Atlus’ upcoming high-fantasy JRPG epic, Metaphor: ReFantazio, has a playable demo available right now for Xbox and PC

Atlus' upcoming high-fantasy JRPG epic, Metaphor: ReFantazio, has a playable demo available right now for Xbox and PC

What you need to know

  • Metaphor: ReFantazio, an upcoming JRPG made by Atlus, has a new playable demo available to download on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Windows and Steam.
  • The demo will let players experience the first several hours of the game’s content and transfer their save file progress to the full game when it releases.
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio is scheduled to be released on October 11, 2024, for box Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Windows and Steam.

As someone who has been following Atlus’ games since the days of Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne, I must say that my excitement for Metaphor: ReFantazio has reached an all-time high after playing the demo. It’s like Atlus took everything I loved about Persona 5 Royal and the Shin Megami Tensei series, stirred it up, and served me a delicious slice of JRPG heaven on a silver platter.


On September 25, 2024, Atlus unveiled a playable demo for their upcoming high-fantasy JRPG titled Metaphor: ReFantazio. Developed by the talented team behind the critically-adored Persona series, this game aspires to be one of Atlus’ most daring ventures yet. It boasts an extravagant and ominous anime art style, blending elements from the Persona series and Shin Megami Tensei series with innovative mechanics of its own, among other exciting features.

Get acquainted with the intriguing details of Metaphor and its downloadable demo: The demo is ready for you to experience now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, or your personal computer through Windows and Steam platforms.

To start off, let me clarify the storyline for those who might be unfamiliar. Essentially, ReFantazio is a turn-based RPG that takes place in Euchronia, a fantasy realm where strange creatures called ‘humans’ are causing turmoil. The kingdom has been plunged into confusion after its ruler was mysteriously murdered.

In this adventure, you assume the role of a youth traversing the realm of Euchronia, with the mission to rescue the ailing prince who’s the royal heir, and restore tranquility to the kingdom that’s been disturbed by turmoil.

The demo will contain the first few hours of Metaphor: ReFantazio’s story, which will introduce players to its fantastical setting, fast-paced combat system that mixes real-time hack n’ slash combat and turn-based combat, and a few of the many Followers and party members who will accompany on your journey. 

Furthermore, you’ll delve into four treacherous dungeons teeming with vile creatures, and uncover seven out of forty ‘Archetypes’. These Archetypes are a powerful enigma, capable of metamorphosing the player into embodiments of ancient legendary heroes and granting them the ability to execute formidable attacks that can obliterate even the toughest monsters.

After finishing the trial version, players can carry over their accomplishments like earned experience points, currency, character types, and so on to the complete game by utilizing the save file created during the trial.

This game is looking to be Atlus’ craziest and biggest JRPG since Persona 5

Atlus' upcoming high-fantasy JRPG epic, Metaphor: ReFantazio, has a playable demo available right now for Xbox and PC

Since I first played Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne on the PlayStation 2 in the mid-2000s and have been an avid fan of Atlus ever since, I’ve eagerly anticipated the release of Metaphor: ReFantazio, which was unveiled during the 2023 Xbox Game Showcase last year. Having tried out the demo on PC, my enthusiasm for this upcoming JRPG on the Xbox has only intensified.

This game blends features from Persona 5 Royal and the Shin Megami Tensei series to develop a complex yet gratifying turn-based battle system that appreciates strategic thinking and planning. The characters you encounter are a diverse, likable, and charming group of protagonists. The soundtrack is an enjoyable treat for your ears, and it boasts one of the most impressive art directions I’ve seen in an Atlus JRPG.

If Metaphor: ReFantazio at its current stage is already captivating, then I’m eagerly anticipating the complete release in October. Even someone like Zachary Boddy, who hasn’t played an Atlus JRPG before, was enthralled by this game during his Summer Game Fest 2024 preview. He commented, “I’m a fan of exceptional art, and Metaphor: ReFantazio seemed to surpass any Atlus work I’ve seen so far with stunning 3D character designs and impressive combat animations. The combat not only caught my attention but managed to keep it throughout the demo. I can understand why the abundance of Archetypes will make Metaphor engaging and immersive for countless hours.

I am quite confident that ReFantazio has immense promise as one of Atlus’ top Xbox games and standout PC titles in 2024. I eagerly anticipate the final version to meet such high expectations when it launches on October 11, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and personal computers via Windows and Steam.

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2024-09-26 13:11