In the latest JRPG released by the developers behind Persona 5, forming romantic relationships with your comrades is not an option, as the game aims to reflect a more true-to-life environment

The creative lead of Atlus' eagerly anticipated JRPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, has shared insights into why the game will not incorporate the beloved romance feature that was a hallmark of the Persona series, highlighting that it wouldn't seamlessly integrate with the narrative.

Metaphor: ReFantazio will still offer a system akin to Persona's 'social links,' fostering deeper connections between the player and the in-game characters, yet the game steers clear of romantic entanglements—potentially catching fans off guard who appreciated this aspect in titles such as Persona 5 Royal and Persona 3 Reload.

During an interview with GamesRadar+ at the Summer Game Fest 2024, Katsura Hashino, who directed both Metaphor and the Persona series, acknowledged that “people really enjoy this system, and it garners a lot of favor," attributing its inclusion in the Persona games to how it enhanced the authenticity of the world. The narrative of Metaphor, however, diverges significantly from that formula.

Hashino shared that romance was woven into previous titles as a reflection of adolescent life, stating, "What adolescent doesn't yearn for romantic experiences? It's a slice of the life we presented," underscoring the fondness fans have for these features. However, for metaphor, the focus isn't on adolescent experiences but on an individual's journey toward sovereignty. Here, the emphasis is on the dynamics between a sovereign and their allies.

“As you journey from one area to the next and encounter a host of characters, you garner their assistance and wisdom; they encourage and motivate you," Hashino elaborated. "You collect these Archetypes that then accompany you in the game world. The core of the game is the cultivation of these personal alliances, not the pursuit of romantic liaisons."

Further details were provided by Hashino, who explained that the development process begins by considering the game's objectives and the type of game desired. Decisions are made on what elements are congruent with the game, leading to some features being discarded while others are embraced. In this case, romance did not align with the game's vision.

It should be noted that while Metaphor originates from Atlus, its construction is helmed by Studio Zero, not P-Studio, which has been known for the Persona series since the third installment. This accounts for the distinct differences observed. Hashino also hinted that in terms of challenge, Metaphor is "certainly more demanding than Persona," so players should brace for a game that doesn't relent.

Still, it promises an equally, if not more, captivating aesthetic, complete with a visually stunning interface that even makes menu navigation an exciting prospect, which is quite remarkable. The game is poised to be released across multiple platforms, including PC, PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X/S, on October 11.