| Metaphor: ReFantazio | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | DLC & Pre-Order | Review |
From the creators of Persona comes Studio Zero's newest fantasy RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Review Overview
What is Metaphor: ReFantazio?
Metaphor: ReFantazio is an immersive action adventure in the realm of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, where the tragic assassination of the king sparked chaos and uncertainty. Amidst the aftermath, players assume the role of the protagonist, accompanied by his partner fairy, Galica.
They go on a journey to lift the curse of the prince who is believed to be dead. However, they find out that in order to succeed in this quest, they must first participate in a tournament for the throne.
Metaphor: ReFantazio features:
⚫︎ Unique Battle System Combining Turn-Based and Real Time
⚫︎ A Fantasy Story Like No Other
⚫︎ Calendar System
⚫︎ Over 100 Hours Long
⚫︎ Shoji Meguro Music
⚫︎ Characters Designed by Persona Arist Shigenori Soejima
⚫︎ Party Customization and Bond System
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Metaphor: ReFantazio's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | ||
|---|---|---|
 Steam |
 PlayStation |
 Xbox |
| price | $69.99 | |
| Physical Retailers | |||||||
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 Amazon |
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| Price | $69.99 | ||||||
Metaphor: ReFantazio Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 A Fantasy Story Like No Other Complex and Well Written Characters Shoji Meguro Music Fantastic Audio Design and Voice-Acting The Pinnacle of Turn-Based Combat Addicting Gameplay Loop Mesmerizing and Out of this World UI and Visuals |
Noticeable FPS Drops and Low Poly Textures |
Metaphor: ReFantazio Overall Score - 96/100
Metaphor: ReFantazio isn't just a game; it's Atlus’ magnum opus. The game surpasses its influences, Persona and SMT, not by overshadowing them but by standing on their shoulders, blending the best of their legacies into something that feels both familiar and entirely fresh. With its breathtaking visuals, innovative gameplay, and complex storytelling, this game doesn’t just honor the JRPG legacy and genre—it ReDefines it. Every moment feels meticulously crafted, with each piece fitting perfectly into a grander vision. Without a doubt, this is not just the JRPG of the decade—it’s a fantasy masterpiece that stands tall with no equal.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Story - 10/10
It's best to go into Metaphor: ReFantazio knowing as little as possible because the story and world are truly mind-blowing when experienced firsthand. This game isn’t just a fantasy—it’s a subversion of the genre, reimagining what a fantasy world can be. The lore is so expansive that there's an entire memorandum menu dedicated to keeping track of the intricate details, and it feels like a world that could easily extend into books or manga. In true Atlus fashion, the narrative is heavily influenced by Carl Jung’s psychology, this time focusing on archetypes. But it goes beyond that—it tackles societal issues, philosophical questions, and explores the deepest roots of human nature. It’s a journey that feels profound on every level, making it one of the most thought-provoking experiences in gaming history.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Gameplay - 10/10
ReFantazio takes the best of what Atlus games like Persona are known for and expands it to an epic scale. At first glance, the sheer variety of activities can feel overwhelming, but the game masterfully rewards you with a constant sense of progress. Even after 50 hours of gameplay, there are still new secrets and exciting discoveries to be made. While certain elements from other Atlus titles may be missed, ReFantazio introduces fresh mechanics that not only keep things engaging but also make your decisions feel more meaningful. It blends familiarity with innovation, creating a richly layered world where every choice feels significant, and each in-game day brings you closer to the heart of its immersive narrative.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Visuals - 9/10
Metaphor: ReFantazio might just be Atlus' most visually stunning game yet, especially when it comes to its UI design—a remarkable feat given the studio’s legacy of crafting breathtaking menus. This game takes that iconic aesthetic and raises the bar. However, while the visuals are undeniably beautiful, the limitations of its PS4-built engine sometimes show. You might notice low-poly backgrounds or shadows here and there, and the occasional frame drop, which, while not game-breaking, can briefly take you out of the experience. Still, these are minor bumps on the road of what is otherwise an absolute masterpiece. It stands leagues above most JRPGs, and I can’t wait to grab the official art book. Every frame in this game could be a wallpaper, and you could easily get lost just admiring the world for hours.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Audio - 10/10
