The ReFantazio calendar differs from Persona in a big way

Among the elements of social simulation that have come to define the Person series and the iconic pressing and rotation system of SMTthe mechanics of Metaphor: ReFantazio shows not only how well it is able to draw on Atlus' past, but also its ability to define its own identity. Strategy is more than just the choices players make in combat, and the real virtues that come with them Metaphor: ReFantazioThe protagonist must hone alongside the followers he chooses to help, what is done off the battlefield is equally important to honing his chances of victory. For the Tournament for the Throne is a tumultuous journey that is turned upside down MetaphorDespite the many twists and turns, the way this unpredictability is reflected in the game's deadlines helps not only raise the stakes, but also make the adventure feel natural.

Given the medieval fantasy style of Metaphor: ReFantazioIn the world of, its calendar does not follow the same conventions as the seven-day week, instead opting for a five-day structure. Although the weeks of MetaphorThe United Kingdom of Euchronia is shorter, its months are slightly more consistent with the real world, each comprising thirty days. This structure doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of Metaphorwith the time to complete quests occasionally overlapping from the end of one month to the start of the next, though the way the Tournament for the Throne plays out means the time the protagonist has to meet a deadline varies .

Major spoilers for Metafora: ReFantazio ahead.

Metaphor: ReFantazio balances the fast pace of the story with moments of respite

When you look at the full calendar of Metaphor: ReFantaziothe time span of the protagonist's search for the throne is about five months in total, following a slightly condensed program compared to Person games. Metaphor's pace is faster in this regard, though it manages to balance itself in a way that makes its journey feel in motion while still allowing for breathing room to reconcile with its world. Its deadlines are appropriately spaced to give weight to the story's revelations without giving too much time to linger. Even shorter periods of time, such as the ten days in September given to prepare for the battle with Louis, are planned so that the player has at least two Idlesdays to make cheap purchases with the various merchants of Euchronia.

Varying the game's time limits helps create the feeling of a natural adventure, where some deadlines are more challenging than others, giving credence to how undisciplined they are Metaphor: ReFantazioThe Tournament for the Throne is obtained. It begins in a fairly structured manner with the Santista Church's proclamation of the tournament, setting the stage for Martira's investigation and obtaining Drakodios. This falls apart due to Rella testing the party and Louis' concrete challenge to their power, proving that time and its obstacles will move forward regardless of the protagonist's preparation. To balance this, the full month given before the game's final boss provides ample opportunity to complete requests, reach the full potential of bonds, and grind EXP should you want it, while maintaining a sense of narrative during Hero's Day.

Increase tension through variation

In comparison, Person 5's handling is a little more uniform in its approach to deadlines, offering a consistent two or three weeks for each deadline, interspersed with narrative moments to set up the next conflict. The fastest turnaround time is the first deadline of the game, which benefits the story structure, as most of the Confidants are not yet available at this point. Likewise, Persona 3 Reload players can consistently expect around a month of time before any major operation.

Obviously, Person 5 has more obligations to consider than Metaphor: ReFantaziothe list of followers of (how does P3), which is taken into account in its longer calendar cycle and overall mission deadlines, although the nature of this coherence lends itself to being more predictable than Metaphorthe approach of. While both titles utilize a weather system that can disrupt certain activities or affect battle, the effects of inclement weather continue Metaphor's press shift system is arguably more tumultuous, adding another layer to calendar planning.

In case of Metaphor: ReFantazioof actual virtues, the calendar system manages to be quite lenient in the opportunities given to increase the protagonist's social statistics. The books on the runner testify to this, since the night is reserved for rest after excursions. Some of the party bond events available on the Gauntlet Runner also help replace the loss of evening activities, making your days more fulfilling.

The hidden oddities of Metaphorthey're rewarding and also a little quirky, like providing permanent stat boosts to the protagonist's luck for using the bathroom on a day divisible by five. Finally, the fact that the merchant and store accessibility changes depending on whether it's day or night adds another refreshing layer Metaphorwhich coincides with proper planning, demonstrating how well it is woven into every aspect of its gameplay.