Atlus explains how Archetypes work

During the Summer Game Fest 2024 and after the show, Atlus revealed details about one of the new playable skins debuting in Metaphor: ReFantazio. This is the system of Archetypes, which in simple words are like the “Persona” of the protagonists of Metaphor: ReFantazio.

What is an “Archetype”?

Atlus has shared an official description:

«The protagonist faces his own fears and by building a relationship of trust by forming bonds with his supportive followers, the characters awaken the power of heroic images, called Archetypes.

By awakening the Archetypes, the characters in our party can transform into them during turn-based battles if they have them equipped.

The Archetypes are diverse, each with different abilities and personalities. There are a variety of archetypes, from the basic Seeker, who is an all-rounder in battle, to the Mage, who attacks weak spots with offensive magic, to the Thief, who can loot resources. “Players will have to decide which archetypes to awaken and how to configure their members to create a stronger group.”

The art of the archetypes is not only done by character designer Shigenori Soejima. Since, Yuji Himukai, creator of **Etrian Odyssey**collaborates with the art of some archetypes.

The key to combat Metaphor: ReFantazio is the freedom with which players can change classes through Archetypes. At the start, players will have access to the “Knight” Archetype, which excels in defensive skills, and the “Healer”, specializing in recovery. In total, there are more than 40 different archetypes in 14 different lineages that players will be able to access in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

how Metaphor archetypes work: ReFantazio — As an archetype levels up it can evolve into a higher level archetype.

The archetypes in Metaphor: ReFantazio They function like the “Persona” or Demons – for those who play Shin Megami Tensei—. That is, they have attributes and are strong in some or weak in others. Each archetype ranks up by earning combat experience points and gains a variety of skills as a result.

The video also introduces “Synthesis”, a special move that is activated by combining archetypes. There is also the “Skill Inheritance System”, and the “Quick Action Changes by Archetype”. The first of these works like the fusion of demons in the franchise New Megami Tensei. However, the Synthesis and Changes in Quick Actions per Archetype are the special features that Atlus is going to add to this new version of the Press Turn System of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne (Review).

Synthesis allows you to make joint attacks that cost two turn points, one for each member used in the attack. The conditions to activate Synthesis vary depending on the groups of archetypes we use. On the other hand, in the battles of Metaphor: ReFantazio

We will also have to configure and take advantage of the places at the site of the battle. That’s what Team Configuration is used for. Another important element to keep in mind is that you cannot change archetypes when starting a turn-based combat. So unlike other Atlus RPGs, in Metaphor: ReFantazio We will have to take extreme care of our equipment.