October 8th 2024.
Imagine a world where every vote truly counts. A world where your choices and actions have a direct impact on the outcome of society. This is the world of Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new game from the creators of the popular Persona 5 franchise. While it shares a similar style of presentation and combat, this new game takes place in a completely different fantasy world.
Back in 2006, when Persona 3 was released, most people in the West had never heard of the game's publisher, Atlus, or its parent franchise, Shin Megami Tensei. It seemed destined to only find success in Japan. But fast forward to 2024 and Persona 5 has become one of the most beloved Japanese role-playing games of all time. And now, with the highly anticipated announcement of Persona 6 on the horizon, the developers have surprised fans with a brand new IP that has nothing to do with Persona.
Set in a world plagued by racism and a very unconventional election process, Metaphor: ReFantazio still maintains the familiar gameplay and presentation of the Persona games. This brings both benefits and occasional distractions, but overall, it is a strange and enjoyable role-playing experience.
So what is the story of Metaphor: ReFantazio? Unlike typical fantasy worlds, this game avoids the usual cliches and instead incorporates steampunk elements and a Victorian-inspired capital. There are no elves or dwarves, but instead, a diverse range of humanoid races, each with their own unique features like horns or pointy ears. Unfortunately, racism is rampant in this world, especially towards the three ruling races who look down upon the "lesser" races.
The main character belongs to one of these "lesser" races, which is discriminated against for religious reasons. This race is so rare that many believe they are extinct. The protagonist's only friend is a fairy named Gallica, but even she is often ignored due to her rarity. Together, they embark on a mission to assassinate a nobleman who has put the prince into a curse-induced coma and has recently murdered the king. However, things take a strange turn when the dead king's castle floats into the air and calls for an election to determine his successor. And among the candidates is none other than the player themselves.
The game's plot is certainly peculiar and the first few hours may not make the best impression, especially with its heavy-handed social commentary. However, the combat system and unique enemies known as "humans" will keep players engaged. These enemies have bizarre designs inspired by the works of Hieronymus Bosch, making for an interesting and challenging battle experience.
Similar to Persona, there is some sort of connection between Metaphor's reality and an idealized version of our world. The protagonist carries a fantasy book that describes a world without war or magic, and in their dreams, they meet the author who serves as a mentor and guide. This is reminiscent of Igor from the Persona games, providing background information and introducing new abilities.
One of the most important abilities in Metaphor is the use of Archetypes, which are similar to Personas in that they transform the character and grant them magical powers. However, in this game, they are simply different class types that can be unlocked for any character in the party. This requires in-game currency and careful planning, as each character starts at level one with each Archetype. The combat system is fast-paced and efficient, almost feeling like an action game, but strategy is still necessary to defeat tougher opponents.
In terms of structure, Metaphor is similar to Persona with its time management aspect. While there is no school year to limit the player's actions, there is a timetable in place due to the ongoing election. Each day and night, players must choose between completing story missions, side quests, or socializing with allies to improve relationships and gain advantages in battle. Side quests not only provide rewards but also improve five "royal virtues" that are crucial to the game's progress.
Visually, Metaphor's menus and user interface are just as stylish as Persona, but the in-game graphics have not improved since Persona 5. This is likely due to the game being a cross-gen PlayStation 4 title with a limited budget. However, the lack of voice acting for non-essential dialogue is a disappointment.
In conclusion, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a unique and enjoyable game that offers a familiar yet refreshing experience for fans of the Persona franchise. With its unconventional story and fast-paced combat, it is a must-try for any role-playing game enthusiast. So don't hesitate to cast your vote and join the journey in this intriguing world where every choice truly counts.
Introducing ReFantazio: Every Vote Counts, a new fantasy franchise from the creators of the popular game Persona 5. Drawing on the same captivating style and immersive combat system, ReFantazio takes players on a journey through a unique and intriguing fantasy world.
Before the release of Persona 3 in 2006, the publisher Atlus and its parent franchise Shin Megami Tensei were relatively unknown in the Western gaming world. Many believed that these games would remain popular only in Japan, especially considering the long history of the Persona series dating back to 1996. However, fast forward to 2024 and Persona 5 has become one of the most beloved Japanese role-playing games of all time.
As fans eagerly await the announcement of Persona 6, ReFantazio has arrived on the scene following the recent release of Persona 3 Reload. This new game, set in a world plagued by racism and a rather unusual election, marks a departure from the Persona series. While the gameplay and presentation are reminiscent of Studio Zero's previous work, ReFantazio offers a uniquely enjoyable and bizarre role-playing experience.
So, what is the story behind ReFantazio? The game's setting may be medieval fantasy, but it strays from the typical Tolkien-esque tropes. Instead, players will encounter steampunk elements and a capital city with a Victorian feel, devoid of elves and dwarves. The world is inhabited by various humanoid races, each with minor physical differences like horns or pointy ears. However, despite these similarities, racism runs rampant. The three ruling races discriminate against the "lesser" races, creating a stark divide.
The protagonist belongs to one of these "lesser" races, facing discrimination not for physical differences but because of religious beliefs. Their race is so rare that many believe they have gone extinct. Alongside a fairy named Gallica, who also faces discrimination, the protagonist sets out to assassinate a nobleman responsible for putting the prince into a curse-induced coma and murdering the king. But the plot takes a peculiar turn when the dead king raises his castle into the air and calls for an election to determine his successor. The candidates include a dull, continuity-driven option, the obvious villain who killed the king, and...the player.
The setup is certainly unconventional, and the first few hours of gameplay may not make the best first impression, especially with heavy-handed social commentary. However, the combat system and enemies keep players engaged. The game's combat is similar to Persona, with fast-paced action and efficient attacks. Enemies that are clearly weaker can be dealt with in real-time, but more formidable foes require strategic thinking and the use of Archetypes.
Similar to Personas, Archetypes allow players to transform into different classes and use magic in battle. Each character is associated with a specific Archetype, but they can also be unlocked for other party members. However, this requires in-game currency and some specialization, as characters start at level one with each Archetype. As players level up, they can unlock new classes.
Though the "press turn" combat system is reminiscent of Persona, it feels more like an action game due to its fast-paced nature. However, the game's difficulty spikes with the first boss battle, forcing players to think strategically and use character combos to their advantage.
ReFantazio's structure also draws inspiration from Persona. While there are no school years to limit players' actions, the election timeline creates a sense of urgency. Players must manage their time wisely, balancing story missions, side quests, and socializing with allies to improve relationships and gain combat bonuses. Side quests are not just for material rewards. They also affect the five "royal virtues" of Courage, Wisdom, Tolerance, Eloquence, and Imagination. These virtues play a crucial role in winning the election and convincing merchants to sell items to players.
Visually, ReFantazio's menus and user interface are just as stylish as Persona, but the in-game graphics have not improved since Persona 5. This is a cross-gen PlayStation 4 game with low polygon characters, long load times, and signs of a limited budget. However, the game's unique and captivating gameplay more than makes up for any visual shortcomings.
In summary, ReFantazio offers a fresh and enjoyable role-playing experience, blending familiar elements from Persona with a new and intriguing fantasy world. Despite its flaws, this game is a must-play for fans of the genre. So, don't miss your chance to make every vote count in ReFantazio.
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