Metaphor: ReFantazio

✋🏻Absolute cinema🤚🏻

It definitely looks like atlus is just laying down comfortably with their golden egg formula of jrpgs and raking in the money,
Or maybe its the opposite and theyre stuck on that formula and too scared to change.either way that ship has sailed and it definitely shows,with most stuff in this game being a husk of their former entries.the characters quests were never shallower,the dialogue an unending blabber of nothingness,the annoying ps2 fetch quests and the same time management mechanic they’re been using for around 2 decades now.this was all either unchanged or a big decline from their other games and that is a huge disappointment,not only because its from the director of my favorite game series,but also because when i heard he was working on a new ip for 8 years the expectations were of something new,and this was anything but that.
Its sort of conflicting writing all this bc after a while the game did pick up the pace and started evolving quite nicely,the story though the regular Atlus morality blabber had a great 2nd half and maybe one of the best villains in a game or any media even though he too was mishandled,having ideals so stunning,but approached in once a gain such a lazy way!
Anyways ,the combat also took a turn for the best at the 2nd half with some of the best,and memorable bosses i ever fought in turn based and overall.
But that was around the 55hour mark,and its just not right to dismiss all that time because of a good last boss and a tear jerker ending.

GAMES LIKE THESE ARE WHY IM STILL ALIVE WHAT THE FUCK‼️‼️‼️‼️

Two hours in Metaphor Refantazio,

The story is too abstract, like the idea but I'm not yet in love with the execution like I was with Persona 5.

Gameplay is like any other Atlus game with a hint of "bad" type of hacknslash BUT many of the fodder and useless fights can be fought with ease with this new hacknslash system, but in total it's still the same turned based game.

It has rpg elements like tree of talent and leveling up the attribute of choice rather than a whole level up like the games before.

7/10 for now...

BUT I feel it will change and at the end it would become a 8.5 to 9.5 game...

Atlus has crafted a new story with a heavier tone than their usual Persona series, marked by outstanding character development and world-building. It tackles complex themes like diversity and racism with nuance, while also exploring relatable, heart warming themes such as turning dreams (fantasies) into reality. Each theme is good written with many side content to shine on them more and were thoughtfully concluded, with meaningful messages and satisfying conclusions to the characters’ arcs. The story wraps up every plot point and side theme, creating a complete journey from fantasy to reality.

This new Atlus series stands as a fully realized experience and a true masterpiece in the gaming industry, one that I can’t wait to see more content from in the future.

I had some minor issues with the game, but it was such a masterpiece that I couldn't give it anything but a 10.
Another memorable experience from atlus.
We are indeed lucky to live in an era that atlus creates games.
Definitely the best game in 2024.
Deserves the goty without a doubt.