Metaphor: ReFantazio Review

Metaphor: ReFantazio is the latest RPG offering from SEGA and Atlus, developed by Studio Zero under the acclaimed team of Katsura Hashino, Shigenori Soejima, and Shoji Meguro—the creative minds behind the genre-defining Persona 3, its sequels, and more. Departing from their previous contemporary fantasy settings, Metaphor: ReFantazio transports players to the high fantasy realm of Euchronia, a world rich with intricate politics and social dynamics.

The Kingdom of Euchronia faces a dire crisis following the assassination of its beloved king by the treacherous Count Louis Guiabern, leaving the nation without a clear successor. In a final act of defiance, the dying king casts a powerful spell that mandates the selection of the new sovereign through a popular vote, thwarting Louis’ ambitions.

Amidst this turmoil, the presumed dead crown prince suffers from a debilitating affliction orchestrated by Louis. The protagonist and their party embark on a perilous quest to find a cure for the prince’s ailment. With the prince’s life and the kingdom’s future hanging in the balance, the heroes race against time to restore order and uncover the truth behind the relentless Human invasion.

How will this epic tale unfold? The fate of Euchronia rests in your hands as you embark on this grand adventure in Metaphor: ReFantazio!

Power of the People

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a title that adopts a structure similar to those seen in various Persona titles. Unlike traditional RPGs where players move from town to dungeon and trigger story events upon entering specific locations, this game follows a set calendar where specific actions advance time.

It is intriguing to see how this mechanic would work in a high fantasy setting, unlike the high school environments and academic themes. Adapting this to a traditional RPG presents a significant challenge, as it must balance genre conventions such as dungeon exploration, traversing a vast continent, and engaging in world-changing events.

The developers have risen to this challenge magnificently. While the time mechanic remains largely unchanged, Metaphor: ReFantazio introduces a refreshing take on this system. The time limit imposed on tasks enhances the high-stakes narrative, adding urgency to the protagonist’s mission. The game can easily and lazily be described as high-fantasy Persona, but that’s also selling the game way short of what it really is.

Visually, the game successfully brings Shigenori Soejima’s art to life in a fantasy world that still captures the feel of his previous works. The signature flair and style are evident, and the cutscenes are elaborate and engaging, resulting in an experience that looks as good as it plays. The user interface is dripping with style, and the overall presentation of the game is unparalleled, cementing Atlus as masters of their craft.

Although the art is generally visually pleasing, there are minor issues that may affect the experience. For instance, the presence of particle effects and visual noise in the background can be distracting for some players. Additionally, certain areas in the game appear flat and lack visual impact, which can also detract from the immersive experience. In the end, it’s all about preference, and while some will appreciate these effects, others may not.

Character designs are equally striking, giving players memorable personalities in the game to interact with. While the protagonist could use a bit more flair, characters like Hulkenberg, Gallica, the “shady woman,” and even Louis have amazing designs that blend well with the world, proving that this game can distance itself from the academic setting, create totally new characters, and still maintain the creativity of an Atlus title.

The calendar in Metaphor: ReFantazio is divided into five-day weeks, differing from our world’s calendar, though it still follows the same months. This minor inconsistency can slightly disrupt the perception of time, as the months could have been tailored to fit the game’s unique world. The five-day week accelerates the passage of time, and since there is no school to attend, your time is entirely your own.

Unlike the Persona games, where each chapter feels like an individual episode, Metaphor: ReFantazio presents a cohesive narrative. Each location is intricately connected to the evolving saga of Euchronia, with every new city contributing to a well-established world. The worldbuilding is robust, featuring a definitive social system that dictates the fate of the kingdom’s races, their connection to the state religion, and the oppressive caste system.

Traveling to different towns and dungeons consumes game time, impacting your activities in Metaphor: ReFantazio, whether you travel by foot or by transport, adding stakes and requiring careful long-term planning because dungeon exploration exhausts your party, ending the day’s activities. The introduction of the Gauntlet Runner, which allows for fast travel between towns, can momentarily break immersion, but it facilitates the Follower mechanic, which we’ll explain later.

While this mechanic worked for me and added more to the world at large by giving ample travel time between cities, those who are used to Persona’s more centralized day-to-day hub may find themselves taken aback. Rest assured, while I can say that it gets better, it may take some getting used to.

