Metaphor: Refantaziois a crowning achievement from a studio already known for its stellar, influential JRPGs. Indeed, there are many who believe, quite rightly, thatMetaphor: Refantaziooffers the best rendition of the schedule-based, life-sim-integrated RPG framework that Atlus honed through the likes ofPersonaandShin Megami Tensei, and it will be interesting to see how the famed company learns from this most recent outing.
There are a number of ways in whichMetaphorimproves upon the foundations of its predecessors, some of them more obvious than others. But perhaps the most impactful change comes in relation to combat:Metaphor’s Archetype systemcan be viewed as a more streamlined, but also more expressive, version of Persona’s titular avatar-based combat framework. It’s easier to get the hang of, as it’s far more focused on patterns and trends than disparate stats, but just as difficult to master, if not more so. Progression is also more rewarding due to clever features like the ability to transfer abilities from already-unlocked Archetypes. All of these more nuanced mechanical elements are further buttressed byMetaphor’s broader structural choices, which futurePersonagames could learn from.
Metaphor’s Dragon Trials Serve as Terrific Late-Game Content
Metaphor: Refantazio’s Dragon Trials Are the Perfect Venue for Expressing Mastery
Metaphoroffers four particularly brutallate-game boss fights, all with powerful lore significance:
These fights aren’t for the faint of heart: those playing on higher difficulties may very well abandon them entirely due to their unforgiving nature. But like any good late-game challenge, these boss battles yield high-end gear and loads of XP upon completion, which makes overcoming them even more gratifying. These material rewards are nice, but the real value of these encounters is derived from a more intrinsic source.
Metaphoris a long game, longer than many of Atlus’ other JRPGs, which is certainly saying something. The Dragon Trials aren’t unlocked until its final stretch, during the preparation for the final, decisive encounter with Louis. This makes the rewards gleaned from these fights more pivotal, of course, but the fights themselves take on new meaning.
These encounters are not means to an end—they are totally optional, after all. Their real value is as final, overwhelming challenges, allowing players to celebrate their dozens of hours of grinding, experimenting, and build-crafting in a metaphorical arena of champions. Indeed, alongsideMetaphor Refantazio’s literal arena, these fights are the final frontier of gameplay, a chance for players to test their mettle and be rewarded for their mastery of complex, overlapping combat mechanics.
Of course, this sort of late-game challenge is hardly unique to Metaphor. Numerous RPGs, fromElden RingtoFinal Fantasy 7, feature similar optional battles that don’t directly influence the main story. ButMetaphor’s particular implementation of this concept, hinged upon its clever and engaging turn-based combat and progression models, makes it a standout example, and the perfect one forPersona 6to learn from.
It’s not clear how muchPersona 6will derive fromMetaphor, and Atlus could very well aim to keep the two franchises as distinct as possible to keep one from cannibalizing the other. But even ifPersona 6doesn’t borrow any ofMetaphor’s more fine-grained mechanical ideas, the former’s implementation of late-game challenges seems like a particularly beneficial well to draw from.
ThePersonaseries features late-game challenges of this sort, but they have a tendency to lack narrative/lore significance. For example, the Elizabeth fight inPersona 3is difficult, but lacks drama, almost coming across as more of an Easter egg. By mixing high-level challenge and narrative weight,Persona 6’s late-game bosses can be just as powerful and rewarding asMetaphor’s.
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.
