Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new RPG from the creators of the acclaimed Persona franchise, has shown off the result of years of creative work: the archetype system.
Metaphor: ReFantazio – Official Archetype Job System Overview Showcase
These archetypes, or jobs, are the game’s core gameplay system, and Atlus developers felt it was so groundbreaking that it warranted a full-length SGF trailer. “We’re putting all of our acquired expertise into this game to make it as exciting as possible,” the game’s creative director Katsura Hashino said during commentary on the archetype system during the 2024 Summer Game Fest festival run.
This Metaphor: ReFantazio archetypes are jobs, or classes in the RPG sense, and will be the players’ gateway into combat and encounters. Several of the archetypes were shown off in the trailer, which was Persona in all but name, with each appearing to be a form of “hidden power” that different characters wield uniquely.
The trailer's narrator alludes to the archetypes being "heroic virtues" unique to each persona. Players will be able to "acquire more archetypes" and "bring them together" to create their ideal party composition. This system seems to be aimed at expanding the traditional understanding of RPG classes and making them more unique, with each having its own set of flairs and traits that make the archetype itself a character.
