Metaphor: ReFantazio Reviews
Check out Metaphor: ReFantazio Review Scores from trusted Critics below. With 46 reviews on CriticDB, Metaphor: ReFantazio has a score of:
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...
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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...
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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.
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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, daringly improving...
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Whether you’re familiar with Atlus’s flavor of turn-based RPGs or not, Metaphor: ReFantazio is an essential play. The developer has built on its legendary ‘press turn’ combat with the innovative Archetype system, allowing for an unprecedented amount of customization and party composition when compared to its other popular series. Throw in a constantly gripping, politically-charged narrative and a diverse cast of wonderful characters and you have what is absolutely the best RPG of the year and a certified modern classic.
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ATLUS and Studio Zero have crafted a rare gem of an RPG, much like years before. Outside of a few dings here and there, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a near-perfect game that rivals that of Persona 5. The rich fantasy elements are matched with spectacular gameplay, gorgeous designs and captivating storytelling. It’s been a fantastic year for RPGs with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth leading the way. But now, Metaphor: ReFantazio proves there’s a new king on top and one that will hopefully reign supreme for years to come.
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When it comes to combat, Metaphor: ReFantazio hasn’t completely abandoned Atlus’ knack for turn-based combat. However, there is a mix of real-time combat which helps to create a more streamlined combat system. Not only does it help break up some of the monotony that Persona games often fall subject to, but it also allows players to quickly gain experience while traversing areas heavy with enemies without expending too much of their own HP or MP. It’s quite comparable to the preemptive strike format throughout most of the Shin Megami Tensei lineup, but polished and improved in a way that will...
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Metaphor: ReFantazio is the latest entry in ATLUS' line up of games, and it feels like the studio has taken every thing it's ever learned and poured it into this one resulting in the studio's best game to date.
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Intentional or not, the release of Metaphor: ReFantazio and its politically charged tale of governmental figures using hate and fear to rule over its people couldn't have come at a better time. Regardless of what 2024's tail end and beyond will bring, the game argues in favor of indulging in optimistic fantasies, especially when the harshness of reality can make these dreams seem impossible. However, one shouldn't lose their head in a book, or a game in this case. These fantasies won't become...
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Metaphor: ReFantazio is the team behind the best of the Persona series at the very top of their game. We were a little concerned we were in for a quick reskin of Joker's past glories, if we're being fully honest (we'd probably still have gobbled that up, let's face it), but what we've actually ended up with is a monumental JRPG. This is a coming together of everything that's been learned, honed and perfected over the years, presented through a phenomenal core narrative that's full of emotion and hope, amazing characters, some of the most warped enemy designs we've ever...
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When the creators of some of the most influential RPGs of the last 20 years in Persona announced they were creating a brand new IP in Metaphor: ReFantazio, you better believe many eyes were on them. After a long wait, the brand new fantasy venture is here.
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In a gaming landscape saturated with fantasy RPGs, Metaphor: ReFantazio emerges not just as another entry in the genre, but as a bold statement from the creative minds behind the Persona series. Our Metaphor ReFantazio review explores Atlus’ Studio Zero’s debut IP, which delivers a captivating fantasy RPG experience.
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Metaphor: ReFantazio has been compared to the Persona series since it was announced, and for good reason. It uses a lot of the same storytelling techniques and gameplay mechanics. However, the story it tells is rooted more in high and dark fantasy titles than Persona’s urban fantasy coming of age.
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Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the best games I have played this year and it's hard not to recommend it, especially if you're playing on Steam Deck.
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Metaphor ReFantazio is the culmination of everything that makes Atlus’ turn-based RPGs so special. Sporting a fantastic cast of instantly lovable characters, a gripping tale that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, and a robust evolution of its combat systems, Metaphor ReFantazio is a must-play for anyone with even a passing interest in JRPGs.
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Don't mind me, I'll just be over here starting the fan club for the Magnus brothers.
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Spearheaded by a trio of veteran developers best known for their outstanding work on the Persona series, Metaphor: ReFantazio is the dawn of a brand new IP from Atlus. In its structure and mechanics, it feels comfortingly familiar, but in its fantastical setting and bold style — both in terms of visuals and audio — it breaks new ground in brilliantly memorable ways.
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Metaphor: ReFantazio is everything one could want from a new entry into the RPG genre. It uses what came before it masterfully, and its few shortcomings aren't nearly enough to derail what is otherwise a masterclass in the genre. Give it a look if you love Atlus RPGs, or if you love the RPG genre in general.
