Summary

  • Metaphor: ReFantazio receives a "Teen" ESRB rating for players 13 and up, featuring scenes of blood, alcohol, and strong language.
  • The game, set to launch on October 11, offers a demo with over five hours of gameplay showcasing unique mechanics distinct from Persona.
  • The ESRB rating ensures consistent content across platforms, hinting at a smooth release without delays for the upcoming JRPG by Atlus.

Metaphor: ReFantazio has just received an ESRB rating, signaling that the game is more than ready for its upcoming release and probably won't suffer delays. The game is set to launch on October 11 for PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, but players can already try out the Metaphor: ReFantazio demo, which offers over five hours of gameplay.

In 2016, Atlus founded a subsidiary called Studio Zero, headed by Persona creator Katsura Hashino. Since then, Studio Zero has been working on a game called Project Re Fantasy, which was eventually revealed as the upcoming Metaphor: ReFantazio. After its first announcement, fans noticed striking similarities between Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona, especially considering that Hashino directed both titles. Still, despite similar mechanics, Metaphor: ReFantazio is distinct from Persona and will likely carve out its own identity soon.

The Protagonist In The Recruitment Facitlity
Metaphor: ReFantazio - What Is The Protagonist’s Canon Name

While the Protagonist in Metaphor: ReFantazio can be named whatever you want, he does have a canon name; here's what it is.

By 

The Entertainment Software Rating Board, responsible for rating video games in North America, has just announced that Metaphor: ReFantazio has been rated "Teen," meaning it's suitable for ages 13 and up. The rating summary explains in detail the various ways the RPG depicts scenes of blood, one of which can be seen right at the start of Metaphor ReFantazio's extensive demo. The summary also mentions the use of alcohol and strong language and shows examples of them.

ESRB Rating Suggests Metaphor: ReFantazio Won't Be Delayed

One classification suggests mild suggestive themes, including verbal or visual sexual connotations. According to the summary, this is limited to certain NPC dialogues. Since Metaphor: ReFantazio won't feature romance with the protagonist's followers, it seems these are side conversations and don't involve the main cast. Lastly, there are mentions of the monsters the player must face throughout the game and how this may result in "cries of pain."

The ESRB rating is essential for determining a target audience and setting expectations regarding the game's themes. In the past, some games have had different age ratings across multiple platforms because developers removed features or elements depending on the target audience of a specific platform. This isn't the case for Metaphor: ReFantazio, which will maintain its Teen rating across all platforms and the themes described in the summary.

All in all, the most important thing is that Atlus' upcoming JRPG is closer than ever, and soon, fans will be able to experience it fully. Atlus is ensuring that all issues with Metaphor: ReFantazio are addressed before launch so that players can enjoy the best experience, no matter which platform they choose to play on.

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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
Metaphor: ReFantazio Cover Art