Metaphor: ReFantazio Archives

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

The Best PC Games of 2025 So Far (Spring Edition)

Spring 2025 has seen the release of several notable PC games, including: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Released on April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive, it sold over 1 million copies in three days and features a blend of French art nouveau aesthetics and JRPG combat mechanics. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Released on February 28, 2025, by Capcom, it introduces full narrative integration and dynamic monster interactions. - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Released on April 22, 2025, by Bethesda Game Studios, it attracted over 4 million players shortly after launch and features enhanced visuals and gameplay updates. Other early 2025 releases include: - Blue Prince (April 10, 2025) - Split Fiction (March 6, 2025) - Atomfall (March 27, 2025) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20, 2025) - Two Point Museum (March 5, 2025) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23, 2025) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (January 22, 2025) - Ninja Gaiden II Black (January 23, 2025) - The Talos Principle: Reawakened (April 10, 2025) Highly anticipated titles for later in 2025 include: - Grand Theft Auto VI (Late 2025) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15, 2025) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28, 2025) - The Outer Worlds 2 (Expected 2025) - Borderlands 4 (September 12, 2025) - Marvel’s Blade (TBA 2025) - Hades II (Full Release later 2025) - Frostpunk 2 (Summer 2025) - Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access Expected 2025) - Anno 117: Pax Romana (Expected 2025) - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 2025) - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Expected 2025) - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Expected 2025) In 2024, top-rated PC games included: 1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 2. Metaphor: ReFantazio 3. UFO 50 4. Tekken 8 5. Caves of Qud 6. Animal Well 7. Satisfactory 8. Balatro 9. Thank Goodness You’re Here! 10. The Last of Us Part II Remastered The PC gaming landscape in 2024 was characterized by significant hardware advancements, improved game integration and compatibility, and thriving online communities.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Metaphor: ReFantazio smashed Atlus’ expectations on PC – another reminder that PC gamers really want more JRPGs and Japanese games

ReFantazio has achieved unexpected success on PC, indicating a growing interest among PC gamers for Japanese titles. Katsura Hashino, the creative director known for the Persona series, noted that the percentage of PC players engaging with Atlus games is increasing annually, with long-term data supporting this trend. Major industry players like Square Enix are also moving away from console exclusivity, as seen with the successful PC port of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Hashino emphasized the importance of allowing players to enjoy games in their preferred environments. Additionally, the lead UI designer of Metaphor: ReFantazio referenced a lesser-known PS2 title from 25 years ago, highlighting the ongoing influence of older games on modern design.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

PC Gamers Only Spent 8 Percent Of Their Time Playing New Games Last Year, Report Claims

Recent insights from Newzoo indicate that in 2024, only 8 percent of gaming hours were spent on newly released PC games, with players favoring older titles. Iconic games like Roblox, League of Legends, and Fortnite accounted for 67 percent of total PC playtime, while games released two to five years ago made up 25 percent. In contrast, new releases from 2024 captured only 8 percent of playtime. On consoles, 44 percent of PlayStation playtime and 49 percent of Xbox playtime were attributed to games released six or more years ago, with console gamers dedicating 15 percent of their time to new titles. The competition for player engagement is intense, making it difficult for new games to gain attention despite their quality.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

Only 8 Percent Of PC Gaming Time Was Spent On New Games Last Year, Report Claims

Players are increasingly favoring older titles, with only 8 percent of PC gaming hours in 2024 dedicated to newly released games. The report from Newzoo indicates that PC gamers primarily engage with titles at least six years old, with games like Roblox, League of Legends, and Fortnite accounting for 67 percent of total PC playtime. Games released between two to five years ago contribute 25 percent, while new releases from 2024 make up only 8 percent. On consoles, approximately 44 percent of gaming time on PlayStation and 49 percent on Xbox is spent on titles released six or more years ago, with console gamers dedicating 15 percent of their playtime to new releases from 2024. The gaming industry saw over 18,000 games launched on Valve’s platform in 2024, indicating a significant increase in new releases.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Spring Sales for PC Games Are Live Now

