Though this year's awards season is just around the corner, lately I've found myself reminiscing about my favorite game of 2024 and, coincidentally, GameSpot's 2024 Game of the Year: Metaphor: ReFantazio. The fantasy RPG quickly captivated me upon its release late last year for myriad reasons, but perhaps what impressed me most about Metaphor was Atlus' ability to make this high-stakes, fantastical adventure ultimately feel grounded and deeply human.
Perhaps this shouldn't have been as surprising as it was considering Atlus's catalog of games, many of which tactfully explore ideas like mortality, oppression, and self-actualization. But whereas the Persona titles and the studio's one-off games like Catherine are still rooted in real-life, Metaphor offered a dramatic departure from our world. A large part of what grounds this, of course, is the game's writing and overarching story, but another part of what truly makes this work are the Metaphor's fantastic performances.
As such, I was delighted when the actor behind Metaphor's protagonist, Caleb Yen, volunteered to answer some questions about his performance and time spent working on the game. Yen opened up to GameSpot about his favorite lines, how to inject humor into an earnest character, and that awkwardness that comes with playing a game he's in.
Metaphor: ReFantazio's protagonist.
GameSpot: Prior to Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus had largely shied away from having fully voiced protagonists. What was it like learning you'd be tasked with realizing one of the studio's lead characters?
Caleb Yen: To be honest, when I got the booking email I kind of freaked out–[but] in a positive, screamy, "Oh my God, I'm so psyched for this" way. Getting to voice the protagonist for so many key story moments, and even having some weighty monologues in the latter half of the game, was such a gift.
One thing I loved about your performance was how much humor you brought to the role. How did you go about balancing your portrayal of someone who is largely a very earnest and noble character, yet can be a bit awkward or goofy at times?
We all have layers, you know? Even when stuff is weighty, or crazy things are happening, we usually still get a little humor in there--a little silliness. I think the protagonist is the same way, especially because when we meet him in the story, he isn't really a fighter. All of this is new to him. He is on this journey for the right reasons, he wants justice for his best friend and the kingdom, but he can also be a silly little guy sometimes because he doesn't always know what's going on. But he grows as the story progresses, and that was really amazing to play.
I'd love to hear what your thoughts were when you first read the game's story. What moments stood out to you the most? Which storylines were you most drawn to?
First off, I just thought the story was incredible. The worldbuilding in Metaphor: ReFantazio is fantastic with all of the different tribes and how they interact, as well as the history of the world itself. Every character makes the decisions they make because of the world they live in and how society has affected them, and that's just peak writing.
I love how deeply the companion stories are written. Any one of these guys could be the protagonist of their own game. Strohl is dealing with so much responsibility and survivor's guilt, Heismay is juggling being an outcast with mourning for his son, and Hulkenberg feels disgraced as a knight but her duty truly goes beyond her title. And that's only getting into the first three companions! I love my weird found family!
The protagonist stands beside Gallica, Strohl, and Hulkenberg.
Forging bonds is a huge part of Metaphor: ReFantazio, so I'd love to know which bonds you had the most fun bringing to life. Are there certain actors you felt you had remarkable chemistry with, or characters whose stories felt particularly impactful?
All of them were so good! For actors I had chemistry with, all of my stuff with Gallica was way fun to play because Alejandra Reynoso and I had previously worked together. Our characters had a similar relationship in a different title, where she sort of acted as my older sister or parental figure, so getting to have her as a fairy guide here just made sense.
Heismay's story hit me like a truck. Following this older guy on his journey, learning about how he just wanted to help his people by interacting with other tribes but got ostracized for it, and then seeing him mourn for the loss of his son and try to find a final resting place…it was just so powerful.
How is it going back and playing a game you voiced the main character in? Do you find it a bit awkward or difficult?
A little bit! I hear myself so much when I'm playing! But it's also just really cool to be a part of such a fantastic game and I'm so proud of the work I and the rest of the cast did, as well as the team in general, so I get over it pretty quickly.
What are one or two of your favorite voice lines you delivered in Metaphor: ReFantazio? Which of your colleagues' lines are most memorable to you?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, I had so much fun with the "Awaken!" line. I'm also a huge Persona fan, so getting to say, "Persona!" was pretty dreamy. At some point I say something like "a ghost," which made me laugh.
[Yet] nothing sticks in my head more than Philippe Spall roaring, "Oh power of kings!" as Heismay. This little bat guy looks like a mascot character but he is not--he's so awesome.
And then the entirety of the scene where everyone is banging stuff together to call Heismay out. I love those line deliveries--it's so funny! Did I mention I love my weird found family?
One of the things that really pushed my love for Metaphor over the edge was the unabashed social commentary. What was it like voicing this game in the midst of a really tumultuous time period, politically?
I think Metaphor: ReFantazio has themes that are truly universal. Every character is dealing with expectations society puts on them due to how they were born, who their people are, their family's position, and a bunch of other factors they can't control. They have to balance all of that with what they truly want in life, who they want to be true to, and pursue the ending that matters the most to them. It's an amazing game because each character truly feels tied to the lore and story that is uniquely Metaphor: ReFantazio, and I'm so thankful to be a part of it.
