Though Metaphor: ReFantazio's cast of characters are built on the premise of diversity, there is much in common between them. The tribal conflict in the United Kingdom of Euchronia has, in one way or another, shaped their lives, and as the protagonist learns more of their origins, it is clear that the difficulties of Metaphor's world are not lost on any of them. They are both similar and different, a theme that goes hand-in-hand with Metaphor's political premise and the motif of building bridges. This is seen most aptly through Heismay, whose years eclipse the rest of the team; he starts off defeated through his grief but ultimately strives to live on and make a difference in the hope of a better future.
Often, older characters in RPGs lean towards being mentor-types that help to introduce their respective worlds. In Heismay's case, however, he's mostly the opposite: resigning himself to seclusion, he is unable to see past his grief, finding little to live for after the loss of his son. Both his exile from knighthood and self-made exile are shaken, however, when he meets the party and finds the resolve to help reshape Euchronia. Battle-hardened through his years in the Shadowguard, Heismay brings the finesse of the Thief Archetype while standing on equal ground to the rest of Metaphor: ReFantazio's cast, both because of, and in spite of, his older age. His inclusion makes a case for Persona 6 to try its hand at an adult party member too, which could be even more likely with the pattern set by Persona 5's spin-offs.
After Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus Is Primed to Explore a Bold New Niche
After the astonishing success of Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus should keep the innovation train rolling, and one out-there idea just might work.
Metaphor: ReFantazio's Heismay Sets a Strong Framework to Mirror
Older Characters on Equal Ground
Though Metaphor: ReFantazio exists separately from Persona, their commonalities in strong character writing and party dynamics are clear. The two IPs have very different worlds; modern Persona has cemented its high school setting, but both demonstrate how party members can offer different lenses into their world. Persona features an eclectic cast of students, while Metaphor considers the diversity of its fantasy tribes. After Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, however, the question of whether older party members will be featured again in a mainline title has remained a point of consideration. Characters like Katsuya and Baofu have certainly made a case for it, though recent years have also seen adult characters featured as Persona users in spin-offs, drawing further interest.
Heismay is a Peer, Not an Elder
One of the reasons why Heismay feels so grounded among Metaphor: ReFantazio's party despite his age is that he isn't framed as highly wisened or hardened in his world views. Rather, he learns from his younger party members, and goes through the same conflicts and transformations as they do. When expressing to Eupha that she needn't bear her tribulations alone, his advice applies to himself as much as it does to her: "You can do your changing now." He tells the protagonist that after his grief and the prejudices that jaded him, he only needed friends in order to see life differently, a feat not exclusive to any one person's background or age. This conceit can also be seen in Persona 5's adult party members from spin-offs, Zenkichi and Toshiro, holding similar weight.
"If You Hold On, Life Won't Change"
Strikers' Zenkichi starts as a foil to the Phantom Thieves, but as he comes to understand their plight (and they help him understand himself), he gains resolve in his own search for justice. Tactica's Toshiro offers a different path to the same gradual trust; starting as an amnesiac, he is dubious of the Thieves' and Erina's desire to fight, though he finds confidence through their support as he learns to challenge his abusers. Both Zenkichi and Toshiro, despite being older in age, struggle with authority in the same way that the Thieves do. Similarly, Heismay has to contend with the conflicts within his tribe and find his vision for the future. Their worldviews expand with the help of those younger than them, showing that being older doesn't mean there is less to learn.
The precedent set by Persona 5's spin-offs, including Persona 5: The Phantom X, which features an older woman named Kayo Tomiyama as a navigator, could inform a similar approach in Persona 6. Tomiyama quickly gained fan traction due to her gyaru design, showing how her visage differs as a Persona user, as she looks and acts younger in the Metaverse as opposed to real life. She and Heismay prove that Persona has plenty of possible frameworks to consider for older party members. Given how impactful Heismay was, however, both in the context of his own transformation and his role in Metaphor's grander plot, his blueprint moving forward should be a leading source of inspiration.
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
