Game Title: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Platforms:
- Xbox Series X/S (Oct 11, 2024)
- PlayStation 5 (Oct 11, 2024)
- PC (Oct 11, 2024)
- PlayStation 4 (Oct 11, 2024)
- Xbox One (Oct 11, 2024)
Trailers:
- Metaphor: ReFantazio — Travel Beyond Fantasy | Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC
- Metaphor: ReFantazio — Story Trailer | Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC
Developer: ATLUS
Publisher: SEGA
OpenCritic - 95 average - 100% recommended - 7 reviews
MetaCritic - 93 average - Must Play - 20 reviews
But Why Tho? - Jesse Vitelli - 9.5 / 10
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.
Checkpoint Gaming - Charlie Kelly - 10 / 10
I've always wanted Atlus to tackle political fantasy as a genre and of course when they finally do it with Metaphor: ReFantazio it's one of the best RPGs in years. This is the result of 20 years of incredible game craft that has taken shape in the best and most refined version of the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei formula that we've ever received. Probably the best we'll ever get. This is their magnum opus. With immensely satisfying and tactile turn-based combat, and a memorable cast of characters including the alluring and ever-intimidating villain Count Louis, you'll be taken by the world and story to explore within Euchronia. Much like the protagonist, you'll be compelled to save its people. Metaphor: ReFantazio is a crowning achievement under Atlus' long-running and award-winning belt. You should join them on the throne. The view is beautiful from up here.
Console Creatures - Matt Sowinski - 9 / 10
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.
Dexerto - Anyka Pettigrew - 5 / 5
Metaphor: ReFantazio is the ultimate culmination of everything Atlus has learned from its best games and is a huge step forward for the future of its JRPGs.
The delightful combat, incredible cast of characters, and intricate fantasy setting all make for a brilliant experience that no Shin Megami Tensei or Persona fan should miss out on. It’s certainly a game-of-the-year-worthy title and a smash hit for Atlus to end the year with.
Enternity.gr - Christos Chatzisavvas - Greek - 9.5 / 10
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.
GameBlast - Farley Santos - Portuguese - 9 / 10
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.
Gamer Guides - Ben Chard - 97 / 100
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.
GamingTrend - Jack Zustiak - 100 / 100
Overall, Metaphor plays like a dream from start to finish. There's less downtime than Persona and fewer frustrating moments than Shin Megami Tensei, with the whole game feeling like a high-stakes road trip with your best friends. The road to the throne is a tough one, but it's one well worth walking.
PPE.pl - Wojciech Gruszczyk - Polish - 9.5 / 10
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.
Push Square - Robert Ramsey - 9 / 10
Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the most memorable RPGs we've played in years. In pursuing a new property, complete with a fantasy setting, Atlus has allowed its creativity to blossom, resulting in a brilliantly rich experience - both in terms of narrative and audiovisual design. While Metaphor takes obvious gameplay and structural cues from the developer's previous projects, it combines and refines those elements to make an epic, kingdom-hopping adventure that feels unique and deeply fulfilling.
Quest Daily - Shaun Fullard - 10 / 10
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.
Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Unscored
A wonderful RPG that builds on many of Persona's foundations, with a strong sense of exploration and a lovely suite of pals. But its heavy combat focus may mean it remains in the memory less than its high school predecessors.
Stevivor - Matt Gosper - 10 / 10
Metaphor ReFantazio sets out to blend the best of its predecessors’ gameplay with an all-new setting, and the result is far greater than the sum of its parts.
TechRaptor - Andrew Stretch - 9.5 / 10
Atlus has leveled up the Persona formula in every way. The world-spanning adventure of Metaphor: ReFantazio offers a diverse world to explore, deep and relatable stories to share with your party, an incredible combat system with unlimited possibilities of Archetype powers, and plenty of quality of life improvements to make sure you're spending more time playing the game and not wondering what to do next.
The Beta Network - Samuel Incze - 10 / 10
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.
The Outerhaven Productions - Jordan Andow - 4.5 / 5
Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the best turn-based JRPGs I've played in quite some time. It’s a fantastic game, featuring breathtaking visuals and incredible sound—kudos to Atlus for that. However, I do wish the game had better pacing and a more seamless world structure.
TheSixthAxis - Nic Bunce - 9 / 10
Metaphor ReFantazio is sublime. Persona fans will have an absolute blast playing this, and hunting out the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods to its franchise cousin. A couple of minor annoyances make it feel a little rough around the edges hold it back from an otherwise perfect score.
VGC - Jordan Middler - 5 / 5
Metaphor: ReFantazio could have so easily been Persona with the names filed off, but it's so, so much more than that. It matches fun, expansive combat with an excellent cast of characters that make the near 100-hour journey an unforgettable one.
Video Chums - Mary Billington - 9 / 10
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.
WellPlayed - Nathan Hennessy - 9 / 10
If you can only play one turn-based fantasy roleplaying game this year, let it be this one. Swords and sorcery Persona is a marvellously executed pitch.