We’re looking at a mega hit!
- by Ben Kerry
Last week, we posted about the first review for Metaphor: Refantazio and how it’s getting eager fans hyped for the full release – and, well, it’s looking like that hype was more than merited.
The broader review embargo has now lifted, and we have a bunch of reviews rolling in for Atlus’s new JPRG. Here at Pure Xbox we’re almost 50 hours into our playthrough, but we aren’t quite ready to deliver our verdict just yet. It’s coming very soon, though!
In the meantime, here’s what other critics are saying about Metaphor: ReFantazio so far:
Checkpoint Gaming (10/10)
“I’ve always wanted Atlus to tackle political fantasy as a genre and of course when they finally do it with Metaphor: ReFantazio it’s one of the best RPGs in years. This is the result of 20 years of incredible game craft that has taken shape in the best and most refined version of the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei formula that we’ve ever received. Probably the best we’ll ever get. This is their magnum opus.”
VGC (5/5)
“Metaphor: ReFantazio could have so easily been Persona with the names filed off, but it’s so, so much more than that. It matches fun, expansive combat with an excellent cast of characters that make the near 100-hour journey an unforgettable one.”
Eurogamer (5/5)
“Taken as a straightforward fantasy RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio is hard to beat, as Atlus expertly merges nostalgia and modernity. If its lofty thematic goals of ending prejudice and overcoming society’s collective melancholia are too idealistic, perhaps that’s actually the sort of positivity and hope we need right now. Maybe, above all, the true purpose of fantasy is to provide comfort as we reflect on our own world. If that’s the case, Atlus’ game is essential.”
Push Square (9/10)
“Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the most memorable RPGs we’ve played in years. In pursuing a new property, complete with a fantasy setting, Atlus has allowed its creativity to blossom, resulting in a brilliantly rich experience — both in terms of narrative and audiovisual design. While Metaphor takes obvious gameplay and structural cues from the developer’s previous projects, it combines and refines those elements to make an epic, kingdom-hopping adventure that feels unique and deeply fulfilling.”
TheSixthAxis (9/10)
“Metaphor ReFantazio is sublime. Persona fans will have an absolute blast playing this, and hunting out the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods to its franchise cousin. A couple of minor annoyances make it feel a little rough around the edges hold it back from an otherwise perfect score.”
Wccftech (9/10)
“Those who harbor an innate distaste for the social systems and time limits of modern Persona titles will find no solace here, but those who are willing to embrace what very well could be the sixth Persona title in all but name alone will experience one of the most stylish Japanese roleplaying games of 2024.”
GamesRadar (4.5/5)
“Metaphor: ReFantazio is a triumphant evolution of Atlus’ best, and offers a gripping new story supplemented by a loveable cast, dungeons begging to be explored, and a gorgeous art direction that makes you feel like you’re wandering the pages of a fairytale book, although it takes a while to reach its greatest heights.”
Well, there you go then – Metaphor: ReFantazio is looking like a serious 2024 GOTY contender on Xbox from Atlus. It’s currently got a Metacritic score of 94 and an OpenCritic rating of 92, which is just fantastically high praise all around, really.
If you’d like to see what all the fuss is about ahead of the game’s full launch on Friday, you can play through a super-generous prologue demo right now on Xbox. For all the details on that, check out the link down below.
Excited, JRPG fanatics? Tell us if you’re surprised at all by these scores down in the comments.
Ben is a News Writer at Pure Xbox, and is a fan of action, racing and straight-up shootin’ in any Xbox game he can get his hands on. When he’s not clutching an Xbox controller like his life depends on it, Ben spends his time listening to music that’s far too old for him, watching football on the telly and probably eating somewhere.
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