I still remember the moment I finished Metaphor: ReFantazio after 80 hours of gameplay. There was this strange lightness in my chest—like I'd rediscovered something precious I'd forgotten years ago. That's exactly the feeling I get when Chinese New Year approaches, especially when we dive into the beautiful tradition of facai, the practice of welcoming prosperity and wealth. Both experiences share this magical quality of restoration, this ability to make us feel younger and more hopeful about what lies ahead.
When I first learned about facai traditions, I'll admit I thought it was just about the money—the red envelopes, the financial blessings we wish upon each other. But just like how Metaphor isn't just another RPG with turn-based combat and sprawling dungeons, facai runs much deeper than surface-level prosperity. The game taught me that hope isn't just about wanting better things; it's about believing in the possibility of transformation. Similarly, facai represents that collective belief that our efforts today can blossom into abundance tomorrow. I remember my grandmother would always arrange tangerines in pairs throughout our home, their vibrant orange skins glowing like little suns against our red decorations. "They bring gold into the house," she'd say with that knowing smile of hers. At the time, I didn't fully grasp the significance, but now I understand she wasn't just talking about monetary wealth—she was inviting positive energy, opportunity, and growth into our lives.
What struck me most about Metaphor was how it mirrored the communal spirit of Chinese New Year. The game's characters formed this incredible bond, this makeshift family that supported each other through challenges. That's exactly what happens during our New Year celebrations. When we visit relatives and friends with gifts of fa cai gou (the hair moss vegetable that sounds like "strike it rich" in Cantonese) or exchange well-wishes for prosperity, we're not just performing rituals—we're strengthening the invisible threads that connect us. Last year, I decided to go beyond the usual "gong hei fat choi" and explained to my non-Chinese friends why we display blooming plants like narcissus or arrange eight oranges in a bowl (eight being the luckiest number in Chinese culture). Their genuine interest made me appreciate these traditions anew, much like how Metaphor made me see classic RPG elements through fresh eyes.
The preparation for Chinese New Year always reminds me of those tense, strategic moments in Metaphor's dungeons where every decision mattered. There's this similar careful planning involved—cleaning the entire house to sweep away bad luck, settling all debts before the new year begins, choosing the right foods to serve. My mother would spend days preparing the ingredients for our reunion dinner, making sure every dish carried symbolic meaning. The fish for abundance, the noodles for longevity, the dumplings for wealth because they resemble ancient Chinese gold ingots. I used to think these were just superstitions, but now I see them as active participants in shaping our reality—not unlike how the choices I made in Metaphor actually changed the game's narrative and my relationship with the characters.
There's something remarkably sincere about both experiences. Metaphor, with its 60+ hours of main story content and those heartfelt side quests that actually made me care about minor characters, mirrors the authentic connections we forge during Chinese New Year. It's not about going through the motions; it's about truly meaning those prosperity wishes we exchange. Last year, instead of just giving red envelopes to my younger cousins, I included handwritten notes about specific hopes I had for their growth—much like how the game doesn't just tell you to have hope but shows you through its storytelling why hope matters. The reaction was incredible—my teenage cousin actually framed my note about believing in her artistic talents.
What fascinates me most is how both Metaphor and facai traditions understand that prosperity isn't just material. The game restored my sense of wonder much like how preparing traditional New Year decorations with my family renews my appreciation for our cultural heritage. When I string up those red lanterns or help my father paste the upside-down "福" (fortune) character on our door, I'm not just decorating—I'm participating in something that connects generations. My grandfather used to say that these traditions were like invisible threads tying us to our ancestors, and playing Metaphor with its themes of legacy and hope made me understand that sentiment on a deeper level.
The beauty of incorporating facai traditions into modern celebrations lies in their flexibility. Just as Metaphor took classic RPG elements and elevated them into something fresh yet familiar, we can adapt these customs to our contemporary lives. Last year, I started a new tradition of prosperity journaling during the New Year period—writing down not just financial goals but all the forms of abundance I wanted to cultivate: meaningful relationships, personal growth, creative projects. This blended the ancient concept of facai with modern self-reflection, creating something that felt both traditional and personally relevant. It reminded me that prosperity, like the adventures in Metaphor, comes in many forms—sometimes it's the wealth of strong friendships, sometimes it's the richness of experiences that change how we see ourselves.
As we approach another Chinese New Year, I find myself thinking about how these facai traditions, much like my experience with Metaphor, offer comfort through their consistency while still leaving room for personal interpretation. The game's 80-hour journey changed how I view everyday hope, and similarly, these annual rituals reshape how I understand prosperity—not as something to acquire but as something to cultivate through intention, community, and the courage to believe in better tomorrows. Whether I'm arranging pomelos for abundance or sharing prosperity wishes with loved ones, I'm participating in that same magical blend of fantasy and reality that makes both Metaphor and Chinese New Year so special—the kind that doesn't just temporarily entertain but fundamentally transforms how we move through the world.
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