Atlus' new JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio won't include romance, but its bonding system will "give you a new experience unlike any you have had" in the Persona series

GamesJRPGMetaphor: ReFantazioAtlus' new JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio won’t include romance, but its bonding system will “give you a new experience unlike any you have had” in the Persona seriesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesJRPGMetaphor: ReFantazioAtlus' new JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio won’t include romance, but its bonding system will “give you a new experience unlike any you have had” in the Persona seriesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Atlus) Metaphor: ReFantazioomits romance for an “experience unlike any you have had” in previous Atlus games. Atlus has been pretty forthright inMetaphor: ReFantazio going in a hugely different direction than the Persona seriesand throwing out romance entirely. It’s partly becauseMetaphor: ReFantazio isn’t a game about flirty teenagers, and so romance being omitted is “part of the realism of the setting.” The new JRPG still has a traditional ‘bond’ system though, and director Katsura Hashino has elaborated on it in the video below. “Interacting with characters of all ages, tribes, and values, and from different perspectives, will give you a new experience unlike any you have had in previous titles,” Hashino proclaims in the video below, around the 15 minutes mark. This comes off the back of explaining how you can bond with allies like the bounty hunter Catherina (the one with pink rabbit ears) to form a “unique relationship.” Metaphor: ReFantazio “ATLUS Exclusive” Showcase - Characters - YouTubeWatch On Metaphor: ReFantazio “ATLUS Exclusive” Showcase - Characters - YouTube Metaphor: ReFantazio “ATLUS Exclusive” Showcase - Characters - YouTube Hashino also talks up another ally called Alonzo. This silver-tongued young man has the protagonist undertake a certain quest, and gives them the run-around a fair bit with mischevious words and deeds, but in the end, if you can level up your bond with Alonzo enough, you’ll unlock the Faker Archetype. This can be used as a “trump card” in battle to tackle difficult enemies. So it sounds like although there aren’t romance possibilities near the conclusion of bond stories with your allies, you’re in for scenes of a different type, such as unlocking powerful Archetypes. Admittedly, this does sound a lot like how allies' Personas would transform into more powerful variants once you’d maxed out their Social Link level in the Persona games, so I’m intrigued to see what the final game holds. Read up on ourMetaphor: ReFantazio previewfor our hands-on take with the new Atlus JRPG. 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Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”