Why Metaphor: ReFantazio is SO special! // First ~20 hours

[@LadyVirgilia]

Check out the full game here! gsght.com/c/30o2o2 Play the demo here: gsght.com/c/zebo3b Took a while for this to go live, but thanks for waiting & watching! I love, love, LOVE THIS GAME. I'm not joking, it's already on par with Persona 3 for me rn, but it may just end up overtaking it... even with the nostalgia glasses!! Metaphor's entire premise just touches on every philosophical concept that's ever resonated with me :,) **POTENTIALLY SPOILERS (very general speculation/commentary on how the fantasy--IRL theme will end up playing out):** I'm only ~30 hours in (just finished Martira), my biggest speculation/theory for the fantasy Metaphor--IRL utopia thematic is ultimately: "don't allow perfection to become the enemy of the good." In other words (in regards to Metaphor), no world is completely perfect, even if it might look that way from the outside... but still, don't become disillusioned by this unattainable "utopian ideal." Continue to support and help each other, continue to take inspiration from these "fantastical" world, and continue to strive for a better future. Also is it just me, but does United Kingdom of Euchronia remind anyone else of Muse's United States of Eurasia track...?

[@Official_RetroMania]

I am almost done with Metaphor and is AMAZING and definitely not Persona. It does share some similarities go figure but is definitely is own thing and a refreshing new IP by Atlus and their new sub studio, Studio Zero. I hope to see more bangers like Metaphor from this new team in the future, they definitely got the gist what makes a good JRPG and created something truly special.

[@sixft_under]

I like the completely new fantasy races. Even though it's mostly spins on stuff we've seen/human with "insert here" feature. Like you can see the Rouissante and think, "oh, so elves right?" But they share literally no traits with traditional elves besides the long ears. I can't rely on what I know of the usual fantasy races here so it's fun to learn about them

[@BigKlingy]

My favourite thing about Metaphor so far... well, it's a LOT. The gameplay's great, the thematic take on "fantasy" and fiction, the art style. But if I had to narrow it down... I was really worried this game would feel "ashamed to be a medieval fantasy" and lean into brutal deconstruction of the genre, like a lot of works in the post Game of Thrones era seemed to do (even though, as I know you're an actual an ASOISAF fan, the actual Game of Thrones isn't like that). Playing it, the game is very much NOT. It doesn't shy away from making its world dark and politically-tense, but I feel a clear love for classic fantasy tropes here that I wasn't expecting. The whole experience oozes RESPECT for the classics while doing something new, and I'm really looking forward to where that goes. The thing about introducing modern-ish fashion to the medieval character designs was also done in Fire Emblem Engage, though it wasn't received nearly as well. Even though its designers said in interviews they wanted to restrict the clothing to materials that would actually exist in Engage's world, which they deserve more credit for imo. (The characters only wear the modern-inspired casual outfits out-of-battle, too) Re: Grius, while it kinda sucks that our one older party member gets... you know, I think the rest of the party at least skews towards their 20's, so you still get that dynamic of a teenage protag with a party much older than then, which is refreshingly new for Atlus. (It also explains the lack of romance) lol I said "get it?" mentally and then you did. "I have things I can learn from others stories, but I have things I can TEACH to others too". That's a great way to look at these mechanics! The more I think about it, the more Metaphor feels like it's going to some of the most... "resonant" themes to be in a game, if that makes sense? As always, really like your personal stories in these videos.

[@LadyVirgilia]

Omg yes I love how Metaphor clearly embraces and loves the fantasy tropes that have come before it while still managing to do something unique with it! Oh okay interesting! No wonder some of the Three Houses portraits I've seen floating around seem so modern. I agree, it's really refreshing that the rest of the party are all adults! Their dynamic is so great too! This game truly gonna be one of the best, resonant METAPHORs ever huh? :,) I swear, if this somehow doesn't become one of the generation, and even genre-defining, games... thanks always for the thoughtful comment Klingy!~

[@BigKlingy]

@@LadyVirgilia Just to clarify, I was referring to Engage, not Three Houses. But 3H does have a lot of modern influences too, especially in its DLC outfits. (There's like... modern tracksuits there) So far, Strohl in particular is interesting because while he superficially fits the same "bro" archetype, he's an OLDER BRO figure to the protag instead of being mutual/younger-coded, and he's a lot more serious. (I haven't played past the first arc yet, but apparently all comedy involving him is more "fish out of water" jokes/unfamiliar experiences bring out funny reactions in him, than others laughing at his expense)

