Role-playing game Metaphor: ReFantazio has been on my radar since it was announced. As a big fan of the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, this new project from Katsura Hashino’s team takes us into a very different context. Here, players step out of Japan and its mythical demons to dive into a fantastic United Kingdom facing “human” monsters.
Metaphor: ReFantazio details
Platform: Xbox Series X|S/PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5/PC
Reviewed on: Xbox Series
Developer: Studio Zero
Publisher: Atlus/Sega
Genre: Role-playing game
Available game mode: Solo
ESRB Rating: T (Teen 13+)
A country faced with chaos
The game begins with the murder of the sick king by Louis Guiabern, who covets the throne. The natural successor, the prince, is afflicted by a curse that has put him into a coma for many years. Thus, we follow the story of a divided country, ravaged by the grief and anger of its citizens. With monsters now appearing in broad daylight, the kingdom of Euchronia is thrown into disarray. Amidst this chaos, a group of heroes plot to disrupt Louis’ plans. Having been the prince’s childhood friend and having seen him fall ill, our protagonist has one goal in mind: infiltrate the royal army, avenge the king’s death, and lift the curse afflicting the prince. To achieve this, players embark on nothing less than a race to the throne!
A complete role-playing game
In the early hours of Metaphor, players learn that our hero and his companions undergo a transformation that significantly increases their strength. They can traverse dungeons filled with creatures and emerge unscathed. Depending on the type of enemies, they will wisely exploit their strengths and weaknesses. The idea during a main fight is to learn what the opponent is resistant or vulnerable to. Players adjust their strategy accordingly to maximize their chances of defeating them. Against ordinary monsters, this goes quite smoothly. However, the guardians are much stronger, far surpassing those that populate the dungeon corridors.
One of the tools I used is the “Travellers’ Voices”. At the touch of a button, you can see what other players are up to at the moment you’re in the game. You can see what gear they have equipped and their levels for the current mission. This can help assess your position and plan your preparations.
The game focuses on character progression based on a class system, allowing players to gain experience and climb the ranks. The powers obtained can later be transferred when we switch classes via the Akademia. I really appreciate this customization of skills that allows, for example, a hero to keep their fire or wind powers if they find them useful. But they can also remove them and replace them with another available skill whenever needed. It may seem overwhelming to manage, but in reality, it’s quite streamlined.
Plenty of side activities
I love role-playing games that offer a lot without necessarily intimidating newcomers. Tutorials are introduced gradually as you learn new game mechanics. In addition to combat, you will build relationships with the people you meet. These relationships will serve to unlock classes for better combat, enhance your skills, or strengthen friendships with those who are more hesitant at first.
To confront your main enemy, preparation is required. In the meantime, you can spend time in town and surrounding areas. Accepting requests gives you experience and rewards that will help progress. Players can cook in the inn, listen to the tales of sages, and assist anyone who asks for help. The narrative is rich, and don’t hesitate to eavesdrop on conversations on the streets and talk to the locals to deepen your knowledge.
Tasks have time limits. Therefore, players must plan their actions according to the passing days. For example, while I had six days to eliminate a major target, I spent four exploring the castle before reaching the top. Specific rooms allow you to rest and enable direct returns on your next visit. The interface is detailed and very helpful for planning. The map enables easy tracking of your next destination. My only criticism is that I would have liked the option to zoom in for better navigation at certain times.
Already a great success for Metaphor: ReFantazio
On launch day, over a million copies were sold, and reviews seem unanimous. Metaphor: ReFantazio is an excellent game that I recommend to fans of the genre. Being one myself, it’s hard for me to think otherwise. I love my experience, which feels familiar, as its mechanics are very similar to those of Persona 5. However, the narrative for this game is completely different. The journeys of the main characters are interesting to follow. Their quests are driven by their convictions and all the depth of what they have experienced since childhood. Wanting to accompany them on their journey is a significant part of what motivates me to continue my adventure. Metaphor: ReFantazio is a lengthy game that will take several dozen hours to complete. I believe that anyone who enjoys this type of epic story will find it worthwhile.
| Pros | Cons |
| A well-developed story and characters | No ability to zoom in on the map while in full screen |
| Customization of classes with already acquired skills | The fine lines on buildings and other objects in wide shots are part of the design but can be distracting at times |
| Receiving bonus points after combat without taking damage | |
| Familiar gameplay mechanics for fans of Persona 5 |
Overall assessment for Metaphor: ReFantazio
Gameplay Experience: 4.5/5
Graphics: 4.25/5
Sound: 5/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 5/5
Overall rating: 4.65/5 (95%)
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