Metaphor: ReFantazio Review

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Fast Facts

A symbolic expression of difference

Metaphor: ReFantazio has an opening that beats the drum of the heart of its player from the opening moments to the very last. With its almost cult like chants reverberating through it’s soundtrack, the opening screen sets you up for the intensity you feel almost unwaveringly throughout.

To set the scene, Metaphor: ReFantazio quickly identifies the main antagonist of the story Louis Guiabern in the opening sequences. An almost Sephiroth like character who delivers a Shakespearean monologue as he assassinates the king of the United Kingdom of Euchronia.

In fact, this speech is just too good not to share:

“A land grotesque as its people. You dreamt of utopia. You saw the tribes united as one. That dream died long ago. You should have done the same. Your kingdom… will perish alongside you. By my hand.”

We quickly begin to discover Louis has a darkened military past, has done some terrible things, yet surprisingly he has a rising popularity and cult following building in the world in which they belong.

It’s this depth and complexity in Metaphor: ReFantazio that grips you. Rarely in games can you meet the antagonist, and feel a balance of desire to learn and understand more, to distaste their morals, yet also feel disgusted at what they stand for. The fact that this landed in the middle of US Election primaries is no mere coincidence.

Time marches on, and the age of a new king draws near

There is such a sense of excitement around this game, so at this point let me wind back a moment and talk to you about the elevator pitch for Metaphor: ReFantazio. It is an RPG built by the talented folk at Japanese studio Atlus, who have made over 200 games since forming in 1987. As a studio they are renowned for the Persona Series first launched in 1996, and also cult favourite Tokyo Mirage Sessions from the Wii U in 2015.

As a fan of RPG’s I’ve always had an interest in the Persona series of games, but never quite ventured to try them out, something about the number of games and where you should jump in is a little daunting so its great that Metaphor: ReFantazio is the very first of its story.

The formula is quite traditional, big world RPG, archetypes, turn-based combat and party based travelling. Metaphor: ReFantazio does also offer lots of fresh new ideas that keep the pace and energy high throughout.

As our stories protagonist, (name to be confirmed…. I chose Wilheim) you belong to a rare race elda and accompanied by your fairy friend Gallica. Quickly thrust into a world full of discrimination and racial judgement, you’ll find your kind aren’t very welcome here. This theme of isolation and seperatism is present throughout the story.

A Culmination of Ideas

When it comes to combat, its a fast paced system, but also offers a quick battle system for weaker enemies that allows you to quickly take them down without having to offer the transition into turn-based. This feels like a real quality of life addition to the formula.

As the story begins to open up we begin to realise that the battle ahead of us, is built on the premise of popularity. For only the peoples vote truly counts in this world, and with this newly vacated throne only the true heir to the king will have a chance to bring this fractured country back together again.

The artwork and character design on offer just utterly blows you away every single time you load Metaphor: ReFantazio up. It’s vibrant and colourful, and if you can play this game on an OLED display, you 100% should. The design of characters by Shigenori Soejima is spectacular and some of the most grotesque monsters and enemies (aptly named Humans) I’ve ever seen. The soundtrack is a masterclass from start to finish composed by Shoji Meguro, lyrics written by Esperanto and vocals chanted by a Buddhist Monk. Even now I’m still humming the tune of my visits to Akademia.

Keeping It Vague

Metaphor: ReFantazio is just utterly wonderful and thought provoking. It’s a hard review to write, without feeling like I’m over sharing the story. Its become one of those games where I’ve felt compelled to tell people, to “just play it”. It deals with some really dark aspects of humanity, it makes you question our real existence, and it labels fantasy at moments that feel like our reality.

Humanity is complicated, and this game works hard to tackle the beauty and the ugliness of life. Everyone should seize the chance to have their own experience in the ReFantazio.

Rapid Reviews Rating

4.5 out of 5

4.5

You can purchase Metaphor: ReFantazio on the Microsoft Store here.