Summary

  • Metaphor: ReFantazio is darker & more medieval than Persona, featuring betrayal & powerful magic.
  • The Moon in Zelda: Majora's Mask is iconic & creepy, resembling ReFantazio's Royal Magic.
  • ReFantazio's Royal Magic spell conjures a giant face in the sky, similar to Majora's Mask's Moon, evoking fear.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of Atlus' darker games, even more so than any Persona game released so far. Most of this is due to Metaphor: ReFantazio's medieval fantasy setting, which inevitably opens the floodgates for things like betrayal, murder, and powerful ancient magic. One such magic spell, in fact, conjures the same horrific image as one of the best Zelda games ever made.

The Moon is one of Zelda: Majora's Mask's most memorable pictures, though not for the most positive reasons. Now, somehow, that same terrifying image from Zelda: Majora's Mask has found its way into Metaphor: ReFantazio by way of the Royal Magic of King Hythlodaeus V.

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Of all the characters in Metaphor: ReFantazio, Leon Strohl is arguably the best on account of his kindness, compassion, strength, and leadership.

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Metaphor: ReFantazio's Royal Magic Resembles the Moon From Zelda: Majora's Mask

The Moon From Zelda: Majora's Mask Is One of Its Creepiest Images

While The Legend of Zelda has seen plenty of dark and often spine-tingling moments, there has perhaps never been anything more willing to singe itself in players' minds than the Moon from Zelda: Majora's Mask. The horrific countenance distinguished by bloodshot eyes and gritted teeth, a face that looks bent on revenge and unstoppable destruction, is not easily forgotten, to the point that the 24-year-old image is still brought up in Zelda-centric discussions to this day. The Moon alone is among the reasons Zelda: Majora's Mask is regarded as one of the darkest Legend of Zelda games ever made, and rightly so.

Before the events of Zelda: Majora's Mask, the Skull Kid stole Majora's Mask from the Happy Mask Salesman, not realizing what it was. Before long, Majora's Mask possessed the Skull Kid and began using him to do its will, including sending the Moon slowly drifting toward Clock Town. Shortly after Link arrives in Termina, he learns that he only has 72 hours to stop the Moon from wiping out all of Termina. As the days progress in Zelda: Majora's Mask, players can witness the Moon growing larger as it inches ever closer to Clock Town, each day the Moon's face becoming increasingly nightmarish to look at.

No official explanation has ever been given about why Zelda: Majora's Mask's Moon has a face, other than it's likely the Moon always had a face long before the game's story begins.

Metaphor: ReFantazio's Royal Magic Is a Horrific Reminder of the Moon From Zelda: Majora's Mask

The events of Metaphor: ReFantazio are set up with King Hythlodaeus V's death at the hands of Louis Guiabern. Shortly thereafter, the Royal Magic spell is cast, causing the royal palace to float into the sky with a giant, haunting image of the king's face peering down beneath it. According to Metaphor lore, the Royal Magic is a powerful magic that has been passed down through generations of Euchronian kings, a magic that is invoked through a special igniter known as the Royal Scepter. With the Royal Scepter, Euchronian kings can have anything they desire. In the case of King Hythlodaeus V, he wanted to ensure the next king was elected through democratic means rather than by birthright or circumstance.

While the king's face isn't a moon as the giant face in Zelda: Majora's Mask is, the two bear a striking resemblance, evoking that same fear that has permanently etched itself into Zelda history. Though still frightening, one of the king's eyes is normal. The other, however, has the faces of those currently being considered by the populace to inherit the throne of the late king. The mouth on this face doesn't possess teeth as the Moon does in Zelda: Majora's Mask, but the orange glow emanating from it is still remarkably eerie. The two are so similar that it would be surprising to learn Zelda: Majora's Mask's Moon was not an inspiration for Metaphor's Royal Magic spell.

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Metaphor ReFantazio Tag Page Cover Art
10 /10

Metaphor: ReFantazio
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RPG
JRPG
Action
Adventure
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 93 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
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Released
October 11, 2024
ESRB
T For Teen // Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Developer(s)
Studio Zero
Publisher(s)
Atlus
Engine
GFD
Number of Players
1
Steam Deck Compatibility
Playable
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.


Control your destiny, face your fears, and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.

Genre(s)
RPG, JRPG, Action, Adventure
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty