Atlus, specifically thePersonateam within Studio Zero, has gotten better with dungeons. InPersona 3, there was one repeatable dungeon without much variety. While there was repetition inPersona 4, there was at least theming to the multiple dungeons found within like Kanji’s bathhouse.
They hit a high mark with theMind Palaces ofPersona 5which were intricately crafted like the police station that turned into a casino. So, how didMetaphor: ReFantazioup the dungeon game? While they don’t reach the same heights asPersona 5, there are certainly some standouts. Let’s go through the biggest main ones in the game, ranking them by size, intricacy, layout, and general theming. There will be spoilers.
8Giant Sandworm’s Belly
Escape Before Getting Digested
The Giant Sandworm’s Belly is one of the most unique dungeons in the game. While trying to track down Heismay in the Martira region who was suspected of kidnapping children, they will run into the boss, Greatworm Homo Butera. This boss battle is not too hard but in the end, it will swallow the party. Players then have to make it through the body in a short amount of time otherwise they will be digested. It’s themostAttack on Titanthingin the game as the horrors of being swallowed is something anyone can emulate with. Avoiding enemies is not too much of a problem but the acidic flooring is another story if players want to collect gear.
7Montario Opera House
A Homage To Final Fantasy 6’s Opera House
The Montario Opera House is a small dungeon like the Giant Sandworm’s Belly. Fortunately, players don’t have to worry about a ticking clock even though in the story there is a pressing urgency. Will, the protagonist ofMetaphor: ReFantazio, and Euphahave to race through the back rafters of this opera house so that they can stage themselves for an assassination attempt on Louis’ life. There are no boss battles or puzzles to speak of but there are guards, monsters, and chests to contend with. It’s a unique dungeon in that players only have two party members and this is deep into the game.
6Louis’ Gauntlet Runner
It’s Time For A Bit Of Stealth
Louis’ Gauntlet Runner is parked in Port Brilehaven which is the first city the candidates for the crown are advised to reach. Having won the favor of Louis at this point in the story, players can come and go from his Gauntlet Runner freely. Their goal is to find a formula they hope can cure the Prince.
But even with their newfound trust, they can’t go everywhere on the ship. That’s why this dungeon is a stealth mission that presents players with a top-down perspective in spots akin tostealth sequences inMetal Gear Solid. If spotted it is Game Over so players have to be careful. While interesting, it’s a rather short affair which is odd considering how much time players are given to complete it on the calendar.
5Nord Mines
A Solid Tutorial Dungeon
The Nord Mines are technically a dungeon and one of the first players will traverse. There are treasure chests and enemies abound and even though it is a straight shot, there are winding paths. Players can even fight an optional boss via theFire Dragon Mauna which is early forMetaphor: ReFantazio. That’s why it should be considered a dungeon even though it’s not that elaborate in design. It does what it needs to do, teach players about mechanics and exploration, and that’s good enough.
4Kriegante Castle
Something Is Lurking Beneath The Grates
Kriegante Castle is the main dungeon of the Martira region and quite literally it is the dungeon of this castle. Specifically, players will have to trudge through sludge and monster-infested waters to unearth what is really going on in town concerning child kidnapping. There are some challenges too like a water sluice puzzle wherein players have to figure out the right combo to drain the water and move on. There arealso stealth sectionswherein players have to hide from a shadowy monster’s eyesight. These two elements easily help Kriegante Castle stand out.
3Regalith Grand Cathedral
Take Me To Church
Even though the Nord Mines is technically a dungeon, the Regalith Grand Cathedral is a dungeon with a capital “D” or at least the ones Atlus fans are familiar with from the Persona series. This cathedral has been taken over by Zorba, one of Louis’ men, who has killed the royal guards and reanimated them as puppets.
It’s a huge dungeon too and easily one of the biggest in the game. Unless players are really good with their item management, this may take a few in-game days to complete. That said, it’s not too elaborate with its puzzles, making it a good introduction into the world ofMetaphor: ReFantazio, again, acknowledging the merits of the Nord Mines too.
2Skybound Avatar
More Terrifying Than The Moon In Majora’s Mask
The Skybound Avatar is technically the name of the moon which has taken the form of the late King. It is the final dungeon of the game and it incorporates many elements from previous dungeons. It’s a very Mega Man-like design choice by the developers. For example, there are the horrific ear monsters from the Dragon Temple and there are blocked paths players need to clear by smashing crystals like in the Regalith Grand Cathedral. It’s nice that each section is like a callback and players aren’t doing the same thing repeatedly. And even though the Tyrant’s Star is not directly attached to the Skybound Avatar, it deserves a quick mention as the final area of the lead-up to the showdown against Louis.
1Dragon Temple
A Twist On The Fantasy Trope
The aforementioned Dragon Temple begins as a maze wherein players have to follow a light down a large set of staircases otherwise they will get warped back to the entrance. It’s a standard RPG trope, but then things get weird. Players will end up in what looks like a company building from our reality complete with elevators and other nods. In a pivotal scene, players can see a ruined street outside with destroyed busses overgrown with plants. This changesMetaphor: ReFantaziofrom a fantasy-based RPG to a post-apocalyptic one. This revelation makes the dungeon great along with the depths it will go. It will take players a long time to navigate the intricate corridors, especially with those patrolling ear monsters who are a nod to FOEs fromanother Atlus series,Etrian Odyssey.