It's no surprise that Atlus, and especially Shoji Meguro, once again delivers an incredible soundtrack. Honestly, this game cracks the top three of Meguro's best works, and I’d even argue it’s a contender for the best gaming soundtrack of the year, right up there with Persona 3 Reload. But an often overlooked gem in Atlus games is their sound effects. It’s not just the music or menus—every click, every interaction has a satisfying, tactile feel to it. The sound design is flawless, and the icing on the cake is the stellar voice acting. I’ve heard both the Japanese and English versions, and they’re top-notch, with performances that feel more grounded and realistic than your typical anime-style dialogue.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Value for Money - 9/10
This game is worth every penny compared to many other triple-A games at the same price. It's not a remake; it's a massive, 100+ hour adventure packed with value and replayability. There's no way to experience everything in one playthrough, from switching up your playstyle to deepening bonds you might have missed. You can easily sink over 200 hours into this game and still find new things to enjoy without feeling bored.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Review
ReDefining JRPGs
I’ve been following this game since Atlus first teased it back in 2016 when they showcased a redheaded warrior with long ears—who we now know as Hulkenburg. After years of radio silence, I honestly thought the game had been quietly canceled and would never see the light of day. But then, in 2023, they dropped a full trailer, and that alone reignited my excitement. From that moment on, I purposely avoided updates and development news to keep the experience fresh. (As much as possible.) And wow, it was worth it—this game completely blew me away in every aspect.
A Fantasy World Like No Other
At its core, this game is a deconstructed fantasy, meticulously crafted with layers of meaning in every corner. Each element feels intentional, and everything has a metaphorical weight. I’m personally exhausted by fantasy stories that rely on overdone tropes without bothering to properly explain or develop their worlds, leaning on the audience's familiarity with the genre—I'm looking at you, isekai.
Thankfully, Metaphor: ReFantazio breaks free from that trap. It doesn’t feel Tolkienesque at all, borrowing instead from a mix of influences like Berserk, Gundam, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, and of course, the staple themes found in Shin Megami Tensei and Persona. It’s an ambitious blend that works surprisingly well.
The story unfolds in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, where the assassination of the king plunges the land into chaos. One day, a magic known only to the king—Royal Magic—is invoked, triggering a royal tournament for the throne. The protagonist (whom you name), alongside their fairy companion Gallica, embarks on a journey to break the curse placed on the prince, believed dead by the kingdom. To do so, they must join the race for the throne and rally allies. That’s just scratching the surface.
The game delves deep into the political landscape, exploring the lives of different races and tribes like the Elda, Roussainte, and Clemar. The richness of its lore and commentary on societal structures is nothing short of astounding.
The magic system, called Magla, is another highlight. Magla are particles in the air that only certain beings—like fairies and dragons—can naturally harness. Others use devices to access magic, similar to the evokers in Persona 3. Many of the concepts are rooted in Jungian psychology, with characters awakening an inner power called Archetypes, akin to Personas, but with a distinct twist. The designs and transformations also have echoes of Shin Megami Tensei, particularly Digital Devil Saga, where characters embrace their fears to become “heroes.”
One of the most intriguing aspects is the game’s portrayal of enemies, referred to as humans.
But these humans
are not like us—they are rare, monstrous beings with grotesque, otherworldly forms, inspired by the artwork of Hieronymus Bosch. They serve as the game's shadows, embodying immense strength and menace.
At its core, Metaphor: ReFantazio tackles themes of equality and utopia. In this world, our reality is considered fiction—a utopian ideal described in a book the protagonist possesses. The narrative, characters, and world-building leave a lasting impact, offering a fresh and thought-provoking take on the fantasy genre. This game is brimming with life, depth, and meaning, and it’s sure to resonate long after the credits roll.
