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[TintoConCasera]

Turns out they fucked up the directX implementation on PC:

Metaphor: ReFantazio :: Steam Community

steamcommunity.com

The fix is there in case anyone else wants to give it a go. I won't be able to until later.

The author of SpecialK also had this to say on the game:

Thanks for sharing this. I'll be trying it in a moment and will update with the results.

God bless the pc community man, unfucking the games fucked by their devs.

 

[Nankatsu]

As someone who never touched the SMT or Fire Emblem series, when they depicted the monsters here as Humans...I thought it was a really nice twist and touch.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Been testing the Special K patch for PC and man, it's so much better!

My rig: 5800X, 4070 Super, 16GB of RAM.
Settings: 4K, 100% res scale.

Pre-patch: Could reach 60fps at times, desert was 45fps and 40fps on the city.
Post-patch: Game tops at 58fps even at the menu. Got between 55-58 on the desert, between 50-58 on the city.

Even with those small fluctuations it still felt very smooth, and so much better to play already. Dude says he's still putting more work into it but for me this is already indication that we'll be getting a smooth experience on release day.

A weird thing I noticed... yesterday when playing it unpatched, I had to set the brightness setting to the minimum because the game was super bright. The patch seems to correct this too, and now I had to put the brightness slider almost to the max.

 

[MMaRsu]

This case feels a bit more extreme than just bad / no anti aliasing.

Look at this cross-section, this is not zoomed in at all, this is just a crop of a full view.

This looks a lot more egregious than just dark outlines like you see in cel-shaded games, reminds me of Killer Instinct's sharpening filter on XBO back when it came out.

Why have you not set resolution scaling to 150% or 175%?

 

[TintoConCasera]

Why have you not set resolution scaling to 150% or 175%?

He's playing on consoles.

 

[MMaRsu]

He's playing on consoles.

Oh..right

 

[Hrk69]

Turns out they fucked up the directX implementation on PC:

Metaphor: ReFantazio :: Steam Community

steamcommunity.com

The fix is there in case anyone else wants to give it a go. I won't be able to until later.

The author of SpecialK also had this to say on the game:

How does this even happen? I mean there must be someone at Atlus who checks and tests quality.

Obviously it's a demo but come on, PC games have been riddled with poor performance the last years.

It certainly makes me less excited to play it, It's just a huge bummer.

 

[Little Mac]

Based on the little time with the demo (Played up to the entrance to the mines), I'm giving it a 8.75

Pros
Combat/Battle System and Mechanics
Lore and World Building
English voice Acting (Didn't try Japanese)
UI, Menus, Character Portraits, Fonts, Maps
Animation Cutscenes
MUSIC!!!
Mature Tone (Murder, Political/Social Systems, Racism)

Cons
PS4 Graphics (I'm playing on a PS5 and I feel like if I played it on a PS4, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference)
Level Design
It's missing a level of polish
Took me 10 mins to think of a name for the protagonist and I ended up calling him Metaphor ...

Just quick impressions. I'm going to finish the rest of the demo later today. I really enjoy the combat system, art direction, music and story thus far.

The real time preemptive strike combat mechanic into turn base JRPG combat is genius and probably going to cost me $70.

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

Ugh really? That's where I was interested in playing it eventually.

Absolute rubbish. Going to cancel my order.

 

[MMaRsu]

Cons
PS4 Graphics (I'm playing on a PS5 and I feel like if I played it on a PS4, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference)

Well it's a cross gen game releasing on PS4 so... yeah

 

[MMaRsu]

Absolute rubbish. Going to cancel my order.

Install the SpecialK fix and it'll probably run 60fps

 

[Nankatsu]

Cons
PS4 Graphics (I'm playing on a PS5 and I feel like if I played it on a PS4, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference)

No need for a PS5 Pro.

 

[Rising_Hei]

Can I play this on a 7600X without a dedicated GPU? (I'm reluctant to buy one right now).
Guess not.
Edit: Atlus games aren't the best example to argument that a PRO is not needed, this looks like Persona 5, and Persona 5 was released on PS3, too. Raw power in visuals isn't their style.

 

[GymWolf]

I don't like to install stuff to fix devs shanenigans, does the game run well on a 4080 or it run badly no matter the hardware?

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

Install the SpecialK fix and it'll probably run 60fps

I don’t think the specialk fix works on deck atm, saw people say it just crashes.
I could be wrong - anyone try it on deck?

 

[TintoConCasera]

I don't like to install stuff to fix devs shanenigans, does the game run well on a 4080 or it run badly no matter the hardware?

It runs much worse than it should but you might be able to brute force it to play it decently.

The fix is just a dll file you drag and drop on the game's folder, no install needed so I'd say it's 100% worth it.

 

[SF Kosmo]

Turns out they fucked up the directX implementation on PC:

Metaphor: ReFantazio :: Steam Community

steamcommunity.com

The fix is there in case anyone else wants to give it a go. I won't be able to until later.

