The question of how similarMetaphor: ReFantaziowould be toSMTand the modernPersonagames loomed long before its release. With the creative talent of Atlus' past working to defineMetaphor’s identity, it was a given that some aspects of the company’s repertoire would be present in the game. After the title’s critical acclaim and Game Award nominations, however, it has become ever clearer thatMetaphor, much like its protagonist, manages to chart its own path, striking the proper balance between establishing itself and paying homage to the greats that came before it. Aside from its mechanical inspirations in its iteration of the modernPersonacalendar systemandSMT’s press-turn combat, there lies a number of small, clever references that contribute to this, serving as clever nods that Atlus fans will appreciate.
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s referential treatment lies in its combat, with its most overt references being in the namesakes of its Archetypes. The first that most players will recognize is in the protagonist’s starting lineage, as the Elite Archetype ‘Soul Hacker’ pays homage to 1997’sDevil Summoner: Soul Hackers.Later,Metaphor’s Eupha will open access to the Summoner lineage, and upon dabbling in its base Archetype and the Magic Seeker, she (or another party member of the player’s choosing) will gain access to the Devil Summoner itself, which pays true respect to the greaterMegami Tenseiseries. The Devil Summoner Archetype is as versatile as the demons ofSMT, comprising a range of fan-favorite demons that work to makeMetaphor’s combat more strategic.
How Metaphor: ReFantazio Pays Homage to Atlus' Past
Metaphor’s Devil Summoner
Ofthe Devil Summoner’s skills, players can channel the strengths of series icons like Jack Frost and Mothman for elemental damage, nullify physical attacks with Decarabia, deal devastating piercing damage with Cu Chulainn while lowering enemy defenses, provide healing with Lakshmi, and more. The Devil Summoner also has access to powerfulsynthesis skills that pay further homage to series greats, like the tyrant Beelzebub or even Ishtar, calling to mind excellent boss fights fromSMT3: NocturneandSMT5, among otherMegami Tenseiappearances. These summons are attainable through special experiments with the help of More, with talismans that bear the names of the demon races being key to creating vessels that channel their power.
The Arcana is the Means By Which All is Revealed
This same concept applies to another ofMetaphor’s more overt references, which isthe Persona Master Archetype. Unlocking through Junah’s starting lineage, though available for anyone in the party to wield should they rank up the Masked Dancer, the Persona Master can be embedded with different skills depending on the mask they don. These Archetypal masks can be obtained by fusing masks of the Arcana, tying into the Tarot inspirations that make up a crucial part of modernPersona’s social links. For players who utilize the Royal Masked Dancer (exclusive to Junah), the synthesis skill Masquerade Change has a fantastic reference in which the Archetype can be seen with glasses and an Evoker, surrounded by the Tarot cards it draws strength from.
A Unique Skill From One of SMT’s Most Iconic Demons
Another reference found inMetaphor’s Royal Archetypes is a nod to a skill that’s become synonymous with victory.Strohl’s Royal Warrior Archetypeis capable of learning Hassou Tobi, which fans will recognize as the great Yoshitsune’s unique skill. Yoshitsune has been considered somewhat of a broken demon (or Persona) inMegami Tenseihistory, as its ability to deal eight Physical hits in one fell swoop can be immensely powerful. In the case ofSMT5, this is compounded through the demon’s ability to always land critical hits with the attack, making it a demon worth keeping around and leveling up til the very end. WithMetaphor’s Royal Warrior, Hassou Tobi deals Slash damage to allenemies eight times, and considering how OP physical attacks can get withMetaphor’s myriad buffs and front-row boost, the skill is certainly a boon.
In terms ofSMTandPersonareferences inMetaphor: ReFantazio’s plot, the game mostly sticks to its own identity. With this said, there are clear parallels in its character treatment, with party members like Strohl bearing quite a resemblance toPersona 5’s Ryuji, or Heismay’s fatherly role striking similarities toPersona 5 Strikers' Zenkichi. There is even a significant story moment just beforeMetaphor’s final boss encounter which draws parallels between Strohl’s actions and Ryuji’s at the end of Shido’s palace, showing that whileMetaphor’s characters are capable of standing on their own, it’s still interesting to see the traits they share with other fan-favorite characters among Atlus' titles.
