Metaphor: ReFantazio Reviews
Metaphor: ReFantazio is an excellent JRPG with exceptional storytelling, combat, and atmosphere, enhanced by one of the most exquisite graphical styles and soundtracks ever seen. Excellent in every little detail, it is further proof that, when it is at its best, Atlus is incomparable.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A new world built on familiar foundations. Metaphor: ReFantazio does not revolutionize the genre, but encourages more players to the systems and mechanics offered by the developers of Persona.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a more mature take on RPGs that delivers something quite different while maintaining enjoyable and somewhat familiar gameplay. Plus, mastering archetypes, exploring dungeons, and fighting for the crown is handled with perfect pacing.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is an ode to fantasy, to imagination, a game full of metalanguage, with a story and fascinating characters within a world as complex as it is wonderful. There are no words to define the magnitude of this game and the perfection with which each and every one of the systems that compose it work and behave with each other and with the player. It is a declaration of intentions, it is a slap in the face with an open hand to all those who think that evolving is breaking with the past and it is once again the benchmark against which the next games of the genre will have to be measured.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Persona's design has been adapted into a truly mesmerizing medieval fantasy that you won't want to put down. Drama, politics, social intrigue and much more mark out a game whose characters, art, plot, combat, systems and music win you over.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a once-in-a-lifetime RPG. Despite how stacked the genre is, it goes out of its way to innovate it while keeping the familiar feel. Even if you've never played a game as lengthy as this one, you'll surely find yourself immersed in this intricate fantasy world.
A fantastical adventure full of themes that can apply to the real world. While its takes are hit or miss, the smooth battle system and charming characters more than make up for the story issues in this epic tale.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is the almost perfect evolution of the studio's earlier games. It takes everything familiar from the genre to an incredibly high level of quality, surprises with its story and direction and impresses throughout with its presentation and accompanying soundtrack. The loop of great battles and the motivating calendar system will eat up your free time in an instant.
Review in German | Read full review
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a stellar role-playing game and one of the best to be released this generation. Atlus’ latest foray into fantasy provides familiar trappings for Persona fans while changing the formula up enough for it to fully be its own thing.
Metaphor’s world design is almost dreamlike, down to the very storybook of irony that Will carries around with him all the time. The cast bonds together incredibly well and I love how everyone has a part to play in this fantasy land of pixies, a race for the throne, dog and box-headed races, and the like. The artwork is gorgeous, the music is splendid. Mixed in is a simple yet fun combat system, complete with unique overworld encounters in the dungeons and out about in towns. I’ve no metaphors for this—Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fantastic RPG for all. ∎
I’m not going to beat around the bush, Metaphor: ReFantazio is my game of the year. Atlus and Studio Zero have taken the best bits of the Persona series and somehow made them work within a medieval fantasy setting. But it’s no mere Persona 'holiday special'. The new IP enhances and evolves the formula, becoming a shining example of how to do JRPGs right. When it comes to my games, I value story and character above all else, and Metaphor delivers that in spades.
Metaphor: Refantazio is the culmination of everything that came before it. It’s a mixture of Atlus’ RPG track record crafted into something bold and new. It takes stock of the fictional stories Atlus has told in the past and how people have resonated with them for years.
Metaphor: ReFantazio combines tactical combat, social interactions, and exploration into a rich experience set in a unique fantasy world. The flexibility provided by the Archetype system encourages the creation of varied strategies, while the progression structured in days adds a layer of planning that enriches the journey. With so many options for activities, from side quests to moments of socializing, it is difficult to have two days the same. However, there are some limitations, such as the repetition of activities and the lack of creativity in some optional dungeons, making the experience tiring at times. In addition, the inconsistent graphic quality and the drop in performance are points that weaken the immersion. In the end, with an extensive campaign and a competent localization, Metaphor: ReFantazio offers a robust and memorable RPG. The title does not revolutionize the studio's formula, but it is still an immersive and engaging experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fantastic experience, built on the foundation set by Persona but becoming something all of its own. The story is great, the characters are interesting, and a brand-new combat system delivers one of the most exciting games this year.
Offering an ever-evolving combat system that rewards experimentation, along with a goal-focused plot and parallel activities that don't alter the mix, Studio Zero's first major title is a real gem at its peak.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a thrilling JRPG with a unique story and the typical engaging gameplay elements that Atlus is known for. The combat is challenging, featuring the press turn battle with a new risk-reward system adding depth to the classic turn-based formula. While the game shares some similarities with the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, such as social stats and character bonds, it carves its own path with a captivating narrative and stunning world. The excellent voice acting, music, and visuals further enhance the experience, making it a must-play for JRPG fans.
At the end of its massive runtime, Metaphor: ReFantazio never suffers from pacing issues and tells a captivating story that stirs your imagination. With fantastic additions to the familiar Press Turn battle system and one of my favorite casts in a long time, this is one fantasy you won’t want to miss.