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[iorek21]

Really liking it so far, GOTY 2024 for me.

However, I got to criticize how low budget some parts of this game feel compared to P3 Reload and P5 Royal: it looks pretty poor for this day and age and it certainly doesn't use even the PS4 at its full capabilities, let alone current gen.

Also, the small number of recorded lines are what truly screams low budget. P3 Reload had basically everything recorded, from social links to the whole main story, but somehow a Hashino AAA new IP can't be fully voiced even during main missions? Dafuq is that?

 

[SF Kosmo]

Really liking it so far, GOTY 2024 for me.

However, I got to criticize how low budget some parts of this game feel compared to P3 Reload and P5 Royal: it looks pretty poor for this day and age and it certainly doesn't use even the PS4 at its full capabilities, let alone current gen.

Also, the small number of recorded lines are what truly screams low budget. P3 Reload had basically everything recorded, from social links to the whole main story, but somehow a Hashino AAA new IP can't be fully voiced even during main missions? Dafuq is that?

I don't think it's really about budget, this thing is using a positively ancient engine that hasn't been meaningfully modernized at all. So it's essentially the same feature set as P5 on PS3, obviously dialed up in terms of asset detail and resolution, but not so much in terms of rendering capabilities, image quality, asset streaming, etc.

In fact the game feels quite high budget in a lot of ways. The amount and variety of assets is far beyond anything we have seen in an Atlus game before, there are tons of high quality anime cutscenes, it's quite lavish in some ways, even if feels like an up-rezzed PS3 game in others.

Voice is a budget thing, but Metaphor does have a much larger script than Persona 5 and I bet when you add up the voiced dialog it's more than P5 had pre-Royal. I think we'll get an updated version with more or full voice down the road.

 

[SF Kosmo]

To play on PC or Console. That is the question now..

PC is gonna have much better image quality and probably more stable frame rate, but download the performance fix, it makes a huge difference.

 

[Danjin44]

I can’t get over how good Heismsy voice acting is….seriously so far English voice acting in this game is fantastic.

 

[Arsic]

I’ll say this game does have its faults:

-Can’t tell the level recommended for a dungeon prior to going to it. When it’s a 3 day journey with decisions to get there, then you find out you’re 15 levels below the monster level… it’s like why the fuck was this place even an option for me right now?

-If you get ambushed your only option is to run. Which should be a 100% escape ratio. If I fail an escape all I do is reload the fight and try again on turn one. Stupid design decisions. Just guarantee it.

-Bad weather making press the attack no longer work is a mistake. Monsters are already beefed up… and the exp bonus is absolutely NOT worth the pain all of this causes.

 

[Danjin44]

-Can’t tell the level recommended for a dungeon prior to going to it. When it’s a 3 day journey with decisions to get there, then you find out you’re 15 levels below the monster level… it’s like why the fuck was this place even an option for me right now?

This can easily be solved by simply save before deciding to go to the dungeon and if you think it’s too high level then load previous save and you don’t lose any time.

-Bad weather making press the attack no longer work is a mistake. Monsters are already beefed up… and the exp bonus is absolutely NOT worth the pain all of this causes.

I don’t know I actually really like that, it’s risk you get more EXP but tougher fight which I need cone different way to deal with them.

If you get ambushed your only option is to run. Which should be a 100% escape ratio. If I fail an escape all I do is reload the fight and try again on turn one. Stupid design decisions. Just guarantee it.

This always been case with SMT/Persona, there is no 100% escape rate….its based on your agility and most you can use skill or item to escape battles.

 

[Arsic]

This can easily be solved by simply save before deciding to go to the dungeon and if you think it’s too high level then load previous save and you don’t lose any time.

I don’t know I actually really like that, it’s risk you get more EXP but tougher fight which I need cone different way to deal with them.

This always been case with SMT/Persona, there is no 100% escape rate….its based on your agility and most you can use skill or item to escape battles.

See my post above. I travelled 3 days to get to the dungeon. I made decisions on how to spend time, had fights etc. This wasn’t a 2 minute romp reload.

This is a fault and a shit design. Give a recommended level on the map or a range. Simple fix so I don’t waste my time.

