Where are the terrifying ‘humans’ in Metaphor: ReFantazio from?

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Metaphor: ReFantazio has truly taken me by storm. The terrifying and absurd enemies in this game are a testament to Atlus’ unparalleled creativity.

In the realm of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), Atlus is famous for creating some truly frightening foes. In their latest intellectual property, Metaphor: ReFantazio, they’ve managed to surpass expectations yet again with their bizarre and terrifying creations.

It’s now clear, as many fans had speculated earlier, that these characters seemed to be influenced by the renowned Dutch Renaissance painter, Hieronymus Bosch.

Metaphor: ReFantazio draws inspiration from Hieronymus Bosch

As a seasoned gamer, I bet if you’ve dabbled in this game, even just the demo, you’d recall the formidable boss hailing from the Northern Border Fort. It’s not merely the opportunity to unleash my Archetype abilities there that stands out, but the sheer insanity of its appearance that leaves an indelible mark.

The colossal, winged beast known as Homo Gorleo assaults the group using both its limbs and wings, simultaneously recuperating by consuming apples.

If you’re curious about where the concept originated, examine Hieronymus Bosch’s artwork, “The Garden of Earthly Delights.

Glance at the center in the lower right section of the middle panel. There, a peculiar figure resembling Homo Gorleo stands – it has an owl-like upper torso, four legs, and four arms. The surrounding meadow is adorned with apple tree branches.

If you’ve progressed deeper into the game, the big creature on the right with an egg-shaped body may stir a familiar feeling in you:

Indeed, you’ll find a striking resemblance between the initial dungeon’s overseer and his visage, won’t you? True, he sports a pair of rather unsettling appendages that one might refer to as arms, and his countenance lacks the usual friendliness. However, there’s an element of inspiration in the design as well.

But who is Hieronymus Bosch?

In the late 1400s and early 1500s, Hieronymus Bosch, a talented artist from the Netherlands, gained recognition for his unique paintings that portrayed dreamlike and frequently disturbing images related to themes of sin, moral dilemmas, and human existence.

One way to rephrase this description in a more natural and easy-to-understand manner could be: “The well-known piece displayed earlier is a triptych that powerfully portrays the struggle between paradise, temptation, and suffering. The left side presents a peaceful Eden, whereas the middle panel shows a tumultuous, strange scenario of human excess and mythical beings. The right panel illustrates Hell, where Bosch’s most grotesque and absurd creations inflict punishment on sinners.

These bizarre entities, part human, part monster, symbolically depict humanity’s ethical shortcomings. They serve as a cautionary tale about the repercussions of indulging in vice and worldly desires, hinting that humans, situated between divine order and disorder, are susceptible to corruption. Metaphorically speaking, ReFantazio uses Bosch’s grotesque creatures to portray the same moral struggle.

We’re really enjoying ReFantazio; it might even surpass Persona for us. We thought you might appreciate knowing that, so here it is. By the way, have you found any other intriguing influences within ReFantazio?

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2024-10-15 15:44