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
- Despite some differences, Metaphor: ReFantazio shares similarities with Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series.
Atlus game fans are looking forward to Metaphor: ReFantazio, but the game is going to be missing a common mechanic of Persona games that players enjoy: building romances with NPCs. While the mechanic may be missed, it’s another indication that Metaphor: ReFantazio and its Shin Megami Tensei and Persona predecessors do differ, despite their similarities.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is heading towards a release later this year, and is set to bring fans of RPGs to a mythical and magical medieval world instead of the usual real-life exploration of Japan and its shadowy hidden side. Metaphor: ReFantazio will differ from Persona games in various ways, including the playable protagonist being having a voice and dialogue.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Reveals Release Date and New Gameplay Details
After a new broadcast from the developers, Metaphor: ReFantazio finally reveals to players the release date and other exciting details.
According to Atlus during the game’s recent livestream, as translated by Siliconera, Metaphor: ReFantazio is known to be bringing in a social bond-building system, but it’s going to lack romantic relationship options. In Persona games, some characters can build a bond with the playable protagonist, and a possibility for romance eventually opens up. While some of Persona‘s romantic partners are questionable, it’s nonetheless a popular mechanic that players have come to enjoy. Metaphor: ReFantazio may be lacking this due to the type of bonding system the game has.
In Metaphor: ReFantazio, players can deepen their relationships with followers, learning more about them and eventually allowing the player to unlock new Archetypes. In contrast in Persona 5, reaching a certain point in a character’s side quests or going through the story with them would improve Joker’s abilities and Personas, but also opened the door to romance with some allies and confidants. While the possibility of wooing multiple characters is off the table, it remains to be seen if the game will feature a story-based romance or not.
What Mechanics are Returning from the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series?
While there seem to be some considerable differences between Metaphor: ReFantazio and the Persona or Shin Megami Tensei series, there are still some mechanics that are making a comeback.
Metaphor: ReFantazio will feature a calendar system similar to that of Persona, which is used to measure the passage of time and allow certain events to be time-locked in the Persona series. The game will also feature Shin Megami Tensei‘s Press Turn Battle system. Some skills will also be returning from the mainline Shin Megami Tensei series. With Metaphor: ReFantazio‘s director, artist, and musical composer all having previously worked on Shin Megami Tensei entries, there’s bound to be other similarities as well in the game’s theme and general aesthetics.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Developed by Atlus’ Studio Zero, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fantasy RPG set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, a medieval world that mirrors the modern-day “real world.” It takes inspiration from the Persona series with its turn-based combat and social sim elements.