A Feast for the Eyes and Ears
Metaphor: ReFantazio comes from the brilliant minds behind Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5—Director Katsura Hashino, Character Designer Shigenori Soejima, and Composer Shoji Meguro. With Studio Zero at the helm, this game exceeds all expectations, delivering an absolutely stunning visual and auditory experience that feels like a culmination of everything Atlus has perfected over the years.
Let’s start with the visuals—saying it’s Persona but fantasy
feels like an understatement, but in the best possible way. The character designs are some of the best Atlus has ever produced. Each party member is visually striking, but the standouts are Hulkenberg, who feels like the epitome of a heroic fantasy character, and Louis, the villain, whose devious charm is reminiscent of iconic pretty boy
antagonists like Griffith from Berserk.
Every character is distinct and memorable, though I have to admit, the main protagonist’s design feels like the weakest of the bunch. Still, the world they inhabit is a stunning mix of fantasy and the signature Atlus style, with a surreal beauty that’s hard to describe.
The menus alone are works of art—imagine light tones of watercolor blues, purples, and reds blending together to create an aristocratic, ethereal look that stands out from the standard RPG interface. Everything from the battle UI to the text boxes has an energy and movement that’s unmatched. This might just be Atlus' best UI design to date, and I found myself playing with the menus simply because they look and feel so good.
My only real complaint is that the game feels somewhat held back by the limitations of the PS4 hardware. There are moments where you’ll notice low-poly textures, rough shadows, and occasional frame drops. However, these minor issues don’t detract from the overall experience and certainly don’t overshadow the game’s brilliance in the long run.
And then there’s the soundtrack. Shoji Meguro once again proves why he’s one of the greatest video game composers alive. Known for his mastery of various genres—hip hop, rock, jazz—Meguro shifts gears to deliver an epic, orchestral score that breathes life into the game’s world. My favorite tracks so far are the Akademia theme and the battle theme, both of which add layers of energy and atmosphere. Meguro continues to surprise, and it’s hard to believe he’s still creating music at this level.
The sound design extends beyond the music, too. The addictive sound effects paired with some of the best voice acting Atlus has ever offered make the experience even more immersive. The voice work feels more natural and less anime
than you might expect, which is a refreshing change. One standout performance comes from Alejandra Reynoso as Gallica.
Unlike other companions like Morgana or Teddie, who tend to have more exaggerated, animated voices, Gallica’s voice is delivered with a soft, almost whisper-like tone that’s soothing and emotionally impactful. She’s my favorite character to listen to, and her performance is a highlight.
And yes, the main character actually speaks this time! After years of silent protagonists, Atlus gives the lead more personality, and it’s a change that adds so much depth to the game without spoiling anything. It feels like a natural evolution, and it gives the protagonist more weight in the story.
In every sense, Metaphor: ReFantazio pushes the boundaries of what a JRPG can be, delivering an unforgettable experience with its stunning visuals, impeccable soundtrack, and some of the best voice acting and character designs Atlus has ever crafted.
Fantasy Persona at its Best
If you’ve played Persona games before, you'll find the gameplay in Metaphor ReFantazio familiar, but with plenty of exciting new twists. The core system takes a lot from Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, and rather than reinventing the wheel, it expands on it beautifully. While the gameplay might seem intimidating at first with all the systems in place, just remember the iconic Persona 5 phrase, Take your time.
The more you dive in, the more everything starts to make sense.
For starters, the Social Link system is now called Followers, and Royal Virtues function similarly, offering unique ways to strengthen bonds. These aren’t just minor tweaks—the Archetypes, which are akin to Personas, function more like a job system, bringing a new dynamic to how your characters grow and evolve. You won’t be collecting demons this time around, but the way you obtain new Archetypes is deeply satisfying.
These Archetypes can evolve and level up as you strengthen your bonds with followers, and progressing those relationships is more about completing tasks and requests than picking the right dialogue option. This freedom in interactions allows you to focus on strategy, while still building meaningful connections with your party.
Speaking of the cast, Metaphor ReFantazio introduces some fantastic new characters. Strohl, for example, quickly became a favorite with his noble demeanor and genuine nature, but you’ll also meet other standouts like Junah and Eupha. The diversity in character design is a huge win for this game, and each follower feels distinct in both personality and function.
