The day has arrived: Metaphor: ReFantazio, the new video game from the creators of Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5, is here. After a very long development period -we’ll get into that point now-, the new title from Atlus hits the stores with an incredible reception.
If you are one of those who still hesitates about whether to go and buy it, here we bring you everything you need to know about Metaphor: ReFantazio, one of the games of 2024.
When is Metaphor: ReFantazio coming out?
As we mentioned at the beginning of the text, Metaphor: ReFantazio is now available. The Atlus video game was released in stores yesterday, Friday, October 11, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.
How many editions does Metaphor: ReFantazio have?
True to the usual trend, Metaphor: ReFantazio arrives in stores with a multitude of different editions, as well as their respective prices. Below, we present each one with their differences:
- Standard Physical and Digital Edition ($69.99): includes the base video game, either on disc or digital.
- Deluxe Digital Edition – 35th Atlus Anniversary ($99.99): includes the base video game, as well as the soundtrack, the art book with game designs, the 35th anniversary Atlus book, the soundtrack commemorating the company’s anniversary, and a set of clothing and background music. All mentioned items are in digital format.
- Collector’s Edition ($149.99): includes everything mentioned above, with the difference that the design book is indeed in printed physical format, as well as metal pins of Homo Tenta, a sticker sheet, a fabric map of the Kingdom of Eucronia, and a metal box.
Interestingly, the Japanese collector’s edition does come with all the content in physical form, so there is no digital part, only physical.
What is Metaphor: ReFantazio?
We have to go back to December 2016 to learn the first details of Metaphor: ReFantazio. Yes, you read that right. It was in December of that same year when it was announced that Project Re:Fantasy was in development, the code name of the project at that time.
As the years went by, Atlus did not reveal more information about it, although we did learn, thanks to that 2016, that the main creators of Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 were involved in this project. This meant that Katsura Hashino, director of this Metaphor and one of the key figures of the Persona saga, was participating here. However, he was not doing it alone, as he also brought along highly skilled and trusted people: Shigenori Soejima, as art director; Yuichiro Tanaka, as writer; Shoji Meguro, as composer; Junichi Yoshizawa, as producer, and Azusa Kido and Kenichi Goto as designers.
As we gathered information about Metaphor: ReFantazio, we also discovered what the game was about. It takes place in the Unified Kingdom of Eucronia, a universe experiencing a difficult time following the assassination of its monarch. After this tragic event, the throne becomes vacant and a tournament is held to determine who will aspire to it.
This is where our protagonist comes into play, who, along with the fairy Gallica, his faithful companion, will have to break the curse that befalls the prince, the rightful heir whom the kingdom also believes to be dead. The rest, well, are hallmarks of the saga: countless turn-based battles, character specializations, great relationships between them, and much more. If there’s one thing they know how to do at Atlus, and specifically this team, it’s developing JRPGs.
The reception of Metaphor: ReFantazio has been truly marvelous from the specialized press. Earlier this week, journalists’ reviews were revealed, with a general consensus: we are facing one of the best JRPGs not only of 2024 but of recent years. With a rating of 94 out of 100 on Metacritic, it currently becomes the highest-rated game of the year alongside Astrobot and the Elden Ring expansion. In fact, in its first hours in stores, it has already surpassed one million copies sold.
We hope you go to your favorite store to buy the game and enjoy dozens of hours in an incredible experience.
