There is no doubt that Metaphor: ReFantazio's party is central to both its themes and gameplay. As Will gains allies to his heroic retinue, both the Archetypes they wield and the worldview they share expand. It's a testament to how Metaphor handles its societal relations, showing the different ideologies across Euchronia's tribes and how the sweeping generalizations of its prejudices should be both questioned and dismantled. These themes are made ever clearer in the game's Virga Island arc, which sets the stage for its late party members: Eupha and Basilio. Though late-stage party members sometimes face hurdles in their place within the narrative, often having to 'catch up' to the group's motivations and end goals, Metaphor takes care to give its characters the story prominence they deserve both before and after joining, setting a fine example for other party-based RPGs to follow.