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All of these elements come together to make Metaphor: ReFantazio a very special game. Atlus’ character writing is at its peak here, and so is the world-building. When Metaphor was first unveiled as Project Re:Fantasy, it was billed as a fantasy game that aimed to stimulate the mind and unlock the very depths of our imagination. Metaphor: ReFantazio isn’t a game that breaks new ground in the fantasy genre, but it does create a truly spectacular universe that feels both real and wondrous, which is a feat in and of itself, especially in an industry where both players and critics...
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The developers behind the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series haven’t released a new IP for some time. Although many players have yet to tire of these monumental franchises, Metaphor ReFantazio is the latest game that fans have been eagerly anticipating since its 2016 announcement.
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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.
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The most inventive and peculiar RPG in recent years, Metaphor Refantazio plays like a ‘Greatest Hits of Atlus’ - with new ideas thrown in for good measure.
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Metaphor: ReFantazio is a once-in-a-lifetime RPG. Despite how stacked the genre is, it goes out of its way to innovate it while keeping the familiar feel. Even if you've never played a game as lengthy as this one, you'll surely find yourself immersed in this intricate fantasy world.
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Metaphor ReFantazio feels like Atlus' Final Fantasy 7 moment. It's an evocative, empowering, near-perfect JRPG which people will be talking about for years to come.
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Metaphor: ReFantazio is, in the simplest of terms, a Persona game in a fantasy setting. While it would have been exciting to see a few more risks taken to separate itself from that beloved franchise, I can’t deny how thoroughly enjoyable this game is. Studio Zero bundles its world-class narrative and combat design to create an immersive RPG experience that I wished would never end.
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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.
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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.
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Atlus' seven year journey to releasing Project Re Fantasy was worth the wait as it combines some of the very best ideas from their previous games into a lovely fantasy setting with a compelling cast of characters and a deeply intricate, well-designed job class system.
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Metaphor’s world design is almost dreamlike, down to the very storybook of irony that Will carries around with him all the time. The cast bonds together incredibly well and I love how everyone has a part to play in this fantasy land of pixies, a race for the throne, dog and box-headed races, and the like. The artwork is gorgeous, the music is splendid. Mixed in is a simple yet fun combat system, complete with unique overworld encounters in the dungeons and out about in towns. I’ve no metaphors for this—Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fantastic RPG for all. ∎
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A uniquely glorious fantasy filled with style and substance. Metaphor: ReFantazio is an epic RPG fit for a king.
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For most casual players of recent years, invoking the name Atlus has typically been synonymous with the Persona series. One of Director Katsura Hashino’s breakout series, this offshoot of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise has grown to be one of the most stylish and compelling Japanese RPGs of recent years. Has the team at Atlus finally broken out of their mold, or is Metaphor: ReFantazio just the same game with a new mask?
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Rise in the ranks of the tournament for king as you battle medieval monsters and form bonds with the populace in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
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It can be difficult to review a game like Metaphor. There is simply not enough time in the world to fully experience a game like this even with a decent amount of time before launch. I fully expect to continue playing this game from now until it releases, and long after. Studio Zero are experts in crafting worlds and stories that draw you in and hold you tight, and Metaphor simply will not let me go. I'm not complaining about that.
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Metaphor: Refantazio excels in emotional, personal storytelling and sharp intriguing combat, making it a must play for any JRPG fan.
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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.
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Persona veteran Atlus flexes its expertise with a fresh take on high fantasy. What it lacks in subtlety, it makes up for in grandeur and heart.
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Metaphor: ReFantazio is a triumphant evolution of Atlus' best, and offers a gripping new story supplemented by a loveable cast, dungeons begging to be explored, and a gorgeous art direction that makes you feel like you're wandering the pages of a fairytale book, although it takes a while to reach its greatest heights.
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Metaphor: ReFantazio is a deep, stylish, and rewarding adventure, but it's not for the faint of heart.
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“Even though it sticks a little too close to Persona, Metaphor: ReFantazio turned me into a loyal follower.”
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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.
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Metaphor: ReFantazio combines Atlus' skill in crafting emotionally charged RPGs with brilliant plot twists, a keen sense of adventure, and fantastical idealism to create one of its greatest games yet.
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Obviously I’ve spent a lot of this review talking about Metaphor: ReFantazio in terms of Persona. While that franchise set a high bar, and I think its audience is primed to like this game, Metaphor’s biggest achievement is just how different it is, both from the Persona franchise and from many fantasy RPGs that have come before. The way I see it is, Persona walked so Metaphor: ReFantazio could extend its gorgeously feathered wings and fly into the sunset.
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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.
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A sidestep from a beloved franchise, Atlus’ new RPG isn’t afraid to take old elements to new heights.
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