Summary
TheMetaphor: ReFantazioreview embargo has been lifted, with the ensuing wave of reviews immediately positioning the JRPG as one of the highest-rated games of 2024. Based on this initial reception, it would appear that Atlus managed to create yet another standout role-playing experience withMetaphor: ReFantazio.
The upcoming RPG has been in pre-production since at least December 2016, when it was announced asProject Re:Fantasy. Atlus then treated it to a full-fledged reveal during the June 2023 Xbox Games Showcase.Metaphor: ReFantaziois scheduled to hit the market on October 11.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Reviews Open With an Aggregate Score of 92
Ahead of its release, the game’s review embargo was lifted on Monday, October 7. The ensuing wave ofMetaphor: ReFantazioreviews has been overwhelmingly positive, as underlined by the fact that the game currently boasts a “Mighty” rating onOpenCritic. This elusive label is derived from an aggregate score of 92 and a near-perfect 98% reviewer recommendation rate, which makes it the fourth highest-rated game of 2024 so far. Since the review embargo was only lifted a few hours ago as of this writing, it’s possible that the JRPG’s place in OpenCritic’s yearly rankings will change in the coming days.
As things stand right now,Metaphor: ReFantaziois rated higherthan numerous critically acclaimed 2024 games, includingBalatro,Fate/Stay Night Remastered, andTekken 8. The JRPG might still feasibly leap overTsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon, Type-Moon’s visual novel that has the same aggregate score but a perfect recommendation rate on OpenCritic. Doing so would require it to at least matchFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s average score of 93.
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Game Rant’s own review ofMetaphor: ReFantaziopraised the game for its awe-inspiring art direction, thought-provoking and thematically rich narrative, and extremely compelling combat with “one of the best RPG job systems” ever conceived, among numerous other qualities. Similar sentiments were echoed by many other reviewers, with the game receiving widespread plaudits for delivering a meaningful evolution of Atlus’s gameplay formula that the company has been refining with theShin Megami Tenseifranchise and all of its numerous spin-offs across five decades by now.
In terms of rare complaints, some reviewers have seemingly taken issue with the fact thatMetaphor: ReFantazioplays too similarly to thePersonaseries, labeling its overall design as too derivative to merit a perfect score. But Atlus fans might perceive this as a pro rather than a con, not least becausePersonahas been the company’s most successful franchise for a while now. Review minutiae aside, it would appear that Atlus’s first attempt at making a new IP in over a decade has yielded some masterful results, and that JRPG fans thus have much to look forward to on October 11.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
WHERE TO PLAY
From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.Control your destiny, face your fears, and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.
