After garnering a nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024 and receiving numerous accolades from various award ceremonies, Metaphor: ReFantazio has undeniably emerged as one of the standout games of last year. Its connection to the popular Persona series helped build anticipation even before the official launch. As the game enjoys its moment of success, it may benefit from drawing inspiration from Persona’s successful ventures.
Exploring the Potential: Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona Dancing
Persona Dancing: The Premier Spin-Off of the Franchise
While the Persona franchise has seen the introduction of various spin-offs, very few have fully explored the series’ rich narrative landscape. For example, Tactica has yet to touch upon themes beyond Persona 5, despite its recent release shortly before Persona 3 Reload. Ironically, the Persona Arena series has yet to feature characters from Persona 5, even though it has been around much longer than other newer titles. In this context, the Persona Dancing series stands out for its depth and character involvement.
Debuting with Persona 4: Dancing All Night in 2015, this rhythm-focused offshoot includes Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, both launched in 2018. These games have developed significant followings and solidified themselves within the modern Persona landscape, especially from Persona 3 onward.
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Soundtrack: A Key Highlight
While not directly affiliated with the Shin Megami Tensei series, Metaphor: ReFantazio has adopted several combat mechanics characteristic of its predecessors. By the awards season, the game had gained acclaim for its intricate narrative; however, similar to other Atlus titles, the soundtrack emerged as a standout element.
Nominated for Best Score and Music at The Game Awards 2024, Metaphor: ReFantazio narrowly missed the win to Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. A noteworthy soundtrack surely provides a compelling argument for a potential rhythm game spin-off. Although the music in Metaphor shares a high level of esteem alongside its Persona counterparts, it’s essential to note that the stylistic nature of both soundtracks caters to different vibes.
The Viability of a Metaphor Dancing Game
The Persona series is celebrated for its catchy tunes, creating an engaging atmosphere that complements its contemporary settings, heavily influenced by hip-hop and jazz. In contrast, Metaphor’s operatic and grand approach aligns more with its fantasy context. Despite these differences, the feasibility of a Metaphor-themed dancing game remains intriguing.
The Persona Dancing series has adeptly transformed tracks that may not seem danceable at first glance, showcasing a unique ability to adapt various musical numbers. This adaptability contributes significantly to the success of the Persona Dancing games, not merely for their appealing soundtracks but also for the unique character interactions and storylines presented. Each game’s narrative ties back to the series canon, enhancing the experience.
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s renowned storytelling features a remarkable cast of characters. While Louis, the antagonist, might appear too serious for a dancing game, this contrast opens the door to creative possibilities. Persona Dancing has thrived by showcasing humor and unexpected moments, such as seeing Tohru Adachi dance. Given this precedent, Metaphor: ReFantazio has the potential to create a captivating and entertaining experience, making a case for Atlus to consider this innovative direction while interest is high.
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