This fantasy Persona game is my favorite RPG of 2024, and now it's at a lower price than ever

If I could simply write ‘just buy Metaphor: ReFantazio‘, I would. The best RPGs of all time deserve few words, as typically, they’re just iconic experiences that people will speak about as time goes on, looking back on them fondly, like Final Fantasy VII, The Witcher 3, and Mass Effect 2. Sadly, Metaphor: ReFantazio hasn’t got that household appeal just yet, so it falls on fans like me to spread the good word of this instant classic, and with it being cheaper than ever, now’s your chance to finally see what makes it worthy of the aforementioned big names I just dropped.

Set in the world of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, the various Tribes of Metaphor: ReFantazio attempt to live in peace, but in reality, discrimination is common, with some being more ostracized than others, such as the Elda Tribe, of which you’re a member. After the assassination of Hythlodaeus V by a man called Louis, and with the Prince assumed dead, the kingdom has a power vacuum, and Metaphor: ReFantazio sees you and your party attempt to bring back the prince, hoping to bring the people of Euchronia together.

Louis’s authoritarian attitude towards leading Euchronia makes for a great foil against you and your friends’ attempt at bringing harmony, so you’ll need not only to find a way to break the Prince’s curse, but you’ll also be required to gain the support of the people, for which you’re at a severe disadvantage due to your heritage. Between battling with monstrous foes and surviving the dangers of the world, you’ll be managing your Royal Virtues – Courage, Wisdom, Tolerance, Eloquence, and Imagination – through a variety of tasks. Each day is split into two halves, so you’ll need to work out how to spend your valuable time – whether that’s maximising your virtues or completing dungeons.

Speaking of dungeons, Metaphor: ReFantazio isn’t just a story-centric game that nails its narrative themes – nope, it’s also a killer turn-based experience. Similar to Atlus’ Persona series, you and your crew, from the hopeful, determined Strohl to the grief-stricken Heismay, each have access to Archetypes – similar to ‘Personas’, and which function as classes, allowing you to switch between the long list of options in the breaks between battles, and optimize your party for a powerful variety of skills.

It’s not just me who loves this excellent game either, as in our Metaphor: ReFantazio review, Aaron said that this adventure “is a must-play for anyone with even a passing interest in JRPGs,” scoring it an impressive 9/10 in his final thoughts. My only issue with the game is that, like most things in life, it eventually ends, and I wish I could go back and experience it with a fresh mind once again.

If you’re looking for a new RPG that blends turn-based combat with some enticing life-simulation elements, Metaphor: ReFantazio is it, and right now, it’s just $31.84 / £27.29 at Fanatical. That’s 55% off the typical price, making it much cheaper than any Steam sales have offered, and for over 100 hours of content (on a single playthrough alone), that’s an absolute steal.

Hopefully, I’ll receive an email from you in a few weeks saying how much I’ve changed your life by introducing you to Metaphor: ReFantazio. And, before you click that BUY button, I’ll say that you can thank me later.