Although this 12 months’s awards season is simply across the nook, recently I’ve discovered myself reminiscing about my favourite recreation of 2024 and, coincidentally, GameSpot’s 2024 Recreation of the Yr: Metaphor: ReFantazio. The fantasy RPG rapidly captivated me upon its launch late final 12 months for myriad causes, however maybe what impressed me most about Metaphor was Atlus’ means to make this high-stakes, fantastical journey in the end really feel grounded and deeply human.
Maybe this should not have been as shocking because it was contemplating Atlus’s catalog of video games, lots of which tactfully discover concepts like mortality, oppression, and self-actualization. However whereas the Persona titles and the studio’s one-off video games like Catherine are nonetheless rooted in real-life, Metaphor supplied a dramatic departure from our world. A big a part of what grounds this, after all, is the sport’s writing and overarching story, however one other a part of what really makes this work are the Metaphor’s implausible performances.
As such, I used to be delighted when the actor behind Metaphor’s protagonist, Caleb Yen, volunteered to reply some questions on his efficiency and time spent engaged on the sport. Yen opened as much as GameSpot about his favourite strains, easy methods to inject humor into an earnest character, and that awkwardness that comes with taking part in a recreation he is in.
GameSpot: Previous to Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus had largely shied away from having absolutely voiced protagonists. What was it like studying you would be tasked with realizing one of many studio’s lead characters?
Caleb Yen: To be sincere, after I acquired the reserving e mail I form of freaked out–[but] in a optimistic, screamy, “Oh my God, I am so psyched for this” approach. Attending to voice the protagonist for thus many key story moments, and even having some weighty monologues within the latter half of the sport, was such a present.
One factor I cherished about your efficiency was how a lot humor you introduced to the function. How did you go about balancing your portrayal of somebody who is basically a very earnest and noble character, but generally is a bit awkward or goofy at instances?
All of us have layers, ? Even when stuff is weighty, or loopy issues are taking place, we often nonetheless get somewhat humor in there–a little silliness. I feel the protagonist is identical approach, particularly as a result of after we meet him within the story, he is not actually a fighter. All of that is new to him. He’s on this journey for the best causes, he needs justice for his greatest good friend and the dominion, however he may also be a foolish little man typically as a result of he would not at all times know what is going on on. However he grows because the story progresses, and that was actually wonderful to play.
I would love to listen to what your ideas had been if you first learn the sport’s story. What moments stood out to you essentially the most? Which storylines had been you most drawn to?
First off, I simply thought the story was unimaginable. The worldbuilding in Metaphor: ReFantazio is implausible with the entire totally different tribes and the way they work together, in addition to the historical past of the world itself. Each character makes the choices they make due to the world they dwell in and the way society has affected them, and that is simply peak writing.
I really like how deeply the companion tales are written. Any certainly one of these guys might be the protagonist of their very own recreation. Strohl is coping with a lot duty and survivor’s guilt, Heismay is juggling being an outcast with mourning for his son, and Hulkenberg feels disgraced as a knight however her obligation really goes past her title. And that is solely stepping into the primary three companions! I really like my bizarre discovered household!
Forging bonds is a big a part of Metaphor: ReFantazio, so I would like to know which bonds you had essentially the most enjoyable bringing to life. Are there sure actors you felt you had outstanding chemistry with, or characters whose tales felt notably impactful?
All of them had been so good! For actors I had chemistry with, all of my stuff with Gallica was approach enjoyable to play as a result of Alejandra Reynoso and I had beforehand labored collectively. Our characters had the same relationship in a unique title, the place she type of acted as my older sister or parental determine, so attending to have her as a fairy information right here simply made sense.
Heismay’s story hit me like a truck. Following this older man on his journey, studying about how he simply wished to assist his folks by interacting with different tribes however acquired ostracized for it, after which seeing him mourn for the lack of his son and attempt to discover a closing resting place…it was simply so highly effective.
How is it going again and taking part in a recreation you voiced the primary character in? Do you discover it a bit awkward or troublesome?
Just a little bit! I hear myself a lot after I’m taking part in! Nevertheless it’s additionally simply actually cool to be part of such a implausible recreation and I am so pleased with the work I and the remainder of the solid did, in addition to the group typically, so I recover from it fairly rapidly.
What are one or two of your favourite voice strains you delivered in Metaphor: ReFantazio? Which of your colleagues’ strains are most memorable to you?
Maybe unsurprisingly, I had a lot enjoyable with the “Awaken!” line. I am additionally an enormous Persona fan, so attending to say, “Persona!” was fairly dreamy. Sooner or later I say one thing like “a ghost,” which made me chortle.
[Yet] nothing sticks in my head greater than Philippe Spall roaring, “Oh energy of kings!” as Heismay. This little bat man seems like a mascot character however he’s not–he’s so superior.
After which everything of the scene the place everyone seems to be banging stuff collectively to name Heismay out. I really like these line deliveries–it’s so humorous! Did I point out I really like my bizarre discovered household?
One of many issues that actually pushed my love for Metaphor over the sting was the unabashed social commentary. What was it like voicing this recreation within the midst of a actually tumultuous time interval, politically?
I feel Metaphor: ReFantazio has themes which can be really common. Each character is coping with expectations society places on them on account of how they had been born, who their individuals are, their household’s place, and a bunch of different elements they can not management. They need to stability all of that with what they honestly need in life, who they wish to be true to, and pursue the ending that issues essentially the most to them. It is a tremendous recreation as a result of every character really feels tied to the lore and story that’s uniquely Metaphor: ReFantazio, and I am so grateful to be part of it.
The above interview has been evenly edited for readability and brevity.