The author of SpecialK also had this to say on the game:

Is there a way to do this on the Xbox storefront version on PC?

 

[GHG]

Is there a way to do this on the Xbox storefront version on PC?

Why would you not just make you life easier for yourself and domwload the demo from steam?

 

[SF Kosmo]

Why would you not just make you life easier for yourself and domwload the demo from steam?

Because I want to buy one copy for both me and my wife and I play on PC and she has an Xbox.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Is there a way to do this on the Xbox storefront version on PC?

As long as the game's files are on your SDD/HDD, I don't see why you couldn't.

 

[GHG]

Because I want to buy one copy for both me and my wife and I play on PC and she has an Xbox.

What are you talking about? The demo is free to download.

 

[Kurotri]

Turns out they fucked up the directX implementation on PC:

Metaphor: ReFantazio :: Steam Community

steamcommunity.com

The fix is there in case anyone else wants to give it a go. I won't be able to until later.

The author of SpecialK also had this to say on the game:

I'm glad I clicked on this thread. I was wondering what was going with FPS drops in a game that isn't visually intense.

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

Install the SpecialK fix and it'll probably run 60fps

Update on this - I tried setting to use proton GE and applying the fix, and it boots. I believe it helps, still all over the map with massive performance dips. Nowhere near 60.

 

[adamsapple]

Why have you not set resolution scaling to 150% or 175%?

I'm on console

 

[SF Kosmo]

As long as the game's files are on your SDD/HDD, I don't see why you couldn't.

Yeah but Xbox hides the files and I'm not sure how to access them.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Yeah but Xbox hides the files and I'm not sure how to access them.

Oh, you mean you want to apply the fix on an Xbox? No way to do that there afaik.

 

[adamsapple]

Oh, you mean you want to apply the fix on an Xbox? No way to do that there afaik.

No, I think he means the Xbox app versions on PC. (i-e the MS Windows store version)


@ SF Kosmo

And I think they don't hide the files anymore (?), check the C:\XboxGames\

That's where my locally installed PC GP games go and I have even been able to use tweaked files from PGamingWiki there with success.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

It's unplayable on Deck so for me it's a hard pass until they fix the performance.

 

[SF Kosmo]

Oh, you mean you want to apply the fix on an Xbox? No way to do that there afaik.

No, no, on PC. But the file structures for GamePass and Xbox stores are kind of hidden.

No, I think he means the Xbox app versions on PC. (i-e the MS Windows store version)


@ SF Kosmo

And I think they don't hide the files anymore (?), check the C:\XboxGames\

That's where my locally installed PC GP games go and I have even been able to use tweaked files from PGamingWiki there with success.

Oh ok, I will check when I get home.

 

[GHG]

And I think they don't hide the files anymore (?),

Varies dependant on the game. Most are still in UWP wrappers.

 

[Minsc]

In this instance it isn't due to Linux optimisations though. It also runs like shit (comparative to what it looks like) on my 4090 rig.

It feels like they've done nothing in the way of optimisation here on the PC version, hopefully that changes between now and launch.

Yeah, I've read on windows switching to the Vulkan DX renderer almost double framerates in this game. So there's hope!

 

[MMaRsu]

But in all honesty, I found the beginning extremely disjointed.

I hope that's not how any of it is in the full game.

There's like multiple points where it just cuts and you're in a different location

 

[The Cockatrice]

Is there only one combat song? Its a good one the male choir one but i can see it getting annoying only hearing that for 120+ hours.

 

[Boss Mog]

Gonna upload these on Tenor; hopefully those fucks approve them before the game actually releases so people can find and use them.

Bonus

She reminds me of Winter from aespa for some reason, probably the scrawnyness.

 

[Flabagast]

Idk how long this demo is but I’ve played 4 hours so far and past the point I thought would be the inevitable cut off point.

This game has exceeded my expectations so far, and seriously saved me from a gaming depression rut.

I was on the verge of just quitting the hobby altogether aside from fromsoft releases.

Thank you Atlus.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here and fall in the same auto hype trap like any other major release.

The game seems very cool but it does not seem to bring something new to the medium at all.

 

[TintoConCasera]

The game seems very cool but it does not seem to bring something new to the medium at all.

I think the mix of action and turn-based is quite the innovation.

That said, I don't think a JRPG needs to bring anything new to the table in order for us to get hyped about it. Imo all it needs is good art, nice music, fun gameplay and a cool story, and this game seems to have it all.

 

[Nankatsu]

I think the mix of action and turn-based is quite the innovation.

After coming right from FFVII Rebirth, I have my doubts Metaphor can be more engaging in terms of combat.

Rebirth's combat system is just unique in my opinion.

 

[TintoConCasera]

After coming right from FFVII Rebirth, I have my doubts Metaphor can be more engaging in terms of combat.

