Developed by Atlus' Studio Zero, Metaphor: ReFantazio takes inspiration from the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchises, but still manages to carve out its own identity within the fantasy genre. Metaphor: ReFantazio doesn't shy away from the themes and mechanics that made Persona such a great series, but this time weaves them into a medieval fantasy setting. Read more in this Metaphor: ReFantazio review.

The story immediately draws you in with its rich world-building and well-developed characters. You play as the Protagonist (who you name yourself), a boy from the Elda tribe tasked with saving his childhood friend from a deadly curse. Oh, and his childhood friend just happens to be the Prince of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, whose father, the King, has just been assassinated.

The stakes are immediately high, and the political intrigue surrounding the kingdom adds a tremendous amount of depth to the story. The story touches on heavy themes like racism, inequality, and religious fanaticism that reflect real-world issues, and Atlus handles these topics with care.

I especially loved the dynamic between the Protagonist and Strohl, a nobleman from the Clemar tribe. Their relationship has the same loyal, brotherly vibe as the Protagonist and Ryuji from Persona 5, which for me is friendship goals at its finest. There’s something heartwarming about watching them interact, despite the personal and political baggage each character brings to the table.