Metaphor: ReFantazio details hybrid turn-based and real-time battles, gameplay loop, and more in its Creator's Voice video

Atlus has released a new video for Metaphor: ReFantazio that features an in-depth discussion about the upcoming RPG from three of its key staff members - director Katsura Hashino, character designer Shigenori Soejima, and composer Shoji Meguro.

Hashino explains that the world of Metaphor: ReFantazio features a society that has become reliant on magical tools to cast magic. Players enter the story as the previous king dies and their protagonist is one of several candidates that participates in an election to become the next king.

As people embark on a journey to become the next one on the throne, the protagonist will meet several people that are able to transform their own bodies into Archetypes; Hashino elaborates that Archetypes are not something that people are born with in this game. Instead, people come to their own awakening through interactions with others and becoming inspired by their actions.

The next king is decided through popularity. Metaphor: ReFantazio's protagonist travels across the country to seek support for their election.

Hashino also describes the narrative structure of the upcoming titie. There are certain time-gated thresholds before the story progresses; it's up to players to decide how to spend that time before the story moves on. For instance, Hashino describes a dungeon that a player wants to clear. They can choose to complete it right away or perhaps, players may want to clear several quests first in preparation for that dungeon.

There is further clarification on what sort of combat system Metaphor: ReFantazio will have. The RPG will feature both a turn-based and real-time battle system. Players can actively navigate around enemies in real-time while attacking them and can choose to transition to a turn-based battle seamlessly, which is a similar approach to how Falcom's Kuro no Kiseki / Trails through Daybreak blended turn-based and real-time together.

Of course, players can choose to just finish off enemies entirely through real-time combat if they've determined they're weak enough to do so without having to intricately formulate a strategy in turn-based combat.

Find out more about about Metaphor: ReFantazio's narrative, character designs, and music in the video below.

Metaphor: ReFantazio releases in Fall 2024 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.