ReFantazio's Louis Guiabern Joins JRPG Villain 'Hall of Fame'

Breakout the success of Metaphor: ReFantazio is almost to be expected given how the game skillfully combines the classic high fantasy setting of early JRPGs with Atlus' own social systems and addictive combat. Persona series. But the title's gameplay is only half of the package, which Metaphor: ReFantazio also happens to feature an excellent story full of current and relevant themes and some strong character development. Of course, that story would fall flat if it weren't for the game having a great villain to propel the player and their allies forward, and to that end, Louis Guiabern shines as one of the great modern JRPG villains.

Especially after more villains took over Persona 5the return of a singular main antagonist i Metaphor: ReFantazio feels like both a return to form from what the players saw Personas 3 and 4 and a callback to the classics of the genre. Louis Guiabern is so obviously evil, but the degree to which the player can empathize with the villain as much as they might loathe him speaks to his dimensionality as a character. Along with legendary foes like Kefka, Sephiroth, and Luca Blight, Louis Guiabern is an all-time JRPG villain.

Close-up of metaphor ReFantazio's protagonist's eyes

Family

How Metaphor: ReFantazio incorporates themes of anxiety into the game

One of Metaphor: ReFantazio's overarching themes is anxiety, and the game incorporates that theme into its gameplay through a variety of features.

Like the greatest hero and villain dynamic in fiction, Louis Guiabern and Metaphor: ReFantazioThe main character is two sides of the same coin. Both characters want to see the land of Euchronia change for the better and for one's tribe and social status not to be the driving force behind prosperity. But the ways in which each character strives to achieve this goal could not be more diametrically opposed. While the protagonist and his allies try to create a world where equality prevails and people are judged by their merits rather than their social status or birth, Louis sees power as the great equalizer. Parables heroes would see Euchronia transform via an olive branch, while Louis would prefer to use a fist.

This difference of opinion towards a shared goal is part of what makes Louis such a relatable villain, but it's also what cements him in the conversation with the greatest JRPG antagonists. It's hard not to draw parallels to Cloud and Sephiroth's dynamic Final Fantasy 7where both characters want to save the planet but approach that goal from opposite angles. In less skilled hands, Louis's characterization and plot i Metaphor: ReFantazio could have gone cheap, but the strength of the writing and reluctance to give players easy answers to any of the game's moral dilemmas make Louis an intriguing character who often makes frightening sense despite his sociopathy.

Most of the time, the best video game villains tend to make an entrance, and Metaphor: ReFantazio has a strong start that reaches right into the heart of Louis Guiaber's evil. The opening cinematic alone leaves no doubt as to the lengths to which Louis will go to achieve his goals, and he remains an imposing figure throughout, thanks to excellent character design and an icy demeanor that only serves to underline his singular focus. No matter how powerful the protagonist and his allies become, Louis never ceases to feel like a genuine threat who can and will crush all opposition.

In fact, Louis' eye-catching design is as important to his location as Parables main villain as his characterization and dialogue, as almost all of the biggest JRPG villains have an undeniable “cool” factor that makes them favorites among players. After all, there's a reason why Sephiroth became one of the most iconic and recognizable characters in gaming, despite actually appearing in Final Fantasy 7 for just a fraction of its runtime. Metaphor: ReFantazio leans into its classic JRPG influences to deliver some genre comfort food, and a large part of the game's appeal in that regard comes through in its intriguing main villain.