Summary
Metaphor: ReFantaziois an undeniably massive game, and because of how long it is, it’s easy to assume that once you’ve reached credits there might just not be anything else to do. Luckily enough, that isn’t the case.
Whether it’s specific features that the developers saved for after you’ve finished the main meat of the game, or systems and mechanics that are tricky or borderline impossible to complete in one playthrough, there is plenty you can do to keep yourself busy in Metaphor: ReFantazio once the story has finished.
8Complete Bonds
Leave No-One Behind
Out of all the post-game activities, perhaps the most simple iscompleting all of your bonds. There are 14 characters that you will meet throughout your journey in Metaphor: ReFantazio, and all of them have eight bond levels that you can build up throughout your progression in the story.
On top of this, there are two unique conversations you’ll have with each of them before and after thefinal boss of the game. Thanks to how awkward it can be to build up your Royal Virtues, it’s easy to miss some of these bonds the first time around, so returning to complete them is incredibly rewarding.
7See Every Ending
Did You Make All The Right Choices?
Unlike other long Atlus JRPGs like the Persona series, there isn’t as much focus on different endings in Metaphor: ReFantazio, for example, you won’t miss whole chunks of gameplay if you miss out on the right dialogue choices.
However, there are three different moments throughout Metaphor: ReFantazio, where you can fail a conversation, and you’ll receive unique dialogue and get a bad ending. These are worth seeing on a repeat playthrough as they are a great way to see all the alternate versions of events you missed the first time.
6Regicide Difficulty
An Exercise In Masochism
One feature that you won’t have access to until the post-game is Regicide difficulty. On your first go-round in Metaphor: ReFantazio, you’ll only be able to select four different difficulties between Storyteller and Hard mode, but if you manage to beat the game in any of these modes, you’ll get Regicide.
In this difficulty, all enemies will deal more damage, especially when exploiting your character’s weaknesses, and on top of this, you’re less likely to get rewards after finishing battles. If you’re really looking for more of a challenge, then this is worth at least starting.
5Complete Every Side Quest
If You Didn’t Have Enough Time The First Time Round
Every different arc of Metaphor: ReFantazio will give you plenty of chances to help side characters and NPCs with different tasks, and these side quests can really stack up if you don’t manage to finish them in the time allotted.
This is why it’s a lot of fun to return to your save after beating the game and making sure that you’ve completed every side quest. Some of these hide mini-dungeons and whole new bosses. For example, you might not get a chance to complete the Trials of the Dragon thanks to how much there is to do during the final deadline.
4Find Every Gold Beetle
Bug Collecting
One of the more obscure tasks in Metaphor: ReFantazio is collecting Gold Beetles. If you aren’t looking around every location in detail, you’re able to very easily miss out on these hidden bugs, and potentially miss them all on your first playthrough.
If you manage to locate the eccentric scientist from inside the sandworm who has somehow escaped and made his way to Brilehaven, he’ll exchange these rare bugs for unique rewards you may only get by helping him out. This is a goal you’ll want to commit to early on in a replay, since a lot of these bugs are hidden in mini-dungeons that take in-game time to reach.
3New Game +
All Over Again
It’s a standard feature in games like this for a reason, but the best way to start a replay of Metaphor: ReFantazio is to try New Game +. Once you’ve reached credits, you’ll have the chance to create a New Game + save, and this is well worth doing in preparation for a replay.
This mode will carry over essentially everything you’ve collected on your first playthrough, with the only thing undone being your quest progression, so be prepared to redo some side quests. However, this is perfect if you want to try out a higher-difficulty mode.
2Beat The Coliseum
Take On The Gauntlet
During the Brilehaven arc of the main story, you’ll eventually unlock the coliseum where you may take on different battles under unique conditions to rank up and receive various rewards. This is a great way to raise your courage stat, but it’s easy to forget about if you don’t start using it early.
With how much there is to do during your free time in Metaphor: ReFantazio, it’s easy to get to the end of a playthrough and realize you’ve forgotten about the coliseum, so returning to complete all of its challenges is a fun way to see more of the game, just make sure you have enough days free to get through all of it.
1Defeat The Secret Boss
Final Foe In Akademia
There are plenty of hidden optional bosses in Metaphor: ReFantazio that you find at the end of mini-dungeons, side quests, or even just bounties, but there is one that you’ll only get the chance to attempt to defeat after completing the game.
For an extra surprise, head to Akademia after finishing the game and have a look around the many books hidden around the small area to uncover a surprise. This enemy will likely be the toughest challengeyou and your partywill face throughout the game, so come prepared.
