Baldur's Gate 3 vs Metaphor: ReFantazio
Massive turn-based freedom versus a tight calendar-driven fantasy — both demand 65+ hours, but they reward very different players.
Updated 24d ago
Larian called Patch 8 the final one, then quietly shipped eight more — including the work that eased Act 3's framerate. Still $59.99, still worth every cent.
Surpasses most modern JRPGs — Metaphor takes Persona 5's social-sim-plus-turn-based formula into high fantasy with 46 archetypes and a tighter calendar.
By the numbers
Prices checked Sep 11; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 11.
| Measure | Baldur's Gate 3 | Metaphor: ReFantazio |
|---|---|---|
| Value Metaphor: ReFantazio wins on value | ||
| Price now | $59.99 GOG | $24.95 −64% · GameBillet |
| All-time low | $41.99 | $24.84 |
| Cost / hour | $0.82/hr $59.99 · 73 h main story | $0.38/hr $24.95 · 65 h main story |
| Off its low | +43% low was Jul 2026 | At its low low was Aug 2026 |
| Main story | 73 h | 65 h |
| Health Baldur's Gate 3 wins on player health | ||
| Steam reviews | 97% 857k reviews | 90% 43k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 95% 4k votes · vs 97% lifetime | 84% 440 votes · vs 90% lifetime · souring |
| Peak players | 83,011 Aug 2026 · ↑ 6% MoM | 3,638 Aug 2026 · ↓ 12% MoM |
| Launch peak | 9% of Aug 2023 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 | 4% of Oct 2024 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 |
| All-time peak | 875,343 Aug 2023 | 85,194 Oct 2024 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 6 months ago | 11 months ago |
| Patch cadence | 0 in last 90 days | 0 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | Gold | Platinum |
Shared scale — same months across the bottom, same player-count axis up the side, so the two lines are directly comparable. A shorter line means a younger game.
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
Baldur's Gate 3
Still being surprised years in. Players a thousand hours deep report scenes and outcomes they had never triggered before.
Act 3. The complaint is strikingly consistent among people who loved the first two acts — that the city is disjointed and tedious by comparison.
from our July 2026 verdict
Metaphor: ReFantazio
The archetype system's flexible team-building and challenging turn-based combat are the loops 100-hour fans keep returning to.
Late-game grinding for types and abilities, alongside pacing that falls apart after a strong start, is the wall many long-time players hit.
from our May 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick Baldur's Gate 3 if
- You want a hundred-hour epic with side content that actually matters
- You enjoy turn-based tactics like XCOM and don't need constant action
- You love replaying — multiple playthroughs reveal new story branches
Pick Metaphor: ReFantazio if
- You adored Persona 5 Royal and want a similar fantasy setting
- You can handle time management and meeting in-game deadlines without stress
- You prefer a more focused 60-80 hour experience with clear progression
Bottom line
Choose Baldur's Gate 3 if you want boundless freedom and replay value; choose Metaphor for a polished, character-driven journey — just know its calendar will keep you on a leash.