[@LadyVirgilia]

lol whoops! I was thinking Engage but typed Three Houses for some reason ;-; 3H did have this one girl who had this really modern looking hat/cap tho iirc oh that's so true! Strohl is such a breath of fresh air too! :,) I think you'll be very happy with him as the plot progresses. forgive this sort of reductive comparison, but he's a bit of a mix between Yosuke and Ryuji imo. doesn't have as much of either of their most prominent traits, but I think that's also where the age comes into play. and yes! I'm glad it's more "laughing with him" instead of "laughing at him"

[@lilithh2708]

I've only played the demo thus far, but the thing that hit me first was that it asked for your name. Not a name for the protag, which does come later, but the player's name. Then it incorporated it into the game. I am really excited to see how that plays out. How it will work into the theme of fantasy interacting and changing the real world. This is always been a favorite concept of mine because you just can't build a better world if you can't imagine it first.

[@timjfads]

I struggled with the game because I was playing it as a fantasy Persona game. When I started treating n playing it as it's own thing, Metaphor, I was able to lock in a lot more

[@Amuro1X]

I'm "blazing" through the game, and by that I mean I've played 60 hours in 6 days and only stopped today cause I ran out of vacations days and had to go back to work, lol. Also, oh my god, I love it. I've cleared the fourth dungeon so far.

[@brettwilliams522]

Sameeeee, maybe not with time off of work but yeah only 60 hours in and just wrapping up the island section.

[@abrahamambriz892]

I always wanted to know if it was THAT good, you answered my question, thx. :D

[@thatgamingauthor]

I haven't been able to get the game quite yet for financial reasons, but its themes of anxiety, solidarity, and the union of people in general are all something that really resonate with me! Stepping out of my comfort zone to actively try making friends again is something I've been trying a little more, and I have no doubt this game will be even further inspiration to keep trying. I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying the game so much! I really liked what I played of the demo.

[@36inc]

So far im enjoying metaphor alot the characters are so good the monsters so well designed. I like the fact that the main character doesnt just get free autowins and the eenmies will initiate fights by being more clever than a shadow chasing you for a mere advantage/disvantage. Makes ya pay attention even when crawling around. This game is tough but fair and approachable. though i think a quest was broken cause i got one that the enemies for dont respawn

[@jasonblundelldobebussing]

0:01 I WAS NOT READY FOR THAT lady virgilia screamer 😭

[@Hugh_Jannis]

I'm 6 hours into Metaphor and my biggest takeaway is that it's a Persona reskin... AND ITS AWESOME

[@dachking6657]

I haven’t been able to start the game yet (been playing through the Trails series, currently a little over halfway through Cold Steel II), but it just looks incredible in every way. Really looking forward to it.

[@brettwilliams522]

If you want to breeze your way through I would recommend playing on normal or easy, the very very simple difference of hard mode giving extra turns to the enemy, prepare to get waffle stomped at least once on hard mode, like I mean your feeling strong confident and all the sudden the whole party got one turn wiped

[@brettwilliams522]

Correction, not breeze your way through, but not have to grind quite as much I mean

[@eastcoasttone3952]

You never miss when it comes to your analysis of the themes in these games! I'm definitely looking forward to your thoughts after you finish the game.

[@Glitterblossom]

I love that you analyze this from the lens of debilitating disability, as it’s something I have, too. I’ve never played a Persona game, but I wanna play Metaphor, and I might watch the rest of your videos regardless.

[@pwitts]

I played the demo and loved it! Waiting for it to come out on switch 2, whenever that happens so I can play it portably.

[@markjwedel]

@@pwitts it plays fine on a steam deck but I totally get that the price for entry isn’t ideal for most people.

[@pwitts]

@@markjwedel That's another good option!

[@mathewhosier9739]

The demons in SMT and personas in Persona felt more like how Pokémon are to the Pokémon series like a monster tamer, where the archetypes in Metaphor Refantasio feel more like jobs or classes

[@scottlife1697]

I'm about 40 hours in, and gotta say, it's no more of a re-skin of persona than bloodborne was a re-skin of dark souls. Mechanically, its very similar to persona, but that's pretty much where it ends.

[@BigKlingy]

That's the second time I've seen that comparison and, even not having played the Souls games, it makes a lot of sense.