The risk doesn’t outweigh the reward. The bonus exp is negligible.

“This has always been part of the developer blah blah.” Stop. Shit design is shit design. As you make new titles FIX and advance. Make the escape 100% guarantee. Stop wasting players times and frustrating them. This doesn’t make the game harder. When I get ambushed I rarely stay to fight. Who would? It’s time to evolve…

 

[Danjin44]

“This has always been part of the developer blah blah.” Stop. Shit design is shit design. As you make new titles FIX and advance. Make the escape 100% guarantee. Stop wasting players times and frustrating them. This doesn’t make the game harder. When I get ambushed I rarely stay to fight. Who would? It’s time to evolve…

That whole risk of enemy ambushing you, if you can just easily escape the fight then what would be the point of putting ambush system?

 

[Arsic]

That whole risk of enemy ambushing you, if you can just easily escape the fight then what would be the point of putting ambush system?

It’s not a risk if I can just keep doing reload right on repeat by hitting the left stick in until the escape works on turn one.

You can’t seriously see the issue? If I fail the escape I reload the fight instantly on my turn to get it again.

Either an ambush should be a severe punish to not let you reload a fight and then a coin toss on escapes.

Or, be a 100% escape guarantee so I stop wasting my time reloading until it works.

As it stands there is no risk. There is only player frustration and time lost. It’s a shit system.

 

[Danjin44]

It’s not a risk if I can just keep doing reload right on repeat by hitting the left stick in until the escape works on turn one.

You can’t seriously see the issue? If I fail the escape I reload the fight instantly on my turn to get it again.

Either an ambush should be a severe punish to not let you reload a fight and then a coin toss on escapes.

Or, be a 100% escape guarantee so I stop wasting my time reloading until it works.

As it stands there is no risk. There is only player frustration and time lost. It’s a shit system.

Or you fight the enemy? I’m playing on hard and have been ambushed countless times and somehow pull through and didn’t die….you are creating your own frustration.

Are automatically try to escape every time you are ambushed?

 

[Arsic]

Or you fight the enemy? I’m playing on hard and have been ambushed countless times and somehow pull through and didn’t die….you are creating your own frustration.

Are automatically try to escape every time you are ambushed?

Why would I want to take a bad fight when I can reload an optimal one?

I’m not creating my frustration. Have you been ambushed at the dragon isle dungeon yet by a human? Perhaps you aren’t far enough to realize how fucked it is when a level 50 skeleton necromancer ambushes you, summons 2 skeletons with almost as much health (thousands), to then have one heal him and another makes him impervious to a variety of attacks.

You want me to “take that ambush?” Fuck no.

If you think the system is fine go for it, but it’s inherently shit.

 

[Danjin44]

Why would I want to take a bad fight when I can reload an optimal one?

I’m not creating my frustration. Have you been ambushed at the dragon isle dungeon yet by a human? Perhaps you aren’t far enough to realize how fucked it is when a level 50 skeleton necromancer ambushes you, summons 2 skeletons with almost as much health (thousands), to then have one heal him and another makes him impervious to a variety of attacks.

You want me to “take that ambush?” Fuck no.

If you think the system is fine go for it, but it’s inherently shit.

I have been much worse in past SMT games, I don’t mind ambush in fact I found ambush system in past Persona games too easy.

 

[Arsic]

I have been much worse in past SMT games, I don’t mind ambush in fact I found ambush system in past Persona games too easy.

If I can game the system so that I can entirely avoid the point of it, then it is objectively failed.

They didn’t think it at all through in this game.

 

[Nankatsu]

UnHoly shit you can fight Gideaux this early on?

I get the feeling I could totally dodge this fight but went in like a champ

What happens after is

Spoiler

I'm here to support you Lord Louis.

 

[Dr.Morris79]

Dafuq is that?

Good news for my Deck by the sound of it

 

[Mercador]

Anyone use moonlight to play this game? I wonder if my issue is with this game or it's more global.

 

[Danjin44]

it’s seems this has its own version of mimic and they are tough!

 

[Grildon Tundy]

So, anybody got any general pointers about how to experiment with the archetype system?

