Metaphor: ReFantazio’s combat system is a combo of classic turn-based RPGs and action games. Like many Atlus franchises including the Persona series, players can enter into a turn-based situation with four party members. They can use weapons and cast spells linked to their Archetypes which is what they call classes in the game. If players reach a high enough level in Metaphor: ReFantazio, they can execute enemies in the field.
Some weapons make the dispatching of foes easier than others. The classic RPG sword, for example, does not work that well outside of the turn-based battles. So, let’s look at the weird and powerful weapons players should equip while exploring dungeons instead marked by their overall effectiveness. The specific weapon doesn’t matter as every weapon type behaves the same whether it is store-bought or the ultimate achievement in craftsmanship. There will be some spoilers due to Archetype unlocks and dungeons shown.
7 Spear
Getting That Tactical Feedback
- Archetype: Knight (Hulkenberg)
Spears are often one of the better weapons in RPGs. They give players the safety of distance but they’re not too far away so that they can feel that visceral connection to an opponent. In Metaphor: ReFantazio, they are pretty fast for larger weapons which is interesting considering greatswords are some of the slowest weapons and they look about the same weight and length. Players can equip a spear and go to town jabbing at enemies one-on-one or in groups, doing some wild acrobatics in combos. These combos may not look as fluid as other action games like Devil May Cry, but players should enjoy how spears feel in Metaphor: ReFantazio regardless. Spears are the weapon of choice for the Knight Archetype which is an automatic get through Hulkenberg.
6 Gloves
Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like An Archetype
- Archetype: Brawler (Catherina)
Monks or martial artists can be a lot of fun to control in a game as they are often fast. Earlier this year, players got to enjoy playing as Tifa in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth who used her fists in hand-to-hand combat. Months later, Metaphor: ReFantazio enters the scene with glove-based weapons, and players can use their fisticuffs when they have the Brawler Archetype equipped.
6 Ways To Upgrade Your Party In Metaphor: ReFantazio
There are several great methods to bring your party to the next level in Metaphor: ReFantazio. Here are a few helpful tips to power the party up.
Players can unlock this through one of Metaphor: ReFantazio’s many optional Followers, Catherina. With gloves, players have to get very close to enemies to use them, but since they strike so fast and strong, players won’t have any trouble weaving out of danger if they need to.
5 Staffs
An Aura Of Protection
- Archetype: Mage (Gallica)
Staffs are a typical weapon for mages in RPGs. The Mage Archetype is the one that uses them in Metaphor: ReFantazio, carrying on the tradition. They traditionally don’t do a lot of damage and are instead crafted to enhance magical capabilities. While this is not wrong for the turn-based portions of combat, staffs are effective during the action segments. They have more of a range than a typical melee-based weapon because rings of energy will shoot out as players swing it around. This is handy when players are surrounded by multiple enemies and need to dispose of them quickly.
4 Crosier
Summon A Blackhole To Destroy Your Enemies
- Archetype: Summoner (Eupha)
A crosier is like a staff from the Mage Archetype but it belongs to the Summoner. Players will get access to this Archetype once they get Eupha into the party. In the field, the crosier is slower than the staff and doesn’t explode outwardly with energy. However, the finishing blow of this combo will ignite a giant black orb that damages all who surround it as well as darken the area. It’s like players can create a little black hole and doesn’t that sound like a fun opportunity in an RPG?
3 Abacus
Surrounding Yourself With The Power Of Math
- Archetype: Merchant (Brigitta)
The Abacus is one of the wilder weapons in Metaphor: ReFantazio which is the weapon of choice for the Merchant Archetype. It’s not the only RPG to use mathematical weapons as instruments of doom though as there was the Calculator Job in Final Fantasy Tactics. Other RPGs aside, the Abacus in Metaphor: ReFantazio is kind of like a discus in field combat. Players will swing it around them which will effectively break up large hordes of monsters. The final combo extends this range of attack, keeping players safer as they strike from a mid-distance away.
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2 Daggers
A Sharp Projectile
- Archetype: Faker (Alonzo)
Daggers are great and operate unlike the weapons would in other RPGs. Typically, they are a melee-based weapon like how Zidane in Final Fantasy 9 uses them. In Metaphor: ReFantazio, they belong to the Faker Archetype and in the field, players can throw an endless supply of them at enemies. If enemies are too close, players will knee them instead which looks a bit odd considering.
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6 Common Mistakes To Avoid In Metaphor: ReFantazio
For those just starting their journey in Euchronia, these are the most common mistakes new players should avoid in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Besides that animation quirk, the range is not fantastic with the daggers, or at least they aren’t compared to the number one pick. Still, as one of the few ranged weapons, daggers make eliminating enemies in dungeons simple.
1 Crossbows
So I Started Blasting
- Archetype: Gunner (Neuras)
There is a Gunner Archetype in the game which evolves through several iterations after talking to Neuras. Every form makes its cannon look bigger in a traditional unwieldy anime tradition. Unfortunately, players can’t wield cannons as the Gunner Archetype who can equip crossbows instead. While not glamorous in turn-based battles, they absolutely rule during action segments. Instead of arrows, they shoot lasers. Jaws may drop to the floor the first time players use them. It’s hilarious but beyond that, they are incredibly effective and the range is amazing. It’s a shame that players can’t equip crossbows as an option for every Archetype when they are running around dungeons.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- 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
- PC Release Date
- October 11, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 11, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 11, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 65 Hours
- How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
- 104 hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 81.15 GB
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
