When Metaphor: ReFantazio first released in 2024, it proved to be a natural evolution for the studio behind the modern Persona titles, offering a brilliant and entirely unique spin on the formula. Securing the third-place spot on our Game of the Year list that year, the game has finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch 2, and it turns out to be an absolute match for the hardware.
Looking Back at 2024
While this review primarily focuses on the Nintendo Switch 2 experience, it is worth revisiting our initial thoughts from 2024:
Metaphor: ReFantazio not only lives up to the high expectations set by its creators but also carves out its own identity in the vast landscape of JRPGs. With its stunning visuals, intricate narrative, and engaging gameplay. Fans of the Persona series and newcomers alike will find something profoundly poignant and entertaining in this mesmerizing journey. In a world filled with conventional RPGs, Metaphor: ReFantazio stands out as a poetic exploration of the psyche, reminding us that the lines between reality and dreams can indeed blur, leading to wondrous discoveries about ourselves and the stories we tell. Read the full review here.
A Portable Rollercoaster
Visually, Metaphor: ReFantazio on the Switch 2 is somewhat of a rollercoaster. The game offers three distinct presets, Performance, Balanced, and Graphics modes, available in both handheld and TV modes.
Opting for Performance mode certainly makes the game run smoother, but it comes at a significant cost to image quality. Conversely, even in Graphics mode, the visual fidelity fluctuates wildly: at times, it looks almost as stunning as the PlayStation 5 version, yet at other times, it drops below the quality of the PlayStation 4 release. The most noticeable drawback is occasional texture blurring on both character models and environments. Fortunately, the game manages to maintain a respectable draw distance, and the underlying, striking art style still shines through brilliantly regardless of the settings.
Frame Dips and Load Times
No matter which graphical mode you choose, the Switch 2 version suffers from noticeable frame rate dips, making action-heavy scenes noticeably stutter. If you have previously played the Switch 2 version of Persona 3 Reloaded, you will know exactly what to expect, as it shares very similar technical quirks, issues that we sincerely hope will be ironed out with future patches.
Load times present a mixed bag as well. While booting up the game initially feels quite fast, transitioning between areas in-game takes notably longer. Given how frequently you move between zones, having to wait through these extended transitions can become a bit of a drag.
Handheld vs. TV Mode: The Ultimate JRPG Setup
Despite its technical hiccups, experiencing Metaphor: ReFantazio on a hybrid console that transitions seamlessly between TV and handheld modes is nothing short of transformative. This flexibility is arguably the ultimate way to experience a massive, lengthy JRPG. The grand, cinematic story scenes pop on the big screen, while the slower downtime moments, navigating menus or managing bonds between major battles, fit perfectly when playing in bed or while casually second-screening something else on the TV.
Conclusion
Metaphor: ReFantazio on the Nintendo Switch 2 is a fantastic way to experience one of the greatest JRPGs of recent years, even when factoring in its minor technical downsides. The ability to effortlessly jump from the living room TV to handheld mode almost makes it feel like the definitive way the game was meant to be played. It looks great, plays great, and feels right at home on the platform. If you haven’t picked it up yet, now is the time, and the Switch 2 version is a wonderful way to experience the adventure.
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