Metaphor: ReFantazio Game Cover
A beautiful, 100-hour-long journey from beginning to end, Metaphor: ReFantazio takes the best elements of Persona 5 and somehow improves on them.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Atlus 35th Digital Anniversary Edition is a role-playing game that includes a digital base game, artbook, soundtrack, history book, all-time best soundtrack, and over 50 DLC costumes and music sets. The game offers various high school uniforms and samurai garb, with Spanish-Latin America language support added in a post-launch patch.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 22,959 reviews
story3,501 positive mentions
grinding668 negative mentions
  • The game features a stunning and unique art style that immerses players in a vibrant, fantastical world, drawing inspiration from various artistic influences.
  • Gameplay is engaging and strategic, blending familiar mechanics from the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series with new features, allowing for customization and dynamic combat.
  • The narrative is praised for its emotional depth and character development, exploring mature themes and delivering a compelling story that resonates with players.
  • The graphics are criticized for their technical shortcomings, with low-resolution textures and outdated visuals that do not meet expectations for a 2024 release.
  • Some players find the gameplay to be tedious and repetitive, with pacing issues and a reliance on established formulas that hinder innovation.
  • The game's monetization strategy has drawn criticism, being perceived as a cash grab that feels unfinished and derivative, particularly in light of its association with the Persona series.
  • story9,027 mentions

    The story of "Metaphor: Refantazio" has been widely praised for its engaging narrative and character development, with many reviewers noting its exploration of mature themes such as discrimination and political struggles. While the game features a compelling plot with unexpected twists, some players found the pacing uneven, particularly in the latter stages, leading to a sense of predictability and repetition. Overall, it is considered a strong entry in the JRPG genre, combining elements from the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series while delivering a unique fantasy experience.

    • “Unlike most forgettable JRPG characters or party members, Metaphor: Refantazio’s characters are unique – every party member’s development is fleshed out so well towards the game’s story.”
    • “The story is very good, and it’s hard for me to get into the story in most games I’ve played these days. I can’t thank these developers enough for this experience.”
    • “The game boasts a richly immersive world, unforgettable characters, and a story that tugs at your heartstrings while challenging your mind.”
    • “Without being able to truly sink its teeth into the mature subjects that are prominent in the game's plot (such as systemic racism and [spoiler] suicide [/spoiler]), metaphor: refantazio's narrative offers a taste of something substantial and unique, but ultimately leaves the player unsatisfied.”
    • “The storytelling just broke apart completely.”
    • “Everything the story built up ended up being completely anticlimactic.”
  • gameplay3,895 mentions

    The gameplay of "Metaphor: Refantazio" has been widely praised for its engaging blend of familiar mechanics from the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series, enhanced by new features like the archetype system and streamlined time management. Players appreciate the strategic depth of the turn-based combat, which incorporates elements such as the press-turn system and real-time overworld interactions, making battles feel dynamic and rewarding. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing, repetitive dungeon design, and a reliance on established formulas, suggesting that while the gameplay is solid, it may not fully innovate beyond its predecessors.

    • “Let me just start off by saying, this game is beautiful. I love this game, I love its music, the scenery, the towns, how the gameplay is a mixture of Persona with the good aspects of SMT's point allocation on level up, while also having its own little spin on things with the synergies.”
    • “Beyond excellent game from story, music, gameplay and its unique systems despite similar to the Persona and SMT games, it has its own identity.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and allows for quite a lot of customization.”
    • “The gameplay is so tedious and unfun I cannot recommend the game.”
    • “Nearly all of its mechanics are lifted so immediately from its big brother, without any care of whether they would work in the new high-fantasy setting, that it actively hamstrings what should’ve been a perfect opportunity to innovate upon an RPG formula that hasn’t moved an inch for the past two decades.”
    • “The gameplay ultimately has the same pitfalls as persona, where combat begins to feel bland once it is 'solved', but it's not like this isn't true for most turn-based games.”
  • music3,351 mentions

    The music in "Metaphor: Refantazio" has received widespread acclaim for its orchestral and choral compositions, crafted by renowned composer Shoji Meguro. Many players highlight the unique integration of Buddhist chants and the overall emotional resonance of the soundtrack, which enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling. However, some critiques point to a lack of variety and repetitiveness in the tracks, particularly during extended gameplay, leading to mixed feelings about its memorability compared to previous Atlus titles like the Persona series.