I've just now escaped the sandworm's anus.

I've been running with Strohl, Hulkenberg, and MC all as Warriors since the Zorba boss fight, with each of them having one inherited skill from another archetype. The 3-Star combo attack is enough to blitz just about every enemy I've encountered so far--no mid-fight healing necessary.

I'd like to try out other archetypes, and I have maybe 10 of them unlocked, but my hesitance to switch it up is that you have to stick with them for a good chunk of time to unlock any/all of their higher'level skills, and I haven't found many (any?) places where I can grind indefinitely. Plus, you have to rank each character's archetypes individually (i.e., having MC at Rank 10 for Healer doesn't transfer to Strohl/Hulkenberg, who would have to start from Rank 1, unless there's something I'm missing).

Basically, it feels like the risk/time/reward proposition isn't there, and it's better to stick with one archetype and rank it up to get higher-level skills rather than experimenting. Thoughts?

 

[Danjin44]

So, anybody got any general pointers about how to experiment with the archetype system?

I've just now escaped the sandworm's anus.

I've been running with Strohl, Hulkenberg, and MC all as Warriors since the Zorba boss fight, with each of them having one inherited skill from another archetype. The 3-Star combo attack is enough to blitz just about every enemy I've encountered so far--no mid-fight healing necessary.

I'd like to try out other archetypes, and I have maybe 10 of them unlocked, but my hesitance to switch it up is that you have to stick with them for a good chunk of time to unlock any/all of their higher'level skills, and I haven't found many (any?) places where I can grind indefinitely. Plus, you have to rank each character's archetypes individually (i.e., having MC at Rank 10 for Healer doesn't transfer to Strohl/Hulkenberg, who would have to start from Rank 1, unless there's something I'm missing).

Basically, it feels like the risk/time/reward proposition isn't there, and it's better to stick with one archetype and rank it up to get higher-level skills rather than experimenting. Thoughts?

I’m consistently switching between job classes I’m currently running with Hulkenberg as Gunner, Strohl as knight, MC as Mage and Heismsy as his default class thief.

This time around my MC mostly magic based so I’m mostly giving him jobs that increase his magic powers.

 

[MagiusNecros]

So, anybody got any general pointers about how to experiment with the archetype system?

Play the game like it's Final Fantasy 5? MAG is just Ability Points.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

So, anybody got any general pointers about how to experiment with the archetype system?

I've just now escaped the sandworm's anus.

I've been running with Strohl, Hulkenberg, and MC all as Warriors since the Zorba boss fight, with each of them having one inherited skill from another archetype. The 3-Star combo attack is enough to blitz just about every enemy I've encountered so far--no mid-fight healing necessary.

I'd like to try out other archetypes, and I have maybe 10 of them unlocked, but my hesitance to switch it up is that you have to stick with them for a good chunk of time to unlock any/all of their higher'level skills, and I haven't found many (any?) places where I can grind indefinitely. Plus, you have to rank each character's archetypes individually (i.e., having MC at Rank 10 for Healer doesn't transfer to Strohl/Hulkenberg, who would have to start from Rank 1, unless there's something I'm missing).

Basically, it feels like the risk/time/reward proposition isn't there, and it's better to stick with one archetype and rank it up to get higher-level skills rather than experimenting. Thoughts?

don’t be afraid to use those consumables to boost your A-exp to gain a few levels with a new archetype so you don’t have to start at level 1.

Some dungeons have those respawn points where you can stand there whacking enemies to your heart’s content. Mage has a hero passive that makes you regenerate MP when you hit an enemy. With that you can sustain yourself indefinitely and grind all you want. Also, whenever you finish a side dungeon, you can run back in a few times and kill some enemies til you’re out of MP and need to call it quits.

Some enemies are immune to physical damage so you’re at least gonna need some other abilities eventually.

 

[Nankatsu]

I’m consistently switching between job classes I’m currently running with Hulkenberg as Gunner, Strohl as knight, MC as Mage and Heismsy as his default class thief.

This time around my MC mostly magic based so I’m mostly giving him jobs that increase his magic powers.

Watch out for those spoilers, man.