[@Ti_MD]

Thanks for sharing your early reactions! I look forward to taking in more of your perspective on this game in the coming months, moreso even than the other Atlus-adjacent content creators. Your other videos have shown how much reflection on broader social and political issues have gone into Atlus' games in the past, and there's not enough of that analysis out there. The devs have said that they aren't trying to parallel any real-world election, but that doesn't mean they aren't taking inspiration from real-world situations or tendencies. From what little I've seen of the more... ridiculous candidates (e.g. the person saying that the most beautiful person should be in charge), I think they are not so much criticizing any one political group so much as the tendencies people have, e.g. to vote for candidates based on how they look rather than what they are actually trying to accomplish.

[@360noahscope]

This is my first Atlus game, and I'm LOVING it so far as a regular JRPG enjoyer. I have ONE single qualm about the game so far, and it's that, unlike Persona, there are no romance options at the end of a social link. I'm a sucker for romance in my games, so it totally blows that my first Atlus game is like the one single one without any sort of romance

[@doteianima6370]

@@360noahscope actually most atlus games dont have romance, its only persona really mostly that has It, atlus has loads of series, its Sad that most people only knew them for persona

[@360noahscope]

@@doteianima6370 I see, obviously my best knowledge is of Persona despite never having played them, but I figured SMT was similar in that regard, and others has mentioned that not having romance in Metaphor was uncharacteristic, so I figured that meant SMT and whatever else Atlus has made also had romance in them, but ig the people I heard are Persona-only gamers probably. Still, would’ve been nice; romance is pleasant in games

[@ViolosD2I]

Thank you, confined scholar, for more invaluable insights! Indeed this interaction made me see some things from a different perspective.

[@Randomwatcherby]

I magaged to play the demo and I absolutely fell in love with it. I am so jealous of everyone that gets to play the full game. The battle music though, oh my god this is one of the best battle music ever

[@SousukeAsuka]

Only clicked cause I'm 50 hours in and didn't want to get spoiled. I totally agree with you!

[@illusive-mike]

To me, even when it came to Megaten comparisons, Metaphor fell closer not to Persona, but to SMT III, and yet the differences are very meaningful. Because this time instead of following the Monomyth of a single hero embodying the collective human will when presenting their case to the celestial judge, the actual people matter because it's their actual individual decisions that the Royal Magic listens to. Most Megaten games, be they SMT or even Persona, center the singular heroic protagonist, whose individual choice decides the fate of the world (even with the Persona protags, because the Wild Card can still pick the bad ending regardless of anyone else's contributions). This time, inspiring the people isn't a tedious and poorly-explained side-show of SMT IV or a thing that just sort of happens like in Persona 5, but something you tangibly do by going out and helping. There's a reason the cover art features not a small collection of heroes, but a crowd all marching together, where even the protagonist seems like nothing more than just a man who happens to be at the front. Edit: As for my favorite thing, it's rather more mundane and grounded: the way Synthesis and Archetypes alter Press Turn to make the game hard in an interesting way. Between that and the sheer importance of Followers for getting Archetypes, the game truly feels different to SMT and Persona gameplay-wise even while borrowing a lot of their foundational systems. Also, the way the King's face "manages" turn icons is just *chef's kiss* so insufferable.

[@cloudbankcity]

oh i didn't know this game had these themes of solidarity and community!! I'm so glad you spoke about that and shared your experience, as someone who also volunteers and interested in social justice this definitely convinced me to get the game!!

[@weepingblade]

Lets go new Lady Virgillia video! Ive only been 3 hours into this game with classwork ramping up, but its been fun.

[@TheDaphinator]

Metaphor looks so good and it is great to see Atlus’s passion project absolutely pop off in sales and reviews. I really hope to play it one day, yet I am very glad you are enjoying it so far. Take care!

[@Hurricayne92]

13:25 I think Atlus/Studio Zero went even further with the idea of relying on others with the removal of the mechanic of when the protag dies you lose.

[@brettwilliams522]

Whoever sees this, DONT SLEEP ON COMMANDER, ahem. That is all lol Seriously though commander at first glance might be a bit different but party wide strong buffs, multiple (physical elements, I repeat not magic element but physical based element damage)works well on its own but even better as inherited skills to your warrior and brawler type classes

[@joshuamikhaelspencer]

Im absolutely loving the demo and cant wait to be able to play the full game

[@NarfiRef]

Favorite part of Metaphor so far? Poopocalypse. But no, seriously. I love how unapologetically political it is, just like P5. While I don’t see it as simply a reskin, I do think it should probably be seen as a companion piece to P5. In some ways Metaphor mirrors P5 (eg the protagonists of each start off utterly despised by nearly everyone, they both have an approval rating as part of the plot) but in other ways it seems like a way of extending the former’s themes by focusing on social issues that are beyond the scope of Persona. Could you imagine if Racism were personified as a Palace ruler, or just lightly touched on in a Confidant arc? Even Metaphor’s theme of Fantasy having the power to inspire real change was present in P5. I remember both Ann and Haru mentioning being inspired by the characters in media they watched as children, and they and others have literary characters for their signature Personas.

