Metaphor: ReFantazio
Summary
When people compareMetaphor : ReFantaziotoPersona , they ’re not doing so in a way that invite detractors . First impression are everything when it comes to new firing , and to be observed alongside some of theJRPG genre ’s very bestis an indication of respect from on - lookers . The saloon is being set very eminent , andMetaphorwill postulate to surpass or redefine it to run away those comparisons come to capsule how it ’s retrieve ; but as far as ideal starting detail go , similarities to one of the all - time greats is n’t the tough .
Metaphor : ReFantaziohasPersonain its blood . Developed by Studio Zero , it ’s the first game from that turnout , which was founded byPersonaseries theatre director Katsura Hashino , composer Shoji Meguro , and eccentric designer Shigenori Soejima . First declare in 2016 , the secret plan existed under a project codename until 2023 , when more details eventually come forth - and first glimpses that were like a shot resonant of Phantom Thieves and Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squads .
I ’ll be reliable - when I first sawMetaphor , I thought it would slot nicely into the niche of " games likePersonathat are n’t quite on its level . " The eccentric of JRPG many fancier are happy to sink 60 hours into without complaint , but one that wo n’t shake things up too broadly . After an hr - long men - on at Gamescom 2024,I now thinkMetaphor : ReFantaziois a compounding of not justPersona ’s best elements , butShin Megami Tensei ’s , too . It ’s top of my inclination ofgames I want to play in 2024and I think it could be a year - defining JRPG from Atlus .
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Story Seems Mindbending In A Fun Way
Early Indicators Suggest A Dual-Faceted Narrative
It ’s not like Atlus’Personastories have always been perfect . They ’re profoundly flawed , if not only because they sweep upwards of a hundred time of day of content , but also because they attempt to hoodwink intricacies between a plenty of cast member who , calculate on playthrough , might only be present in one-half as many setting as they might be in others . But they ’re memorable write up at their core group , craft dizzying existence that straggle across the human psyche and borrow from legends across the human race . And they ’re human , too - rooted in vulgar , relatable battle , all while trying to forget relationship with the masses we worry about .
Obviously one hour is n’t enough to guess whetherMetaphor : ReFantaziomanages to do something similar with its story . Itisenough to show that it ’s aiming for the same end , however , and starts off on the right foot . A on the face of it omnipotent teller asks you to provide your name , before indicate that the name of the protagonist in the chronicle will be select subsequently , and that jar idea of a dual - sided story that transcends immersion within its fantasy human beings is vastly appealing at the jump .
Gamescom is the biggest video game trade show in the human race , and that means a overplus of big reveals . Here ’s the best of the initiative nighttime livestream .
Later , while exploring the world and affiance in some more traditional fantasy transportation , the player comes across their first boss character . A fly lusus naturae with apples dangle from its appendages , it slaughters a camp of soldier with ease before it is diagnose by the protagonist ’s fellow traveller at the time - it ’s ahuman . I have no idea what that means , currently , other than that it is precisely the form of eddy I ’d expect from the best of Atlus ' repertoire to this point .
There ’s also a dark more permeating in the story and the world ’s intention - a character is hanged within minute of arc of making it to the main city , just one of many examples of racial prejudice and inequality being cardinal themes . That reminded me much more of some ofShin Megami Tensei ’s more intense story beats , andI think there ’s possible to research an interesting fusion betweenPersona ’s social link and companionship styles andSMT ’s more visceral and raging source cloth .
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Combat Will Be Intimately Familiar
But A Combination Of Style & Hopefully Substance Will See It Through
No one intimate with Atlus ' library of JRPGs will be surprised by what ’s on offer inMetaphor : ReFantazio ’s conflict organisation . histrion control their protagonist while using a variety of normal tone-beginning or skill to overwork weaknesses ; exploit these well enough and you ’ll be granted an extra turn in combat to press the reward further . I think that this general vanity has been on offer for quite some time and would love to see a bit more innovation later in the game , but it had n’t endure out its welcome with me while hands - on .
Rather than capturing demons or familiars to expatiate the protagonist ’s range of combat options , Metaphorwill rather see the player character forge bonds with those in the world around them and then begin on a path that will unlock a new shift in combat . These change swaddle the admirer in fancy , fantastic armour and offer him a new compass of abilities and enduringness . In the hands - on , I only got to attempt The Seeker , so I ca n’t comment on how unlike they ’ll be from each other - but it ’s a bright amalgamaton of some of thePersonaandSMTgames ' strengths with a novel look on top of it all .
One thingMetaphor : ReFantazioisn’t lacking is way .
One thingMetaphor : ReFantazioisn’t lacking is style . UI , whether it be in combat or out , has clearly borrowed inspiration from the broad praisePersona 5 ’s menus receive when that plot launch ; they ’re not very , more befitting a high fantasy setting , but they ’re not dense . Some cutscenes sport great animation to raise the presentation , while the overworld map eschews sprinting between position , or else letting the thespian connect from piazza to place by selecting them on the map screen .
Cities are bustling with chatter and intrigue , while the earth itself contains a mountain of other closed book begging to be unraveled . It ’s not the familiarity of a real - world Nipponese place setting , but it ’s better for it , with plenty ofMetaphor : ReFantazio ’s other moments remain inviting even in a more foreign , magical backdrop .
Keep Your Eyes On Studio Zero’s Debut Game
At Worst It’ll Be A Solid JRPG - At Best, It Could Be Something Far Bigger
60 minutes is n’t enough to make up one’s mind if a game will be great . Sometimes , that first hour can be an trick , painting a pretty picture that slowly decay under under - develop mechanics or a light - sighted tale . I ’m confident that , at its spoiled , Metaphor : ReFantaziowill be another solid , if a footling overcooked , JRPG for fan of the genre to sink their teeth into . That ’s the base - butwhat I am emotional about is the ceiling for the game , which feels like it could be a break hit that establishes another origin of excellent JRPGs down the line .
Acombination ofPersonaandShin Megami Tensei ’s right traits and vibes , then coupled with a fighting organisation that bed what it ’s doing and could be refreshful for an Atlus - lead projection , is something to pay up attention to . The gift at the studio apartment is undeniable and its first minute leave a last impression - ifMetaphor : ReFantaziokeeps that impulse into the rest of its runtime , I ’ll be shocked if it is n’t in the discourse for one of this year ’s best games .
Screen Rant attend a hands - on demo during Gamescom 2024 for the determination of this clause .
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The creative squad behind Persona 3 , 4 , and 5 present Metaphor : ReFantazio , a novel phantasy activeness - adventure RPG game . The game ’s development team let in the original director , character designer , and composer of the Persona franchise and is as a full fantasy - set game with advanced elements .
