Start your gauntlet runners early, candidates! Announced at Tokyo Game Show, Metaphor: ReFantazio is receiving a demo for players to start their journey into the United Kingdom of Euchronia today. A trailer to accompany the release to the highly-anticipatedRPGis out now and available below.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Gets Early October Release, New Gameplay Revealed
Announced during ATLUS West’s livestream, Metaphor: ReFantazio will launch on October 11th with thrilling new gameplay.
Called the “Prologue Demo”, the demo, releasing today, will cover the beginning of the game, which releases on October 11. This includes playing through the first four dungeons, meeting six followers crucial to the Protagonist’s campaign, and new party members. In terms of Archetypes, the game’s class system, you’ll be able to unlock seven of the over 40 types, giving you plenty of choices in gameplay. Most importantly, progression from the demo will carry over to the launch version so those who play will be able to start right where they left off when they resume their political campaign and quest to cure the Prince.
Most importantly, progression from the demo will carry over to the launch version so those who play will be able to start right where they left off when they resume their political campaign and quest to cure the Prince.
The Prologue Demo is available on all platforms, which include Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC. The game isestimated to be longerthanPersona 5, which is around 90-100 hours depending on how you play. This is, of course, not too surprising given that the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei games range around that range, with recent releasesPersona 3 ReloadandShin Megami Tensei V: Vengeancebeing around 60 hours.
Playing with Power and Politics
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a new IP and RPG from Studio Zero, formed by former Persona series director Katsura Hashino alongside frequent collaborators fromPersonaandShin Megami Tensei. The game’s story follows an unnamed Protagonist in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, where the sudden assassination of their king causes major turmoil. You, alongside your fairy companion Gallica, are tasked with lifting the curse from the thought-dead prince while competing in the Royal Tournament against some unique and powerful competitors. Many will join your cause and aid you on your adventure, like disgraced knight Hulkenberg and the young soldier Strohl. They’ll need to gain the trust of the populous and ensure the safety and wellness of their livelihoods alongside your ever-growing crew over an in-game six-month deadline.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Announces Main English Voice Cast, Gamescom Presence
Ahead of Gamescom 2024, Metaphor: ReFantazio unveils its main voice cast as well as its big appearance at the Germany-held convention.
Despite the same people, Metaphor: ReFantazio differs from other ATLUS franchises likeShin Megami TenseiandPersonawith its new hybrid form of battle gameplay. In this title, players can switch between real-time action and turn-based combat. As the game involves dungeon exploring, the real-time action, called “Fast”, gives players a way to efficiently tackle low-level enemies in different ways, depending on the equipped Archetype (basically a Persona/Demon), without going into full combat via simple commands. For tough enemies, going turn-based, called “Squad”, brings about the standard Shin Megami Tensei and Persona gameplay, alongside three of your companions.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Unpacks New Gameplay Details, Battle System, Archetypes
SEGA and ATLUS West released new details surrounding Metaphor: ReFantazio’s gameplay and mechanics for players to dig into.
As mentioned before, Archetypes, a new gameplay mechanic, fill in as Persona’s Personas and provide a unique experience in-battle. One can unlock them by forming relationships with characters around the Kingdom. Each Archetype has their own strengths, weaknesses and skills. For example, the Mage can target weaknesses with offensive magic while the Thief can steal resources from enemies. It’s up to the player to decide which Archetypes to awaken for themselves and their party and how to configure their members to create a stronger party. Released today, one of the Archetypes, the Summoner, along with it’s lineage, will let players summon the iconic Jack Frost, letting you get the last hee-ho.
Jack Frost’s first appearance was in Megami Tensei II, which released in 1990. Since then, he has been the semi-official mascot of Atlus, appearing in both Shin Megami Tensei as a Demon and in Persona as a Persona specializing in Ice.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is quickly becoming a highly-anticipated title for this year. So far, RPGs like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Visions of Mana, Persona 3 Reload, and Black Myth Wukong have dominated player’s expectations and considered highlights of the year for the genre. However, the pedigree of the team and the high-fantasy aesthetic have set Metaphor: ReFantazio apart from its competition, yet it remains to be seen if it will live up to expectations. Fortunately, we can now see what’s in store with the Prologue Demo.
Metaphor: ReFantazio kickstarts it’s campaign on July 01, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC. As mentioned before, the Prologue Demo is available now.
Is Metaphor: Refantazio Connected to Shin Megami Tensei/Persona?
Metaphor: ReFantazio comes from the minds behind Shin Megami Tensei and Persona. But are they connected in any way?
Metaphor: ReFantazio
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.
