The hosts dive into the stylish RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, comparing it to Persona 5 while highlighting unique gameplay and political themes. They explore a whimsical take on democracy within the game's narrative and discuss character dynamics and criticism of technical performance. Further, they share thoughts on Marvel's Agatha All Along, praising its charm and performances. Nostalgia flows as they discuss the upcoming Beetlejuice and reminisce about the impact of Lost on fans, weaving together past experiences with a vibrant anticipation for what's next.
Metaphor: ReFantazio deviates from Persona's high school setting, offering an adventurous Dungeons & Dragons-like experience filled with political intrigue.
The game's combat system features a unique archetype mechanism that encourages players to experiment with roles and party compositions for strategic depth.
Narratively, it explores complex themes of power and governance through a plot driven by the assassination of a king and resulting democratic upheaval.
Deep dives
Game Overview and Structure
The game, Metaphor Re-Fantasio, is created by Atlus, known for their Persona series, and introduces an entirely new fantasy world. It features a calendar-based structure akin to Persona, where players engage in various activities and complete missions within a defined timeframe. Players explore different towns, encountering a myriad of fantastical characters across magical landscapes. This game diverges from Persona's high school backdrop, offering a more adventurous Dungeons & Dragons-like experience filled with political intrigue.
Character Progression and Combat Mechanics
Combat in Metaphor Re-Fantasio engages players through a unique archetype system, allowing them to switch between various roles like knights and mages. Each character has the potential to learn and develop multiple classes, which adds an exciting layer of strategy. The game encourages experimentation with party compositions and elemental synergies, making combat both challenging and rewarding. Feedback from players suggests the combat system becomes increasingly complex and enjoyable as they unlock new archetypes and learn to master their characters.
Storyline and Themes
The narrative revolves around political themes, exploring power and governance within the context of its fantasy universe. The plot kicks off with the assassination of a king, leading to a democratic upheaval where the protagonist must navigate a web of allegiances and rivalries to claim the throne. Characters embody various archetypes that provide diverse perspectives on society and authority, enriching the storytelling. While some aspects of the plot may feel simplistic, there are deeper discussions about leadership, rights, and societal structure embedded throughout the game.
Visual Design and World-Building
Metaphor Re-Fantasio is praised for its creative world-building, distinct from typical fantasy tropes often seen in the genre. The game introduces unique tribes with diverse aesthetics and backgrounds, elevating its narrative beyond standard fantasy narratives. Interestingly, many character designs challenge conventional portrayals of races, providing a more unique interpretation that defies expectations. However, while the artistry is commendable, some players found elements of the game, such as dungeon layouts, to be less visually striking compared to other RPGs.
Performance Issues and Player Experience
Despite its engaging gameplay, players have reported performance issues, notably in crowded towns where frame rates can drop significantly. This affects the overall experience, as much of the enjoyment of the game comes from exploring these vibrant locations and interacting with NPCs. While the game features outstanding translation and localization work, some elements of the UI and UX design have been criticized for inconsistency and redundancy, sometimes detracting from the immersive experience. Overall, while players have mixed feelings regarding technical aspects, the core gameplay and narrative elements remain highlighted as strong points.
Jason, Kirk, and Maddy take a deep dive into Metaphor: ReFantazio, the new game from a team of former Persona directors at Atlus. They talk about Metaphor's gameplay, its similarities to (and differences from) Persona 5, and what they like and don't like about this stylish new RPG.
