Is Metaphor: ReFantazio a turn-based game?

Metaphor: Refantazio is one of the most highly-rated games of 2024 with glowing reviews pretty much across the board.

If you’re unfamiliar with the name though, you’re not alone, with a lot of gamers confused as to what kind of game Studio Zero has created this time around.

Here, we’ll provide a little more insight into this, detailing if Metaphor: Refantazio is a turn-based affair or if it has more free-flowing gameplay akin to something like Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is technically a turn-based experience but with a twist on the traditional nature of the formula, bringing in some action elements.

What we mean by this is that the core of the gameplay is turn-based, utilizing the Shin Megami Tensei style for most of the fighting.

Where it differs from usual turn-based games though is that there is this more action style fighting too baked into the initial overworld, allowing you to run around and defeat enemies that are weaker than you.

In an interview with game director Katsura Hashino, he stated that they opted to go down this route to add “manga and movie-style combat” where you essentially stomp all over the small, weaker enemies, providing the setup for the turn-based gameplay against “a more powerful foe.”

Turn-based combat is definitely a divisive mechanic in games and is a bit like Marmite – you either love it or hate it – so the fact that Studio Zero chose a mix between the two more to give the turn-based mechanic a try.

Regardless of your thoughts on turn-based combat though, it’s pretty apparent that you should at least give Metaphor: ReFantazio a try based on reviews alone. Thankfully, there’s a free demo, so you won’t need to pay a penny anyway!

If you’re looking for more information on Metaphor: ReFantazio, take a look at our other guides on all playable characters, if it is on Game Pass, how long the full experience is, and voice actors.

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