Since its reveal last week, Metaphor: ReFantazio has been catching the attention of Megami Tensei and Persona fans as it reminds us so much about the best of the classic JRPGs. While information about the game is still scarce, publisher Altus and developer Studio Zero bring a more in-depth look into the creation of the game with a 15-minute video featuring the game’s director Katsura Hashino, character designer Shigenori Soejima, and composer Shoji Meguro.
Director Katsura Hashino stated the ambition to create a third pillar for Atlus apart from the popular Shin Megami Tensei or Persona franchises. The intent is to bring a fresh perspective to fantasy RPGs and explore the hidden meanings and allegories within the game. The key theme of Metaphor: ReFantazio is ‘facing your fear’, which is intended to push players outside their comfort zones and elicit introspection. The unique twist in the game is a connection between the modern world and the fantasy setting.
Character designer Shigenori Soejima added that he aimed for an androgynous, heroic protagonist with a resolute gaze and an accompanying fairy with a modern aesthetic. The fantasy genre was reimagined from the ground up, with ATLUS’ creative style at the forefront. Soejima also highlighted the effort to balance unconventional character designs with a painterly background to emphasize the fantastical nature of the game.
To complement the concepts, music composer Shoji Meguro took the game’s theme of epic high fantasy as an opportunity to compose grand orchestral scores with a unique Atlus twist. He shared that the core concept was ‘music used in religion’, and they experimented with a spiritual music style fused with a traditional RPG feel. The scores are inspired by hymns and Buddhist prayers to create an original Atlus interpretation of a classic fantasy score.
Originally announced as Project ReFantasy by Studio Zero, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a brand-new fantasy RPG with elements from the Megami Tensei franchise. The upcoming RPG will feature turn-based gameplay with familiar skills from the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series. It was also confirmed that Metaphor: ReFantazio will release sometime in 2024 and will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store.