Summary
- ReFantazio differs from the Persona series in setting and combat, with an open world and action battles.
- Followers in ReFantazio resemble Persona's Social Links, with unique backstories and character development.
- Meet standout characters like Brigitta, Eupha, and Catherina with engaging story arcs and deep personalities.
Metaphor: ReFantazio differs in many ways from the Persona series which is one of Atlus’ biggest franchises. It’s not just the fantasy-based setting either compared to the modern one. There is more openness to exploration and there is also action combat besides the turn-based battles.
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For all of its differences, there are some similarities to the Persona series in Metaphor: ReFantazio too namely with Followers. The Follower system is like Persona’s many Social Links mechanics with a few tweaks to help keep it fresh. Of the many that players can befriend in the game, let’s discuss the best Followers. The rankings will take into consideration how much players can interact with these characters, their individual stories, and what bonuses they can bring to the table. There will be spoilers for the full game.
8 More
An Important Keeper Of Archetypes
- Archetype: Seeker
- Location: Akademeia
More is one of the first Followers players will gain in the game. He’s an otherworldly entity that helps players understand what Archetypes are for in Metaphor: ReFantazio. He is Metaphor: ReFantazio’s version of Igor from the Persona series but he is not as menacing-looking.
More is all about academics and understanding what Archetypes are along with how they are awakened and how they will help Will in the coming war. The Follower conversations don’t add much to his character but More is important all the same.
7 Neuras
Atlus Gets Their Cid
- Archetype: Gunner
- Location: Grand Trad
Neuras is a fun character who gets introduced right before the tournament arc begins. He’s a disgraced engineer who has been toiling away on a secret Gauntlet Runner for the Prince for quite some time now. Gauntlet Runners are giant airship-like land-based vehicles most use to transport themselves across great lands.
Eventually, his ingenuity helps morph the Gauntlet Runner into a boat and finally an airship. He’s silly and knows exactly what he is about, engineering, which makes him like most Cids in the Final Fantasy series.
6 Alonzo
A Seemingly Tough Thief With A Heart Of Gold
- Archetype: Faker
- Location: Martira
Alonzo comes across as a shady character when players bump into him in Martira. He says he will help Will get his memento back from a thief if they participate in one of Metaphor: ReFantazio’s many side quests. It’s a basic enough fetch-the-ring type of side quest but everything seems fishy.
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Thankfully, it was all just a test as Alonzo wanted to make sure Will was on the up and up. He uses his trickery skills on evil foes to get back at them. Eventually, he trusts Will enough to show his more vulnerable side at the loss of his homeland and family which is what most bonding conversations are about.
5 Brigitta
Born To Deal
- Archetype: Merchant
- Location: Grand Trad
Brigitta can also come across as a bit of a tough customer when players first meet her. And coincidentally she also has a proving side quest for players to tackle. After the testing rounds are complete, Brigitta welcomes Will into her merchant circle, allowing players to browse her expensive accessory shop in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Her bond stories start cute with Brigitta housing a baby monster but then things go dark when the church goes behind her back and frames Brigitta for crimes she didn’t commit. Players should befriend her quickly for the Follower upgrades but they should stay for the heartbreaking story.
4 Eupha
A Heart In The Right Place
- Archetype: Summoner
- Location: Virga Island
Eupha is one of Metaphor: ReFantazio’s seven main playable party members. She will enter about halfway through the story on the Virga Island, home to the helmet-wearing Mustari tribe. After dealing with a dragon god and accepting she doesn’t need to be a stereotypical sacrifice, Eupha joins the party and then forms a Follower bond with Will.
Her early episodes are a fun fresh take on the fish out of water concept which then delves into more church corruption this time around kidnapping. It’s a common theme in this game let alone JRPGs as a whole.
3 Catherina
A Spirited Firecracker Ready To Abolish Indecencies
- Archetype: Brawler
- Location: Grand Trad
Catherina’s design and name could be a reference to another Atlus game, Catherine which features not one but two pink-haired female leads in the expanded edition. Catherina is a Paripus which falls somewhere between a cat and a dog. She befriends Will after players will help her in the first dungeon.
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After, she becomes a candidate in line for the throne to try to make a better world for her Paripus brethren. Players will bump into and fight Catherina on their travels, exchanging ideas on what it means to be a good ruler. Her spunky attitude and willingness to give the race her all make Catherina a standout character and it’s a shame she isn’t playable.
2 Heismay
A Loyal Soldier And An Even Better Father
- Archetype: Thief
- Location: Martira
Heismay is another party member and he has a boatload of tragic pasts. He used to be a knight but then he was shunned away from society when it was said he was kidnapping children. These claims were false and it was an especially harsh one because he lost his child due to conflict.
Players, as Will, can help Heismay come to terms with his loss and his ban from Eugief society, the bat-like race he is a part of. Besides the sad stuff that makes Heismay easy to emulate, he’s also just an absolute badass with his ninja skills that rival that of the best in video games.
1 Maria
Doing Her Best For The People
- Archetype: Healer
- Location: Grand Trad
Maria is a young girl and the daughter of an early temporary party member named Grius. When he dies at the hand of the King’s magic, Maria is destroyed emotionally even though she has her adopted mother figure, Fabienne. Even after Grius’ death, Will promises to stay in touch and how players expand their relationship is through postcards from the adventure.
This then leads to Maria trying to live out the dream of her dad by improving the lives of people in the city one lost soul at a time. For such a young girl, she will accomplish a lot by the end of her Follower arc and Maria is a good example of how people should behave in real life.
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
