Metaphor: ReFantazio

I have nothing else to say than I love this game!

This game is... not really as good as I hoped it would be. As of writing, I finished the game and plan to get the last 5 (incl. the get all achievements) achievements later (while skipping all dialogue). If you are a persona fan, I would recommend this because it has MANY QoLs that a persona game should have. TL,DR This feels both like a test for what they can improve for Persona (icons for what takes time, no social link without rank up, overworld combat, etc) and a different flavor of persona, cause they still got the collective anxiety theme. While I think gameplay is a lot better and more enjoyable, I think the story's execution is lacking and maybe they aren't used to writing a story involving actual large organizations as oppositions. I don't like it as much as persona, I also think that the final moments left a bitter taste in my mouth. The following is just me spilling what I think about the game, no planning on how I format it, so it'll be a mess: Gameplaywise, it is honestly better than persona. I liked the turn icon system and how it makes me count the turns. I like the overworld combat system, though I think thet are too generous with the i-frames they give. BUT THE GAME IS NOT BALANCED AT ALL. Money is not a problem after 20+ mins of grinding with merchant, as usual physical is still better than magic, and if you are crazy enough MP is not a problem using the mage, making doing dungeons in 1 day a breeze. The game is also VERY VERY GENEROUS WITH THE CALENDER. I didn't do every dungeon in 1 day (2 max), and still had 18 days with nothing in left to do in the game until the final day. The world is cool, but they made the themes VERY on the nose. The story is very cool on paper, but I absolutely disliked how they executed it. Why are we even considering forgiving a murderer of children, when she already wants to make amends!?! Why can't we send the party member, WHOSE WHOLE JOB REQUIRED BEING STEALTHY, to the sneak pass the guards?! Why are we, the man of the hour, the one they send to infiltrate Louise HQ? Also the bait and switch with Louise was too much. The characters are kinda uninteresting and Strohl mentions being a noble too much. You can chalk up the characters to like 1 - 2 traits. Heismay is old honorable man and scared of bugs, Hulkenberg is the definition of a Knight and loves exotic food, Neuras is the wild Mechanic, and Strohl is a noble. I even disliked Basilio's social link, because it focused a too much on Vinca. He has the curse of being the last party member and that usually means his story is left for the social link, but it wasn't what I expected. I wanted to know more about him and what HE went through with Del, why he's a good cook, why he thought Louise was even someone they should follow, and what he wants to do for his future (not just "right we gotta change this country"). It wasn't that great. I am a sucker for good great governing systems. BUT WE SEE NOTHING ON HOW WE ACTUALLY PLAN TO CHANGE THE COUNTRY. I WANT TO SEE ALL THE DETAILS AND BRIGHT IDEAS, THE TRADE OPPORTUNITY AND SUCH. BUT THEY DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE THAT AS OPTIONAL FLAVOUR TEXT. The closest thing to that was Brigitta's new igniter shop and creating a new market. I really think that the ATLUS writers are used to writing a story on a scale as grand as this. I know I was quite negative, but I still had fun. I just wish for more. Oh and Eupha best girl.