Metaphor: ReFantazio

This game was something else man. It came out during the perfect time to get an impactful message out into the world (2024 presidential election) and it just didn’t really land how I would have liked it too. What do I mean by that? It was so scared to say anything of political substance, BUT the overall message I can get behind. Fantasy has the power to shape reality. I don’t need them to say, “free healthcare for all” but if you’re going to introduce the idea that the rich are hoarding wealth you can’t just walk that shit back man. It tried way to hard to please everyone by tip toeing the centrist line when it came to it’s politics specifically but that’s about as far as my critics go for this game. The political message was lacking but the overall message was amazing. Not sure why the phrase, “Fantasy has the power to shape reality” tickles my fancy but it just does. It’s not even that crazy of a statement, like of course it does. I just can’t think of a story I’ve consumed that made it’s entire point around that statement.

Atlus really honed in what makes JRPG’s fun and stream lined it with Metaphor. Of course all/most JRPG’s are a time sink and Metaphor is no exception but it’s way less tedious then literally every SMT/Persona game they’ve made. I’m making a broad generalization because I have not played every SMT/Persona game. Notably NONE of the SMT franchise and I haven’t played Persona 1 and 2. So I could be wrong but honestly I don’t care to look it up lmao. Being able to smack and kill enemies in one hit that are a lower level than you is so so so nice and probably cut like 30 hours off of the play time lol. That and the press turn system and being able to swap “archetypes”(the persona’s of this game) with EVERYONE instead of just the main character makes for a MUCH more engaging experience then every single Persona game. And honestly I’mma go out on a limb and say it’s the best game Atlus has made to date. Don’t get me wrong I love what I have played from them but they really tried to up the story telling in this one imo. Hard to explain and put it into word because its been awhile since I’ve last played but I just love this game and I wish more people would get out of there Persona bubble and play Metaphor :( Moral of the story, if you enjoy Persona and SMT please for the love of god try Metaphor you won’t regret it. That and Louise IS THE BEST ATLUS VILLIAN END OF STORY!