Podcast Summary: The Besties – Episode: "Yes, Metaphor: ReFantazio Really is Fantasy Persona"

Release Date: October 11, 2024
Hosts: Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick
Podcast Description: It's Game of the Year meets King of the Hill as four of Earth's best friends – Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Chris Plante, and Russ Frushtick – rank and review their favorite video games. Because shouldn't the world's best friends pick the world's best games?

1. Introduction to "Metaphor: ReFantazio Really is Fantasy Persona"

The episode kicks off with Justin McIlroy introducing the concept behind the game "Metaphor: ReFantazio," drawing early comparisons to the well-known Persona series. However, the hosts quickly identify the unique elements that set "ReFantazio" apart, particularly its deep fantasy influences and nuanced gameplay mechanics.

• Justin McIlroy [00:10]: "Is it too early to just say the metaphor was inside you the whole time. Is it too early? Am I jumping the gun?"

• Chris Plant [00:13]: "I mean, you're definitely jumping the gun. I don't think anybody ever talk. What the fuck?"

2. Game Naming Debate

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the challenges of naming the game. The hosts engage in a lively debate, suggesting various titles and evaluating their memorability and appeal.

• Russ Freshtick [00:44]: "I was just trying to think about better names for the video game."

• Griffin McElroy [00:55]: "Let me try Fantasy Sword. You could do Magic Quest."

• Griffin McElroy [01:15]: "My position is that you could call the game Ham Bones Slam Jam and it would be probably a stronger, more memorable title."

• Justin McIlroy [01:28]: "I think Metaphor on its own is not bad."

3. Deep Dive into "Metaphor: ReFantazio" Gameplay and Mechanics

The hosts delve into the core mechanics of "ReFantazio," highlighting its similarities to Persona games while emphasizing its distinct fantasy setting influenced by artists like Salvador Dalí and Hieronymus Bosch.

• Chris Plant [02:59]: "Metaphor refantazio is kind of like Persona because it's made by the people who made the Persona games. But this time, say goodbye to that wonderful Japan high school experience."

• Griffin McElroy [07:44]: "It's very similar. It takes place in a calendar that passes. You have to manage your time and your activities. There are social links that inform the core dungeon crawling gameplay."

Key Features Discussed:

• Class System: Unlike Persona's demon fusion, "ReFantazio" employs a traditional class system where each character is customizable, allowing for diverse skill combinations.

  • Griffin McElroy [08:58]: "It's just like a class system like you would see in Final Fantasy V or whatever."

• Followers vs. Social Links: Social relationships are termed 'followers,' and leveling them directly enhances class abilities, offering more tangible benefits compared to Persona's social links.

  • Griffin McElroy [10:15]: "Social links, they're called followers in this game. When you level those up, it directly empowers those different classes."

• Travelogue Structure: The game's setting is dynamic, spanning multiple cities with unique side quests and mini-dungeons, enhancing replayability and variety.

  • Griffin McElroy [13:02]: "It always kind of feels, I do think the dungeon stuff, like you do kind of have to be into that, like grindy."

4. Hosts' Personal Experiences and Opinions

The hosts share their individual experiences with "ReFantazio," offering a range of perspectives on its initial engagement and long-term appeal.

• Russ Freshtick [06:25]: "I don't know, man. This story is doing a lot. It's doing like political intrigue and it's a revenge story. It's an underdog story."

• Griffin McElroy [20:08]: "I just love this. I love this series. I love this developer. I love this game. Honestly, I'm fucking crazy about this game."

• Justin McIlroy [21:07]: "I was immediately kind of drawn to the setting of both Persona 4 and Persona 5."

5. Comparisons to Other Games

The discussion broadens as the hosts compare "ReFantazio" to other contemporary and classic titles, assessing where it stands in the broader gaming landscape.

• Kill Night:

  • Justin McIlroy [32:17]: "Kill Night is basically blending the gameplay of a Hades with the gameplay of like a Doom 2016."

• Yars Rising:

  • Russ Freshtick [35:35]: "Yars Rising is a search action game where you are a young hacker working for a company that finds out the company is up to some nefarious stuff."

• Halls of Torment:

  • Justin McIlroy [42:11]: "Halls of Torment is the best vampire survivors, like ever made."

6. Broader Gaming and Media Discussions

Beyond "ReFantazio," the hosts touch upon various topics including anime adaptations, specific shows like "Uzumaki," and recommendations for other games and anime.

• Anime Recommendations:

  • Griffin McElroy [45:21]: "The Toonami adaptation of Uzumaki Junji Ito is incredibly impressive."

• Library and Halloween:

  • Christopher Plant [50:25]: "Great time to go to the public library for Halloween."

7. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts reflect on the enduring appeal of certain genres and hint at future content, including discussions on "Silent Hill 2" remake and Halloween-themed recommendations.

• Russ Freshtick [56:15]: "We're headed back into the staticy world of Silent Hill 2."

• Griffin McElroy [56:19]: "We'll see if it’s too scary for me."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Justin McIlroy [00:10]: "Is it too early to just say the metaphor was inside you the whole time."

• Griffin McElroy [07:44]: "It's very similar. It takes place in a calendar that passes. You have to manage your time and your activities."

• Griffin McElroy [20:08]: "Honestly, I'm fucking crazy about this game."

• Justin McIlroy [32:17]: "Kill Night is basically blending the gameplay of a Hades with the gameplay of like a Doom 2016."

• Griffin McElroy [27:00]: "This is probably gonna be my goatee with a bullet. I'm obsessed with it."

Conclusion

In this episode, "The Besties" provide a comprehensive and passionate exploration of "Metaphor: ReFantazio Really is Fantasy Persona," positioning it as a standout title in the JRPG genre by blending traditional elements with innovative systems and rich storytelling. The hosts' diverse perspectives offer listeners a multifaceted understanding of the game's strengths and areas of contention, making it a valuable listen for both fans and newcomers alike.