Metaphor: ReFantazio Review
Metaphor: ReFantazio emerges as a captivating RPG, building upon the foundations laid by the Persona series, featuring an engaging world to explore and a cast of delightful companions. However, its intense focus on combat may prevent it from leaving a lasting impression compared to its high school predecessors. Developed by Atlus and published by Sega, the game is set for release on October 11, 2024, for Windows, available on Steam at a price of £60/€70/$70. The review was conducted on a system powered by an Intel Core i7-12700F, Nvidia RTX 3080, and 16GB RAM running Windows 11.
The game features an anime protagonist and an overarching narrative that addresses societal issues, conveying a strong message against racism and promoting kindness and democracy. Players step into the shoes of an Elda, a rare and discriminated race, navigating a world filled with diverse characters, from cat-eared beings to those adorned with wings.
The plot unfolds amid a power struggle triggered by a cursed prince and his nefarious brother, leading players on a quest that not only aims for the throne but also seeks to free the prince from his brother’s curse. As players progress, they will tackle various challenges, unlock Archetypes—classes that offer unique abilities—and cultivate bonds with companions, which enhances gameplay and storytelling.
Metaphor streamlines the otherwise rigid timeline often found in RPGs, as players must meet deadlines for various quests and dungeons. The game’s pacing feels more fluid, allowing for exploration, bonding, and combat without the lengthy waiting periods between dungeons typical of its predecessors.
Though revolutionizing the combat system with real-time elements, players often revert to the turn-based mechanics when facing equally leveled foes. The combat is designed to offer strategic depth, but some may find it repetitive. The game does feature a robust Archetype system that allows for flexibility in party composition and strategy.
The dungeons themselves are improved from previous titles, incorporating more variety and modern conveniences like save points and a lack of respawning enemies. However, some dungeon designs may still frustrate players with their maze-like structures.
While the storytelling aspect is well-executed, some may feel it lacks the charm and humor that characterized the Persona games. Metaphor’s tone is more serious, leading to a somewhat different emotional experience.
In conclusion, Metaphor: ReFantazio offers an engaging fantasy RPG that excels in presentation, narrative, and combat mechanics. It’s a game worth exploring, particularly for fans of the genre. However, its heavier emphasis on combat might overshadow character development, making it a memorable but perhaps less emotionally resonant experience than Persona.