During The Game Awards 2023, Atlus and the team behind some of the most recent Persona games gave fans a peek at their brand-new game Metaphor: ReFantazio, showcasing some of the gameplay and narrative components. Metaphor: ReFantazio may perhaps fill the vacuum left by another JRPG title, even though Persona fans will have another game to look forward to as they wait for Persona 6. Metaphor: ReFantazio should delight fans of Final Fantasy 16, as it appears to combine many of the aspects that made the Square Enix game well-liked with more conventional JRPG standards.
Even though Metaphor: ReFantazio was initially shown at the Xbox Showcase in June 2023, a new teaser for the game at the Game Awards revealed even more information that would thrill fans. While Metaphor: ReFantizo’s gameplay and graphics undoubtedly bear a lot of Persona’s DNA, the game also adds a few new features to set it apart from Atlus’ other offerings. In addition to offering the chance for a fresh JRPG experience, Metaphor: ReFantazio’s blend of gameplay components may contribute to the legacy of Final Fantasy 16.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Blends Turn-Based Gaming with Action Combat
Based on what has been revealed, Metaphor: ReFantazio seems to be fusing action combat with aspects of classic, turn-based JRPG gameplay. Atlus is no stranger to various types of gameplay; Persona 5 Strikers, for example, seamlessly blends hack-and-slash action fighting with the series’ signature mechanics, although the Persona series has always used the traditional JRPG turn-based gameplay. JRPG enthusiasts should be thrilled about the kind of experience Atlus can provide with a game like Metaphor: ReFantazio given their impressive portfolio of titles.
Although action versus turn-based fighting in JRPGs is a topic of controversy among fans of the genre, Final Fantasy 16’s fully action-based gameplay gave players an exciting and fulfilling experience. While some found this gameplay to be perfectly suited, others felt that the shift to action combat in Final Fantasy 16 had stripped the series of its long-standing character. Nevertheless, Metaphor: ReFantazio may offer players the best of both worlds because of its blend of both gameplay philosophies, which could satisfy those who weren’t thrilled with Final Fantasy 16’s gameplay.
The Metaphor of Final Fantasy 16 Continues to Live on: ReFantazio
Players were able to experience a Final Fantasy game, unlike any other thanks to the combat style of Final Fantasy 16, which substituted vistas of magical set pieces for turn-based strategy amid its fast-paced action gameplay. Metaphor: ReFantazio may finally be the game that satisfies the desire of many players who have been waiting for Final Fantasy 16 to bring back the same exhilarating combat experience. The exact way the action and turn-based fighting are divided in the game is still unknown, but it might offer Final Fantasy 16 a serious competition.
With the visual flair of Persona 5, Metaphor: ReFantazio’s action scenes appear capable of matching the intensity of combat in Final Fantasy 16. While fans of the classic JRPG fighting that was absent from Final Fantasy 16 will likely be satisfied by the turn-based gameplay, action-based gameplay may satiate the itch left by Final Fantasy 16’s battle. The way these two fighting methods blend will probably become more evident as details about Metaphor: ReFantazio are released, indicating how the game will likely appeal to fans of both Final Fantasy 16 and the Persona series.