    • “An amazing RPG, with a very gorgeous art style, and probably the single best OST of the year.”
    • “The music is absolutely stunning, the visuals and UI are a masterful crafting, the turn-based combat is both challenging and super customizable.”
    • “The soundtrack is beautiful, it's just top shelf in terms of RPG games in recent history.”
    • “I was a little let down the soundtrack wasn't as iconic as many in the Persona series, but it's an easy thing to look past when you've already become so involved in the character's stories.”
    • “Lastly and most important, the soundtrack is short; you will be hearing the same chanting BGM for the entirety of this 80-hour game.”
    • “The music is hit or miss for me, with most tracks missing the mark.”
  • graphics1,945 mentions

    The graphics of "Metaphor: Refantazio" have received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique and stunning art style that draws inspiration from various artistic influences, including Hieronymus Bosch. However, critics have pointed out that the technical aspects are lacking, often likening the graphics to those of older consoles like the PS3, with issues such as low-resolution textures and poor anti-aliasing. Overall, while the art direction is celebrated, the game's graphical fidelity does not meet the expectations for a 2024 release.

    • “The sheer attention to detail in the visuals is breathtaking, immersing you in a vibrant, fantastical world at every turn.”
    • “The art style strikes a perfect balance between stylized and detailed, with a painterly aesthetic that makes every location feel like a dream.”
    • “Metaphor feels like a release of decades of pent up creativity that oozes out of every second of the game's design, from the immaculately crafted world of euchronia to the gorgeous artwork, which includes amazing character design from Shigenori Soejima and UI design, courtesy of Koji Ise.”
    • “I just wish they'd start upping the graphics budget; some of those textures were pretty bad.”
    • “Unfortunately, the graphics are not from 2024, and some backgrounds (especially while traversing the world on the gauntlet runner) look very outdated.”
    • “The graphics are unacceptable for a high-end 2024 game, with bad shadows and PS2-level textures.”
  • grinding700 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the streamlined mechanics that allow for quicker grinding through overworld combat and the ability to skip tedious battles, others find the overall experience to be excessively grindy, particularly in the late game where significant grinding is often required to keep up with difficulty spikes. Overall, players suggest that while grinding can be fun and rewarding, it may detract from the enjoyment of the story and pacing for those who prefer a more balanced approach.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Combat feels good, not that grindy because I can skip the squad combat if I'm a certain level higher than the enemies, but I honestly don't like all of the archetype system, since most of them are just not worth using.”
    • “No grinding needed.”
    • “The gameplay is so tedious and unfun I cannot recommend the game.”
    • “Grinding will break the game easily so keep that in mind.”
    • “The game does get pretty grindy, though there are ways to offset this.”
  • optimization456 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems and the Steam Deck, where stuttering and frame drops are common. While some users report smooth gameplay on high-end PCs, others note that the game struggles with graphical fidelity and inconsistent frame rates, especially in larger battles and cutscenes. Overall, while there have been improvements since launch, significant optimization work is still needed to enhance the experience for all players.

    • “For an Atlus game, Metaphor is surprisingly well-optimized.”
    • “The game is super creative with plenty of things to do and it is extremely well optimized.”
    • “Performance-wise, it runs smoothly for the most part.”
    • “The gameplay is lengthy and boring, the art style is exaggerated and quickly becomes tiresome, and for an anime-style game, its performance is surprisingly poor.”
    • “The performance, by the way this game looks, it should have run much better.”
    • “I really hope Atlus fixes Metaphor, because while the game remains playable despite its numerous performance and optimization issues, it’s still completely unacceptable.”
  • emotional399 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Metaphor: Refantazio" has been widely praised, with many players expressing that the game evokes a deep connection through its heartfelt storytelling and character development. Numerous reviews highlight moments of genuine sorrow and joy, often leading to tears, as players engage with the characters' struggles and triumphs. While some critiques mention pacing issues and underdeveloped side characters, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a rich, emotional experience that resonates with players, making it a standout title in the JRPG genre.

    • “My eyes welled up at the recollection of how [spoiler] heismay lost his child [/spoiler] and heavens forbid, tears did pour through the entirety of [spoiler] basilio's loss of a brother, losing him in his arms, hallucinating his brother to hear his words one final time to move forward, and waking to people he had grown to hate come and thank him.”
    • “This was simultaneously the most gut-wrenching yet heart-warming story I've ever experienced in a video game.”
    • “Metaphor: refantazio excels in emotional, personal storytelling and sharp intriguing combat, making it a must-play for any JRPG fan.”
    • “The OST quality is mediocre, matching a dull story that fails to leave a lasting impression on players.”
    • “The characters are uninteresting, the designs are uninspired, the combat system is lackluster, and the story is forgettable.”
    • “The overall experience is marred by a boring narrative and uninspired elements that do not engage players emotionally.”
  • character development331 mentions

    Character development in "Metaphor: Refantazio" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its depth and emotional resonance, particularly in comparison to previous Atlus titles like the Persona series. While some characters are noted for their compelling backstories and growth, others are criticized for being shallow or underdeveloped, leading to a perception that the overall character development may not reach the heights of earlier games. The game's art style and character design are generally well-received, contributing positively to the narrative experience, though some players feel that the pacing and integration of character arcs could be improved.

    • “This game features the best writing and character development out of all the Persona games I have played (3, 4, & 5).”
    • “Character development is a real highlight; every hero and companion feels alive with personality, making it easy to become invested in their journey and growth.”
    • “The character development is exceptional, and its thoughtful exploration of themes related to different races and cultures was really outstanding.”
    • “For a whole game and hardly any character development.”
    • “[b]character development[/b]: most characters are shallow, with only a few gaining depth later in the game.”
    • “The character development aspect also left a lot to be desired, especially the interactions between our team members.”
  • humor137 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a delightful blend of absurdity, satire, and genuine wit, often interspersed with serious themes. Players appreciate the clever banter among characters and the unexpected comedic moments that arise throughout the narrative, making for a memorable experience that balances lightheartedness with deeper emotional undertones. While some critiques mention uneven humor and a desire for more comedic elements, the overall reception highlights the game's ability to evoke laughter while addressing significant issues.

    • “The narrative in Refantazio is a swirling mix of humor, drama, and absolute nonsense.”
    • “From the moment you start, the game hooks you with its unique blend of humor, heartache, and deep character storytelling.”
    • “There are heartbreaking moments, but also genuinely hilarious banter between the cast.”
  • atmosphere117 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, enhanced by a diverse and stunning art direction that combines traditional fantasy with surreal elements. The soundtrack, while occasionally lacking standout tracks, generally complements the atmosphere effectively, elevating emotional moments and enriching the overall experience. Players appreciate the unique environments and the way the atmosphere contributes to world-building, making each area feel distinct and engaging.

