One of the greatest strengths of Metaphor: ReFantazio is how the game doesn't just borrow elements from its Persona heritage but instead opts to innovate and improve upon them, setting a high bar to clear for other RPGs (from Atlus or otherwise) in the process. The Press Turn battle system that has long been a staple of both Persona and Shin Megami Tensei makes a return in Metaphor: ReFantazio, but there are several new wrinkles to contend with that add considerable layers of strategy. In terms of which mechanic has the greatest impact on some of Metaphor's more nail-biting battles, credit is due to the new Formation system.
In addition to needing proper party compositions and Archetype selections to exploit enemy weaknesses and conserve valuable MP or restorative items, players also need to factor in each party member's positioning in battle in Metaphor: ReFantazio. The Formation system gives players the option of having characters operate from the front or back row, which seems like a simple dichotomy until it dawns on the player that certain enemies will become more aggressive depending on how many players are in the front row and that later encounters require significant attention paid to party Formations. For that reason, the Commander Archetype and its lineage are indispensable.
How Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Archetypes Compare to Persona’s Namesake
Metaphor: ReFantazio's complex combat and progression are hinged upon the Archetypes, which strike out definitively from the Persona series' namesake.
The Sooner Players Unlock the Commander Lineage in Metaphor: ReFantazio, the Better
Thankfully, the early game of Metaphor: ReFantazio takes it fairly easy on players concerning Formations, and by the time they become a more integral part of combat, players have the ability to form a Bond with Bardon. The second major area in Metaphor, Martira, introduces players to the town's knight commander, Bardon, as part of the main quest, and it's possible to have him join as a Follower and begin strengthening the party's Bond with the character as early as 7/6. The sooner players do this, the better, as a strong Bond with Bardon unlocks access to the Commander lineage in the Archetype tree as well as some helpful bonuses associated with it.
Along with a powerful suite of abilities that allow players to game the Formation system while buffing defense and offense, the passive abilities players gain from forming a Bond with Bardon are crucial in the later parts of Metaphor: ReFantazio's main quest and post-game. The Commander lineage grants players the Escape Artist and, later, Escape Master abilities, giving way to the party being able to escape any non-boss battle with 100% success. Better yet, Bardon's Bond eventually unlocks the Rapid Swapper ability at Rank 6, which only partially depletes a turn icon for changing out party members for those scenarios when a particular composition isn't working.
The Commander Archetype is a Perfect Choice to Deal With Metaphor's Formation System
There are very few scenarios in Metaphor: ReFantazio where having one specific Archetype in a party composition can act as a catch-all, but having one character assigned an Archetype in the Commander lineage is at least a great start toward getting a handle on Metaphor's Formation system. The Commander has a focus on offense, with fire elemental spells that deal considerable damage to either single or multiple targets and a buff that brings all allies to the frontlines and buffs their attack power. Carrying that ability, Formation of Vigor, into the Adept Archetype within the Commander lineage, the General, is where things really start to get interesting.
Using Skill Inheritance, players can assign Formation of Vigor to the General while also having access to its defensive counterpart, Shelter Formation. This ability targets all allies, shifts them to the back row, and considerably buffs their defense. Further, the General Archetype gains access to powerful ice elemental abilities that create a one-time weakness to other ice attacks. With careful allotment of supplemental skills, players can transform the General, and later the Warlord, into a versatile elemental fighter that can shift allies' Formations and buff them at a whim.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 93 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- October 11, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Studio Zero
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus
- Engine
- GFD
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
