Metaphor: ReFantazio Gameplay

Gameplay Overview

Metaphor: ReFantazio is an action-adventure, turn-based JRPG that draws inspiration from previous Atlus games like Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, and Etrian Odyssey, incorporating a structured calendar system to guide progression. Players manage their time across daily segments, choosing between activities like dungeon crawling, virtue development, and relationship building.

Calendar System

Similar to the Persona series, Metaphor ReFantazio features a calendar system that operates on a five-day cycle: Flamesday, Watersday, Arboursday, Metalsday, and Idlesday. While you have the freedom to spend your time as you wish, there are deadlines to meet such as finishing a story-driven dungeon or saving an important character before a certain date.

Each day is divided into afternoon and evening, allowing you to perform one task during each period before the day advances. Careful planning is essential to make the most of your time.

If you're connected to the internet, you can also use the network function to see how other players spent their time, offering guidance and inspiration for planning your own activities.

Combat

The game seamlessly combines real-time action with turn-based combat. Weaker enemies can be quickly dispatched in real-time, but tougher foes require a different approach. By performing a certain number of Combat Transitions, you can stun enemies and shift into Squad Battle mode, where combat becomes turn-based. Players can gain an advantage by ambushing enemies for a free hit, but there's a risk of being ambushed themselves if caught off-guard.

When an attack in the overworld triggers a battle, the system shifts into turn-based combat, incorporating elements from the Shin Megami Tensei series, particularly the Press-Turn system. In this system, the flow of turns between the player and enemy is determined by Turn Icons, which are consumed with each action. Both sides can perform multiple actions during their turn, and once all Turn Icons are used up, the phase switches to the other side, continuing until the battle ends.

Each party can consist of up to four members, with each character having the option to attack, use items, guard, activate their archetype, or skip their turn. The game also features a party formation system, where characters can be placed in either the front or back row. The row a character occupies affects their damage output and how much damage they take: while characters in the back row deal less physical damage, they are protected from damage from all affinities.

Archetypes

Customization takes center stage as players equip their party members with Archetypes—mysterious manifestations of power that unlock unique skills and abilities. These Archetypes emerge through characters confronting their fears, transforming them into powerful, armored forms.
Functioning as the game's job system, Archetypes allow any party member to adopt and switch roles freely. With over 40 Archetypes spread across 14 unique lineages, players have countless options to tailor their party's abilities. Each Archetype serves a distinct purpose for example:
　⚫︎　The Knight excels in defensive roles, prioritizing endurance and being a tank.
　⚫︎　The Mage specializes in magic but sacrifices physical strength for powerful spell casting.
　⚫︎　Advanced Archetypes, like the Mage Knight, require mastery of multiple roles, blending abilities from both Mage and Knight to create a versatile hybrid.

Progression is tied to meeting specific requirements, such as leveling an Archetype to its max rank of 20, unlocking enhanced versions, or entirely new Archetypes. The Akademeia, a hub of knowledge and training, offers opportunities to study, unlock, and enhance Archetypes, opening up deeper layers of customization and strategy.

Exploring Euchronia

Traveling through distant lands is made possible by the Gauntlet Runner, a transportation system designed by Neuras. While journeying across the United Kingdom of Euchronia, you can establish travel routes and choose your destination—Traveling takes time, ranging from a few hours to several days, depending on your destination.

You can undertake quests to explore dungeons and defeat bosses. Alternatively, you can focus on building relationships, forging bonds, and nurturing virtues that will aid you in your journey. Traveling is integral to your daily tasks, and the protagonist can engage in Gauntlet Runner activities while waiting, allowing for multitasking—such as cooking, reading, or strengthening bonds with followers.

In addition to cities and dungeons, you'll sometimes make pit stops at scenic locations or small villages. Along the way, you may encounter enemies who will engage you in battles during your travels. Later in the game, you unlock a fast travel feature, allowing for instant transportation between major cities.

Major cities offer a variety of activities and unique opportunities. Some followers can only be found in specific cities, such as Brigitta, who is usually available in the capital at night. Shops in each city also carry distinct items. For example, the church in the capital can purify and strengthen weapons you’ve obtained during your explorations. Certain item shops are exclusive to their locations, like Brigitta’s shop in the capital, which specializes in selling igniters.

You can spend your time in these cities strengthening bonds with followers or improving your Royal Virtues. Additionally, major cities are the only places where you can obtain significant quests, making them essential hubs for your journey.

Follower System

The Bond system lies at the heart of the game, reminiscent of Persona’s Social Links. Bonds are built with Followers, party members, and allies met throughout your journey. By engaging in meaningful conversations and participating in special events, you can strengthen these relationships, unlocking new Archetypes, passive abilities, and exclusive combat perks that significantly enhance your party's capabilities.

Bonds are capped at Rank 8, and making the right dialogue choices rewards the protagonist with Magla, a magical currency. This currency is essential for progress in the Akademeia hub, where it can be used to unlock new Archetypes and inherit and enhance skills for you. Below is the list of Followers you can unlock:

　⚫︎　More - Seeker
　⚫︎　Gallica - Mage
　⚫︎　Strohl - Warrior
　⚫︎　Hulkenberg - Knight
　⚫︎　Neuras - Gunner
　⚫︎　Heismay - Thief
　⚫︎　Junah - Masked Dancer
　⚫︎　Eupha - Summoner
　⚫︎　Basilio - Berserker
　⚫︎　Brigitta - Merchant
　⚫︎　Maria - Healer
　⚫︎　Catharina - Brawler
　⚫︎　Alonzo - Faker
　⚫︎　Bardon - Commander

Royal Virtues

Royal Virtues are the protagonist's social stats, divided into five categories: Courage, Wisdom, Tolerance, Eloquence, and Imagination. These virtues play a crucial role in forming bonds with followers and must be developed to deepen these relationships. This system closely resembles the Social Stats mechanic from the Persona series, where you can improve virtues by completing specific tasks.

