Review – Metaphor: ReFantazio on Switch 2

There’s no denying the popularity of Atlus’ Persona series, but if you ask me one of their best isn’t even an RPG. That’d be 2011’s Catherine, a quirky puzzle nightmare that explored ostensibly “adult” themes and relationships in a way that’s all its own. It showed what’s possible when the core team behind Persona tried something different and original. 

Fast forward to 2024, and that group (now christened Studio Zero) would get another shot at something unique, ambitious, and creative. This time around it would bring along the proven skeleton of the Persona RPGs, but use those bones to build something grander. If you missed out on one of the finest fantasy adventures of recent memory, you owe it to yourself to look into Metaphor: ReFantazio as it flips open its pages on Nintendo’s latest system. 

On Switch 2, Metaphor aims for 60 fps in both handheld and docked modes. Both configurations have dedicated performance, balanced, and graphic modes to toggle to suit personal preferences and get the most out of the experience. There’s no apparent way to lock the frame rate, which leads to some fluctuations no matter the setting chosen. I also found that even docked, performance mode leads to character models that range from light pixelation to smeared depending on where you are between dungeons, battles, or towns.

In handheld, I ended up feeling most comfortable in balanced mode. The few times I played docked during this review period, I leaned more towards graphics even when something as simple as completing a battle could lead to a drop. I encourage playing with these modes to suit your preferences, as while none of them dip so far as to be unplayable there’s enough nuance amongst them, and their inclusion is appreciated.  

 

 

The greatest, most striking strength of Metaphor: ReFantazio is its presentation. While the world and models are pretty standard Atlus fare, there’s so many flourishes in the menus, battle transitions, UI, and other elements. Some go for striking pop visuals à la Persona 5, while others take on a painterly style that never gets old. This is such a gorgeous game to behold from moment to moment, with the sensory bliss further bolstered by striking creature designs and its distinct and similarly laudable soundtrack. 

Setting aside its stellar art direction, the most notable element of Metaphor is the world it’s built. Though the gameplay doesn’t drift too far from Persona sensibilities, like Social Links and the Press Turn combat, its setting is compelling and largely original high fantasy. The Kingdom of Euchronia is populated not by elves and dwarves but instead by the bat-like eugief and the bright-eyed nidia, among about half a dozen others.  

They aren’t just window dressing either. Each of the game’s races has a defined place in the social hierarchy, with the protagonist a rare example of the perceived lowest. One of my favorite aspects of the game is how his perspective and ideals slowly influence the growing party, which eventually has a representative of every tribe. Via the main character you bring out the greatest potential of this band. 

 

 

That in itself isn’t exactly revolutionary, even though the plot is in the literal sense. See, what drives your party is a country-spanning popularity contest to elect a new king. Between the ever present megalith hanging in the sky judging candidates and the legged landship that ferries you on your ranking roadtrip, it’s a never ending stream of creativity and polished characters. 

The comparisons to Persona are unavoidable even with all Metaphor has going for it in the narrative department. You’ll be managing your days leading up to big, calendar-locked objectives and developing bonds with your Followers to empower your inner strength. Unlike Persona though, those powers aren’t collectible monsters and are instead more akin to RPG classes or jobs. That said, these Archetypes are still quintessentially Atlus, being heavily stylized armor that envelops you rather than a Stand or summon.

You’re still able to develop their skills and unlock more advanced options as you go through the game. It’s easy to get engrossed in building out a balanced team composition and bring out the best of the casts’ individualized stat spreads. I also enjoyed the powerful skills you’d have access to based on what Archetypes were in your party at any given time as well as the ability to move your characters between the front and back lines in combat. All of it comes together to be a familiar yet distinct system, and perhaps the best iteration of the Press Turn system.

 

 

About the only complaints I have beyond what’s been mentioned under performance comes from familiar trappings of the formula. You can occasionally be blindsided by fights that are far tougher and more specific in their solutions than anything else you’re dealing with regularly, which can throw off the flow. If you’re accustomed to its time management, it’s also easy to end up with a glut of time to burn through at set intervals, though it’s also entirely possible to end up in the reverse if you aren’t. Neither can feel particularly good, though credit where due, those set storybeats manage to consistently deliver. 

If you’re after an exceptional RPG and haven’t gotten around to it already, Metaphor: ReFantazio is well worth your time. It grows beyond its pieces pulled from previous games and stands singularly as the most compelling game from its developer this side of Catherine. 

If you have sampled its world and combat and wonderful story already, there’s not much to justify double dipping on Nintendo Switch 2 beyond handheld capabilities. Visuals and performance are fine, with some noticeable concessions on Nintendo’s system. Even then, the stylization and variable modes for both handheld and docked keep the differences with other platforms from being overly pronounced, and though they could be improved it’s not enough to spoil the experience. 

 

 

This is a port I eagerly awaited less to have an excuse to replay the game or to have it in a way I prefer. No, the greatest get for this coming to Nintendo is to get it in front of as many people as possible. This is a fantastic, imaginative tale that’s worth retelling. It speaks to the power of dreaming for a greater life and standing united against charismatic tyranny on a grand stage. It manages that while still giving its cast their own smaller moments to shine and without losing sight of being an excellent video game. 

More than that, it’s an ode to what’s possible when creatives set aside the safer path and strive for originality — something this industry could use more of while celebrating and holding fast to the talent that brings art to life. 

 

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