The themes of Metaphor: ReFantazio aims to provide insight into class prejudices and struggles by using the metaphor of Euchronia to draw parallels with our modern world. The allusions to “Utopia” by Thomas More, a 16th-century philosopher whose work elaborated on the political system of an imaginary state, are evident from the outset (even your guide is aptly named “More”), serving as an overarching, albeit on-the-nose, motif central to the game’s narrative.

The conflict between your protagonist and the main antagonist, Louis, adds complexity to the story. Both characters seek social change and challenge the established status quo. However, the protagonist aims to collaborate with the crown while advocating for the freedoms of the common folk, whereas Louis demands radical change and uses his talents and resources to forcefully impose his vision on the kingdom.

While this may seem somewhat heavy-handed compared to the more ambiguous existential themes of Persona 3, it effectively drives the emotional core of the story. This dynamic is further reflected in how each of your followers is drawn to your cause. As a participant in the voting system, you have the opportunity to assert your agency, which aligns well with the overall thematic unity of Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Fight For Your Freedoms

Combat in Metaphor: ReFantazio incorporates many familiar mechanics but also distances itself by establishing a hybrid battle system that’s fast, sleek, and stylish. During exploration, you will see your opponents in the environment, and when either party initiates contact, you enter a turn-based combat system. However, Metaphor: ReFantazio innovates by allowing you to dispatch lower-level enemies with a single hit or engage higher-level foes in squad-based battles.

This approach significantly speeds up dungeon traversal, especially during lower-level missions, as you save time by quickly eliminating weaker enemies. You can gain an advantage over enemies of equal level by striking them unawares, while stronger enemies can gain the upper hand by attacking first. While it’s not a total system overhaul, it does add an extra layer of engagement that provides a welcome change of pace.

The turn-based combat system in Metaphor: ReFantazio also introduces a unique twist by assigning the party a set number of actions, represented as crystals at the top of the screen. Exploiting an enemy’s weakness or landing a critical hit adds more turns to your initiative. Instead of the “baton pass” mechanic, passing your turn allows other characters to act more freely.

Your commands are straightforward: Melee attacks with your equipped weapon, using the Archetype grants access to skills, Guarding reduces damage from enemy attacks, Items allow you to use consumables, and Synthesis enables team-up moves that consume more initiative crystals. Analyzing an enemy’s weakness or switching between the front and back rows does not consume any actions, but changing members does.

Archetypes in Metaphor: ReFantazio, one of its defining features, functions similarly to Persona’s arcana system. Equipping specific archetypes grants certain skills. For example, a Mage archetype is akin to the Magician Arcana, providing access to powerful spells but being vulnerable to physical attacks. Conversely, a Brawler archetype, similar to the Chariot Arcana, excels in physical combat but is weak against magic, using HP to deliver powerful blows.

If you’ve played any Persona game in the past, you’ll find the mechanics in Metaphor: ReFantazio quite familiar, even to the point of retaining skill names for buff and debuff spells. Although this could be seen as a missed opportunity to fully separate the game and create its own identity, I can understand how this helps fans transition to this new IP faster.

One notable feature is the ability to equip specific combinations of Archetypes, unlocking unique Synthesis skills that extend beyond mere attacks. Certain spells are accessible only through Synthesis, adding depth to your endgame strategy. Archetypes are acquired through your connections with Followers, whether they are party members, confidants, or general allies. These relationships strengthen your archetypes. You begin with basic archetypes like Mage, Seeker, and Knight, and can progress to advanced types such as Wizard, Magic Seeker, and Magic Knight by nurturing these relationships.

Improving your rapport with Followers involves spending days on quests. However, Metaphor: ReFantazio simplifies this process, eliminating the arbitrary progression seen in previous Persona games, making it easier to track and enhance relationships. Additionally, relationships now max out at 8 ranks instead of 10, and there are fewer Followers, aligning with the shorter overall quest timeline. This streamlined approach is appreciated, as it avoids the need to create numerous characters to fill every arcana, focusing instead on a set number of archetypes.

Royal Virtues in Metaphor: ReFantazio functions similarly to Social Skills. At certain points in relationship building, you may need to convince or coerce others, requiring specific levels of Royal Virtues such as Tolerance and Courage. These can be improved by reading books, interacting with villagers, or engaging with Followers.

Furthermore, you can undertake Quests and Bounties that offer rewards and opportunities to explore the world. While time is limited by the calendar, participating in these events is crucial for strengthening your party and archetypes. These mechanics have been streamlined for better quality of life and ease of play.

