Metaphor: ReFantazio (2024): The Review
Overview
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a mesmerizing new vision from the creators of Persona, blending stylish turn-based combat, psychological introspection, and political fantasy into a jaw-dropping RPG experience. Set in the fantastical kingdom of Euchronia, the game weaves a tale of royal succession, identity, and destiny, all while layering in social bonds, time management, and surreal world-building. It’s equal parts cerebral, stylish, and emotionally resonant, marking a new high point for Atlus' RPG craftsmanship.
Score: 9.5 out of 10
The Positives ✅
Metaphor: ReFantazio isn’t just another Atlus project, it’s the studio flexing every creative muscle they’ve been building since Persona 3. This game stands on the shoulders of SMT and Persona, but instead of playing like a remix, it feels like a bold reimagining of what a JRPG can be. From the opening hours it’s clear: this is a world meticulously designed, dripping with detail, and rich in allegory. The lore feels expansive enough to fill an encyclopedia, and the writing has real bite, it’s not just tropey “chosen hero saves the kingdom” fluff. Themes of archetypes, equality, and utopia give the narrative a depth that lingers long after you put the controller down.
Visually, it’s jaw-dropping. Atlus has always had stylish menus and clean UI, but here they’ve gone full surreal watercolor opera, purples, blues, and reds bleeding into one another like living paintings. Characters pop with sharp design, Louis oozes villainous charisma, Hulkenberg radiates classic hero energy, and even side characters demand attention. The environments are equally lush, ranging from sprawling academies to eerie political courts, each exuding an identity of its own. And while there are occasional PS4-era shadows and textures that remind you of the game’s engine, it never dulls the spectacle.
And then there’s the soundscape. Shoji Meguro is back in top form, delivering a soundtrack that could headline any “best of” list this year. The sweeping orchestral pieces, pulsing battle themes, and Akademia’s haunting melodies create an emotional backbone that perfectly matches the game’s tone. Add in flawless sound design, clicks, menus, little tactile cues that make even the pause screen satisfying, and you’ve got an experience that just feels good to play. Pair that with some of Atlus’ strongest voice acting to date (Alejandra Reynoso’s Gallica is a standout, whispery and grounding all at once), and you’ve got audio-visual harmony that’s near untouchable.
Gameplay-wise, it’s dense but rewarding. Archetypes act as a hybrid between Personas and a classic job system, with evolutions, combinations, and tactical roles that let you shape your party however you like. Combat flows seamlessly between real-time skirmishes to strategic turn-based battles, blending SMT’s precision with Persona’s stylish flair. It’s challenging when it needs to be, accessible when you want to grind, and never overstays its welcome. Even side content, from cooking to socializing, carries weight. Like Persona’s Social Links, Followers deepen bonds, but with new twists that put more agency in your hands. It’s that rare game where even after 100 hours, you’re still uncovering fresh strategies and meaningful character moments.
The Negatives ⚠️
As close as ReFantazio comes to perfection, it isn’t without blemishes. The engine limitations rear their head at times: low-poly textures, clunky shadows, and occasional frame dips sneak in, and while they never cripple the game, they’re noticeable enough to pull you out of the immersion for a second. It’s a minor frustration, but one that reminds you this masterpiece was still chained, at least partially, to last-gen hardware.
Then there’s the protagonist design, which feels oddly undercooked compared to the spectacular cast surrounding them. When every other character drips with personality and artistry, the main character can come across as the least striking figure on the screen, despite finally having a voice and more narrative weight. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it’s a strange contrast when Atlus clearly put so much love into every other aspect of presentation.
Finally, there’s the overwhelming density of it all. For veterans of SMT and Persona, the sheer volume of systems and mechanics will be exhilarating, but for newcomers, it might feel like being tossed into a whirlwind of menus, archetype trees, virtues, and calendars. The game eventually teaches you to “take your time,” but the onboarding isn’t always smooth, and those first few hours could intimidate players who aren’t prepared to sink into the details.
The Experience 🎮
Playing Metaphor: ReFantazio feels like stepping into an alternate reality JRPG, one where Atlus let itself dream bigger than ever. This isn’t just Persona in a cloak, it’s a sprawling deconstruction of fantasy itself, a blend of political intrigue, Jungian philosophy, and bold world-building that pulls as much from Berserk and Legend of the Galactic Heroes as it does from Atlus’ own legacy. Every corner of Euchronia feels alive, every choice carries metaphorical weight, and the game never stops surprising you.
It’s rare for a JRPG to feel this complete. From its gorgeous art direction to its labyrinthine dungeons, from the razor-sharp combat to the intimate moments of bonding with followers, ReFantazio never lets its 100+ hours go to waste. Even after multiple playthroughs, there’s more to uncover, more bonds to forge, more archetypes to master. It’s not just replayable, it’s practically bottomless.
Most importantly, it’s a game that sticks with you. It makes you think about power, identity, and equality while dazzling you with spectacle and style. It’s Atlus at their most ambitious, and in many ways, their most successful. In a world drowning in cookie-cutter fantasy, Metaphor: ReFantazio feels like a revelation. This isn’t just another JRPG, it’s a once-in-a-decade masterpiece that redefines what the genre can be.
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