The above interview has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
Source
Perhaps this shouldn't have been as surprising as it was considering Atlus's catalog of games, many of which tactfully explore ideas like mortality, oppression, and self-actualization. But whereas the Persona titles and the studio's one-off games like Catherine are still rooted in real-life, Metaphor offered a dramatic departure from our world. A large part of what grounds this, of course, is the game's writing and overarching story, but another part of what truly makes this work are the Metaphor's fantastic performances.
As such, I was delighted when the actor behind Metaphor's protagonist, Caleb Yen, volunteered to answer some questions about his performance and time spent working on the game. Yen opened up to GameSpot about his favorite lines, how to inject humor into an earnest character, and that awkwardness that comes with playing a game he's in.
Metaphor: ReFantazio's protagonist.
GameSpot: Prior to Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus had largely shied away from having fully voiced protagonists. What was it like learning you'd be tasked with realizing one of the studio's lead characters?
Caleb Yen: To be honest, when I got the booking email I kind of freaked out–[but] in a positive, screamy, "Oh my God, I'm so psyched for this" way. Getting to voice the protagonist for so many key story moments, and even having some weighty monologues in the latter half of the game, was such a gift.
One thing I loved about your performance was how much humor you brought to the role. How did you go about balancing your portrayal of someone who is largely a very earnest and noble character, yet can be a bit awkward or goofy at times?
We all have layers, you know? Even when stuff is weighty, or crazy things are happening, we usually still get a little humor in there--a little silliness. I think the protagonist is the same way, especially because when we meet him in the story, he isn't really a fighter. All of this is new to him. He is on this journey for the right reasons, he wants justice for his best friend and the kingdom, but he can also be a silly little guy sometimes because he doesn't always know what's going on. But he grows as the story progresses, and that was really amazing to play.
I'd love to hear what your thoughts were when you first read the game's story. What moments stood out to you the most? Which storylines were you most drawn to?
First off, I just thought the story was incredible. The worldbuilding in Metaphor: ReFantazio is fantastic with all of the different tribes and how they interact, as well as the history of the world itself. Every character makes the decisions they make because of the world they live in and how society has affected them, and that's just peak writing.
I love how deeply the companion stories are written. Any one of these guys could be the protagonist of their own game. Strohl is dealing with so much responsibility and survivor's guilt, Heismay is juggling being an outcast with mourning for his son, and Hulkenberg feels disgraced as a knight but her duty truly goes beyond her title. And that's only getting into the first three companions! I love my weird found family!
The protagonist stands beside Gallica, Strohl, and Hulkenberg.
Forging bonds is a huge part of Metaphor: ReFantazio, so I'd love to know which bonds you had the most fun bringing to life. Are there certain actors you felt you had remarkable chemistry with, or characters whose stories felt particularly impactful?
All of them were so good! For actors I had chemistry with, all of my stuff with Gallica was way fun to play because Alejandra Reynoso and I had previously worked together. Our characters had a similar relationship in a different title, where she sort of acted as my older sister or parental figure, so getting to have her as a fairy guide here just made sense.
Heismay's story hit me like a truck. Following this older guy on his journey, learning about how he just wanted to help his people by interacting with other tribes but got ostracized for it, and then seeing him mourn for the loss of his son and try to find a final resting place…it was just so powerful.
How is it going back and playing a game you voiced the main character in? Do you find it a bit awkward or difficult?
A little bit! I hear myself so much when I'm playing! But it's also just really cool to be a part of such a fantastic game and I'm so proud of the work I and the rest of the cast did, as well as the team in general, so I get over it pretty quickly.
What are one or two of your favorite voice lines you delivered in Metaphor: ReFantazio? Which of your colleagues' lines are most memorable to you?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, I had so much fun with the "Awaken!" line. I'm also a huge Persona fan, so getting to say, "Persona!" was pretty dreamy. At some point I say something like "a ghost," which made me laugh.
[Yet] nothing sticks in my head more than Philippe Spall roaring, "Oh power of kings!" as Heismay. This little bat guy looks like a mascot character but he is not--he's so awesome.
And then the entirety of the scene where everyone is banging stuff together to call Heismay out. I love those line deliveries--it's so funny! Did I mention I love my weird found family?
One of the things that really pushed my love for Metaphor over the edge was the unabashed social commentary. What was it like voicing this game in the midst of a really tumultuous time period, politically?
I think Metaphor: ReFantazio has themes that are truly universal. Every character is dealing with expectations society puts on them due to how they were born, who their people are, their family's position, and a bunch of other factors they can't control. They have to balance all of that with what they truly want in life, who they want to be true to, and pursue the ending that matters the most to them. It's an amazing game because each character truly feels tied to the lore and story that is uniquely Metaphor: ReFantazio, and I'm so thankful to be a part of it.
The above interview has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
Source