ReFantazio – 8 Tips to Manage Time Better In-Game

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Invest in Royal Virtues early on to unlock followers and bond interactions.
Use online features to plan character actions and stay on track in the game.
Accumulate quests for efficiency, optimize time with side missions, and keep save slots.

Metaphor ReFantazio, produced by Atlus, shares similarities with Persona, especially in the use of a calendar system. Although the available time is shorter in comparison, the game offers players the opportunity to explore various regions of the continent, undertake missions, and interact with characters, which is the core of the gameplay.

Throughout the journey, it is crucial for players to manage their time efficiently to make the most of the available activities. The calendar in Metaphor ReFantazio may seem restrictive at first, but with proper planning, players have the freedom to deeply explore the world’s details and strengthen bonds with allies.

Best followers to have in Metaphor ReFantazio

Metaphor: ReFantazio – 10 Best Bonds To Prioritize First, Ranked

Metaphor: ReFantazio features a number of Bonds that offer varying benefits. Here are the ones players should prioritize leveling up first.

8 Invest In Royal Virtues Early On

Many Followers Are Unlocked Only With High Virtues

Virtues system showing levels for Wisdom, Courage, and other traits in metaphor refantazio

One system that Metaphor ReFantazio shares with Persona is the Social Stats, which are called Virtues in Atlus’s medieval fantasy JRPG. Investing the protagonist’s time to improve these values early in the game is essential for unlocking certain interactions.

Many of the Followers that players meet throughout the game, such as Brigitta and Alonzo, are only unlocked when the Virtues reach certain levels. Additionally, evolving certain bond rankings with various other characters also requires the character to have high stats, so investing in their development early on is fundamental.

Discover What Players Are Doing In Their Free Time

Overview of activities and time spent by travelers in metaphor refantazio

In the most recent Persona games, Atlus added a way to check what other players were doing with their characters’ free time, a mechanic that is also used in Metaphor ReFantazio. The game’s online features should be consulted whenever necessary, such as when in doubt about the next steps.

Through them, players can observe how others choose to manage their time slots and decide on their own actions. This tool, although simple, is useful for those who like to plan their characters’ actions and also to see if they are falling behind compared to others.

6 Pay Attention To The Calendar

Plan Characters’ Activities In Advance

Calendar displaying events and deadlines in metaphor refantazio, September month

Whenever a story arc in Metaphor ReFantazio begins, players will have a few free weeks to explore the map freely, but it’s important to always keep an eye on the game’s calendar to ensure they are not overlooking anything. It also marks the deadlines for main missions.

Metaphor: ReFantazio – 8 Best Hero Passives, Ranked

There are several Hero Passives in Metaphor: ReFantazio that players can make use of; here are the best of the bunch.

Another detail about the calendar is that every week features an Idlesday, a date when all shops offer good discounts for purchasing items at prices below usual. Being in the cities during these days is extremely important to restock the inventory.

5 Accumulate Quests To Do Them Together

Optimizing Time On Side Missions Is Important

Quest details for 'The Trial of Malnova' with map view in metaphor refantazio

During the journey across the continent of Metaphor ReFantazio, players will receive many optional missions from NPCs in the game. Although it’s important to complete them soon, it’s also worth accumulating them because different objectives may lead to the same path, saving time when performing side quests.

Several side quests have the same dungeon as their objective, and sometimes, one quest is on the same path as another. It’s a great way to optimize time without the need to burn important time slots. Players can also consult Gallica to see what possible secondary objectives are available.

4 Increase Friendship With Maria

Bond Rank 4 Is Perfect If Players Need More Time Available

Conversation with Maria, offering dialogue choices in metaphor refantazio

Maria is one of the first characters that players meet in Metaphor ReFantazio, as she is the protagonist’s younger sister. Amid the unfolding story, she holds some useful abilities that make her a priority.

In addition to the EXP bonus given in the early levels, upon reaching bond rank 4 with Maria, players will have access to Speed Cooking, which allows interaction with the Gauntlet Runner’s kitchen without spending a time slot. For those who want to enjoy the bonuses from dishes and still have available opportunities in the game, friendship with Maria is essential.

3 Complete Dungeons In Just One Day

Complicated At First, But Fundamental For Time Management

Preparing for battle in the Land of Ceremony area in metaphor refantazio

A tactic used by Persona players to optimize calendar time, which can also be replicated by Metaphor ReFantazio players, is to complete all dungeons in just one day. This is a complicated task during the early hours due to lack of resources, but becomes easier later on.

Metaphor ReFantazio Best Archetypes For Early Game

Metaphor: ReFantazio – 6 Best Archetypes For Early Game, Ranked

When starting out in Metaphor: ReFantazio, these archetypes are the best choices to use in battle.

Although difficult to accomplish during the first dungeons (mainly because of inevitable MP problems), Metaphor ReFantazio offers options like using the Mage Archetype that can make this easier. Even with a lot of grinding, this can be rewarded with more time to explore bonds and other game activities.

2 Keep Multiple Save Slots

In Case Players Want To Make New Decisions

ave menu showing game progress and locations in metaphor refantazio

Even though the story of Metaphor ReFantazio is more linear and doesn’t allow many choices that alter the characters’ fate, players are always confronted with decisions about what to do and the best way to manage time. Keeping multiple save slots allows these choices to be redone if necessary.

For example, before burning time slots to travel from a city to a dungeon, players can save the game. If they realize that the mission’s challenges are too difficult for the party’s current level, they can easily return to the previous point. Otherwise, it would be necessary to make the journey again with the Gauntlet Runner, reducing free time in Metaphor ReFantazio.

1 Avoid Activities For A Maximized Virtue

A Waste Of Time In Atlus Games

Reading books to increase Imagination stat with a fairy companion in metaphor refantazio.

Virtues are among the most important attributes in Metaphor ReFantazio, influencing many interactions with NPCs in the game’s story. However, after one is maximized, it’s necessary to avoid any activity that gives points to that particular stat, as it consumes valuable time slots.

For example, even if there’s an unread book on the Gauntlet Runner that provides points to a Virtue that the player has already maximized, it’s better to perform another activity than to read it. Taking a bath, which grants some attribute points, or even fishing with Heismay are more important tasks.

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Released: October 11, 2024
Developer(s): Studio Zero
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty