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Metaphor: ReFantazio

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a 2024 role-playing video game developed by Studio Zero and published by Sega. Metaphor: ReFantazio was first announced under the working title Project Re:Fantasy in December 2016, with no further information revealed until 2023, and was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S by Atlus in Japan and by Sega internationally on October 11, 2024.

Role-playing (RPG)Turn-based strategy (TBS)Adventure

Time to beat: about 61.5 hours
Plays offline: Yes

Overview

The game is set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, a medieval fantasy realm mirroring the contemporary real world, after the assassination of its former King. Years earlier, an assassination attempt on the Prince resulted in him being cursed and falling into a long slumber. The protagonist, an orphaned boy of the magic-wielding Elda tribe and the Prince's childhood friend, participates in the Royal Tournament held to decide the throne's successor, journeying across Euchronia to rally support from its people while searching for a way to lift the curse.

Metaphor: ReFantazio sold one million copies on release day across all platforms and received widespread acclaim, with praise being directed towards its narrative, worldbuilding, visuals, gameplay, and themes reflecting real-world issues both politically and socially, although it received some criticism regarding its technical problems at launch. It was nominated for several awards, including Game of the Year from several outlets and awards ceremonies, and won the Game Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Role-Playing Game, won the D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year at the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, and won the Grand Prize at the 2025 Japan Game Awards.