Summary
Metaphor: ReFantaziois set to launch later this year as Atlus' first new JRPG IP in years, and it appears to lean heavily on the existing framework of the company’s existing titles. Following recent combat showcases which revealed the mechanics ofMetaphor: ReFantazio’s Archetype System, Atlus has made clear that the game takes heavy inspiration from the successful formula whichPersona 5utilized to landmark success.Persona’s DNA can be felt in nearly every one ofMetaphor’s major combat features, but the combat system inMetaphor: ReFantaziois also split between turn-based and real-time battles.
While the distinction between Squad and Fast combat inMetaphoris its main difference fromPersonaon the surface, it has ties to thebroaderShin Megami Tenseifranchise’s mechanics. Now that the Press Turn Battle system has been confirmed to be returning alongside similar names for the magical skills used by itsPersona-like Archetypes, it seems thatMetaphoris fusing elements from various parts ofSMTwhile still establishing a world of its own. There might be a complete lack of romance in its social simulator features, which play an important role in Archetype progression, butMetaphorseems to be taking even more of a varied and experimental approach in how it handles its two varieties of enemy encounters.
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Battle System Iterates on Mainline Shin Megami Tensei Over Persona
Persona’s Influence is Primarily Aesthetic
It’s undeniable thatMetaphorshares traits likedesigns by Shigenori Soejima, a calendar time passage system, and even the base premise of awaking magical avatar-based powers withPersona, and it also seems set to build on the concept ofP5’s unique dungeons through its own linear levels. There’s an almost identical core to the options available to the player in battle withinMetaphorcompared to some recent Atlus releases, but it doesn’t use the same One More-based approach to turns.
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne’s Approach to Turns
First utilized inSMT3, the Press Turn Battle system operates on different rules from what Persona has become known for. While turns are distributed to each party member inPersona, the Press Turn system gives the player one turn point for each character and allows these to be used on actions with more flexibility. Now set to appear inMetaphor’s turn-based combat, this setup sees skill usage rewarded with “half turns” that can allow for successive attacks and dominate battles.
Stepping Outside of Persona’s Fully Turn-Based Formula
The interplay between turn-based Squad and real-time action Fast battles is the most original contribution thatMetaphorseems to bring tothe Atlus JRPG catalog, and it has the potential to remove an area of frustration that some players have had within the genre. In many previous games, and especially monster catcher titles, it’s not uncommon for repetitive battles with low-level foes to frequently halt the pacing of certain zones.Metaphordirectly addresses this through allowing players to quickly defeat enemies who are of a lower level using Fast combat, while more difficult foes see Squad battles taking place.
There’s still an incentive to attack creatures of a higher level than the player inMetaphor,despite the necessity of using Squad combat on them, as there are benefits to catching enemies off-guard using the different Archetype movesets available in Fast combat. While this might seem to make the experience easier, especially when coupled with the apparent ability to replay battles freely, it also appears that the Human monsters ofMetaphorare able to use the same tactics to attack the player’s party as well. There has been some experimentation acrossPersonain recent years when it comes to random encounters, butMetaphor: ReFantazio’s implementation of action gameplayis an even bigger risk that could pay off.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
WHERE TO PLAY
From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.Control your destiny, face your fears, and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.
