Metaphor: ReFantazio is in the middle of a massive world tour, and their most recent stop was at the Philippine GameDev Expo 2024. Between presentations and events, Atlus would grace the main stage, represented by Atlus Executive Naoto Hiraoka, as they promoted the highly anticipated Metaphor: ReFantazio. It’s a title that’s likely to turn some heads, and despite being a brand-new IP, Hiraoka-san was there to tell us all about it.

Related – Read our Metaphor: ReFantazio Hands-on Preview

Back to Basics

Atlus has always taken an unorthodox approach to game development. While the industry norm leaned towards fantasy worlds filled with magic, knights, and epic adventures, Atlus focused on themes of the occult and the apocalypse, often set in modern-day Japan. This is evident in the Shin Megami Tensei series and the Persona series, which feature high school students balancing world-saving feats with their academic responsibilities.

Game director Katsura Hashino, despite his absence at PGDX, shared his vision for a new game through a video message. He expressed a desire to return to basics and create a more traditional role-playing game, drawing on Atlus’ extensive experience. This vision materialized in the high fantasy setting of Metaphor: ReFantazio, promising an epic adventure imbued with Atlus’ distinctive style.

Familiar Yet Fresh

Following Hashino-san’s video message, Hiraoka-san provided further insights into Metaphor. He began by outlining the basic premise: a fictional world where the death of a king triggers a series of events culminating in a grand competition for the vacant throne.

Visuals were shared, including artwork of the main protagonist, his ship, the Gauntlet Runner, and the Archetypes available in the game. They also showcased Metaphor’s menu screen, which draws inspiration from the stylish UI of Persona 5 while maintaining its own distinct identity. Additionally, there was a brief explanation of the gameplay, highlighting a battle system that combines real-time action with traditional turn-based combat.

All-Star Development Cast

Another notable aspect of Metaphor is the exceptional team assembled to bring the game to life, featuring several familiar names for long-time SMT and Persona fans.

Leading the team is Katsura Hashino, the director behind many beloved Atlus titles such as Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne and Persona 3 to 5. Character designer Shigenori Soejima, known for creating the iconic characters of the SMT and Persona series, also lends his expertise to the game. The game’s music is composed by Shiji Meguro, whose work has defined the soundscapes of these beloved titles.

In addition to these Atlus veterans, the team includes Koda Kazuma, the Concept Art Designer for Nier: Automata, bringing his expertise in stunning visuals. Ikuto Yamashita, famed for his work on Neon Genesis Evangelion, is responsible for designing the Gauntlet Runner, while Yuji Himukai, known for his contributions to the Etrian Odyssey series, collaborates on the Archetype design. This impressive lineup promises a game rich in creativity and expertise.

For the Fans

Hiraoka-san emphasized the importance of promoting Metaphor: ReFantazio across Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, where Atlus has a strong fan base. This is evident from the successful fan events for Persona 5 Tactica held in November 2023 at Moon Rabbit Café and the launch event for Persona 3 Reload at High Grounds Café in February 2024.

He expressed hope that Metaphor: ReFantazio would receive the same enthusiastic reception as the Persona series in the Philippines. Fans won’t have to wait long, as the game is set to release on multiple platforms on October 11, 2024.

Additionally, the Atlus Brand 35th Anniversary Edition of Metaphor: ReFantazio was also highlighted, which includes the following contents:

• Base Game (Physical Edition)
• Premium Artbook
• Special Soundtrack
• Atlus Brand 35th History Book
• Atlus Brand 35th All-Time Best
• Exclusive Original Acrylic Stand
• Premium Stickers
• Download Code for Costume & BGM Bundle (8 Sets)

It’s hard not to feel excited about Metaphor: ReFantazio. Despite being a new IP, Atlus has assembled an all-star development team to oversee the development of the game, ensuring that fans can certainly look forward to a quality product that is reminiscent of previous titles.

Metaphor: ReFantazio launches on October 11, 2024 on the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.