I was this close to dumping Atlus games for good, but Metaphor: ReFantazio has rekindled my love for the Persona series. After playing an array of new Persona games, I swore off massive JRPGs, thinking I’d had enough of the genre. That was until I stumbled upon Metaphor: ReFantazio, a game that borrows many of the hallmarks of the Persona series but sets itself apart with fresh concepts.
Atlus games that have stolen my heart
The turn-based battles and stylish UI in Metaphor: ReFantazio are unmistakably Persona, even though the title describes a new IP. Director Katsura Hashino, who directed Persona 3, 4, and 5, has done this before, developing Catherine: Full Body, a puzzle game with a distinct Persona flavor.
“I thought I was done with massive JRPGs, but Metaphor: ReFantazio has pulled me back in.”
I had the chance to play Metaphor: ReFantazio at Gamescom Latam, and I was thrilled to find that my Persona knowledge came in handy. Moves with names like Rakukaja will feel familiar, and there’s even the mechanic of spending time with teammates to increase your stats. One of the biggest differences between Metaphor and Persona is the battle system, which focuses on archetypes with classes like Mage, Warrior, Merchant, and Healer.
A glimpse into the Persona series
The art style in Metaphor: ReFantazio leaves a strong and distinct impression, with guest artists from Nier Automata, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Etrian Odyssey. The team even joked that Hieronymous Bosch is another secret guest artist, with monsters pulled from the body horror style. We didn’t get enough time to properly explore all of the differences between the two, but even from our short preview, they already feel like very different beasts.
A battle scene from an Atlus game
Persona 5, with or without Royal, is one of the longest games on the market, and we’re pleased to see that we can still enjoy Atlus games while taking a much-needed break from the series. Metaphor: ReFantazio has the DNA of a Shin Megami Tensei game, but with enough freshness to get us excited. There’s some time left before it launches on October 11, 2024, but it’s definitely one to add to your watch list.
