Fans awaiting the release of Metaphor: ReFantazio have noticed a significant deviation from the typical Persona gameplay – the absence of the beloved romance option with non-playable characters. This departure highlights the distinctiveness of Metaphor: ReFantazio compared to its predecessors, Shin Megami Tensei and Persona, despite some shared traits.

Set to launch later this year, Metaphor: ReFantazio will transport RPG enthusiasts to a fantastical medieval realm instead of the familiar urban Japanese backdrop seen in Persona titles. Notably, differences will be apparent such as the protagonist having a voice and engaging in dialogues, a departure from Persona norms.

During a recent livestream by Atlus, translated by Siliconera, it was revealed that Metaphor: ReFantazio will introduce a social bond-building system, omitting romantic entanglements present in Persona games. While Persona protagonists could foster romantic connections, this feature won't be part of Metaphor: ReFantazio, possibly due to its unique bonding mechanism.

In Metaphor: ReFantazio, players will nurture alliances with companions, delving into their backstories to unlock new Archetypes. In contrast, Persona 5 rewarded progressing relationships with enhanced abilities and the option for romance. The absence of multiple romantic paths in Metaphor: ReFantazio raises curiosity about potential story-driven romances.

Familiar Mechanics Making a Comeback

Despite notable disparities, Metaphor: ReFantazio incorporates some recognizable elements from the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series.

The game will include a calendar system akin to Persona's time-tracking feature and adopt Shin Megami Tensei's Press Turn Battle system. Additionally, certain skills from the mainline Shin Megami Tensei franchise will resurface. Given the shared history of the director, artist, and composer with Shin Megami Tensei, thematic and aesthetic similarities are anticipated in Metaphor: ReFantazio.