Very Positive(93%)
engaging story
strategic combat
art direction
quality of life improvements
social themes
enemy design
storytelling
slow pacing
difficulty spikes
lack of romance
Overall, the sentiment around Metaphor: ReFantazio is predominantly positive, with players highlighting the engaging story, strategic combat system, and exceptional art and music. However, pacing issues, difficulty spikes, and the lack of romance interactions were common criticisms. The game offers a complex and rewarding journey for those willing to invest time, appealing especially to fans of previous Atlus titles but introducing enough new elements to stand on its own.
Positive Points
Players praised the engaging story and character-driven narrative that tackled complex themes like politics, racism, and social issues.The game's combat system, particularly the Archetype system, was well-received for allowing extensive customization and strategic depth, reminiscent of Final Fantasy job systems.The art direction, character design, and music were consistently highlighted as top-tier, offering a unique and immersive visual and auditory experience.The game was appreciated for its modern quality of life improvements, such as the ability to avoid unnecessary battles and manage time effectively in the calendar system.Negative Points
Some players criticized the game for having a slow pace, especially in the early and mid-game, which led to sections that felt repetitive or excessively long.The difficulty spikes, particularly in the late game, were mentioned as frustrating, with some players feeling forced to grind or respec their characters to progress.The lack of a romance feature, a staple in previous Atlus games, was a disappointment for some fans looking for deeper character interactions.Mixed Points
The storytelling and dialogues were seen as both a strength and a weakness; while certain themes were engaging, others felt overly simplistic or overly explained.The visual and enemy design received mixed reviews, with some players loving the unique artistic style and others finding it lacked diversity and felt repetitive.Common Themes
The comparison to Persona games was frequent, with players noting the similarities in mechanics and structure but appreciating the differences in setting and story.The game's handling of social themes was a central focus, with varying opinions on whether it was handled with depth or felt too on-the-nose.There was a notable divide between players who enjoyed the challenge and depth of the combat system and those who found the steep learning curve a hurdle.Updated 2/14/2026, 12:01:52 AM UTC