Positioned as a spiritual successor to the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series, Metaphor: Refantasio is the latest work from Japanese studio Atlas, replacing a school hall with a castle wall. Masu. Boldly delving into heavy themes of inequality and the corrupting effects of power, Atlas has created arguably one of the year’s standout RPGs.
The familiar mechanics have been refined almost perfectly for long-time fans and newcomers alike, and the story, while simple, is well-crafted and deeply satisfying. More than just a test of RPG skill, Metaphor: ReFantazio aims to challenge your understanding of human nature itself.
A kingdom on the brink
Your journey begins in Uchronia, a kingdom in the midst of political turmoil following the assassination of its king and the mysterious coma of his son. Thrown into the aftermath of chaos, you find yourself an unlikely participant in a magical election to determine the next ruler.
This 80+ hour adventure, with a touch of magic and fantasy, plunges you into a society torn apart by racism, poverty, exploitation, and religious fanaticism. The setting is well established and draws you in over time, while the world continually offers rich storytelling and themes to explore.
While some RPGs use the setting as a backdrop, Metaphor’s theme is ingrained in every interaction and subplot. The characters embody the very systems that oppress or exalt them, and Atlas does not hesitate to draw a direct line between fictional and real-world injustices.
Metaphor expresses its intent openly rather than burying it in subtext. While this approach often feels a little on-the-nose and may even break immersion with modern parallels, it helps ground the game’s political and emotional stakes.
friendly and sophisticated
Enthusiasts of Atlas’ back catalog will be fairly familiar with how Metaphor works, but it’s also accessible to beginners. The daily calendar system returns, blending time management with social and narrative progression. Every day you have to make important decisions. Would you rather spend your precious time forming bonds with your allies, exploring dangerous dungeons, or pursuing the main objective that shapes your story?
What sets Metaphor apart is the sophistication of these systems. The Bond/Follower system and Royal Virtue mechanics streamline social elements by clearly communicating progression requirements. This transparency takes the guesswork out of it and makes it easier to build meaningful relationships with the characters.
Sidequest With Substance
Besides the main story, Metaphor offers various side quests that are far from filler. Optional dungeons, bounty hunts, and character-driven errands enrich the world while providing a satisfying challenge. Dungeon layouts can be predictable and somewhat mechanical, but rewards like equipment, experience, and narrative insight make the detour worth it.
The choice of embarking on a side quest also affects the calendar system. Time spent chasing clues and exploring new areas takes away from other pursuits, reinforcing the urgency of the mission. This dynamic emphasizes the central tension of the game. It’s about how to make the most of limited resources to achieve lasting change.
Combat with depth and flexibility
At the heart of Metaphor is a turn-based combat system. Exploiting elemental weaknesses and leveraging additional actions is as satisfying as ever, with a new archetype system that shakes up the formula. Archetypes with a class-based system allow party members to dynamically adapt their roles, chopping and changing between battles.
The late-game introduction of advanced archetypes and composite attacks adds a new strategic layer, increasing the potential for rewarding experimentation and devastating multi-character combos. Combat feels like a complex puzzle, and you’re more likely to succeed by experimenting and understanding your tools than by unleashing a flurry of attacks.
a lively world
Metaphor is visually stunning. The combination of 3D gameplay and occasional 2D animation sequences to tell the story may turn off some viewers, but I was kept engaged throughout my playthrough.
If you prefer Western RPGs, this is your first tune-up, but the European Gothic-inspired art direction and quirky JRPG boss designs (human eggs anyone?) give it a high-fantasy feel. It’s fun to watch as it blends in with the scenery. The game’s flair continues into the menus and user interface, where navigating to the settings tab feels infused with personality.
The soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, replaces pop tracks with orchestral and operatic arrangements, lending a sense of solemnity to each moment. The boss fights are made even more epic by the strings, adding to the weight of each fight.
story with teeth
Where Metaphor really shines is in its narrative coherence. Exploring themes of systemic injustice, belief systems, and collective action is timely. However, this can be a burden, as accidentally or intentionally reflecting contemporary political conversations can break immersion. The game benefits from addressing its premise and philosophy by not running away from hard truths and recognizing the difficulty of making change.
Each character also offers a unique perspective shaped by their backstories and conflicts. These arcs are some of the most fascinating in recent RPG memory, making digging into the lore and party characters one of the more engaging parts of the game.
final thoughts
Metaphor: ReFantazio refines the best elements of Atlus’ RPG heritage into a coherent, emotionally resonant fantasy package. The theme is clear, the gameplay systems are finely tuned, and the world is full of style and content. In a year filled with outstanding RPGs, Metaphor has established itself as a beacon of what the genre can achieve.
Whether you’re a Persona veteran or a newcomer drawn to turn-based fantasy titles, this is a truly satisfying 80-hour journey.
4 1/2 stars (out of 5 stars)
Highlights: Rich narrative themes. Sophisticated gameplay mechanics. Stunning visual and audio design. fascinating character arc
Weaknesses: Sometimes too outlandish with modern parallels. Dungeon layouts can feel repetitive
Developer: Atlas
Publisher: AETAS/SEGA
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC
Available: Currently
Review was conducted on PlayStation 5 using a release code provided by the publisher.
