Metaphor: ReFantaziooffers a fresh take on the fantasy RPG genre, set against a complex narrative backdrop, with deeply developed characters (such as your invaluable party members) and a world rich in its own lore. However, even the most thoughtfully crafted narratives can have their inconsistencies. As players venture through this expansive universe, they’re bound to encounter several narrative gaps that disrupt the experience. From unexplained powers to characters acting out of place and crucial themes being sidelined, some issues could potentially detract from an otherwise engaging story.
Review: Metaphor: ReFantazio
In a year of amazing RPGs, Metaphor: ReFantazio stakes its claim for the throne and succeeds tremendously.
While some narrative shortcuts are inevitable in ahuge, ambitious, and successful RPG like Metaphor, these plot holes stand out. They challenge the logic of the game’s world and leave unanswered questions that might break immersion. Here are some notable plot holes that test the game’s internal consistency.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is ultimately still a very good game with a highly enjoyable story. This simply makes these narrative oversights all the more interesting,
WARNING:There are some story spoilers listed below.
5Eupha’s Telepathic Ability That Suddenly Disappears
Wouldn’t this be an ability she would use to help out the party?
During the Virga Island plot line, Eupha (one of the most popular characters) demonstrates the ability to communicate telepathically, a power that is used twice to advance the plot. However, once she joins the protagonist’s party, this ability seems to mysteriously vanish without explanation. Eupha, who has previously shown the capacity to use this incredible talent to great effect, never employs this skill again, even in critical moments like during battles or in tense situations.
Metaphor: ReFantazio: Eupha Follower Guide
All dialogue options and optimal choices for Eupha in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
If it was connected specifically to the protagonist, the narrative fails to clarify the nature of their bond. This strange loss of power perhaps undermines the internal consistency of Eupha’s character and the lore surrounding her tribe with their cool extra eye, though it makes sense from a pure gameplay standpoint.
4Heismay’s Bounty
Doesn’t anyone mention this to him?
Heismay, thegame’s thief archeatype follower, lives in isolation and remains completely unaware of the bounty placed on him, which is a major plot point. Given that the considerable bounty is for a heinous crime, Heismay frequently interacts with merchants and travelers, so it is highly unlikely he wouldn’t have overheard rumors or gossip.
The game never addresses how Heismay could remain ignorant of such an important detail. It’s unclear whether the people he encounters intentionally withhold this information, and if so, why they would do so. The lack of explanation weakens the gravity of the bounty and takes a bit away from his otherwise unique character. It would be very interesting to have seen how he reacted to confrontation on the issue.
3Zorba’s “Disguise”
Seriously, how did nobody notice him?
In one of the game’s pivotal scenes, Zorba disguises himself to gain access to important characters. However, the disguise feels far too flimsy to be effective, especially considering Zorba’s obvious physical traits, such as bloodstream on his face and a glowing red eye on his forehead. These features should be immediately noticeable, yet no one in the game questions his identity.
Metaphor: ReFantazio: How to Defeat Zorba
The necromancer with a mouth, all he really has is the undead, but without them, he’s nothing.
The story offers no plausible explanation for why this disguise goes undetected, though there is the ironic value of the whole thing. In a world dominated by layers of intrigue and deception, this moment of nonsensical logic was appreciated even if it raised possible questions about world-building consistency.
2Fairies Are Supposed To Be Rare
Shouldn’t Gallica get a little bit more attention from the townsfolk?
Gallicaand her tiny fairy friends, as the game tells us, are nearly extinct in the world of Metaphor: ReFantazio. Yet she, the protagonist’s companion, walks freely without attracting much attention. Given the supposed rarity of the fairies, it seems highly improbable that people wouldn’t react to her presence.
The lack of any explanation for Gallica’s unnoticed existence creates a disconnect in the world-building, a missed opportunity for more to be made of her significance. This inconsistency could lead players to question the perceived importance of fairies and their relevance to the overall narrative, so it would have been interesting to explore this further.
1Louis' Goals Lack Depth
What is really driving Louis?
Louis,the powerful main antagonistof Metaphor: ReFantazio, has clear objectives, but the game doesn’t delve deeply into what motivates him. His goals are presented, but there is little explanation why he pursues them, leaving his character falling somewhat flat. Goals are outlined briefly but lack the emotional depth needed to make them resonate. Without fully understanding his reasoning, his actions come off as potentially rather one-dimensional rather than the result of a developed villain.
We don’t learn much about Louis' past or the events that shaped his ambitions, which makes it difficult to connect with him. With more insight, Louis' already awesome character could have made him become an even more captivating antagonist, with the depth to make him more memorable. I would personally love to see Louis in a prequel.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.Control your destiny, face your fears, and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.
