8Bit/Digi

An Odyssey of Justice

Fans of Atlus titles have had a good year in 2024. They started the year going back to the Dark Hour with Persona 3 Reload. This was followed by Unicorn Overlord, an original experience. Come the Summer Season and we got to enjoy Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. Now the year comes to an end with one of the most highly anticipated titles, Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a new odyssey from the visionaries responsible for the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series. Taking the lessons learned in creating one of the most iconic JRPG series, they have created an experience that is rich in wonder and adventure.

A New Age Dawns

The United Kingdom of Euchronia has plunged into chaos after the assassination of King Hythlodaeus V. The only heir, however, is unable to take the throne due to a curse. Behind the upheaval is Lord Louis Guiabern, who intends to seize the crown himself. Determined to stop him, Will and Gallica set out to defeat Lord Louis and break the curse. However, their plan falters when Hythlodaeus’s spirit possesses the palace and, using Royal Magic, declares a tournament to select his successor based on popular support. According to the tournament’s rules, any candidate with significant support—including Lord Louis—is shielded from harm.

With no other choice, Will must join the Tournament for the Throne. His path is challenging, as he belongs to the Elda race, a group that faces severe persecution within Euchronia. Supported by loyal friends and a secret resistance network, Will is determined to prevail. His ultimate goal isn’t the throne; he intends to kill Lord Louis and restore the rightful heir.

At its core, Metaphor: ReFantazio explores a political clash between Machiavellianism aginst Kantianism. On one side is Lord Louis, who has pursued the throne through any means necessary, committing treason against the crown he was sworn to protect. Despite his clear lust for power, the state and people tolerate his betrayal for the sake of security. He’s not alone—others in the government share his ruthless ambition, abandoning morals to claim the throne. Opposing him is Will, who seeks the throne not for himself, but for the true king. Along the way, he’ll face temptations to act in bad faith, but it’s ultimately up to the player to choose integrity over self-interest.

Blessing of Power

If you’ve played any of the Persona games, the core gameplay of Metaphor: ReFantazio will feel familiar. However, this isn’t simply a reskin of an established formula or a recycled game with minor changes. Instead, Metaphor: ReFantazio builds on Persona‘s gameplay as a foundation, crafting something new and distinct. This approach makes it easy for Persona fans to jump in right away, but it also introduces fresh mechanics and unique twists to keep the experience different and engaging.

The gameplay is split between activities in settlements and in the surrounding world. Within cities and towns, the focus is on personal development, where you enhance character skills and build relationships with diverse individuals, including party members, merchants, knights, and rivals for the throne. In the surrounding areas, players explore dungeons and other monster-filled settings. Here, players take command, battling enemies, discovering treasures, facing powerful adversaries, and completing essential tasks. This balance offers both strategic social interactions and thrilling combat encounters.

Combat in Metaphor: ReFantazio centers on a player’s weapon and their Archetype. For fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series, this system will feel comfortably familiar. Players unlock Archetypes by awakening them directly or by forging bonds with other characters. Higher tiers and expanded abilities can be accessed through More in Akademeia. The game employs a traditional turn-based system, allowing players to gain a significant advantage by exploiting enemy weaknesses with the correct attacks. This strategic element rewards careful planning and knowledge of opponent vulnerabilities.

A Long Hidden Art

There has been a lot of hype and praise surrounding Metaphor: ReFantazio and it has earned it.

From a visual perspective, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a work of art. Its design blends a range of artistic styles, carefully setting the tone for each scene. The story unfolds through anime cutscenes, while the game world draws on this aesthetic, adding elements inspired by Renaissance-era artwork. This combination allows the game to establish mood while showcasing its artistic inspirations for setting and world-building. The impact is enhanced not only through varied art styles but also by thoughtfully chosen fonts and color palettes along with a soundtrack which enrich the game’s atmosphere and emotional resonance. These design choices result in a striking, immersive experience that captivates players, adding layers of meaning to both the story and gameplay. With this unique visual approach, it creates a world that is as beautiful as it is compelling.

Music plays a pivotal role in establishing its tone and setting. From the start, players are greeted by a majestic orchestral piece that creates a sense of grandeur, as if you’re being summoned for a journey greater than yourself. Throughout the game, the soundtrack expertly sets the emotional atmosphere, aligning with each scene to heighten the impact of key moments. This music not only enhances the player’s experience but also integrates seamlessly with the game’s artistic design, reinforcing the world’s unique identity.

Thou Choosest a Persona

I have to admit that throughout this review, I’ve consistently compared Metaphor: ReFantazio to Persona and Shin Megami Tensei—to the point where it may seem like it’s a reskin of those titles. While the similarities are evident, it’s important to note that Metaphor: ReFantazio should not be seen as just a rehash. Yes, the same developers behind Persona and Shin Megami Tensei are involved, which is why you’ll notice familiar elements. However, these elements are reworked to better suit the current narrative. Additionally, the characters have distinct personalities and roles in the story, setting them apart from those found in Persona or Shin Megami Tensei.

The overall takeaway is that the development team applied the lessons learned from Persona and Shin Megami Tensei to craft a new experience. It retains the familiar gameplay mechanics while introducing new elements. At the same time, they have presented a new experience with unforgettable worlds and memorable characters. In doing so, Metaphor: ReFantazio can stand as its own game while being free from the shadow of those iconic franchises.

Rank in the Games

Metaphor: ReFantazio, like the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei games, shares the issue of taking some time for the game to fully open up. By comparison, this isn’t the most egregious example of a slow start to a game. There is enough build-up to maintain player interest. Nonetheless, this gradual introduction can hamper momentum, as it lacks a solid balance between engagement and story development. Additionally, you don’t want to skip everything, which may frustrate those eager to explore, as they are necessary for introducing this new world and setting up its narrative direction.

Hearts as One

Metaphor: ReFantazio takes players on an unforgettable odyssey across a kingdom in turmoil while using a familiar setup. The narrative is a thought provoking story that will challenge your perception of moral politics. Players will embrace this journey with a familiar gameplay that is easy to learn with some unique new features. One will also appreciate how the musical and artistic design choices carefully set the tone for each moment.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Metaphor: ReFantazio (PC)

10

Masterpiece

10.0/10

Pros

• A thought provoking story that will challenge your perception of moral politics.
• Familiar gameplay that is easy to learn with some unique new features.
• Artistic design choices that carefully set the tone for each scene.
• Music knows how to establish the tone and setting.

Cons

• It takes some time for everything to open up.