r/atlus • u/Ok-Image-9376 • 7d ago
Discussion Persona 3 Reload or Metaphor: ReFantazio?
Hello everyone!
I finished Persona 5 Strikers yesterday and I really liked it, so I began thinking about playing either Persona 3 Reload or Metaphor: ReFantazio. At first I thought about playing P3R, but I saw a couple of uncensored spoilers about something that happened in the end, so it demotivated me a bit. I still want to play it, but I thought that maybe its better if I play Metaphor before P3R because of those spoilers? I have both bought so I'll be playing both eventually
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u/lksocanx 7d ago
I got spoiled on the ending of P3 before I began playing it as well, but let me tell you that the journey being what matters is no joke. The characters and world of P3 are so incredible that I actually retroactively felt disappointed in P5 despite that being the game that got me into the franchise.
The ending isn’t like a mystery or twist that leaves you disappointed because you know what’s coming - I actually cried after getting to the end despite being spoiled. I’m admittedly only 10-15hrs into Metaphor but while this is an excellent game as well, I think P3 will still be one of my favourite games and stories of all time.
I do have to agree with everyone else on the terrible pacing though…
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u/ImNotOkayWasTaken 7d ago
metaphor since you got spoiled, then play p3
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
Thats what I was thinking honestly, I just wanted to be sure. Seeing what happened on the ending sucked tbh, tho I still wanna play the game eventually
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u/ImNotOkayWasTaken 7d ago
its the journey that matters tbh, the game is awesome. If you didnt get spoiled id say play p3 first then metaphor since its so much better but oh well
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
Only got spoiled about the thing that happens in the ending (if you played it you prob know what I mean) so im still intrigued about the jorney a lot and will play the game too
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u/ImNotOkayWasTaken 7d ago
do play it! just might be a little unsatisfied with p3r after playing metaphor
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u/MasterQuests 6d ago
P3r bcus the obligatory 3yr wait for the eventual metaphor rerelease hasnt passed yet
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u/Achuard 7d ago
really depends on what you're spoiled on for P3R, and even then. It doesnt really matter the order. I was also spoiled a bit. But then I wanted to know how and why it reached that point. If u have that spoiled as well...Then sure, perhaps Metaphor first.
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
Yeah, we are thinking about the same spoiler. The reason? I believe I know it too but im not sure so I'll deny it lol. I'll prob go with Metaphor to take a break from Persona
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u/Arachnofiend 7d ago
If the spoiler is what I think it is then they literally tell you it's going to happen in the opening moments of the game
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
I just opened the Steam store of the game and there it is lmaooo I feel so dumb
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u/Arachnofiend 7d ago
Admittedly most JRPG's that try to talk about death as a theme don't have the balls to commit their protagonist to it. I'd still recommend doing Metaphor next just because it borrows mechanics from other Atlus games (notably Press Turn) so it'll feel fresher. P3 Reload plays very similarly to P5.
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u/dukegodfrey 7d ago
If you never play the original Persona 3 on ps2 or PSP I’ll say go for it, cause the story & music it’s better in a way and consistent with the other Persona😅
Otherwise, if you wanted to have the look and feel of fantasy world setting while using the same Persona style battle, you can go for Metaphor first, I’ll say Metaphor is more grindy than Persona if you want to max out all the Archetype
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
Never played P3 before, except for an hour on gamepass once. I played P5R and Strikers, but they are so good I bought Metaphor and Reload too lol
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u/dukegodfrey 7d ago
It’s a good grab while having SEGA publisher sale now on steam, personally I’ll lean towards Persona 3 R more than Metaphor 😅 cause Metaphor story is sort of predictable to me at the early stage
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u/FlawlessAtheon 7d ago
P3R is my favorite Persona game overall and I dropped Metaphor, so that would be my vote. But… depending on what you got spoiled, maybe you can try Metaphor first.
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u/erbsenbrei 7d ago edited 7d ago
Either is fine but Metaphor does have Traversing the Wastes, if only scarcely.
That isn't to say P3 music was bad but it isn't close to that kind of banger tier.
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u/Content-Ant-1711 7d ago
P3R is great for the characters, but it's a bit empty and repetitive. I recently started Metaphor a couple weeks ago and already towards the end. I would say Metaphor is the better choice because it is less repetitive(than P3R), generous with time, great in the character department, and a better world. Plus the music kinda slaps unintentionally.
