Struggling to care 6 hours in (Spoilers inside) - help!

[Caffeinated Quill]

Only read if you can sympathize and help with me not liking this game so far. I don't want Atlus boys here telling me I'm horrible I just don't know anyone else whos played this and I need guidance).

I'm not new to Atlus shenanigans, but I was really hoping with a new IP came new ideas. Holy wow I am, so far, wrong. I figured it would be a slow burn but they really just didn't prioritize the right things to keep interest and I cannot be bothered dealing with another 10 hours tutorial that ultimately still leaves you confused in some areas and infuriated in the ones they keep harping on. Flowery words don't get the point across or they did the first time and they keep saying it. Either way, I get so tired of the exposition that I tune out anything and then still don't know what to "do" - it's a jrpg I can figure it out, thank you Atlus. (Idk if it's a translation problem but I hate it)

That being said (and much as it sounds like this statement won't be true) I REALLY want to like this game. P5 has my heart (despite the 7 hour tutorial, at least I REALLY cared about what was going on and who was involved). And I know Atlus has the potential. Several friends have hyped this game, ones I trust to know me well enough to not lie when they say I'll like it. (I'm cynical). But between the FF7 Berrett storyline, the complete dullness of a stereotypical Protag with Heterochromia, and this fantasy world made up of , let's face it, humans with differing cosplay ears, I cannot find the care. the characters are not engaging, the story is very typical, and the colors are so flashy it leans on "try hard" and makes me feel like if they gave half as much attention to the story I wouldn't be struggling.

(Spoiler here) I couldn't even care for Grius/alces/ whoevers death because I felt nothing for him. You can't pull an 11th hour child that likely isn't even actually his right before he dies and make me go "NOOOO!" I just. didn't. feel it.

It shouldn't take 2 hours to get you interested, let alone the 15 to 30 that I keep hearing is the case, that's APPALLING, and for 70$?! Where!? When am I getting my 70$ experience?

I don't want any flack from die hards okay? Again, I want to like this. Can ANYONE tell me that it's worth it to push through this feeling? I will happily rescind these feelings if there is a point to all of this, but wow I'm struggling.

[Tangsta]

This is a ridiculous take. You clearly don't like the game, and no one can convince you otherwise. It sounds like burn out from either video games or RPGs in general. Just take a couple of months off and come back to it, then decide.

[Caffeinated Quill]

Originally posted by Tangsta:

This is a ridiculous take. You clearly don't like the game, and no one can convince you otherwise. It sounds like burn out from either video games or RPGs in general. Just take a couple of months off and come back to it, then decide.

I'd argue it's not a ridiculous take. A lot of people seem to feel this way specifically for this game out of all the RPGs out there. However, it could be burn out, but I wouldn't have posted if I thought that the case. Maybe for Atlus specific games, but at that point sounds like an Atlus issue. When there are common running jokes about your company, it's not just a hot take.
I had several people tell me it was worth it to push through the oddity of persona 5 and it turned out to be my favorite game, but with love for anything comes fair criticism. When a company repeats those same problems, it gets tiring. It could still be worth it if there's promise for an objectively great point (p5 OG being a great example of this) so I'd appreciate a little more open-mindedness to common problems and possible opinions to convince me it's worth it rather than telling me to take a break. I'm self aware enough to know when a game simply isn't for me or I need time away. However, this is Atlus we're talking about. There is USUALLY a pay off, which is what I'm looking for. Thank you though I appreciate your time and effort.

Edit: I'll go so far to emphasize people can convince me otherwise, as I'm not closed off from the world as to not take anything into consideration, hence me asking =)

[Tangsta]

Metaphor is widely considered to be the greatest RPG Atlus has made so far. So clearly your opinion is in the minority. I think it definitely is burn out if you enjoyed Persona 5 and hated this one. Just take a long break from it all. If you come back after the break and still hate it, then sure, we'll know then for sure that isn't your cup of tea.

Originally posted by Caffeinated Quill:

Edit: I'll go so far to emphasize people can convince me otherwise, as I'm not closed off from the world as to not take anything into consideration, hence me asking =)

My point is you're in the wrong headspace to be convinced, nothing will get through to you, any point raised will just be argued with. The solution is to stay away for awhile, or for good.

[Caffeinated Quill]

Originally posted by Tangsta:

Metaphor is widely considered to be the greatest RPG Atlus has made so far. So clearly your opinion is in the minority. I think it definitely is burn out if you enjoyed Persona 5 and hated this one. Just take a long break from it all.

Soooo instead of telling me *why* it's the greatest RPG, you are just telling me to take a break. Okay I really think your opinion is one I can't follow considering you engaged with this post and gave no value or substance, much like 5 of the 6 hours I played of Metaphor. Makes sense why you like it I suppose.

[Tangsta]

Do you see what I mean? You're acting exactly as I have predicted.

You're not in the mood to be convinced, you're in the mood for an argument.

[Caffeinated Quill]

Originally posted by Tangsta:

Do you see what I mean? You're acting exactly as I have predicted.