Successor to the Crown

Unlike episodic narratives, Metaphor: ReFantazio offers a linear story that builds towards a definitive, mind-blowing climax. Ultimately, whether you warm up to the ideas and heavy themes presented in this game will depend on your taste.

A good measure of your ability to embrace certain creative choices is how you felt about Catherine when it was released in 2011. I appreciated the adult themes and the atmosphere that created a unique narrative puzzle experience, effectively conveying fantasy horror while diverging from Persona. Metaphor: ReFantazio is closer to the Persona experience but also ventures into new territory.

The development team introduced many ideas that resonated with me, and the longer I played, the more I appreciated their direction. They pushed Metaphor: ReFantazio towards new, unexplored heights, breaking free from the shackles of academic life. It’s refreshing to see this applied to a different setting, proving that the team can indeed take on other themes and leave their comfort zones.

There are other fundamental differences between Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio, with another being how you develop Archetypes. Unlike Persona, where you combine unneeded Personas using the Fusion mechanic at the Velvet Room, in Metaphor: ReFantazio, you power up your Archetypes using the MAG currency. This allows you and your companions to grow based on the amount of MAG you possess.

Main characters can progress to unique Archetypes later in the game, preserving their identities while accessing these exclusive roles, which works well for creating a well-rounded party. The use of MAG eliminates much of the tedious grinding associated with managing endless Personas and registering them.

Many Archetypes are also tied to the Followers you cultivate throughout your journey. This feature is streamlined, with fewer Followers and Archetypes, creating a synergized approach to character progression. This integration allows easier access to desired skills and facilitates the creation of an effective party.

On a Road Trip

Our Metaphor: ReFantazio playthrough was done on an Xbox Series X and a Steam Deck, and while the beefier current-gen consoles and capable PCs can handle it easily, taking it on the go might be a more interesting topic.

But before that, the game worked great on the Xbox Series X, with a few frame drops here and there that are hardly noticeable. I understand that the demo had players worried due to inconsistent performance issues from many players, but in my experience, it ran as smoothly as I hoped it would.

On the Steam Deck, the results are varied. While the game runs decently, frame drops are apparent, even when turning down the graphic settings. Anti-aliasing is slightly disappointing, and you can expect frame rates to drop mostly in cities, but battles usually hold up, especially when locking the frame rates to 30. This is to be expected from a handheld, but we’d like to see it perform better after some updates!

The voice cast of Metaphor: ReFantazio, for lack of a better term, is on point. Oftentimes, players choose the Japanese voices over the English performances because it suits the overall feel better, but this is one of those rare times where either choice can pass for a great playthrough because of the fabulous performances from the cast, from the writing to the tone and direction. The protagonist is also voiced, and it’s another great way to set itself apart from similar titles.

The soundtrack is also exquisite, as can be expected from Shoji Meguro. You can expect more serious and operatic tracks fused with strings and brass, along with a chorus that produces epic hair-raising moments, speaking to the versatility and creativeness of Meguro. The battle track alone is so epic that I probably stopped to listen to it a few times during the first encounter.

Metaphor: ReFantazio boasts the same massive playtime compared to its predecessors. While playtimes will greatly vary, similar to how Persona titles usually go, the game can easily take you upwards of 80 hours due to its calendar structure along with how many activities players can experience in the game, paired with its massive narrative.

Verdict: Buy It!

Metaphor: ReFantazio demonstrates that the Persona system remains vibrant and versatile, extending beyond an urban high school setting. Its high fantasy environment significantly transforms the gameplay, and Studio Zero delivers a refreshing take on the popular formula. This new approach offers a breath of fresh air for Persona players seeking something different yet familiar and addictive. You could say it’s basically fantasy Persona, but that doesn’t even encompass half of what Metaphor really is.

Kudos to the creators, who have leveraged their extensive experience from working on the Persona franchise and other titles to craft a unique experience for players, with this being the culmination of years and years of titles. While there may be some initial adjustment for those accustomed to the tried-and-true formula, I assure you that once you overcome this initial dissonance, there is much to love about this latest offering.

Metaphor: ReFantazio stands out as one of the best RPGs of the year, thanks to its unique concept and addictive gameplay, and something that cannot be missed if you love RPGs and fantastical settings. Let Studio Zero guide you into a world of conspiracies, mysteries, and wonder as you journey through this fantastic realm with new protagonists and a new story, all wrapped in the same quality trappings of an Atlus title.

*Metaphor: ReFantazio has been reviewed on an Xbox Series X and Steam Deck with a review code provided by the publisher.