Metaphor ReFantazio Review: Will you stand for what is right?

Developed by Atlus' Studio Zero, Metaphor: ReFantazio pulls its inspiration from the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchises, but it still manages to carve out its own identity in the fantasy genre. Metaphor: ReFantazio doesn’t shy away from the themes and mechanics that made Persona such an amazing series, but this time, they’re woven into a medieval fantasy setting. Read more in this Metaphor: ReFantazio review.

Story

Right off the bat, the story pulls you in with its rich world-building and well-crafted characters. You play as the Protagonist (who you name), a boy of the Elda tribe tasked with saving his childhood friend from a deadly curse. Oh, and his childhood friend just so happens to be the Prince of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, whose father, the King, was just assassinated.

The stakes are immediately high, and the political intrigue surrounding the kingdom adds a huge amount of depth to the narrative. The story touches on heavy themes like racism, inequality, and religious fanaticism, which mirror real-world issues, and Atlus handles these topics with care.

I especially loved the dynamic between the Protagonist and Strohl, a noble from the Clemar tribe. Their relationship has that same loyal, brotherly vibe as Persona 5’s Protagonist and Ryuji, which for me, is friendship goals at its finest. There’s something heartwarming about watching them interact, despite the personal and political baggage each character brings.

One thing that stands out in Metaphor: ReFantazio is how deeply you become invested in the political climate. It’s not just about the Prince and his curse; it’s about the kingdom’s fractured state, discrimination, and the looming threat of humans. The story’s ability to evoke real anger at the treatment of the Protagonist and other marginalized groups is impressive, and it’s this emotional weight that sets Metaphor apart from being just another Persona spin-off.

Score: 5/5

Visual Design

The fantasy world of Euchronia is brought to life with a style that uses the bold aesthetic of the Persona series as combined with darker, grittier medieval elements. The character designs are detailed and reflect their respective tribes and backgrounds, making it easy to distinguish them apart from each other.

The environments are lush and detailed, from the bustling cities to the broken, eerie dungeons. You can feel the weight of the kingdom's history in every corner you explore. I also appreciated the attention to detail in the UI - clean, intuitive, but still brimming with personality. It's very similar to Persona's UI, so fans will quickly pick up how to use it.

However, the real visual highlight for me was the design of the Archetypes. They're so unique compared to the Personas in Persona. They fit the world of Metaphor perfectly, despite the similarities in how they're born into the world. The transformation sequence for each character when they cast off their anxieties is very reminiscent of the characters in Persona ripping off their masks, but the differences are clear and extraordinary.

Metaphor manages to capture the charm and style of Atlus’ signature design, but it goes one step further by adapting it into a fantasy setting that feels equally vibrant and foreboding.

Score: 4.5/5

Controls and Accessibility

When it comes to controls, Metaphor plays smoothly, especially with a controller. The interface is clean, and combat inputs feel intuitive. But here’s where things fall a bit short - the lack of controller re-mapping options is a letdown. For a game as detailed as Metaphor, I expected more flexibility in how I could set up the controls, especially for players who might need custom setups for accessibility reasons.

That said, the accessibility features that are present do a decent job. The game offers multiple difficulty options, which is great for players who want to enjoy the story without getting bogged down in tough battles. I also appreciated the message speed settings and the ability to toggle camera shake, which can be disorienting for some players. While it’s not the most comprehensive set of accessibility features, it covers the basics well enough. But it’s definitely an area Atlus could improve on in future titles (or patches).

Score: 3.5/5

Gameplay

The combat and social systems will feel very familiar if you're a Persona fan - but there are some new things for you to play with. The Archetype system is similar to having Personas, allowing party members to equip different Archetypes, each with unique skills and stat boosts. What makes this system special is that it allows for flexibility in your party’s strategy.

Combat is a mix of real-time and turn-based systems, and this keeps battles engaging. Do you risk attacking enemies in real-time for a preemptive strike, or do you play it safe and jump straight into turn-based combat? The choice is yours, but the real-time approach comes with the risk of being ambushed yourself. I found myself switching between these modes constantly, especially when exploring dungeons, where it’s crucial to get the jump on tougher enemies.

The Press Turn system, borrowed from Shin Megami Tensei, makes every battle a tactical puzzle. Exploiting enemy weaknesses gives you extra turns, but the same goes for your enemies if they target your weak spots. It’s all about carefully managing your team’s formation, skills, and Archetypes to outwit your foes. And let’s not forget about Synthesis - combining the powers of two or more Archetypes to unleash a devastating attack feels incredibly satisfying, though you’ll need to use it wisely, as it costs multiple turns.

There are so many layers to the gameplay that I never felt bored. The calendar system adds that signature Persona time-management feel, and exploring the world of Euchronia gives you a real sense of progression.

Score: 4.5/5

Verdict: A darker, grittier Persona well worth playing

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a game that walks the line between homage and innovation. Its deep connection to Persona and Shin Megami Tensei is clear in its mechanics and structure, and while at times it feels almost too similar to its predecessors, it ultimately carves out its own space with a compelling fantasy world and meaningful characters.

The Archetype system and combination of real-time and turn-based combat are fresh takes that keep things interesting, and the story’s exploration of serious themes like racism and inequality give the game a lot of emotional weight.

If you’re a fan of Atlus games, you’ll find a lot to love here. And while it may not take as many risks as some might hope, Metaphor: ReFantazio is still a memorable and rewarding journey that proves fantasy and Persona-style gameplay can coexist.

Disclosure: A free copy of the game was provided to PGG by the publisher for review purposes.

Want to read more game reviews at Pro Game Guides? Check out our Visions of Mana Review: When the cycle repeats, learn to break it and Shadows of Doubt Review – Indie gaming at its finest.