No I'm acting like you have told me nothing I've asked for and doing what I predicted of die hards, where they say I'm wrong, don't tell me why the game is worth it, and then say they are right. So please, enlighten me with an actual point or bugger off lol

[Caffeinated Quill]

Originally posted by Tangsta:

Do you see what I mean? You're acting exactly as I have predicted.

You're not in the mood to be convinced, you're in the mood for an argument.

WHERE did you try to convince me!?! HA HA HA PLEASE I AM ASKING for some content. The only thing you have said is I won't like it. You dont' know me and haven't bothered convincing me.

[Tangsta]

You asked for help, I'm trying to give it to you: stay away from this game for now.

[Caffeinated Quill]

Originally posted by Tangsta:

You asked for help, I'm trying to give it to you: stay away from this game for now.

Well as I stated before I disagree and since you can't provide anything more I'll just wait for someone with critical thinking and reading skills to give a more valuable discussion/answer. Again thank you for your time =)

[Tangsta]

You're asking for someone to change your already made up mind. Good luck, I guess.

[Caffeinated Quill]

Originally posted by Tangsta:

You're asking for someone to change your already made up mind. Good luck, I guess.

At the risk of you being too stubborn or possibly thick to understand, I clearly have not played the whole game and, as stated, have been persuaded before to continue a game based on others experience, favorite parts, their own criticisms, and conversation. Maybe you are not up for open minded discussion but my mind is not made up for a game I have not played, just 6 hours of it (credit where due maybe an hours worth collectively is interesting.) idk why you bothered when you weren't going to provide anything you liked about the game, anything you'd want a fellow fan of Atlus, jrpgs, or games in general to experience. Instead you wanted a "gotcha" moment based on vague promises of "the best RPG this year" - yeah that's why I got it, and saying I cannot have my mind changed like you know me. Again, wasting my time I'm sure, but do not assume things. And don't post on discussions where you don't provide anything the OP is asking. You look like a fool.

[Tangsta]

I don't think you're listening to me.

From what I can tell, the game is not the problem, your mentality towards the game is the issue. You're not in the mood to enjoy this game, or have an open minded discussion. That's why I'm not engaging in that discussion.

I myself have personally been in this mood before, and I've dealt with people in this state. There are no words in existence that will convince you otherwise. You're just not in the right head space to be enjoying this game. Do you understand what that means?

Stay away from this game, then come back to it later on, if you want any chance of liking it. Just take my advice here.

[Caffeinated Quill]

Originally posted by Tangsta:

I don't think you're listening to me.

From what I can tell, the game is not the problem, your mentality towards the game is the issue. You're not in the mood to enjoy this game, or have an open minded discussion. That's why I'm not engaging in that discussion.

I myself have personally been in this mood before, and I've dealt with people in this state. There are no words in existence that will convince you otherwise. You're just not in the right head space to be enjoying this game. Do you understand what that means?

Stay away from this game. Just take my advice here.

I'm not you, thank goodness. All I get from this is "the game doesn't get better from here" and perhaps you can't justify that. If THAT is the case, just say "hey, this game is pretty much that the whole time so you might be sol" - fine if true, but do not tell anyone that your experience will be or is theirs. Do not tell me it's a me issue alone. This isn't a mood, it's an observation. The fantasy aspects in these people so far are mundane and story so far, predictable. Atlus tends to flip the story on its head. Does that do that here? Does the status quo change? Do I have to be this specific to get actual answers on wtf this game is doing? My goodness it's not a hard ask to get some feedback on people's experience while sharing my grievances so far.
You don't even have this game on steam. Do you have it at all? Is that why you can't tell me literally anything about the game? Or are you a PS5 bro? Either way, I will do as I like with a game I bought knowing exactly who I am and when I should take a break.
"From what I can tell" that's not a lot since you do not know me and we are certainly not the same lol I cannot take advise from someone who can't read, doesn't listen, and thinks they can analyze me based off a request for a conversation about a game I'm not enjoying so far.
Your responses are nothing since you ignore the points in mine and miss the point. We'll agree to disagree. Enjoy your game

[Caffeinated Quill]

Originally posted by Nein:

I thought the same way you did, but then i was past the refund window.
Even after 30h i was still struggling to care about what was going on, while forcing myself to actually pay attention.
It was the gameplay keeping me engaged, but then even that grew stale after 60h.
This is the first Atlus game i regret paying money for and putting 100h in.
No clue if our tastes in games are even remotely similar, but in my opinion this game doesn't get any better.

That's so sad to see T.T I appreciate the comment though! I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it. I felt the same so far and was hoping there was an "aha!" moment as they do. I have at least liked if not loved every Atlus game despite the beginning-being-a-slog window of time getting wider with every new release.
The game mechanics are fun enough to push through but I may have to start skipping the dialogue and see if I can get anywhere where it picks up for me. Maybe 30 hours? x.x I appreciate you!

[Tangsta]

Originally posted by Caffeinated Quill:

Enjoy your game

Sure, you'll eventually figure out what I mean when everyone has attempted to convince you this game is good and you fail to be convinced. This issue has nothing to do with the game.