Metaphor: ReFantazio

The throne sits empty after the king’s assassination. With no heirs, the will of the late king decrees that the next monarch will be elected by the people, & thus begins your fight for the throne..

Current Players: 2067
Developers: ATLUS
Publishers: SEGA
Release Date: Oct 10, 2024
Price (USD): $69.99
archetype system
visual design
character development
social themes
immersive experience
combat system
worldbuilding
Persona formula
multiple endings
technical issues
pacing problems
graphical fidelity
repetitive grind
forced plot twists
Customization, visuals, and character development stand out as the game's strongest elements, drawing players into an engaging world. However, the experience is marred by technical issues like graphical fidelity and occasionally frustrating gameplay balance. The game's social themes resonate, though the execution can feel overly familiar for some. Overall, the game provides a rich narrative and strategic depth, earning it high praise despite certain pacing problems.

Positive Points

  • The archetype system allows for deep customization and strategic builds, providing a rich variety in combat approaches.
  • The visual design, music, and art style are widely praised, creating an immersive and aesthetically pleasing experience.
  • Characters are well-developed and deeply engaging, contributing to a rich storytelling experience.
  • The game's blend of social simulation and turn-based combat is a strength, offering both strategic depth and narrative continuity.
  • The story addresses themes like racism, social class, and oppression, resonating with many players.
  • Negative Points

  • The game's pacing, particularly towards the end, slows significantly, leading to repetitive grind and prolonged endgame sequences.
  • The anti-aliasing and graphical fidelity on PC ports have been criticized, detracting from visual enjoyment.
  • Some players experienced technical issues such as audio bugs and performance dips, particularly on PC.
  • The story could feel convoluted or drag at points, with certain plot twists feeling forced or underwhelming.
  • Release of certain characters and archetypes later in the game is seen as too late to enjoy fully.
  • Mixed Points

  • The combat system, though innovative, was seen as both a positive evolution from Persona and somewhat lacking challenge outside of boss fights.
  • The worldbuilding is appreciated, though some felt the execution fell short in fully utilizing its potential.
  • The non-linear progression and multiple story endings provide replayability but left some players feeling overwhelmed or unsatisfied without clear resolution.
  • Common Themes

  • A narrative focus on social themes like inequality and discrimination is a recurring element appreciated by many.
  • Many players noted the quality of the soundtrack, which ranged from amazing to repetitive over time.
  • The game's adherence to the traditional Persona formula is both a selling point and a point of criticism, as some players sought more innovation.
  • The game's length and the commitment required to complete it were frequently mentioned, with players expressing mixed feelings about the pacing.
  • Updated 5/23/2025, 12:00:56 AM UTC