During its showcase during Summer Game Fest, Studio Zero's Metaphor ReFantazio had its signature Archetype system elaborated on with the most information made available since the game's announcement. In an in-depth overview with director Katsuhiro Hashino, he explained that the title is set to follow the design philosophy of Shin Megami Tensei's gameplay while also carving out its own niche through the implementation of party member row placements on the battlefield. While it has been shown to be heavily influenced by Persona through the usage of Archetypes in combat, these act as more of a modular job system in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Able to be freely swapped between once they are unlocked, Archetypes are roles that can be equipped and gain their own experience to access a wide array of skills. Leveling them up and forming bonds with characters in the world are the conditions for acquiring more, as they exist within various trees known as Lineages with distinct lines of progression. Equipping an Archetype also determines what weapon the player wields. While turn-based encounters in Metaphor: ReFantazio are Squad battles, real-time action is called Fast combat and features a moveset for the protagonist based on the weapon provided by the current Archetype in use. There are 14 types of Archetype Lineage trees, and between all the variations within there are set to be over 40 Archetypes available in total.

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Metaphor: ReFantazio's Archetype Lineages Represent Diverse Gameplay

Metaphor: ReFantazio's Archetype system trees were shown off in its latest overview with a level of detail that has already revealed many of the game's different options. Trees like those of the Seeker and Gunner were fully described in terms of their strengths, but others have only had their names ambiguously shown on the Archetype progression menu. While there's evidence of seemingly high-level Destroyer, Ninja, and Warlord archetypes which have been visible during certain gameplay moments, their places in Lineages have yet to be specifically revealed in a concrete manner. Just counting the official information outside of those, there have technically been nearly 30 Archetypes already shown. Some are direct progressions, but others, like the Paladin and Dark Knight, appear to be split paths.

Seeker Tree

• Seeker - Well-balanced all-rounder. One-handed blade with quick strikes in Fast combat
• Magic Seeker - Wields wind magic along with "reinforcement support and passives"
• Soul Hacker - Access to magic like MP recovery and penetration resistance

Healer Tree

• Healer - Recovery specialist
• Cleric

Knight Tree

• Knight - Access to defensive skills, attracts enemy attacks from the back row
• Magic Knight
• Paladin
• Dark Knight

Warrior Tree

• Warrior - Emphasis on sword attacks. Powerful great sword which can prevent preemptive strikes in Metaphor's real-time Fast combat
• Swordmaster
• Samurai

Mage Tree

• Mage - Targets weak points with magic, but has low defense. Magic staff with a large attack range in Fast combat
• Wizard

Thief Tree

• Thief - Access to skills like the Robbery ability
• Assassin

Brawler Tree

• Brawler - Focuses on physical attacks
• Pugilist

Commander Tree

• Commander - Access to support and formation-based skills to change party member placement in Metaphor: ReFantazio's combat mechanics
• General

Gunner Tree

• Gunner - Can attack from long range in the back row. Access to crossbow in Fast combat
• Sniper - Excels at targeting all enemies on the field at once
• Dragoon - Can trigger attacks with "various magical attributes"

Merchant Tree

• Merchant - Based around "money-related attacks"

Faker Tree

• Faker - Access to "tricky moves". Throws knives in Metaphor's Persona 5 Strikers-like Fast combat

Masked Dancer Tree

• Masked Dancer - Skills and resistances are modular through equipment

Summoner Tree

• Summoner - Summons monsters to control in battle
• Devil Summoner

Berserker Tree

• Berseker - Has "tremendous destructive power"

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Developed by Atlus' Studio Zero, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fantasy RPG set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, a medieval world that mirrors the modern-day "real world." It takes inspiration from the Persona series with its turn-based combat and social sim elements.

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS5 , PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

October 11, 2024

Developer(s)

Studio Zero

Publisher(s)

Atlus

Genre(s)

RPG

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