Addictive Turn-Based Combat and Rich Storytelling
Metaphor: ReFantazio Review
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a compelling turn-based RPG that combines classic turn-based combat with fresh mechanics and a captivating story.
Pros
- 🎭 Dynamic combat system allowing on-the-fly class changes
- 📖 Rich, intriguing narrative with immersive cutscenes
- 🎨 Vibrant and detailed visuals with expressive character animations
- 🎵 Atmospheric soundtrack enhancing the mood
- ⚔️ Combat is addictive without feeling repetitive
Cons
- 🖱️ Overly sensitive camera and control settings that can frustrate players
- 🐢 Some pacing issues, especially during story-heavy segments
- 🚪 Limited slice-of-life moments reduce world immersion
The king is dead, the throne is empty, and a deadly curse afflicts the only true heir. This is the world of Metaphor: ReFantazio, a high-fantasy epic that immediately throws players into a high-stakes race for power. A grand tournament has been declared to find the next ruler, but for you, the quest is far more personal.
As soon as I started my playthrough of Metaphor: ReFantazio, it becomes clear that this is something different. From the creative minds behind the Persona series, this game leverages a familiar, stylish blueprint but applies it to a fascinating new world full of wonder, creating an experience that is both comfortably recognizable and refreshingly unique, in many aspects.
However, where Metaphor carves its own path is in its focus. The deep “slice-of-life” simulation of the Persona games is largely absent here. Instead of balancing school life with dungeon crawling, this experience is laser-focused on the grand journey and the mission at hand. There are still light social elements, like bonding with your companions by eating at an inn at the end of the day, but the game is fundamentally about the quest, not the daily life between quests. The game’s social elements come into play with the follower system, by strengthening your bonds with your Followers, you unlock new abilities and powerful new Archetypes (which are basically the classes in this game), making social progression feel integral to the journey itself, rather than a separate daily activity.
The combat system, while it follows a typical Persona or Shin Megami Tensei formula is the game’s crowning achievement. At first, it appears to be real-time, but it’s a clever hybrid system. In the overworld, you can dash and attack enemies directly, but once you interact with enemies, you can enter a turn-based combat which is where most of the gameplay is focused on. One good thing that I love is, If you’re powerful enough, you can defeat weaker mobs right then and there, completely bypassing the turn-based battle instance. This single feature is a brilliant innovation that dramatically reduces the repetitive “rinse and repeat” grind common in many turn-based JRPGs.
When you do enter a full battle, the turn-based combat is deep and addictive. The standout feature is the Archetype system, which allows your characters to change their class or job on the fly. This opens up a plethora of build combinations and strategic possibilities, a massive improvement over games where characters are permanently locked into specific skillsets. It encourages experimentation and keeps the combat feeling fresh for dozens of hours. Not to mention you can upgrade archetypes and essentially mix and match them together and come up with some pretty interesting synergy builds.
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The narrative unfolds as a political journey across the kingdom. Traveling in your mobile base, you must visit different regions, solve their unique problems, and win the trust and belief of their people to build your support. You’ll interact with a rich cast of characters, from the allies who become your loyal Followers to the other charismatic rivals competing for the throne, all while uncovering the deeper mysteries of the world, such as the nature of the monstrous creatures known as “Humans.
The game's cel-shaded art style is one of its most unique features. It masterfully blends a classic high-fantasy aesthetic with a distinctly modern and stylish sensibility. It still looks Persona-ish but its medieval now. A major highlight is the game's UI. Much like in the Persona series, navigating menus is an experience in itself. The UI is incredibly dynamic, using bold typography, energetic transitions, and a striking color palette of gold, black, and red to make every action feel impactful and stylish. This unique visual identity is integral to the game's personality.
Conclusion
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a masterful blend of the old and the new. It successfully transplants the beloved, stylish formula of the Persona series into a new high-fantasy world, all while innovating on the turn-based combat formula in truly new meaningful ways. While those looking for a deep life-sim might miss that aspect, the game’s compelling world, addictive combat, and incredible sense of style make it an absolute must-play for JRPG fans and a serious contender for Game of the Year.
