Summary
The land ofMetaphor: ReFantazio’s United Kingdom of Euchronia is set to be as diverse as the tribes that inhabit it, paying the way for its many bonds and gameplay mechanics. The road-trip conceit with a medieval fantasy twist is primed for possibility, as the “travelling boy” protagonist and his allies journey throughout the Kingdom to vie for popularity with the masses. Not only will Euchronia’s landscapes informMetaphor: ReFantazio’s themes of acceptance, helping to showcase the different lifestyles and upbringings of its people, but its focus on the journey structure will also have reverberations on its many gameplay systems, from tackling dungeons to social activities with allies.
The United Kingdom of Euchronia inMetaphor: ReFantaziois more than just a backdrop. Despite being united under one rule, the anxieties of the Kingdom are emphasized in the title’s themes, going so far as to be woven intoMetaphor’s magic system itself. The murder of the King exacerbates this unrest, though the subsequent royal election, which the game’s plot centers itself on, brings an unprecedented voice to the people that could make or break the Kingdom’s future. Withthe protagonist being primed as a candidate for the throne, how he bridges the gap between the Kingdom’s people will be crucial to his success in the election. Learning more about the Kingdom’s many tribes and locales while gaining favour with the masses will be crucial to his victory, setting the stage forMetaphor: ReFantazio’s gameplay.
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s United Kingdom of Euchronia is Primed to Shake Up its Activities and Bond System
A Kingdom Built From Many Landscapes
Thevistas ofMetaphor: ReFantaziolook to be compelling insights into the diversity of its people, with terrain ranging from port towns and old castle streets to secluded island villages. The activities afforded to the player will differ based on this terrain, helping to build on the protagonist’s “virtues,” a stat system bearing resemblance toPersona’s own. Katsura Hashino has explained thatMetaphorwill “incrementally increase freedom” for the player as they progress throughout the game, with unique activities available depending on the locale. From milking cows to bungee jumping, the game’s environments will have a tangible effect on how the protagonist spends his time.
This conceit is especially exciting when consideringMetaphor’s allies. As the protagonist recruits new members of the team throughout his travels, the chance for “social link” style activities will inevitably crop up. Bonding with the team through completing bounties and tackling dungeons will be just one way to build on these relationships, though it will be especially intriguing to see how they interact with more populated areas. Depending on the allies' backstories,Metaphorcould be applying aPersonastyle “fish out of water” approachto the majority of its cast, making their own perspectives on new locations just as important as the protagonist’s own.
Tying the United Kingdom of Euchronia into Metaphor’s Strategy
Planning out travel routes and how the protagonist spends time will comprise a large part ofMetaphor: ReFantazio’s strategic elements, though this format will have major narrative influence as well. The gauntlet runner, serving as a home base that the team travels on, will have its own activities and bonding events, from completing chores with the crew to more serious discussions on the state of the Kingdom and plans for the future. Using the gauntlet runner as a foundation for these moments will be a great way forMetaphorto showcase its allies interacting with not just the protagonist, but each other as well. In tandem with its themes of overcoming prejudice, seeing different members of the Kingdom’s tribes come together leaves room for great story moments.
Beyond party members, being able to interact with the Kingdom of Euchronia’s NPCs will further its world-building, both from a positive and negative lens. Crucial confidants will come into play throughout the protagonist’s travels, providing boons like shop discounts or information on bounties. On the other hand, there is the discrimination of the protagonist to contend with, which will affect how some characters interact with him; being from the elda tribe will set him up for negative encounters. How this changes throughout the course of the game will be interesting to see in conjunction with his election popularity. As Euchronia’s Kingdom unfolds through its different land and people, the opportunity to showcase the detriment of its outdated ideals will make it more than just a backdrop, but a setting paramount toMetaphor: ReFantazio’s political themesas well.
