Having given it more thought, I think there are two metaphors: 1) It plays quite likePersona.
- Its story is like a commentary on our society… or something to that effect.
Structurally, it feels less repetitive.
It has more animated cutscenes that elevate those key story moments.
you could brush aside weaker enemies in real-time combat, rather than face them in tiresome turn-based tangoes.
In Metaphor you play as an anime lad, whose top dialogue options are almost always nice and inoffensive.
or scenes of persecution (a cat-eared boy being hanged) that the world is horrible and unfair.
And the universe itself is in turmoil, as its prince and heir to the throne has been cursed.
This means his death initiates a magical gambit that sets forth one final competition for the throne.
The contender who wins over the public over the course of three trials will become the next king.
You, the Elda lad, are to enter.
With the pretence of winning, naturally, but also to save the prince from his brother’s curse.
Be nice to each other!
Much like the Persona games, your political campaign is governed by deadlines.
Feeling somewhat ready to throw down?
So long as you beat it before the deadline, you’re all good.
Yes you’re still bound by deadlines, but your kingly campaign is driven by yourGauntletRunner.
Or more accurately, scuttled, since it’s a ship with legs.
But it’s the added layer, which is perhaps the most important to giving Metaphor its identity.
What it’s possible for you to do is accept quests around town and then visit the Recruitment Centre.
Again, all of it lends the game a greater sense of dynamism and adventure than Persona.
Your main squeeze Strohl awakens to the Warrior.
The red-haired glutton Hulkenberg, the Knight.
Where Metaphor differs from Persona, is in its cultivation of Archetypes.
In Persona you collect and mash together cock demons, evolving them and transferring abilities across bloodlines.
In Metaphor, you cultivate Archetypes by building bonds with your pals, which unlocks better versions of them.
But to actually unlock them for use, you’ll need to meet their requirements.
To get levelling, you’ll spend a lot of your spare time in dungeons.
Others feature stealth sequences, where you knock out guardsMetal Gear-style.
Still, though, fighting through these dungeons demonstrates that many of Persona’s failings remain.
Some dungeons are just annoying corridor mazes with multiple, samey floors.
And yes, even your new ability to battle in real-time is a bit of a ‘mare.
Your fairy companion Gallica can scan the environment, revealing the levels of enemies.
If you get hit, your enemy starts that turn-based battle with an advantage.
That’s thanks to informants who can let you in on a bounty’s weaknesses before you tackle them.
For newcomers and Persona fans who want a bit more variety, I think it’ll do the job.
For real strategy buffs?
I don’t think it allows enough freedom.
For me, I’m happy enough with it.
In other matters, I don’t think Metaphor quite has… What do I mean by this cringeworthy word I’ve added into my lexicon?
I want more goofballs and weirdos and cuties.
It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong!
It’s slick in its presentation, in its storytelling, and especially in its combat.
And it’s a bettergamethan Persona, particularly Persona 5.
