metaphor: refantazio

platform: steam
playtime: 60 hours
status: completed
last played: may 2025
perspective: third person
developer: studio zero
release year: 2024

sound
    typical ui sounds for an atlus game
        it fits, no issues with it
    music
        shoji meguro was in the kitchen cooking up some true bangers
            fits the world well

design
    world
        i liked the world design, it felt like a nice change of pace for an atlus game
            not in a school
            not in some broken world
        fantastical setting
            everything in the world seems like it should be there
    characters
        i like the design of the characters
        talking protagonist
            i am not a fan of the silent ones
            felt more immersed
                not normally a fan of self insertion into jrpgs
            
gameplay
    press turn basically
        there is a reason it is the best turn based rpg combat system
        works well
        easy to understand
        rewarding
    archetypes
        used instead of the monsters/personas
        everyone can be any archetype
            class system basically
                works well enough
    calendar management
        not my favorite, but it is what it is
            not really an issue unless you are trying to do something specific
    social links
        i understand why they are here
            doesnt mean that i enjoy them
    dungeons
        mainline dungeons are awesome
        optional dungeons are lacking in variety

story
    it is a typical atlus really
        and i enjoy them for what they are
            i enjoyed it because of what i said earlier
                nice change from the typical atlus games
            i think it is closer to smt than persona
                which i prefer

some persona elements creeped into metaphor with the social links and calendar management
    i think the game would have been better if it dropped it
        but then it would just be smt:refantazio
could things be better?
    of course but then i think it changes the dna of the game
        i am playing an atlus game because i know what it is going to be
            unless that is just cope that i just want more smt games
i think metaphor is a great game, and one that i think people should try out
    it does mix smt and persona together and it comes out with this fantasy world

at the end of the day where does this rank in j/rpgs
    for me it is top 15, maybe top 10