Metaphor: ReFantazio

Final WeaponSoul Kiwami

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a masterful RPG that defies expectations, and it's the pinnacle of its genre. Players are plunged into an amazing and complex fantasy setting as a protagonist setting out to right the wrongs of its kingdom: the United Kingdom of Euchronia. Along the way, players meet several well-written characters, including a tremendous threat of a villain. ATLUS refined and perfected the calendar and turn-based battle systems to create an all-time classic. This is absolute brilliance.

RPGamerAlex Fuller

Atlus's Metaphor: ReFantazio comes as a serious contender for the crown of this year's game awards. Its presentation, story, and how its mechanics are blended make it a must-play for RPGamers.

MonsterVineJoe Bariso

Despite it all, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a game about hope. The hope of a brighter day. It makes no qualms about the hardship that comes with that hope. The battles that must be fought, the pain that must be endured, but also the friends you make along the way, the power of kindness. The power of belief.

Game RevolutionNicholas Tan

10/10

On concept alone, Metaphor: ReFantazio works. This new IP from Atlus attempts to reinvigorate the classic fantasy JRPG genre by introducing the familiar calendar of the popular Persona series and the press turn combat from the mainline Shin Megami Tensei series. Through a modern lens, Metaphor reexamines tropes like the job system, the mythological journey of the hero, and the purpose of fantasy itself, building an intriguing world full of magic, wonder, and strife. This isn’t to say that the game doesn’t have any weaknesses, but by and large the game is a masterstroke in imagination and ideas...

VGChartzThomas Froehlicher

9.5/10

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a magnificent heroic fantasy JRPG, the likes of which we haven't seen for decades.When I was reviewing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth a few months ago, it looked set to be my [...]

Capsule ComputersTravis Bruno

9.5/10

Metaphor: ReFantazio feels like a truly mastercrafted RPG that creates a tense high stakes world that players will sink countless hours into to experience the wonderful tale this RPG spins.

Game InformerBrian Shea

9/10

After primarily focusing on the Persona franchise for the last two decades, director Katsura Hashino and his team decided to craft an all-new IP that retains many of the core tenets of their most well-known work. Though Metaphor: ReFantazio’s fantasy backdrop differs vastly from Persona’s real world, the adventure feels familiar not only in gameplay and structure but also in the struggles characters face within their world. The relatable themes combined with a standout cast and the best g...

WayTooManyGamesLeo Faria

9/10

I may not be a big fan of the last mainline Persona game as most of my colleagues (Persona 4 is my real boo), but I’d have to be a madman if I said I didn’t enjoy its style and didn’t respect the hell out of it. The announcement of Metaphor: ReFantazio was worth piquing my interest right from the getgo: I knew it wouldn’t be THAT different from other Atlus JRPGs (I mean, don’t fix what isn’t broken), but letting the developers come up with some fresh ideas over an estabilished fou...

Analog Stick GamingJeff Young

9/10

Developed by the minds behind Persona 5 Royal, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a remarkable fantasy journey that leans into many mechanics known throughout the Persona series. As a young Elda is on a mission to save the cursed Prince, he will gain allies in an effort to take the throne and vanquish the curs

Gamer EscapeGrant Dotter

9/10

I’ll take that a step further and say that this is a great JRPG entry point for Western players who are more used to the RPGs made in the States or Europe. It’s worth a play for almost anyone who can spare the potentially triple-digit hours needed to get through it.

StartMenuDave McAdam

Unscored

While Metaphor: ReFantazio has a slight end-game balancing issue, it cannot detract from what is a thrilling journey across a beautifully realized fantasy land. While its setting may be fictitious, its messages and unending belief in people’s ability to build a better world are very real. The result is a once-in-a-generation story that will inspire you to fight for what you believe in. It’s one of the best turn-based RPGs you can play in 2024.

Lords of GamingJoseph Repko

Unscored

Metaphor ReFantazio is an incredible new JRPG from Atlus, featuring a new fantasy setting and some familiar gameplay systems.