Metaphor: ReFantazio Review - A Fantasy Perfected
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Note: For a complete look at my impressions, check out my two review-in-progress posts covering different sections of the game.
This post serves as my final impression, complete with a verdict and the usual PROS and CONS.
It’s been a long road, but I’ve finally done it. After 100 hours, I've completed Metaphor: ReFantazio, and consider it my favorite title from the Persona team by far. It’s one of those rare games where all of its main pillars work harmoniously, and you get lost in its charm. Once the credits rolled, I just wanted more out of this world.
What was impressive to me was that towards the end, there were a good amount of challenging encounters still waiting for you, as these encounters can still test the overpowered party as they still require you to be prepared not only in terms of equipment and party composition but armed with the knowledge of the fight.
Endgame encounters in Metaphor feel like puzzles you need to solve. It’s not all that difficult to crack what you need to do to succeed, but I like that this game constantly requires you to change your party. I never really stuck to one composition, as towards the end of it all, each member had 3 reliable Archetypes that I could switch out, for them to take on specific roles. This is also true for the final encounter, which I won’t spoil, of course, but it’s worth saying that it was not one bit of a pushover, as I took a fair amount of time with this boss, making the final moments epic.
Character progression felt easier towards the end, as once I started hitting the peak of what every role can provide, I still never felt like I could put things on autopilot, even on normal difficulty. This game keeps you on your toes no matter what, and the ability to kill weaker enemies with a single hit in the overworld is one of the game’s best features that I come to appreciate during endgame. It keeps combat from feeling stale, as it keeps the players moving and even prevents you from being punished for backtracking to lower areas.
Towards the end, the calendar system was also a surprise, as I was expecting it to be an annoying feature down the line, but in actuality, it made me constantly consider my choices vis-a-vis character growth. Even if I had a little extra time to spare before the main story progressed, I’d find myself planning my schedule even towards the end of that period. It would boil down to me considering whether to improve my Bond with characters to get new unlocks, or do chores that, in this world, improve stats, such as increasing total MP, a vital resource while roaming dungeons.
Every Character has Their Role to Play
As for characters, no one ever really stood in the background, as every member of this JRPG party had a role to play in one way or another. Each of them has their reasons and motivations, a background that can be freely explored in your free time, and noticeable growth that makes them either a likable or hateable personality. I grew attached to these characters thanks to the small things, which gave the impression that they are indeed on a journey and that they are growing an actual bond with each other. Some examples include Heismay’s fear of bugs, Hulkenburg’s tolerance and persistence of good/bad food, and Neuras, a character that doesn’t join you in battle, but plays the role of the pilot that expresses his passion for creating the best inventions.
Even Louis, the game’s villain, has a respectable stance to his beliefs and motivations, and while it’s not something you want to agree with, it’s not complete nonsense, as he’s not one-dimensional, but just as layered as the rest of the main cast. There’s also a unique reason why each member opposes him.
Del, Gallica, Bardon, and all these lesser characters were even worth exploring, and while it stretched the game time a bit, the writing and storytelling are stellar, and I’m all for listening to what they have to say, and what troubles them. It’s also quite the bonus for the unlocks you receive for seeing each small storyline through.
It’s a combination of fantastic voice acting, smart script writing, and proper pacing from the developers that equip this story with the ability to hold you down. It’s a fantasy world many would feel familiar with. but with enough twists to keep those well-versed in this setting curious.
Even the music has found its place, as every melody has this tribal theme that at first was unusual, but grows on you the longer you hear it. It’s so unique, but just as infectious as the rest of the game, as the soundtrack is just as effective as Persona 5’s jazzy tunes. I never thought I would get amped up due to tribal chants, but here we are.
Performance has been spot on, as there’s no sense of bugs or unusual or distracting visual problems. Its polish mirrors Atlus’ previous titles, as there are no technical problems that I could think of.
As I was scrolling through social media, I came across a comment that made sense – “this is Atlus’ Elden Ring”. Metaphor: ReFantazio contains the essence and signature design concepts the Persona team is known for, and was able to create a new series that elevates these elements to new heights. I have always enjoyed my time with Persona games, but not at the level I was at when I was playing Metaphor. It’s commendable that the team went above and beyond, as they could have stuck to something safe, but they tested themselves, and tested their loyal fans in committing to a big twist.
A Franchise Born Anew
The gambit paid off, as I can’t recommend this game enough. It’s the perfect JRPG, with enough style and substance to satisfy hardcore JRPG fans, Persona fans, and even those who rarely touch JRPGs. What Studio Zero has done is deliver Atlus’ next big hit, as when you are done with Metaphor, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re interested in whatever project they have planned that’s set in this new world. This is the type of game that can be so memorable that years from now, when players reminisce about the best games of this generation, Metaphor: ReFantazio will likely be in people’s minds, along with the other greats.
Verdict: 5 / 5 (Exceptional)
PROS
Fantastic dialogue, character personalities, and world building, delivering a satisfying story
Combat that balances this risk and reward gameplay that keeps it challenging
Features one of the best Persona-like character progression systems
A calendar system filled with various activities that make you think carefully about how you spend your time
CONS
Dungeon layouts are simple and repetitive in design
What I’ve Played
Finished the game with over 100 hours played
Maxed out the Bonds of all but two characters
Mastered multiple Archetypes and completed some of the endgame encounters
*This review is based on a PS5 review copy provided by the publisher
Metaphor: ReFantazio is now my favorite title from the Persona team by far. It’s one of those rare games where its main pillars work harmoniously, and you get lost in its charm. It’s a pristine JRPG, with enough style and substance to satisfy hardcore JRPG fans, Persona fans, and even those who rarely touch JRPGs.