One of the biggest titles of the year and one I was really looking forward to! After 130+ hours, I finally finished Metaphor: ReFantazio and can share my thoughts without worrying about spoilers from others😅.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a single-player RPG developed by Studio Zero and published by Sega. It was released on October 11 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC—selling over a million copies on day one! Set in the medieval fantasy world of Euchronia, the game combines real-time exploration with turn-based combat, offering a unique mix of strategy and fast-paced gameplay.
The story follows Will (bet you didn’t know that 😉), an orphan from the Elda tribe who enters the Royal Tournament to unite the kingdom and lift a mysterious curse. Alongside his fairy companion Gallica, he faces political struggles, tribal divides, and monstrous enemies, exploring themes of prejudice, alliances, and hidden secrets.
Metaphor’s hybrid combat system blends real-time movement with turn-based battles, which adds a lot of depth to boss fights and field encounters. The "Follower" system, similar to the social mechanics in the Persona series, lets players build relationships and manage time-sensitive activities. Archetypes further enhance combat strategy and character progression.
While I really enjoyed the game overall, a few gameplay design choices were frustrating. For example, enemy weaknesses aren’t always clear before battles, and there’s no option to return to the title screen mid-fight without closing the game. The turn-based combat also started to feel repetitive, and I often relied on auto-battle, especially during side quests.
Story-wise, I was hooked at the beginning, but my interest dipped a bit after a major event. The ending felt stretched out, and the dungeon design lacked inspiration toward the conclusion.
That said, Metaphor still stands out as one of the top titles of the year, alongside Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Stellar Blade. It features a striking visual style, an excellent soundtrack, and a cast of likable characters that make it shine in the RPG genre.
Have you played Metaphor: ReFantazio? What did you think of it?
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Platform: PS/Xbox/PC
Developer: Atlus, Studio Zero
Publisher: Sega, Atlus
Genre: RPG
Release Year: 2024
Links (Play-Asia):
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