Metaphor: ReFantazio represents a new direction for ATLUS, taking many of the elements fans loved from their Persona series and transplanting them into a grand fantasy setting. Published by SEGA, this PlayStation 5 title blends rich storytelling, complex mechanics, and striking visual and audio design, offering a compelling experience that aims to captivate both newcomers and veterans of JRPGs.
The game’s narrative follows the protagonist and his companion Gallica on a quest to lift a curse from the kingdom’s lost prince, but the story’s depth goes beyond a typical fantasy plot. Themes of personal growth, fear, and self-discovery are woven throughout the journey, much like Persona’s psychological explorations, which adds emotional layers to the otherwise high-stakes adventure. This mixture of classic JRPG tropes with personal stakes gives the game a unique flavor, although at times, the plot can feel a little heavy with exposition, especially in the early hours.
One of the standout features of Metaphor: ReFantazio is its combination of real-time and turn-based combat. The game provides players with a mix of strategic depth and action, with the “Archetype” system allowing for highly customizable party builds. Each character can unlock and combine job classes, leading to an impressive array of combat options that let players tailor their approach to suit different challenges. The flexibility here is a huge plus, though some players might find the sheer volume of choices a bit overwhelming at first, and we had more fun on our second playthrough because of this. The system rewards experimentation, and as you strengthen your bonds with your party members, you unlock even more powerful combinations, making progression feel deeply satisfying.
Outside of combat, Metaphor: ReFantazio encourages players to explore a vast world filled with dungeons, towns, and hidden treasures. The “gauntlet runner” is a fun way to traverse these areas, adding a sense of scale to the game’s expansive environments. There’s plenty to see and do, and the day-night cycle adds another layer of complexity, as managing your time wisely becomes crucial. By day, players embark on quests and dive into dungeons, while by night, they focus on relationship-building and enhancing virtues, a mechanic reminiscent of Persona’s social link system. The balance between these two gameplay elements works well, though the time management aspect can sometimes feel a bit restrictive.
Visually, the game is a real treat. The anime cutscenes, immersive and stylish UI, and beautiful landscapes all come together to create a world that feels both magical and tangible. Every location is filled with rich detail, and the character designs, which will feel new but familiar to anyone who has played ATLUS games before, are instantly striking. However, while the environments are stunning, the overworld can sometimes feel a little sparse, with certain areas lacking the same level of detail found in more confined spaces like dungeons.
The audio design complements the visuals with a soundtrack that is filled with memorable tracks that enhance the emotional weight of key moments. Whether you’re navigating a dungeon or engaging in battle, the music fits the mood perfectly, adding to the game’s overall sense of atmosphere. Voice acting is another high point, with strong performances across the board, though some of the English localization occasionally falls flat in terms of delivering the same emotional nuance you get in the Japanese dub.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is excellent, but the pacing can sometimes drag during the game’s early hours. The game introduces a lot of systems all at once, and it can take a while before players fully grasp the intricacies of the Archetype and bond-building mechanics. Additionally, some players might find that the game’s reliance on familiar Persona-esque mechanics feels a little too comfortable, as it doesn’t push the boundaries of the genre as much as it could have.
However, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a brilliant and compelling new entry from ATLUS, offering a mix of strategic gameplay, a rich fantasy world, and deeply personal storytelling. While it leans on mechanics seen in previous titles, its combination of real-time action and turn-based combat, along with its unique world and characters, ensures that it stands out as a noteworthy JRPG in its own right. Fans of the genre will likely find a lot to love here, even though the game’s dense mechanics and slow pacing may require some patience. Completely worth it though, as this is another gem.
Score: 9.1/10
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