2024’s place as the “Year of the RPG” continues with the release ofMetaphor: ReFantazio, the latest game fromPersona 5director Katsura Hashino and the first original project from his new development division within Atlus, Studio Zero. Like Hashino’s previous work,Metaphor: ReFantaziois a dense and feature-rich RPG experience that gradually reveals more and more complexity to the player with each new layer they uncover, whether that be through the introduction of a new system, a surprising development in the plot, or newfound abilities that recontextualize how players navigate the game world. Like thePersonaandSMTgames, there’s a lot to dig into withMetaphor: ReFantazio, and it can be a bit overwhelming at first.
Thankfully,Metaphor: ReFantazio’s difficulty on-ramp and onboarding of the player are skewed toward being more accessible and balanced than needlessly confusing, even if the game does throw a lot at players within the first couple of hours. Still, there are certain things players will want to know before diving intothe next great RPG from Atlus, including how to game the Archetype system, what Kingly Virtues to focus on, and how to make the most of the game’s Calendar system and Bonds.
What to Know About Metaphor: ReFantazio
Metaphor’s Calendar System is More Forgiving, But Learn to Manage Time Wisely
Much like in thePersonagames fromPersona 3onward, themain quest ofMetaphor: ReFantaziois governed by a Calendar system. Every day is split up into two segments, with players having an Afternoon and Evening portion to devote to actions of their choosing. WhileMetaphoris slightly more forgiving with the amount of time it gives players to accomplish things than what one might experience in aPersonagame, it still behooves the player to manage their time wisely and prioritize activities. Traveling to and from locations on the map (some with exclusive items necessary for cooking or valuable MP restoratives) takes time, as does talking with allies to strengthen Bonds, visiting Dungeons, or improving any of the 5 Kingly Virtues, all of which are necessary to unseat Louis Guiabern as the heir apparent to Euchronia’s throne.
Social Bonds and Kingly Virtues Go Hand-In-Hand
Speaking of the Kingly Virtues, these 5 stats are unique toMetaphor: ReFantazio’s protagonistand function similarly toPersona’s Traits. As such, completing activities that strengthen these virtues is a must. Not only do higher levels of Kingly Virtues make the protagonist a more popular candidate, but they also open up new questlines and conversations with party members and allies. These will, in turn, unlock more advanced Archetypes in that character’s class lineage.
Informants' Tips Are Worth Every Penny
The Archetype system inMetaphor: ReFantaziowill feel immediately at home to anyone who has ever played another RPG with a Job system, meaning certain dungeons will have enemy types weak to specific Jobs and party compositions. To avoid needing to brute-force dungeons and burn through valuable restorative items, it’s worthwhile to visit each town’s informants and spend theReeve,Metaphor’s version of gold, to get the read on what the party can expect when they go adventuring. Having the right party composition and mix of Archetypes can be the difference between unscathed victory and crushing defeat.
