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The JRPG genre has a rich history, with iconic franchises like Final Fantasy, Fire Emblem, and Dragon Quest. However, for many, Shin Megami Tensei holds a special place, despite its niche appeal. Known for its dark themes, unique character designs, and challenging gameplay, the SMT series has often been compared to the Dark Souls of JRPGs. Atlus, the publisher behind SMT, has also seen massive success with its Persona spin-off series, particularly Persona 5. Now, Atlus returns with Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new JRPG crafted by the same team that brought Persona to life, marking a significant departure from their previous work. This review dives into the world of Metaphor: ReFantazio and explores what makes it such a compelling experience.

Metaphor: ReFantazio gameplay screenshot

A World of Fantasy and Intrigue

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a bold departure from the contemporary Japanese settings of the Persona series. Director Katsura Hashino’s vision for a unique experience is evident in the game’s intricate world-building and captivating narrative. Set in the kingdom of Euchronia, the game explores themes of social division and prejudice through the lens of eight distinct races.

Metaphor: ReFantazio character screenshot

The Clemar, with their horns and sharp intellect, hold political power. The Roussainte, with their elongated ears, excel in physical prowess and dominate the military. Meanwhile, races like the Paripus and Eugief face discrimination and hardship due to their appearance and perceived lower social standing.

Metaphor: ReFantazio in-game screenshot

The assassination of King Hythlodaeus V plunges Euchronia into chaos, and a mysterious tournament is declared to choose his successor. The player character, a young man from the ostracized Elda race, enters the competition to save a childhood friend, embarking on an epic journey filled with political intrigue and personal struggles.

The narrative masterfully weaves together themes of heroism, sacrifice, and prejudice, offering a mature and thought-provoking experience. The 80+ hour journey is filled with emotional moments that resonate long after the credits roll. Characters like Maria and Heismay add depth and complexity to the story, their personal tragedies highlighting the societal injustices prevalent in Euchronia.

Metaphor: ReFantazio gameplay screenshot

Blending Old and New Gameplay Mechanics

Metaphor: ReFantazio seamlessly blends familiar Persona and Shin Megami Tensei elements with innovative gameplay mechanics. The game features a calendar system, allowing players to choose activities like dungeon crawling, interacting with companions, or helping villagers. These choices influence character stats like Courage, Eloquence, and Wisdom, which unlock new abilities and relationships with Followers, similar to Persona’s Social Links.

Metaphor: ReFantazio gameplay screenshot

Unlike Persona’s confined settings, Metaphor: ReFantazio boasts a vast world with diverse locations, traversable via the Gauntlet Runner, a mobile fortress. Travel time and weather conditions add strategic layers to exploration and resource management.

Metaphor: ReFantazio in-game screenshot showing the Gauntlet Runner

Combat combines turn-based Squad Battles with real-time action. Players can engage weaker enemies directly on the map, saving time and resources. Squad Battles emphasize exploiting enemy weaknesses, and character positioning adds tactical depth.

Metaphor: ReFantazio world map screenshot

A defining feature is the Archetype job system, reminiscent of Fire Emblem and classic Final Fantasy titles. Characters can equip various Archetypes, each with unique skills and equipment. Mastering an Archetype allows skills to be inherited by others, creating diverse build options.

Metaphor: ReFantazio combat screenshot

Followers unlock additional Archetypes, and the Akademia (a reimagining of the Velvet Room) allows for customization. Later, Synthesis Skills combine Archetype abilities for powerful attacks and debuffs.

A Polished Experience with Minor Drawbacks

Metaphor: ReFantazio excels in its artistic direction and 2D design, showcasing Shigenori Soejima’s signature style. However, the 3D graphics are less impressive, showing their age despite using a modified Persona 5 engine. Performance issues, such as fluctuating frame rates, detract from the visual experience.

Metaphor: ReFantazio combat screenshot

Shoji Meguro’s soundtrack, featuring choral arrangements and ancient chants, creates a unique and captivating atmosphere. The English voice acting is commendable, adding to the immersion of the British-inspired setting. The game’s difficulty is well-balanced, offering a challenging but fair experience.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Character screen Archetype selection

Some players may be disappointed by the lack of romance options. The slow-paced opening, with extended dialogue and cutscenes, may also deter those seeking fast-paced action.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Character screen Archetype selection

Conclusion

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a triumph for Atlus and Studio Zero. Its captivating story, innovative gameplay mechanics, and rich world-building make it a must-play for JRPG fans. While the graphics and performance could be better, they don’t detract significantly from the overall experience. This game marks a bold new direction for the studio and sets a high bar for future JRPGs.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Combat screenshot