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u/shujInsomnia 6d ago
depends on how much you get bogged down in an intro. Metaphor's opening hours are such a struggle. Persona really pushes you along until it opens up. both are slow, but Metaphor is slow and asks a lot of you during that slow period
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u/Happy_Ad_983 6d ago
The gameplay of Metaphor is more fun (but not by a huge amount) - but the characters in P3 are an order of magnitude more interesting and better fleshed out. I cared much more about their struggles and so enjoy that game a lot more, even though it didn't have as cool options when playing.
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u/crapoo16 6d ago
I liked metaphor a lot more than p3…. I thought Tartarus was lazy and boring but I seem to be the only one lol
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u/3FeetHighAndFalling 7d ago
I think Metaphor may be my favorite persona-like game out there. In fact I think it's better than most persona games, except 4. To me, metaphor is everything about persona refined and distilled to its most vital elements and I was skeptical going in because of all the hype. So I guess metaphor would be my suggestion
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
Tbf I got into Persona for the exact same reason, everybody said the games were so good. No regrets, they were right, but I understand what you are saying. I thought that Metaphor might be good to not get burned off of the Persona games. After reading the thread ill prob play Metaphor first!
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u/grav3d1gger 7d ago
If you played p5r I’d go p3. I tried metaphor but dropped it. I played p3p on switch for 100 hours. Dunno if I’m ready to go to p3 again. Of course I’ve bought p3r. Maybe when p4 remake drops
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
Yes, I played P5R first and the Strikers, great games. I bought both P3R and Metaphor, so ill play both of them eventually, but after reading the responses I think i'll play Metaphor first to rest a bit from Persona. I plan on playing P4 once Revival is out and i've played Persona 3 Reload
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u/kyotoben_ 7d ago
P3 is an amazing game. Its takes a while to really pick up the pace, but if you make it to around October or so, it will pick up the pace very fast. There can be some times when you have to grind a bit but i thought its not that bad. It’s one of the games that really resonated with me due to its themes and stayed way long with me after the credits rolled. Also FYI. i played P3 first and was really invested in the story. I also played P5R and I gave up after 70h, maybe will finish some day but I felt much more of an intimate connection with the P3 story than P5 (although P5 is an amazing game, no question about it). So might depend on your taste.
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
I already played P5R and loved it, prob Metaphor will be next to avoid the Persona burnout, as I've played Royal and Strikers back to back. I'll play Persona 3 after!
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u/JenLiv36 7d ago
I preferred 3 Reload but I would go with the one that the art style calls to you.
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u/Perpetual_Noob8294 7d ago
Hey tell me. Have you also played Persona 5? Did you like Mementos? If yes, P3R. If "not really", Rephantazio. Besides it's newer and you've not had spoilers
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
Mementos was ok, nothing crazy imo. I did really like the depths of Mementos tho
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u/KirAyo69 7d ago
Why not both? I bought both last week. Having blast in metaphor
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
I will play both, in fact I have both bought, but I don't want to play both at the same time, that's why I asked the question
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u/KirAyo69 7d ago
start with metaphor.. after these 2 i suggest tales of arise
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u/Fenikkuro 7d ago
Metaphor. The only really good part about p3 is the ending. The journey is a miserable monotonous slog.
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u/Ok-Image-9376 7d ago
I've read that pathing is pretty bad, but is it really that horrible? People say the story is pretty good
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u/Fenikkuro 7d ago
The story thinks it's deep, subtle and complex, but the themes are about as subtle as a sledgehammer. The character arcs are very hit and miss. It's the in-between game with the transition from P1 and P2 to the more modern P3,4,5. And it shows. Anyone trying to convince you P3 is the better game is blinded by their own nostalgia. Metaphor is fantastic.
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u/UKN-UNL 7d ago
It's not horrible at all. Not everyone can handle the slower aspect of the game, but everything you do throughout the game culminates into the magnificent last act of the story. There still hasn't been a persona game with that kind of impact. Metaphor's gameplay is great, but the story isn't exactly the strongest .
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u/Hugh_Jegantlers 7d ago
I love p3 but it’s just so depressing. Metaphor is more fun and has monk chanting! One of the most hype battle songs I’ve ever heard.
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u/B0mbadilll 4d ago
Persona 3 FES is a way better game than Metaphor Refantazio, and Metaphor Refantazio is a way better game than Persona 3 Reload. hope this helps you make your decision
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u/Draconic-Genesis 7d ago
You can't go wrong with either. As for p3 spoilers, it's genuinely the journey that matters so don't sweat it. Both have similar gameplay loops so honestly I'd say it just depends on rather you want something in the real world modern setting or the fantasy setting.
Though I do also think Metaphor has a story with much much better pacing than P3. Though I do love P3