The Akademia, the in-game hub where you manage your Archetypes and classes, is an amazing addition. It’s essentially the Velvet Room of this game but with a more expansive role, allowing each party member to change their class. Archetypes function as job classes—Knights for defense, Healers for support, etc.—and you can mix and match these roles depending on your strategy. This system feels fresh and fitting for the game’s fantasy setting, giving you a lot of freedom in how you build your party.
Now, onto the combat. While it’s advertised as a turn-based system with real-time elements, the real-time aspect is straightforward but effective. It’s mainly used for initiating player advantage before switching to turn-based combat. However, even in real-time, the Archetype you have equipped dictates your attacks, so there’s always some strategic thinking involved. The turn-based combat itself is fluid, fast, and a perfect mix of SMT’s Press Turn system with the flashy fun of Persona’s All-Out Attack.
You can also customize your party’s formation—front or back rows influence damage taken and dealt, and certain classes are better suited for specific positions. The Synthesis system adds an extra layer of depth, allowing you to combine the powers of two or more Archetypes for devastating attacks.
One of the things I loved most about the combat is how it strikes the perfect balance between challenge and accessibility. The difficulty spikes when necessary, especially during boss fights, but for the most part, the game lets you play at your own pace. And since the combat is so fast and engaging, even grinding for levels feels like a blast, especially with the option to dispatch weaker enemies with real-time fighting.
The game also borrows Persona’s calendar system, letting you balance activities like cooking, reading, cleaning, and socializing with your party. These mundane moments offer a nice break from combat and dungeon crawling, while also giving you a way to level up personal stats or unlock new skills.
As for the dungeons, they’re sprawling and intricate, offering a real sense of adventure. Some are so massive that you can’t complete them in one in-game day, adding to the immersion of Metaphor ReFantazio's rich world. Each playthrough feels unique, ensuring that even after 100 hours, there’s still plenty left to discover.
In short, Metaphor ReFantazio builds on everything fans adore about Persona and SMT while offering a fresh and exciting take on the RPG genre. Every aspect—from the intricate class systems to the fast-paced, strategic combat—has been meticulously crafted to create a deeply immersive experience that can easily captivate players for hundreds of hours. But beyond its gameplay, the game delivers a powerful and thought-provoking narrative, exploring themes of inequality, life, and the human condition in ways that challenge our perceptions and leave a lasting impact.
Is Metaphor: ReFantazio Worth It?
It Will Change Your Life
This might be one of the rare games that truly justifies its $70 price tag. Metaphor: ReFantazio is a game that will be talked about for decades to come, delivering an experience that feels like a fully realized passion project. It stands as the pinnacle of JRPGs, a masterclass in storytelling, gameplay, and design. Every moment reflects the care and dedication that went into creating it, and it absolutely deserves all the success it’s bound to achieve. Trust me, you won’t regret
| Digital Storefronts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Steam |
PlayStation |
Xbox |
| price | $69.99 | |
| Physical Retailers | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon |
|||||||
| Price | $69.99 | ||||||
Metaphor: ReFantazio FAQ
Can You Romance Characters in Metaphor: ReFantazio
You will not be able to romance characters in this game.
Who are the Followers you can Start a Bond with in Metaphor: ReFantazio?
Spoilers Below!
⚫︎ More
⚫︎ Gallica
⚫︎ Hulkenberg
⚫︎ Strohl
⚫︎ Heismay
⚫︎ Juani
⚫︎ Brigitta
⚫︎ Magnus
⚫︎ Neuras
⚫︎ Alonzo
⚫︎ Catherina
⚫︎ Bardon
⚫︎ Eupha
⚫︎ Maria
Game8 Reviews
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Metaphor: ReFantazio Product Information
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| Title | METAPHOR: REFANTAZIO |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 11, 2024 |
| Developer | ATLUS |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Supported Platforms | PS4, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, RPG |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | Metaphor: ReFantazio Website |
