Metaphor: ReFantazio’s approach to time is not understated. The “race to the throne” sets the foundation for the protagonist’s motivations, who takes to the royal election in a bid to save his childhood friend, the prince of the United Kingdom of Euchronia. It is through this election premise thatMetaphorseeks to showcase its bonds, both with the protagonist’s immediate allies and the favor of the masses themselves. As with any democratic election, however, the populace must decide between multiple candidates, and that’s whereMetaphor’s Louis comes into play.
Placing a democratic election in a medieval fantasy world is a fascinating conceit forMetaphor: ReFantazio, especially when it comes to the election’s catalyst. The assassination of the king is what sparks the race for the throne; the king’s murder, committed by Louis' hand, invokes a type of “election magic” that setsMetaphor’s plot into motion, a power unprecedented to Euchronia’s people. As the “travelling boy” protagonist faces off against Louis and other prospective candidates, the complicated nature of the people’s desires comes into play, and consideringMetaphor’s emphasis on the kingdom’s tribes and a land fraught with prejudice, one might imagine Louis' motivations to be sinister. This, however, might not be so clear-cut.
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Louis Could Be its Ace in the Sleeve
Forden and Louis as Top Players in Metaphor’s Election
The two top players ofMetaphor’s election race are Forden and Louis, the former a “Sanctifex” who prescribes the Kingdom’s religion of Sanctism and the latter a “prodigal tactician” and the youngest to ever see the role of general for the Kingdom. Before the election magic is revealed, Forden is considered to be the safe, stand-in choice for the throne, described as a moderate who can help to avoid political instability in the Kingdom. As Louis shows his hand, however, it’s clear that the two live in opposition to each other’s ideals, with Louis' impassioned plea to the masses being surprising for a supposed villain: he seeks a world wherethe Kingdom of Euchronia’s people are united and equal.
Motivations Forged Through Violence
WithMetaphor: ReFantazio’s protagonistbeing a part of the elda tribe, one detested by the Kingdom’s state religion, Louis' motivations and place on the throne feels like it would be a just cause, provided he isn’t lying about his intentions. Instead, he is primed asMetaphor’s leading villain, a role informed by his violence. Beyond assassinating the king and placing a curse on the young prince, Louis seeks to protect the masses from the “Human” threat inMetaphor’s world, proposing peace through force. Being a “master of the magla arts,” it would seem Louis draws strength from the wrong avenues to take down his foes, though how far his violence will take him remains a question to be answered.
Louis' utilization of magic, drawn from particles of “magla,” would suggest that his combat prowess is built on the people’s fears. Magla is described as being created from “feelings of anxiety,” used as a source of funding for the Kingdom while also impactingMetaphor: ReFantazio’s worlditself, drawing the ire of the “Human” enemies. Because of this, Louis' reliance on magla would seem to contradict his desire to take down the Human threat, though he could also consider it a necessary evil. His resorting to violence is clear, however, complicating whatever good intentions he may have with the blood he’s spilled.
Making Louis such a prominent player in the election already spells out his importance in the game’s plot, and thoughMetaphorcould have kept the king’s murderer a secret, revealing him as the culprit so early in its story could have advantages of its own. With the way he’s been framed, Louis could be a case of a villain who sees himself as virtuous, a feat that would tie in well to his almost angelic character design. On the other hand, he could be deceiving the people entirely, using empty words to gain their favor. His standing asa top player inMetaphor: ReFantazio’s electionis a great comparison to the protagonist’s motivations, who seeks to take Louis down himself to restore the prince from his curse. Whether Louis' violence will beget the protagonist’s own, however, will be interesting to see.
