The latest RPG from Atlus shows how political storytelling enhances games rather than detracts from them.
Fantasy RPG With a Political Edge Breaks Records
Metaphor: ReFantazio, the latest turn-based RPG from Atlus, has stormed the gaming world, selling over a million copies on its first day. Critically acclaimed and boasting a stellar 95 score in reviews, it’s being hailed as one of the year’s best games. Set in the deeply political world of Euchronia, the game tackles themes of oppression, societal inequality, and democracy in ways that resonate with players.
This success, however, challenges a persistent narrative among some gamers: that politics don’t belong in video games. Contrary to this belief, Metaphor proves that players appreciate political themes when they’re woven into engaging stories.
Euchronia: A Divided World of Politics
The game is set in Euchronia, a world rife with inequality and injustice. Tribes in this land live under systems of oppression, and as Will, an Elda—one of the most marginalized groups—you must navigate these harsh realities. Despite his status as a candidate for leadership, Will constantly faces discrimination, reflecting the political struggles at the heart of the story.
The narrative takes a fascinating turn through a fictional utopia introduced via an in-game book. This utopia is painted as an ideal democratic meritocracy, where all ideas are welcomed and corruption is scorned. However, Metaphor doesn’t simply celebrate this vision—it dissects and critiques it. The character Heismay, from the Eugief tribe, offers a particularly poignant perspective, pointing out the flaws in this supposed ideal. He states, “Equal opportunity doesn’t mean equal footing. Their very aims of freedom and balance could spell doom for the striving weak.”
This commentary resonates deeply, touching on real-world issues like disability rights, class disparity, and systemic inequality. Through Heismay and other characters, the game explores how even well-intentioned systems can fail marginalized groups.
Why Metaphor Avoids Backlash
Given its political nature, why hasn’t Metaphor: ReFantazio become a target for those who criticize “political” games? One reason is its complexity. The game delivers nuanced storytelling, presenting its politics in ways that require thoughtful engagement rather than surface-level reactions. Unlike titles that overtly declare their stance, Metaphor invites players to explore and interpret its themes.
Additionally, the game’s fantastical setting serves as a filter. By embedding real-world issues in a fictional context, it avoids triggering immediate outrage from reactionary critics. Its focus on a compelling fantasy story keeps the spotlight on its characters and gameplay, allowing its political themes to enhance rather than overshadow the experience.
Politics Have Always Been in Games
The debate over politics in games often ignores a simple truth: politics have always been part of gaming. From the Cold War-inspired anxieties of Missile Command to the moral dilemmas in Spec Ops: The Line, many iconic games have tackled political themes.
Even early arcade games like Missile Command carried a political message. Its creator, Dave Theurer, revealed that working on the game gave him recurring nightmares about nuclear war. This underscores how politics and personal experiences are inseparable, influencing creative works in profound ways.
Political Games in the Modern Era
In today’s gaming landscape, titles like Disco Elysium and BioShock have shown how political themes can create deeply engaging experiences. These games don’t shy away from exploring issues like inequality, corruption, and societal decay. Similarly, Metaphor builds on this tradition, offering a narrative that challenges players to think critically about the systems shaping their world.
However, the backlash against political games often targets simplistic representations. Games that include diverse characters or address identity issues are frequently labeled as “too political.” This criticism, however, misses the point. Simplified representations can still be meaningful, and deeper narratives like those in Metaphor demonstrate the potential of political storytelling in gaming.
The Wokeness Threshold
Interestingly, the reaction to a game’s politics often depends on how overt they are. Games with subtle or complex political themes, like Metaphor or Disco Elysium, tend to avoid controversy. On the other hand, titles with straightforward messages or visible diversity are more likely to face backlash. This phenomenon, dubbed the “wokeness threshold,” highlights how perceptions of politics in games are shaped by presentation rather than content.
For example, a game with a non-binary character might be criticized for being “too political,” even if its overall story isn’t particularly deep. Meanwhile, a title like Metaphor, which delves into systemic oppression and inequality, escapes such scrutiny because its themes are interwoven with its world and characters.
Why Players Embrace Politics in Games
Despite the vocal minority opposing political themes in games, Metaphor’s success proves that players appreciate thoughtful narratives. The game’s political themes resonate because they reflect real-world struggles. Characters like Heismay, Strohl, and Hulkenberg grapple with issues that feel personal and relatable, from systemic discrimination to the weight of societal expectations.
This connection is what makes political games impactful. By addressing real issues, they offer players a chance to reflect on their own lives and the world around them. For many, this adds depth and meaning to the gaming experience.
The Power of Political Storytelling
Metaphor: ReFantazio stands as a testament to the power of politics in gaming. Its success challenges the notion that players don’t want political themes in their games. By combining engaging gameplay with a nuanced exploration of inequality, oppression, and idealism, it offers a narrative that resonates on a deeply human level.
As the gaming industry evolves, it’s clear that political storytelling will continue to play a crucial role. Far from ruining games, politics enrich them, creating experiences that are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking. And if the past four decades are any indication, political games aren’t going anywhere—because they reflect the lives and struggles of the people who play them.
