Metaphor: ReFantazio vs Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
A 65-hour fantasy class-builder versus a 15-hour Yakuza 3 remake—one asks for a season of calendar management, the other for series homework.
Updated 20d ago
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.
For fans of Kiryu's saga — Kiwami 3 is the definitive Y3 remake, but newcomers should start with Y0 or Like a Dragon.
By the numbers
Prices checked Sep 27; 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 27.
| Measure | Metaphor: ReFantazio | Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties |
|---|---|---|
| Value Too close to call | ||
| Price now | $58.04 −17% · GameBillet | $29.99 −50% · Steam |
| All-time low | $24.84 | $29.99 |
| Cost / hour | $0.89/hr $58.04 · 65 h main story | $2.06/hr $29.99 · 15 h main story |
| Off its low | +134% low was Aug 2026 | At its low low was Oct 2026 |
| Main story | 65 h | 15 h |
| Health Metaphor: ReFantazio wins on player health | ||
| Steam reviews | 90% 43k reviews | 63% 4k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 83% 338 votes · vs 90% lifetime · souring | 61% 57 votes · vs 63% lifetime |
| Peak players | 3,079 Sep 2026 · ↓ 15% MoM | 414 Sep 2026 · ↓ 19% MoM |
| Launch peak | 4% of Oct 2024 launch peak · as of Sep 2026 | 5% of Feb 2026 launch peak · as of Sep 2026 |
| All-time peak | 85,194 Oct 2024 | 8,263 Feb 2026 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 12 months ago | 7 months ago |
| Patch cadence | 0 in last 90 days | 0 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | Platinum | 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.
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
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
Combat updates feel incomplete and story changes frustrate long-time fans, while technical issues like poor performance and casting mar the experience.
from our May 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick Metaphor: ReFantazio if
- You loved Persona 5 Royal and want its social calendar in high fantasy
- You have 60-80 hours for one JRPG and enjoy class tinkering
- You want a large, currently supported PC release
Pick Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties if
- You finished Yakuza 0-2 and need Yakuza 3 to close Kiryu's saga
- You can tolerate PS3-era pacing for Dragon Engine brawling
- You want a short 15-hour story you can finish in a weekend
Bottom line
Pick Metaphor if you want a long, class-heavy JRPG that is still pulling 90% positive reviews and under $1 per hour; pick Kiwami 3 only if you have already finished Yakuza 0-2 and want the definitive Yakuza 3 remake.
More comparisons
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