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    10 Best Games Like Metaphor: Refantazio

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    By on THENEXUS
    10 Best Games Like Metaphor: Refantazio

    Metaphor: Refantazio is a pretty unique game, but it's not totally unique - there are plenty of other RPGs like it. Its main claim to fame is its blend of social sim elements and typical turn-based RPG battling. Even this isn't a completely original concept, and is part of a larger formula that Atlus has had for some time.

    But when a player finishes metaphorAs with any 80-plus-hour RPG, it's easy to feel like there's a hole left in their heart. The only thing that can fill it is another RPG, something similar, but not something that is trying to be exactly the same. This is where the ten games come in: Each of them has an element that is similar to something in Metaphor: ReFantazioBut keep unique identity of their own.

    Fighting for justice

    It may seem a little obvious, but Persona 5 Royale And Metaphor: Refantazio share a lot of the same DNA. Every game in the Persona series since P3 is divided into two halves: dungeon crawler and social sim. The player's performance in combat affects their relationships, and their relationships affect their abilities in combat. besides that, Persona 5 And metaphor Share some common themes, with both centering on a group of people with a strong sense of justice. They even have similar combat mechanics, with summoned spirits and bonuses for striking enemy weaknesses.

    Their characters and settings are completely different, with Persona 5 Focusing on a group of teenagers in a modern city, and metaphor On the royal guards of a fairytale kingdom. But the truth is that metaphor Draws a lot on Persona 5Being a recent release by the same developer, Atlus. If it is not the driving force behind a player's interest in metaphorIt makes a worthy successor.

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    Shin Megami Tensei V is the original demon-summoning game

    Atlus' flagship franchise

    And Before it was PersonaIt was Shin Megami Tensei. Smt is a long-running series in which players collect and challenge friendly demons in order to fight less friendly demons. It is known for its often crushing difficulty, philosophical story, and choice-based endings. In many ways, it inspired PersonaWhich borrows a lot from the demon designs and an adapted combat system from the Smt Series.

    in turn, Smt Inspired much about Metaphor: RefantazioIncluding one central element of its combat system: the Press Turn mechanic. This is why players have limited actions on each turn, and why each critical hit or exploited weakness results in only half a turn being consumed. With the extended warmup provided by metaphorPlayers should be prepared to dive into the greater difficulty of Shin Megami Tensei. And there is no better place to start than the last entry, SMT v.

    Real-time battles

    One of the cooler, but less talked-about aspects of Metaphor: Refantazio is how flexible its character builds are. Players can effectively swap their archetypes, completely changing a character's strengths, abilities, and stats with the push of a single button. It's a game all about discovering unique party synergies by experimenting with archetypes, which both keeps combat interesting and creates satisfying overpowered combinations.

    Related

    Visions of Mana has a similar class systemWith 45 different classes to choose from. Swapping them out is as easy as equipping the right elemental ship, and completely changes a character's playstyle. Players are free to experiment with different synergies between the eight characters, finding a unique combination that works for them in each battle. The main difference is that Visions of Mana Has real-time, not turn-based combat, which leads to some thrilling fights where timing and positioning matter as much as the right class equipped.

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    Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth uses a similar social system

    With a dedicated "Aloha" button

    Also under the Sega umbrella is the series formerly known as Yakuza In English, but recently renamed Like a dragon In order to accommodate a wide variety of stories. The first game to take on the Like a dragon Moniker introduces a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, and a new turn-based battle system, In which players swap jobs to change their stats and abilities, unlike in metaphors archetype system. Players must promote their personalities, much as they promote their royal virtues in metaphor. It also includes a variety of fleshed-out, sometimes full game-sized side activities.

    This was soon followed by Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, A Hawaii-set sequel that builds on much of what the first one did Like a dragon introduces. It even has a more powerful social simulator, allowing players to say "Aloha" To almost anyone on the street. Over time, this increases their relationships, earning them points that they can spend on gear in a specialized store. Animal Crossing-inspired mini-game, Dondoko Island, a worthy distraction from the main story.

    5

    Suikoden 1 & 2 are revolutionary RPGs

    Over 100 characters to collect

    Franchise

    Suikoden

    Released

    March 6, 2025

    Originally released for the PlayStation 1, Suikoden 1 and 2 are particularly notable for their oversize casts of characters: each has 108 different party members to recruit. Much like archetypes promote unique party synergies in Metaphor, the diverse rosters promote party synergies in Suikoden, encouraging players to experiment with different combinations of characters to suit different situations. Their respective plots are also similar, revolving around heroes gathering supporters in order to take down corrupt governments.

    unfortunately, Suikoden 1 And 2 They are not currently playable on modem platforms - but they will be soon. A full remaster of the first two games in the series has been announced for the Switch, PC, PlayStation consoles and Xbox consoles. It will be released on March 6, 2025. For now, interested players can check out the spiritual successor Ayuden ChroniclesReleased earlier this year with the participation of Suikoden Creator Yoshitaka Murayama. It is available on all the same platforms.

