It’s been almost a year since Metaphor: ReFantazio came out, and conversations about it have resurfaced after Atlus successfully sold over 2 million copies of the game, a massive achievement for a brand-new IP. We don’t yet know what Atlus and Studio Zero have planned for the game’s future. Still, one thing’s already clear: a game like Metaphor: ReFantazio can attract a huge audience. Which is why I think Metaphor is the best Persona game that’s not Persona.
The heart of Metaphor: ReFantazio is built on what makes the Persona series great: stylish turn-based combat, visual novel storytelling with light dating sim mechanics, and a meaningful narrative about a group of people coming together to save the world. But honestly, it feels like Metaphor has taken those core mechanics and refined them beyond what Persona ever did.
Turn-Based Combat Is Challenging
When it comes to difficulty, modern Persona games aren’t exactly challenging. Most players can breeze through the story once they reach the second half, even on the highest difficulty. As long as you pick the right Personas and exploit the "One More Turn" mechanic, the game becomes a cakewalk, aside from the superbosses.
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+ 3Metaphor handles difficulty more like Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei titles, with its “Press Turn” system. Every move matters. One wrong choice can cost you your whole turn, which makes the combat much more engaging. You can’t just rely on team-ups and extra turns. Even the real-time combat outside of turn-based fights serves a purpose; it trims down tedious encounters and keeps the pacing tight.
READ: Metaphor: ReFantazio - Beginner's Guide
Visual Novel Storytelling and Dating Sim Mechanics
Metaphor’s story is as progressive as it gets, centered around a group of idealists trying to change a broken system.
click to enlarge+ 3The visual novel elements remain strong, and building bonds with a cast of eccentric characters remains a staple of the Persona series. The key difference here is that Metaphor doesn’t push romantic relationships. Instead, it leans into platonic connections, which fit the game’s more serious tone.
An Adult Cast of Characters
One of the best things about Metaphor: ReFantazio is its all-adult cast. No moody teenagers sabotaging themselves with emotional outbursts. It’s reminiscent of what Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is doing with its mature group of protagonists, and frankly, it’s precisely what a JRPG like this needs.
Unlike Persona, Metaphor appeals to an older audience. There’s no uncomfortable teacher-student romance or underage relationships. Just grown-ups dealing with grown-up problems.
click to enlarge+ 3That’s why I believe Metaphor: ReFantazio is Atlus’ next big leap after Persona. It may not outsell the cultural juggernaut that is Persona 5, but it represents a bold evolution from the original Persona team. It opens the door to a new series built on hope, led by a cast of characters as unforgettable as the story itself.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a Persona game at its core, and in many ways, it’s the Persona game the series has always aspired to be.
Here’s hoping Persona 6 can match what Metaphor just achieved.
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