Story and Setting
Metaphor: ReFantazio transports us into a fantastical world where the lines between dreams and reality are seamlessly intertwined, offering a deeply immersive and thought-provoking narrative experience. The game follows our protagonist who, along with our companions, embarks on a journey to uncover the mysteries around the kingdom. Along the way, we face various challenges that test our courage, resolve, and understanding of the world around us.
What truly sets Metaphor: ReFantazio apart is its mature and nuanced exploration of complex themes like racism and systemic discrimination. Our protagonist comes from one of the most marginalized tribes in the kingdom, and after the death of the dogmatic king, we must compete for the throne in a high-stakes battle. However, this isn’t just about seizing power—it’s about confronting deeply entrenched social hierarchies and the harsh realities of systemic oppression. The game goes beyond the simple message of “racism is bad” and delves into the complex process of dismantling such systems, encouraging players to reflect on their own societal structures.
Gameplay
Metaphor: ReFantazio blends traditional RPG mechanics with strategic innovations, delivering a gameplay experience that rewards careful thinking and tactical decision-making. The game features turn-based combat that stands out for its depth and the need to plan each action precisely. As players face enemies in various scenarios, they must not only master their characters’ individual abilities but also account for the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents, creating a dynamic and challenging battlefield.
One of the most engaging features of the gameplay is the “archetypes” system, which allows for detailed character customization. Each character can specialize in different abilities, providing a wide range of possible strategies. This flexibility enables players to adapt their teams according to specific challenges, offering a sense of freedom and depth in strategy-building.
Additionally, the game offers a rich exploration mechanic. While the primary focus is on narrative and combat, the world of Metaphor: ReFantazio is vast and filled with secrets. The cities are vibrant and packed with detail, while more remote areas often hold items, side quests, and locations that expand the game’s lore. Exploration, therefore, becomes an integral part of the experience, allowing players to delve deeper into the story and mythology of the game.
The enemies in Metaphor: ReFantazio vary in complexity, ranging from basic foes that require straightforward tactics to challenging bosses that test even the most well-thought-out strategies. The difficulty curve is progressive, with combat becoming increasingly difficult as the game advances, keeping the level of tension and engagement high throughout.
Graphics and Sound
Metaphor: ReFantazio offers a anime-style visual experience, with amazing enemy design, quite different than in other Atlus’ works like Persona 5. Although the dungeon design is not that different than other Persona games, I noticed some issues with image quality, including aliasing and shimmer, and I was really disappointed with the absence of anti-aliasing, which detracted from the visual experience.
The game features vibrant environments with a mix of fantastical and urban landscapes that are detailed but may feel inconsistent at times. Some areas, such as the bustling main city, impress with their intricate design, but frame rate drops in these dense locations can occasionally disrupt the flow of exploration.
In terms of sound, this game excels with Shoji Meguro’s fully orchestrated soundtrack, which offers a range of emotionally charged melodies that extraordinarily complements the game’s tone.
In Atlus’ style, the Japanese voice acting was the highlight. Memorable performances, that bring the characters to life, greatly enhances the narrative and the cast does an excellent job of conveying the emotional depth of the story, ensuring that players remain engaged with the dialogue.
Conclusion and Rating
Metaphor: ReFantazio offers an incredible RPG experience that blends classic mechanics with innovative ideas. The engaging story, rich world-building, and strategic combat system create a memorable journey. Whether you’re a fan of Atlus’ previous titles or a newcomer to the genre, this game is a must-play for any RPG enthusiast.
✅ Pros
- Deep, immersive story
- Beautiful character design
- Tactical combat and interesting character progression
- Stunning soundtrack
❌ Cons
- Combat may feel slow-paced for some
- Some may find the side quests a bit repetitive
