This article contains spoilers for Metaphor: ReFantazio.
There is no doubt thatMetaphor: ReFantazio’s party is central to both its themes and gameplay. As Will gains allies to his heroic retinue, both the Archetypes they wield and the worldview they share expand. It’s a testament to howMetaphorhandles its societal relations, showing thedifferent ideologies across Euchronia’s tribesand how the sweeping generalizations of its prejudices should be both questioned and dismantled. These themes are made ever clearer in the game’s Virga Island arc, which sets the stage for its late party members: Eupha and Basilio. Though late-stage party members sometimes face hurdles in their place within the narrative, often having to ‘catch up’ to the group’s motivations and end goals,Metaphortakes care to give its characters the story prominence they deserve both before and after joining, setting a fine example for other party-based RPGs to follow.
The Virga Island arc ofMetaphor: ReFantaziois when its story’s stakes start to truly rise. As the team is tasked with recovering the divine relic Drakodios, they not only have to keep up their facade to Basilio and Fidelio, but also resolve to save the island’s Priestess, who has resigned to be a sacrifice for her people’s sake. Already, Eupha and Basilio manage to be compelling forces for similar and disparate reasons; each struggles with their sense of self and ideologies, the former believing her path lies in being a martyr, while the latter reckons with Louis' ‘survival of the strongest’ mentality in the wake of years of discrimination. Their beliefs are tested both with the party’s influence and without, as the merits of helping those who cannot fend for themselves are shown through saving Virga Island from the human threat.
How Metaphor: ReFantazio Gives Room for its Characters to Develop, Both In and Outside the Party
Considering a Character’s Place in the Plot
Despite Virga Island’s arc being planted inEupha’s struggles, it manages to give the same level of narrative prominence to Basilio in a way where neither outshines the other. Basilio’s introduction and motivations are, of course, closely entwined with his brother Fidelio, but this only serves to heighten the emotional weight of his eventual joining of the party. With one party member slot left after Eupha, there’s the unavoidable question of which of the duo might fill the spot, and what circumstances will see them separated.Metaphorutilizes this tension well, making the Virga Island arc and the brothers' questioning of what, or who, they should believe in to be further compelling. Placing them in quasi-antagonistic roles (at least, at first) only adds to this level of intrigue, working within the game’s narrative pacing.
Because Eupha and Basilio are intrinsically tied toMetaphor: ReFantazio’s plotbefore joining the party, there isn’t that same sense of urgency in defining their characters once they become playable. There is ample room for more of their development throughMetaphor’s bond events, made easier by the full month of free time within the game’s calendar structure before its final showdown, but because the foundations of their characters have already been laid with such story significance, neither ends up feeling tacked on. Having to consider the pace at which party members join, both from a combat and narrative perspective, can be challenging to fit into a story’s structure, though there’s merit to howMetaphorgives its characters purpose and identity even before they are direct allies.
Providing Proper Payoff
Giving room for its characters to breathe does a lot forMetaphor’s narrative, not only in its late-stage party members, but its early ones as well. Because there is more friction in its world, there’s more reason to ease its party members to the player’s cause, a feat shown with others likeHulkenberg and Heismay, who at first reckon with their notions of failure and grief. Some of the game’s most memorable story moments and dialogue occur after the proper payoff, with expositions like Heismay recounting the riot that killed his son bearing so much more weight in the wake of Martira’s boss fight. It is for a similar reason whyMetaphor’s Louis feels so effective as an antagonist, as the game allows for proper interactions that really build on how nonchalant he comes across in his beliefs.
Emphasizing Supporting Roles
To have a character feel distinct outside the conflicts they bring to the table is easier said than done. The same is true when trying to give prominence to a character outside their arc in the story. ThoughMetaphor’s Basilioplays more of a supporting role during Virga Island’s plot with the Dragon Temple, the small moments of dialogue he and Fidelio are given do so much for their development, making the eventual reveal of Fidelio’s death as his catalyst for joining the party much more effective. Both he and Eupha add greatly to the party’s dynamic, though their presences manage to feel natural beforehand as well, showing howMetaphortreats its characters with care because it considers their places both in and outside the party.
