Metaphor: ReFantazio Review | One of Atlus' Greatest Games Yet

Metaphor: ReFantazio combines Atlus' skill in crafting emotionally charged RPGs with brilliant plot twists, a keen sense of adventure, and fantastical idealism to create one of its greatest games yet.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a brilliant game packed with adventure, charming characters, heartfelt stories, and elevated versions of Atlus' signature gameplay, art, turn-based combat, and sprawling dungeons. It's also an extraordinarily earnest title that offers comfort to those who need it and asks players to have hope for tomorrow, the people around them, and themselves. By the time my 80 hours with Metaphor came to a close, I felt lighter--younger, too. Its themes and various stories were somehow restorative, and its set pieces brought me back to the RPGs I grew up playing--the ones that shaped me and made me long for companionship and grand adventures. Metaphor is Atlus at its strongest and most sincere. It's the type of game that reminds you of the idealist you were, the person you'd like to be, and how fantasy can shape reality.

Somehow, Metaphor: ReFantazio is even greater than the sum of its parts, yet each piece of the game is masterfully crafted. I found the whole experience transcendent and was impressed by how it felt both novel yet familiar--elevated and modern, yet so reminiscent to the fantasy RPGs I sunk countless hours into on my little grey PlayStation. But most importantly, it made me remember that we are lost without hope. It sounds silly and cliche, I know--sometimes it can be. It also certainly doesn't put out the fires set all over the world. But it reminded me that giving into despair and fear serves no one, myself included. It reminded me that fantasy and fiction have power--words and stories have power. They can inspire and comfort, and these things that are vital to preserving. And it reminded me that the proof of good in the world can be us, and that's a good start.

#gaming #metaphorrefantazio #gamespot

[joshstrickland]

Jessica this was an AMAZING review. Very well written and presented. I’m not just saying this cause you gave the game a 10 I sincerely mean it.

[SwiftGuyver.]

What a year Atlus have had! Persona 3 Reload, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance & Metaphor: ReFantazio! Unicorn Overlord as well seen as they published that and we know Vanillaware are basically unofficially part of the Atlus family!

[Moori]

The score aside, this was a great review, really well written and an entertaining listen. Well done the reviewer.

[TakeTheWorld]

I’ve been a firm believer Metaphor was gonna be a GOTY contender for months, now I’m happy learning I wasn’t wrong

[stayawakegames]

“The good in the world can be us and that’s a good place to start.”

[The-One-and-Only]

Louis has those Griffith vibes, and just for that, I’m hyped.

[SuperKale]

An insane review. I think that's the best review I've ever seen. Tells you the right amount without telling too much.

[Ripley]

What a brilliantly written and presented review. Can't wait to play the game myself once I finished P3R.

[shauryasuri]

Absolutely fantastic review jessica. Talked about everything i wanted to know without spoiling much and still managed to get me evej more hyped for the game than i previously was after playing the demo. Kudos

[tylerward]

This was an outstandingly written and narrated review. Kudos, Jessica!

[anon]

This was a very well written and narrated review. Can’t wait for the game !

[ryantaylor]

I genuinely think this might be the best written review I've listened to in awhile.

[Captain_Teebs]

Here we go!!!! I will be there no matter what. Day one collectors edition all the

[cloudvoid]

Atlus have outdone themselves this year. Bravo!
I sincerely hope this makes it to the mainstream GOTY lists alongside P3 Reload & Unicorn.

[AM-ukjv]

A Gamespot 10/10 is a once in a decade feat.

[SMii]

GOTY contender. Felt it before I played the demo, confirmed it for sure after finishing the demo. Got this bad boy pre-ordered (physical collector's edition by the way) which I normally don't do but I know a gem of a game when I see/play it. Hope this game does EXTREMELY well across all platforms!

[popeyes]

Dang, I'm playing the demo. A 10 🤯

[al-chemist]

An excellently written review and having played the demo all your points put what I thought about the game in the best way possible, well done

[joseguzman]

ATLUS snuck into my top 5 developers over night im so glad this game will be a success

[eColi]

This isn’t just a review. It’s a love letter.