[@RMarr-uy9hf]

I hate it when 90% of the content creators/journalists are going for the same cheap angle for the coverage of a game. This time it's "Metaphor is a fantasy skinned persona". Happy to see a KZbinr spending more time on what Metaphor brings to the table than on why this spin-off persona game is not enough a persona game which is bad while being too much of a persona game which is also bad

[@brettwilliams522]

Loving this game so much, but damn did the difficulty surprise me, I thought for sure my persona knowledge and understanding of tactics would carry me, while it is getting me by its way more by the skin of my teeth then I would have expected, the entire difference of no one more,turn icons and not just crafting your own bullshit power jump persona lol. Aka I love it, I love the challenge and don’t feel like I am getting unfairly walloped but I can’t just walk through the game either

[@BigKlingy]

Hashino said in the release interview that it's meant to be hard, and I felt vindicated. I found even SMTV Vengeance fairly manageable on Hard this year and Metaphor's Hard is a significant step above that.

[@brettwilliams522]

@@BigKlingy loving the challenge like I said, definitely punishing but satisfying to get past it to, especially because I simply won’t allow myself to not one shot a dungeon, i must kill all enemies present, fully explore and do it as a one shot. Forces me to grind when I hit a hard spot

[@almostontimehero5415]

Its a good game. Good enough that when I'm not playing, I watch what other people are saying about it.

[@demi-fiendoftime3825]

It's not a persona reskin It's a spiritual sucessor to Digital Devil Saga with persona socal interactions and time management set in a standard fantasy jrpg world.

[@doteianima6370]

And It also has an entire etrian odyssey arc, its literally every atlus series in One game

[@demi-fiendoftime3825]

@@doteianima6370 exactly

[@NANA-kf1cs]

It's also on PS4 and PS5.

[@Sunaru6914]

Same bestie! It's peak

[@Tachuya112]

GAME IS SO GOATED!

[@Latestmustace]

does this video have spoilers?

[@DragonEdge10]

Minor ones via officially shown material, don't watch it if you don't want to be potentially spoiled on party members and abilities (safe to listen to tho)

[@Latestmustace]

@@DragonEdge10 Thanks!

[@DragonEdge10]

@@Latestmustace Np!

[@MoobOgler]

I really like your outfit what is that style called

[@jasperthegamemaster9237]

It’s more DDS than persona

[@kira516]

@@jasperthegamemaster9237 power system wise yes

[@moonwhispers]

I haven't really tried Metaphor because I don't particularly want to play another RPG with an aggressively boring male protagonist. So far, none of the reviews or impressions I have seen even mentioned him beyond what he represents in the game. I know it's not a game where you are role playing a character like Baldur's Gate 3, so it would be nice to see a Protagonist be characterized in a way that makes me care about them, beyond caring about the concept of them. I have heard a lot of great things, and I really want to play a good JRPG, but I played too much Persona to want another character like this (especially since Protag is male again). This is definitely a 'me' problem.

[@adeelahmed3768]

The protag is absolutely a defined character. He's not the most talkative at times but he has a personality.

[@moonwhispers]

@@adeelahmed3768 Literally no one talks about him, and trailers made him put up be another blank self insert, so that's good to hear.

[@MoiMagnus1er]

He has more personality than your average "boring protagonist", and while he doesn't speak much he is fully voiced (well, as much as the NPCs, not all conversations are voiced), which really helps to convey emotions. Taking an example from the opening sequence, it shows him trying to defend his favourite book (which describe a world where he would not be discriminated against) from being taken by bandits. But he still has much less personality than the other characters of the core team. And since the dialogue choices all lead to mostly the same result, they're all "inoffensive" to ensure that the character never act in a way that would lose the approval of some players. So he has a clear personality, but it's the "well meaning, caring friend always there to listen, some anxiety due to discrimination against them but still full of hope, etc". Don't expect much in terms of "personality flaws", and while I have yet to finish the game I don't expect more than "gaining confidence and skills" in term of character evolution.

[@moonwhispers]

@@MoiMagnus1er Thank you for your long reply, maybe I'll give the demo a real shot.

[@derekosgood3230]

Agreed. It's definitely a you problem lol

[@ErgoDog]

It is so ugly tho 😅