These tasks reward Virtue Coins, which contribute to increasing your stats. For instance, training with Strohl can boost your Courage, while learning about the world's religions from others can enhance your Tolerance. Each virtue has five ranks, and you’ll see your rank increase as you earn Virtue Coins.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Story

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fantasy story set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, a land ruled by magla (magic) and plagued by terrifying creatures known as Humans, who wreak havoc upon towns and settlements. The world is home to various Tribes, each with its own distinct characteristics, though inequality persists among them. These Tribes include the Clemar, Roussainte, Rhoag, the Paripus, the Nidia, Ishkia, the Eugief, the Mustari, and the Elda. Despite efforts to foster unity among these Tribes, discrimination is rampant.

The assassination of King Hythlodaeus V has thrown the kingdom into political chaos. In the midst of the turmoil stands Louis, a meritocrat who played a pivotal role in the king's death. Before his demise, King Hythlodaeus V cast a spell designed to activate on the day of his funeral. As the royal palace ascends into the sky, a rock formation resembling the king’s face comes to life, serving as his skybound avatar. From the sky, the avatar declares that the will of the people will determine who will ascend to the throne next.

Players assume the role of the protagonist, joined by their fairy companion, Galica, as they embark on a secretive journey to the capital to lift the curse that is believed to have claimed the life of the prince. They suspect that Louis is the one responsible for cursing the prince and must confront him. However, to achieve their goal, they must first compete in the Tournament for the Throne—a contest initiated by Sanctifex Forden, leader of the Sanctifex Church, the dominant religion that holds considerable sway over much of the country, where corruption runs rampant.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Characters

Protagonist

The protagonist, canonically named Will, is said to be the prince's childhood best friend. After the prince is cursed and falls into an eternal slumber, Will, alongside his fairy companion Galica, is entrusted with the mission to break the curse and awaken the prince. Their ultimate goal is to free the country from the oppressive control of the Sanctifex Church and confront the one they believe is behind the curse—Louis Guiabern.

Gallica

Galica is a fairy guide who accompanies the protagonist on their mission to lift the prince's curse. She is compassionate and supportive, offering reassurance when needed, but she is also bold and unafraid to speak her mind, never hesitating to call people out when necessary.

Strohl

Strohl is a noble Clemar who tragically lost his parents and his people in a human attack on their village. He joins the protagonist's cause to bring down Louis, who prevented soldiers from aiding the village during the attack. Driven by a strong sense of justice and his noble upbringing, Strohl serves as both the strategist and right-hand man to the protagonist, forming a close and friendly bond with them along the way.

Hulkenberg

Hulkenberg, a former knight and royal guard to the prince, carries a heavy sense of guilt for failing to protect him from his curse. After hearing of the prince’s supposed death, she spends years wandering in search of him. When she discovers that the prince is still alive, she joins the protagonist’s cause to defeat Louis and lift the curse. Hulkenberg is deeply committed to justice and the ideals of knighthood, but she also has a quirky side—most notably, her love for food. She’ll eat almost anything, much to the disgust of Strohl.

Neuras

Neuras is the pilot of the Gauntlet Runner, recruited by Hulkenberg to help navigate the country, from villages and towns to dungeons and beyond. A passionate science enthusiast, Neuras is eccentric and full of quirks, with a dream of one day flying like a bird using his Gauntlet Runner. His adventurous spirit makes him the perfect companion for the journey ahead.

Heismay

Heismay, like Hulkenberg, is a former knight who faced discrimination for being a Eugief, one of the lower classes in the country. A former Shadowguard, he left the order after the tragic death of his son and was wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. After being saved by the protagonist and their group, Heismay joins their cause to help save the country. With his age comes great wisdom, and he is often regarded as the voice of reason and insight within the group.

Junah

Junah is a renowned songstress from the Nidia tribe, a group known for concealing their true appearances. Famous for having the most beautiful voice in the country, she quickly becomes a member of the party. Her charm has earned her many admirers, and she is as outspoken as Gallica, with a sharp wit and the ability to talk her way out of most situations. Junah takes pride in her independence, always stating that her life belongs to her alone. She is the younger sister of Rella, the Saintess of the Sanctifex Church.

Eupha

Eupha is a member of the Mustari tribe, a three-eyed people with a heightened ability to sense magla more acutely than others. After being rescued by the team, she decides to join their cause. Eupha is gentle and soft-spoken, yet her words often unintentionally challenge the doctrines of the Sanctifex Church. Having spent most of her life isolated on her island, she approaches new adventures with unbridled excitement and curiosity.

Basilio

Basilio is the younger brother of Fidelio, and both serve under Louis. They belong to the Paripus tribe, a group with dog-like features that faces some of the harshest discrimination in the kingdom. Both brothers were subjected to experiments involving Igniters—magical accessories designed to help individuals harness magic, as most cannot wield it naturally. Despite his somewhat dense nature, Basilio is an exceptionally skilled cook, often surprising others with his culinary talents.

Similar Games

	Persona 3 Reload JRPG, Turn-Based
	Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance JRPG, Adventure
	Persona 5 Tactica Tactical RPG, Anime
	Unicorn Overlord JRPG, Strategy

Allisandra Reyes

I find joy in the adrenaline rush of horror games, but my thrill-seeking doesn't stop there. Beyond the digital realm, I like to take on the role of designated GM in TTRPGs.