    • “It's an auditory masterpiece that perfectly complements the atmosphere, whether you're exploring serene landscapes or battling fierce foes.”
    • “The atmosphere here is more than window dressing—it is an immersive, world-building feat that leaves you constantly wondering about the secrets that lie beyond the horizon.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the atmosphere perfectly, with hauntingly beautiful melodies that elevate every moment of gameplay.”
    • “While the combat songs are remarkable, the rest of the music goes practically unnoticed, failing to generate the atmosphere or emotion that would be expected from a role-playing game.”
    • “It is also unpleasant that in important cutscenes, in particular the 'awakening' of the main characters, half of the atmosphere is lost due to inexpressive music.”
    • “The reason I think the characters and social links are weak in this game is because they didn't have the time and budget to flesh out the characters; the kill-or-be-killed atmosphere on the continent doesn’t leave much room for them to display more relatable, mundane aspects of their personalities, as Persona does.”
  • stability76 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance and no crashes, others experience significant technical issues, particularly in specific areas or during certain gameplay moments. The game runs well on the Steam Deck and lower-end systems, but some users have encountered frustrating bugs, visual glitches, and frame rate drops, especially in the final dungeon. Frequent updates have improved stability for some, but persistent issues remain for others, leading to a varied experience.

    • “Great game, great story, runs great (little to no bugs in my playthrough)!!”
    • “A 3070, SSD, and 32GB (Win10) I can run the game at 1080 to 1440 fully maxed with a constant locked 60 FPS; 0 crashes, no stutter, very short loading times, no glitches I could see/find.”
    • “My PC is not the best and I was worried it would not run the game at my max graphics with good framerate, but it runs great, much better than Warhammer 40K: Space Marine and many other AAA titles from this year which I've had to run on lower settings and still would get FPS drops/stuttering.”
    • “I'm sure this game is great, I don't doubt it, but I can't play it since the graphics are buggy and I get black screens during every cutscene.”
    • “Four hours in and started getting a lot of crashes to desktop and game freezes and hangs.”
    • “I usually do not give a damn about FPS drops, but here, the game turns into a PowerPoint slideshow with 0.2 FPS whenever there's more than a couple of enemies on screen - that is to say, the entire game freezes, and every 5 seconds you get to see the next frame.”
  • replayability63 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting a lack of significant new game plus content and diverging paths that would encourage multiple playthroughs. While some appreciate the depth of character customization and the rich story, others feel that the ability to experience most of the game in a single playthrough diminishes the incentive to replay. Consequently, opinions on replayability range from limited to substantial, depending on individual playstyles and expectations.

    • “A very rich story with massive amounts of replayability through the use of the different archetypes.”
    • “The amount of in-depth character building and replayability this system adds is absurd.”
    • “Pov: new Atlus title dropped and now I have my next month of gaming satiated (the replay value is gonna make this last years and I'm all for it).”
    • “Currently, replayability is limited, as there is minimal new game+ content aside from one superboss.”
    • “I have experienced all that the game has to offer in my 80 hours spent with it, and I found it lacking, especially given the minimal replayability and lack of new game+ content.”
    • “Second, the story was on rails with no real diverging paths or choices for replayability, and I personally did not enjoy it as much as I hoped.”
  • monetization22 mentions

    The monetization of this game has drawn significant criticism, with reviewers labeling it as a cash grab that feels unfinished and derivative, particularly in light of its association with the Persona series. While there are some cosmetic DLCs available, the lack of aggressive advertising and the absence of pervasive microtransactions are seen as a positive aspect. Overall, the game's monetization strategy is viewed as one of its weakest points, contributing to a sense of disappointment among players.

    • “This game is so refreshing in 2024 when every big game release is full of microtransactions and the always-online BS.”
    • “I'm so glad this game won the best RPG, best narrative, and best art direction as this project shows that games are more than monetization or for mindless fun but are art that can be used to fuel and inspire others to make changes.”
    • “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
    • “One of the worst monetizations when it comes to DLC.”
    • “This game, in its current state, feels unfinished and reflects Atlus at its worst—essentially a cash grab built on the goodwill of the Persona series.”
    • “It’s not an innovative masterpiece; it’s derivative, created by a multi-million dollar company that has been tuning this genre of game for decades, a company notorious for predatory monetization, milking of titles, recycling material, and unfinished releases.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Metaphor: ReFantazio

Play time

65hMedian play time
95hAverage play time
13-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 123 analyzed playthroughs

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