Well my post was more about the mix of action and turn-based being innovative rather than the quality of those.

I haven't played F7R nor have put any significant time on Metaphor's demo so I don't know how good or bad the action combat is. The turn-based part seems to be pretty much like SMT so for me that's already a 10/10 on fun combat lol.

 

[Flabagast]

I think the mix of action and turn-based is quite the innovation.

That said, I don't think a JRPG needs to bring anything new to the table in order for us to get hyped about it. Imo all it needs is good art, nice music, fun gameplay and a cool story, and this game seems to have it all.

I agree 100% on your last point, but let's not act like it is the savior of gaming in any way. Most likely it will be a very cool JRPG but nothing else (and that's already good).

Dont agree at all on your first. Maybe I misunderstand something in the demo but the "action based" gameplay is just smashing square when you see a foe before entering into turn based ? Nothing like an major innovation at all imho, and you already have a similar system in Persona 5

 

[V1LÆM]

.

 

[TintoConCasera]

I agree 100% on your last point, but let's not act like it is the savior of gaming in any way. Most likely it will be a very cool JRPG but nothing else (and that's already good).

Agreed too. Never said it would be the best game ever but it sure looks like a very cool JRPG.

Dont agree at all on your first. Maybe I misunderstand something in the demo but the "action based" gameplay is just smashing square when you see a foe before entering into turn based ? Nothing like an major innovation at all imho, and you already have a similar system in Persona 5

Was talking about how mixing the 2 is innovative. I don't know about the quality of the action part, didn't play the demo too much.

 

[SF Kosmo]

A weird thing I noticed... yesterday when playing it unpatched, I had to set the brightness setting to the minimum because the game was super bright. The patch seems to correct this too, and now I had to put the brightness slider almost to the max.

I noticed this on my PC too but it's the same on console so I figured it was right.

I have to say the IQ on Series S is pretty atrocious. Looks like 1080p or maybe even less with zero AA. The PC version looks leagues better if you have the muscle to get to 4K or a lot of super sampling.

 

[Arsic]

Well my post was more about the mix of action and turn-based being innovative rather than the quality of those.

I haven't played F7R nor have put any significant time on Metaphor's demo so I don't know how good or bad the action combat is. The turn-based part seems to be pretty much like SMT so for me that's already a 10/10 on fun combat lol.

I’ll say this - the combat is not innovative.

This is the same system from trails daybreak. When I played that demo I wondered if this is what metaphor is going to do, and sure enough that is what it is.

 

[TintoConCasera]

I’ll say this - the combat is not innovative.

This is the same system from trails daybreak. When I played that demo I wondered if this is what metaphor is going to do, and sure enough that is what it is.

Really? Haven't played the Trails games yet, so I'll trust you and take back what I said before.

 

[Punished Miku]

I’ll say this - the combat is not innovative.

This is the same system from trails daybreak. When I played that demo I wondered if this is what metaphor is going to do, and sure enough that is what it is.

Trails Daybreak demo is substantially more detailed. Real time positioning throughout battle. Can swap into and out of turn based whenever. This is just baby steps towards that, but it's still something.

Really? Haven't played the Trails games yet, so I'll trust you and take back what I said before.

I haven't played them at all, but I tried that demo. The combat is impressive.

 

[SpokkX]

Framerate on Steam deck is awful in certain scenes. Seems to be related to draw distance since the framerate just TANKS unless you have walls in front of you

 

[Rambone]

i love persona/smt games but this just looks bad. i'm sure i'd love the gameplay but visually it's a mess. fair enough that they make it stand out but that whole art style is a disaster.

Yea, the art style was an 'interesting' choice. I haven't decided if I like or dislike it, feel pretty neutral about it I guess.

 

[Punished Miku]

One thing I don't like is transforming into giant robots. The game starts with a good amount of tension and plays into that more mature dark fantasy vibe. People seem a bit more vulnerable and you see multiple deaths in the intro cutscenes. Then out of nowhere you're Voltron. Kind of robs the moment of any stakes or urgency. They really could have tried something else since Persona already does that.

 

[indigo-cyclops]

I don't know about this one. Definitely didn't pull me in. The setting seems...off. way too many cutscenes to open up, and the chatter is a slog right out of the gate. Pacing is all over the place. On the overworld map the fairy says the same three lines over and over again as you approach enemies. There's just lots of weird, little things that give me pause.

Combat seemed fine. Music didn't really stand out like the SMT/Persona games. I'm tired of the "fantasy game = orchestral music" line of thinking!

I really wanted to like this but after first impressions, I'm probably going to wait for a sale, if at all.

 

[Evil Calvin]

The boy played it for about 15 mins last night just to get a feel and he was in love with it. "Better than P5" was his reaction. I love the art style and I didn't notice any issues with perf etc. Looks like it runs very stably (~60fps).

Persona 5 was a slog.....major, repetitive slog. Other than great style and characters, the rest was rough.