I'm currently on Heismay part, and well you just spoiled me he joins the crew ...

 

[MagiusNecros]

Watch out for those spoilers, man.

I'm currently on Heimsday part, and well you just spoiled me he joins the crew...

If you paid any attention to the trailers and combat overview you'd already know this. Plus it's IMO a small spoiler when there are much bigger things to spoil in this game.

I just got to the Old Castle Town myself and there is just something "very wrong" with this place. I look forward to unraveling it.

 

[Arsic]

So, anybody got any general pointers about how to experiment with the archetype system?

I've just now escaped the sandworm's anus.

I've been running with Strohl, Hulkenberg, and MC all as Warriors since the Zorba boss fight, with each of them having one inherited skill from another archetype. The 3-Star combo attack is enough to blitz just about every enemy I've encountered so far--no mid-fight healing necessary.

I'd like to try out other archetypes, and I have maybe 10 of them unlocked, but my hesitance to switch it up is that you have to stick with them for a good chunk of time to unlock any/all of their higher'level skills, and I haven't found many (any?) places where I can grind indefinitely. Plus, you have to rank each character's archetypes individually (i.e., having MC at Rank 10 for Healer doesn't transfer to Strohl/Hulkenberg, who would have to start from Rank 1, unless there's something I'm missing).

Basically, it feels like the risk/time/reward proposition isn't there, and it's better to stick with one archetype and rank it up to get higher-level skills rather than experimenting. Thoughts?

Each character has a defined archetype that as you level their social link tree will allow you to get to advanced versions. For example samurai is the ideal outcome for strohl. You can level him to get other abilities or just make him whatever you want, but the “min max” would be to get them to that advanced initial class. Knight, warrior, thief, etc.

The main character as always is a wild card but benefits the most from:
Mage tree
Merchant tree
Seeker tree


however to eventually continue leveling these to their next form you generally have to go get level 10 in another archetype that compliments it.

I would recommend unlocking first aid ability on a character or two to low cost heal you in dungeons.

I would recommend leveling into wizard abilities on Main character asap so you can get nice damage elemental abilities.

Also the passive for +15% mana is great.

Hope that helps.

 

[Nankatsu]

If you paid any attention to the trailers and combat overview you'd already know this. Plus it's IMO a small spoiler when there are much bigger things to spoil in this game.

I barely watched anything about the game, so yeah, it's still a spoiler lol.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Just got to the royal funeral. That was a mind fuck.

Shaping up to be one of my top JRPGs if it can keep it up.

Also gonna keep out of this thread as there's a lot of spoiler discussion!

 

[Arsic]

If you paid any attention to the trailers and combat overview you'd already know this. Plus it's IMO a small spoiler when there are much bigger things to spoil in this game.

I just got to the Old Castle Town myself and there is just something "very wrong" with this place. I look forward to unraveling it.

Wait you’re telling me one of the lead characters is a guy on the cover of the box in front with all the other lead characters?!

These spoilers run deep.

 

[Danjin44]

I'm currently on Heismay part, and well you just spoiled me he joins the crew ...

I’m mean his already on the cover and on top of that his gets his own anime cutscenes, it’s pretty obvious.

 

[MagiusNecros]

Wait you’re telling me one of the lead characters is a guy on the cover of the box in front with all the other lead characters?!

These spoilers run deep.

Game is unplayable now. Why would Atlus do this. Unacceptable. Sarcasm

 

[Arsic]

I barely watched anything about the game, so yeah, it's still a spoiler lol.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Have any of you guys done an agility build? Has it payed off?

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Loving the characters, sure is cool to have more mature leads for once even if there's still room for comedy from time to time.

What I'm not digging 100% is the combat. It felt much better to me in SMT V, here I find myself lacking options quite often due to not being able to change archetypes midfight, plus that thing about rewinding time is super cheap and plain bad designed, since it lets you find out the enemies weaknesses, rewind and then play from scratch while already knowing those weaknesses.

It's still pretty fun mind you, but imo they could have done a better job.