    6

    Bravely Default 2 takes the task system to new heights

    If you don't mind the time

    Bravely Default 2 is a kind of Game Final Fantasy Successor with a heavy emphasis on the job system. In it, each character is given a task that works similarly to metaphors archetypes, defining their abilities and stats. Players collect more asterisks as they travel the world, unlocking new classes that help them beat new enemies. They can also equip secondary jobs from those they have already learned, gaining access to an additional set of skills. This creates useful synergies not only between characters, but within a single character assigned to two different classes. There are also a variety of secret jobs to be found throughout.

    unfortunately, Bravely Default 2 Requires a great deal of grindingWhat is something that metaphor Avoids. Players can defeat enemies weaker than them in its real-time preludes to turn-based combat, which saves a ton of time and energy when it comes to leveling up. Still, there's something to be said for the satisfaction that grinding can provide, and if a player doesn't mind the repetition, there's a lot to love about it. Bravely Default 2.

    7

    Octopath Traveler 2 further innovates on the job system

    Eight characters, eight stories

    Octopath Traveler 2 is cut from the same cloth as Bravely defaultMade by a similar development team. It also relies, in part, on the job system, though Each character has a default class unlike in Metaphor: Refantazio. Secondary jobs are much more important, therefore, as characters straight up along the set paths. Aside from the skills the player buys with their JP, the secondary jobs they equip are basically their only customization options.

    what makes Octopus 2 More than metaphorAlthough, is Its increased focus on the letters. While it's not a full-blown social sim, each character has a personal quest that players can progress throughout the main story. The unfold in stages, unlike metaphorS bonds, with letters gradually getting closer to one another over time. Also like metaphorIt has a thrilling battle system focused on hitting enemy weaknesses, memorable character design and an excellent OST to underline it all.

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    Final Fantasy 12 is all about party synergy

    Plus, the brilliant gambit system

    Another game with a unique iteration on the job system is Final Fantasy 12Re-released for modern platforms like The Zodiac Age. In this one, characters level up and Gain new abilities by progressing on the Job Board, a virtual grid that looks and works much like it metaphors skill tree. Jobs are almost as flexible as archetypes - players must return to a hub area to change classes. There are also secondary jobs that allow inheritance of skills.

    Related

    for metaphor fans, however, used to FF12s combat May be a little difficult. It uses an auto-attack system where players input special moves using an in-game menu. This is bolstered by the brilliant Gambit system, which allows players to set up complex sets of if-then statements that guide AI-controlled characters into combat. Gambits grow over time, allowing players to develop in-depth strategies as the party synergizes metaphorand automate them for easy reuse.

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    Final Fantasy 13 lets you swap roles in an instant

    Archetypes vs. Paradigms

    Final Fantasy 13 Then, the Gambit system was introduced 12And push it even further. This time, any character can switch jobs at any time - even in the middle of combat. Instead of setting jobs individually, players create paradigms, each a unique combination of character classes that brings a particular party combo. For example, players can use the divide and conquer paradigm to stagger an enemy, then switch to the pure-damage slash and burn once it's down. The result is that Combat is all about party synergy, just like that metaphors choice of archetypes.

    moreover, FF13 Also revolves around members of an oppressed class (the L'sie) with incredible magical powers. They use their powers to fight against a corrupt, theocratic government that resembles anything metaphorS Sanctis. Just be warned that the story of FF13 is spread over three separate games, not all of which are equally well received - but there is also a lot of good.

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    Chrono Cross has a diverse cast of characters

    Plus, a completely unique anti-grinding battle system

    Chrono Cross is technically a sequel to the all-time great RPG Chrono TriggerBut do not worry - it is not necessary to play the original first. With a unique story that revolves around the interdimensional travels of the player party and a severe case of mistaken identity. It uses a special battle system which, While completely different from metaphors, is similar in its flexibility. Instead of gaining experience points, players gain abilities (called Elements) as the spoils of battle. They can then place the elements in a grid, which they must continue through level-by-level.

    This creates a fascinating strategic game, requiring players to adapt to each individual character's unique grid layout and carefully place the element tiles they receive. moreover, There are absolutely no experience points, random encounters or levels in Chrono Cross. Instead, characters gain levels at pivotal story moments—basically, when they defeat a boss. Its anti-grinding stance makes Chrono Cross An excellent title for fans of Metaphor: Refantazio.

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