Major platforms such as Steam, Fanatical, and Green Man Gaming are currently holding Spring Sales, offering significant discounts on various games. The Steam Spring Sale features titles like Balatro, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, God of War Ragnarök, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Baldur's Gate 3, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, with Doom (2016) available at 90% off until March 20th. Green Man Gaming's Spring Sale runs until March 27th and includes deals on The Last of Us Part I, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, God of War, Final Fantasy XVI, Marvel's Midnight Suns Legendary Edition, and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, with discounts exceeding 80% on the last two titles. Additionally, there are roundups of deals for console gaming on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

Fanatical Spring Game Sale – Get Capcom, Sega, And More AAA Games For Cheap

The Fanatical Spring Sale 2025 has started, offering many PC games at reduced prices, primarily as Steam keys. Customers spending over a certain amount will receive a Spring Bonus Drop, which includes a free game or discount voucher. Key discounts include Dragon's Dogma 2 at .99 (originally .99), Devil May Cry HD Collection for .54 (down from .99), and Ace Attorney Anthology for .59 (previously .99). Resident Evil titles are heavily discounted, with Village at .99 (was .99), Resident Evil 4 for .19 (was .99), and Resident Evil HD for .29 (was .99). Dead Island 2 is priced at .49 (down from .99). Street Fighter 6 is over 50% off, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is .79 (was .99), and Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is .89 (was .99). Monster Hunter Wilds is .39 (was .99). Sega RPGs include Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance for .39 and Persona 3 remake for .49 (was .99). Like a Dragon titles have discounts, with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth at .49 and Like a Dragon: Ishin at .49. Metaphor: ReFantazio is available for .89 (was .99). The sale runs until March 16, with daily flash deals available for 24 hours starting at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

New PC Game Sale Includes Hundreds Of AAA Hits For Low Prices

Fanatical has launched the Gaming Legends Sale, offering discounts of up to 90% on a wide range of PC games, including AAA titles and indie games. Customers spending over a certain amount will receive a bonus game or coupon code. Featured discounts include: - Control Ultimate Edition for .19 (originally .99) - Lies of P for .99 (down from .99) - System Shock Remake for .99 (previously .99) - Frostpunk for .44 (was .99) - Frostpunk 2 for .99 (originally .99) Major publishers like Capcom, Sega, and Bethesda are also participating, with discounts on titles such as: - Skyrim Anniversary Edition for .49 (down from .99) - Dragon's Dogma 2 for .39 (originally .99) - Metaphor: Refantazio for .99 (was .99) Preorders are available for upcoming titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Lika A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, along with additional preorder discounts on games such as Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Bundle deals also qualify for the bonus promotion on orders exceeding a certain amount.

AppWizard

February 7, 2025

Balatro 1.1 will include new jokers plus a revamp of a really confusing existing one

LocalThunk, the creator of the poker roguelike Balatro, discussed the upcoming gameplay update version 1.1, which is set to enhance the game in 2025. He was cautious about revealing details to allow for flexibility in development. The update will include a modification to the blue stake, reducing the number of discards by one. Balatro has been recognized with the overall game of the year award for 2024, surpassing other notable titles.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

This Steam hack has saved me a ton of money on PC games

Steam bundles allow gamers to purchase multiple games at a discounted rate, adjusting prices based on titles already owned. For example, the Castlevania Dominus Collection was initially priced at a higher amount but was acquired for a lower price due to existing ownership of included games like Dead Cells and its DLC. Some games, like Selaco, appear in multiple bundles, enabling further discounts. Discounts apply to games in a player's library, even when purchased through third-party sellers. Steam bundles help users discover new games, such as Echo Point Nova through the Selaco bundle. Notable bundles also include larger titles like Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona 5 Royal. However, finding bundles can be challenging due to inconsistent listings on Steam. Gamers can use the wishlist feature to track prices and discover discounts, as demonstrated with the Castlevania Dominus Collection. Recent high-quality bundles from publishers have significantly enhanced the gaming library for players.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

The director of one of this year’s best Xbox and PC games shares thoughts on a possible sequel

On December 25, 2024, Katsura Hashino, the creator of Metaphor: ReFantazio, stated in an interview that there are currently no plans for a sequel, but he is hopeful for the franchise's future. He hinted at the possibility of a sequel set during Japan's Sengoku period. Metaphor: ReFantazio has been well-received, recognized for its combat, exploration, character design, and narrative, winning "Best Story Direction" at the Windows Central Game Awards 2024. The game sold over one million copies within 24 hours of its release on October 11, 2024, making it Atlus' fastest-selling title, surpassing Persona 3: Reload.