Metaphor: ReFantazio was released on October 11th for the Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, and Steam. This game is a project made for the 35th Anniversary of ATLUS. There are so many things I want to talk about this game that make it (almost) perfect. I believe that Metaphor: ReFantazio may go down in videogame history as a game you have to play in your lifetime.
Disclaimers: This review contains some In-Game spoilers. The game was reviewed in the PC (Steam) with the review code provided by SEGA and ATLUS.
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Story Hooks You From The Beginning
“I trust this will suffice?”
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The game hooks you from the start even before the main menu. It’s a good move on the game’s part to show Louis, the main antagonist, do his evil deeds during the first few minutes of Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Two Ways of Combat
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Metaphor: ReFantazio has a battle system that’s very friendly to the player. There’s the standard battle (Squad Battle) where you do fight against the computer opponents. The battle system is similar to modern-day Persona games (think of Persona 3 Reload). Outside of the renamed controls (from Persona to Archetype), there are two interesting features. The synthesis calls for a ‘team up’ attack for your party while the ‘retry’ makes you do a re-do of a previous action. The ‘retry’ button can be a very convenient feature for those who want to maximize their turn.
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‘Fast battle’ is my favorite feature of the battle system. You roam around the map to attack lower leveled enemies (highlighted in blue). Once you eliminate them, you get some experience points for yourself and your archetype. This would make grinding easier as you can fight around a map like the dessert.
Feels like Persona?
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The game unabashedly did say it will take elements from the Persona games. Social links and personas are renamed into ‘bonds’ and ‘archetypes‘ respectively. You won’t hear a complaint about these being “repurposed” for Metaphor: ReFantazio on my end. I felt the game made it’s own spin on things and didn’t make it a Persona carbon copy.
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Unlocking certain archetypes is fun as it would relate to certain bonds you have with characters. It’s one reason why you will visit the Akademeia for more…and also More, the one who stays there. I got ‘more’ thoughts about the More (and his pet cat ‘plato’) name, by the way.
Amazing Game Soundtrack
This is my first exposure to a JRPG in Atlus outside Persona and the different for me. The battle theme for the game really invigorates the gamer in me. Maybe it’s the vocals that I can’t quite understand that fires me up. The game’s OST really gives you some ‘big fight feels’ from the standard battle theme to the boss themes. Metaphor: ReFantazio’s music team should be given props for adding a layer of musical excellence in this game.
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That thing called ‘Utopia’ and Interesting Characters
The Metaphor: ReFantazio inserts this book (from the prince) that your character keeps the whole game. Inside said book has a story of a ‘utopia’ where everyone is equal and other ideal situations for this perceived society. The Utopia angle really hits me as a former college student studying political science. Names like Thomas More and Plato pop up with that term. The characters of More and Plato in the Akademia are the not-so subtle nods to those authors in this game.
The cast of Metaphor: ReFantazio is also a sight to behold. You have the (kinda)’silent protagonist’, his floating guide, a young man birthed from nobility, and a couple of former royal guards looking for redemption. There are also a few more characters I want to describe but I’d rather keep the in-game spoilers up to here. Another possible slight nod might be the name Hulkenberg. No. I don’t mean the Formula One racer Nico Hülkenberg. Maybe. Just maybe…it’s a nod to two professional wrestlers named Hulk Hogan and Goldberg. Get it? 😉
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The Good
- Storytelling – Metaphor: ReFantazio has a very compelling plot that would hook you upon opening the game. The characters and certain names (More, Hulkenberg, etc.) really make me have a slight grin. The prince’s book that describes a ‘utopian’ society is also a welcomed angle from my perspective.
- Killer Soundtrack – The OST of Metaphor: ReFantazio is captivating. I got chills when the vocals of the battle theme kicks in. It gives you that ‘big fight feel’ every time you go to the ‘squad battles’ with the enemies. Speaking of the battle system, that’s the next thing I like about the game.
- Battle Systems Engaged – One of my favorite features in this game is the battle system. The ‘fast battle’ against lower leveled enemies is a time saver for leveling up your squad. The ‘squad battles’ are also good and would let you want to map out different strategies per enemy.
The Catch
- That camera angle on the PC – Call it ‘skill issue’ or a ‘legit issue’, but certain parts of the game had a slight issue due to the camera angle. As a player, I tried my best to move it to an easier angle but parts of the game prevent you from doing so. This is the only catch/issue I can find on my end, at least, for the PC version.
The Verdict
OVERALL: 4.95 of 5 Stars
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Metaphor: ReFantazio totally ups the ante on other games released this year. Everything in this game screams “Game of the Year” candidate. I’m not the first one to say this, but it really felt that Metaphor: ReFantazio is a well-penned love letter by ATLUS to its fans. Years down the line, there’s no doubt that Metaphor: ReFatazio will be THE title any JRPG fan needs to play in their lifetime.
Thank you, SEGA Asia and ATLUS for giving us the review code.