SMT is the OG Press Turn and that combat system is designed around the specifics of the SMT gameplay system including your demon pals and hot swapping so it makes sense that SMT has the best Press Turn, they've been refining the combat in SMT for nearly 40 years

 

[iorek21]

I'm at the beginning of the mission in the port city and it seems like the objective is basically find an infiltration route to steal something? Hmm...

Hope we get a calling card.

 

[Diseased Yak]

Surprised this is only T rated what with:

- Mature themes like child loss and discrimination

and

- Climbing out of buttholes.

 

[Grildon Tundy]

Surprised this is only T rated what with:

- Mature themes like child loss and discrimination

and

- Climbing out of buttholes.

I had assumed it was rated M, given the fountains of blood in cutscenes

 

[Danjin44]

I had assumed it was rated M, given the fountains of blood in cutscenes

I'm also super surprised they managed to keep T rating, some of the story elements is original Drakengard level madness.

Spoiler

That damn "Human" monster baby!

 

[Cfh123]

I love Atlus games but I am inclined to wait until this gets the inevitable Golden/Royale/Reload version.

Or wait until it comes on Xbox Gamepass, which seems likely given previous Atlus games did and Microsoft heavily promoted it.

 

[Danjin44]

I love Atlus games but I am inclined to wait until this gets the inevitable Golden/Royale/Reload version.

In my experience they alway add new mechanics that actually messes up its difficulty balance and just make them overly easy.

SMT5 Vengeance is the only one that made proper balancing changes that made the game more fun and still challenging.

 

[Arsic]

The opera house was all top shelf story.

Basilio! Del! Wow…

 

[Jinxed]

The music in this game is incredibly good. Usually just turn the sound way down to be able to play once the kids are in bed but I'm using my headset for this one and blasting it.

 

[Hrk69]

The music in this game is incredibly good.

I wasn't blown away by it at the beginning

But it's really starting to grow on me. I especially love the tune that plays when you are camping on the runner.

Plus I think it's adorable that every town has its own music. All of it just sounds great

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

14 Hours into Metaphor ReFantazio

Prolouge Spoilers



I loved the look of the second Human Boss. Egg with a human head on top of it. With a heart on top of it head. It was weird but great

I'm past the Prolouge now

Neuros is so far my favorite

Right now I'm using that ship with legs on it for the first time



Can't wait to play more tommorow

 

[MMaRsu]

Hmm, looks like the Twitter embed doesn't work.

Who cares fuck that guy man

Scammers and a liar

 

[MMaRsu]

14 Hours into Metaphor ReFantazio

Prolouge Spoilers



I loved the look of the second Human Boss. Egg with a human head on top of it. With a heart on top of it head. It was weird but great

I'm past the Prolouge now

Neuros is so far my favorite

Right now I'm using that ship with legs on it for the first time



Can't wait to play more tommorow

Hieronymus Bosch says hi

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

The music in this game is incredibly good. Usually just turn the sound way down to be able to play once the kids are in bed but I'm using my headset for this one and blasting it.

This is what I wrote after playing the demo:

I thought Rebirth or Astrobot had OST of the year in the bag but this demo alone blows any Persona game out of the water, the music is that fucking good, competition just heated up!

25 hours into the game and my feelings have proven to be true, this is amongst the best music not only this year but amidst the best ever for the genre, should be clear as day for anyone with functioning ears, it's so damn good

 

[Mokus]

Also, the small number of recorded lines are what truly screams low budget. P3 Reload had basically everything recorded, from social links to the whole main story, but somehow a Hashino AAA new IP can't be fully voiced even during main missions? Dafuq is that?

Let's wait for the Gold/Royal/Reloaded edition.

 

[Astray]

His voice acting is really well done too.

The voice acting is generally fantastic in this game.

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

Hieronymus Bosch says hi

I was going to post this myself, wonder how many are familiar with the artist vs those who thought it was just Atlus' genius art team

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

Wow, just planned a route that will pass by 3 locations with sidequests before arriving at my destination, stacking it all up, this is going to be one epic excursion! Loving this game to death

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

Man, the Merchant’s hero passive is no joke. Make your MC a Merchant and run around hitting enemies for a few minutes and you’ll be rolling in cash. 450 gold for each enemy killed outside of battle.