Persona 6 May Already Have One Advantage Over Metaphor: ReFantazio

While Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio share roots in the broader Shin Megami Tensei universe, their gameplay and thematic choices mark a distinct divergence. With Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus has embraced a high-fantasy setting and intensified combat mechanics, creating a more complex experience that contrasts sharply with Persona’s urban setting and accessible systems. The more challenging mechanics in Metaphor: ReFantazio set it apart from Persona. Persona 6 could benefit from its established accessibility.

Persona 6 could build on the strides Persona 5 made in making the series friendlier to newcomers. Persona 5’s gameplay was lauded for its simplified mechanics and tutorial-driven approach, giving players an easier path into the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. With the success of Persona 5 and the recent updates in Persona 3 Reload, Atlus has honed its ability to create an approachable experience.

Metaphor: ReFantazio introduces a class system that requires a deep investment to switch and optimize roles. To assign new jobs to characters in Metaphor, players must use a special resource called MAG, which makes on-the-fly experimentation with different classes a bit less desirable. Locking in and focusing seems to be more encouraged here.

In contrast, Persona 5 arguably allows for a more fluid approach, encouraging players to mix and match Personas without risking a loss of progress or resources. This streamlined design enables players to experiment without the burden of irreversible choices, making it more accessible to those new to RPGs. Should Persona 6 follow this model, it could continue to appeal to a broad range of players, specifically to newcomers looking for a less daunting experience.

A Steeper Learning Curve in Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Combat Mechanics

Metaphor’s battle system introduces a combination of real-time and turn-based combat, a departure from Persona’s straightforward, turn-based battles. This added complexity, including elements like positioning, weapon-specific roles, and MAG-based abilities, demands a deep understanding of each character’s strengths and weaknesses. While such features provide strategic depth, they can also pose a challenge to players who are more accustomed to Persona’s simpler, “One More” system, where exploiting enemy weaknesses allows for additional turns.

Persona 5’s “One More” system is enjoyed by some players for its simplicity and clarity, letting them quickly grasp the benefits of exploiting weaknesses without needing to juggle intricate mechanics. If Persona 6 retains this approach, it may reinforce its accessibility while still allowing for strategic variety.

UI Design: Persona 5’s Accessibility vs. Metaphor’s Complexity

Another area where Persona 6 may hold an advantage is in its user interface. Persona 5 was praised for its vibrant and intuitive design, using bold colors and sleek animations to guide players through its menus. In contrast, Metaphor: ReFantazio’s interface is more subdued, favoring a minimalist color scheme and highly detailed character models. While visually striking, Metaphor’s UI can feel more challenging to navigate due to its multiple layers and detailed submenus for inventory and class management.

Persona 5’s UI prioritized ease of use, with a simpler structure that made finding equipment, skills, and items straightforward. If Persona 6 follows suit, its UI could continue to make gameplay feel more approachable, particularly for players who might be overwhelmed by extensive menu systems. Persona 6 has the opportunity to build on this design, maintaining accessibility without compromising depth.

Metaphor’s complexity is a clear choice by Atlus to create a game that stands apart from Persona, one where difficulty and learning curves are central to the experience. Persona 6, however, could find success in doubling down on accessibility. It’ll beautify the divide between the two Atlus titles even more.

Advertisement