Metaphor: ReFantazio Devs Took Liberties with the JRPG’s Medieval Setting

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Metaphor: ReFantazio Devs Took Liberties with the JRPG's Medieval Setting

Key Takeaways

  • The team behind Metaphor: ReFantazio decided to give themselves ample freedom when designing the game’s world.
  • Although the title features a medieval high fantasy setting, Atlus chose not to focus on historical accuracy.
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio will be released on October 11, and a lengthy demo is currently available.

As an ardent gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen the evolution of RPGs from their humble beginnings to the grand epics they are today. The news about Metaphor: ReFantazio piqued my interest right away, not just because it’s a new IP from Studio Zero, but because its approach to world-building is refreshingly different.

Hey there fellow gamers! I, being one of the creators behind Metaphor: ReFantazio, wanted to share some exciting news about our upcoming high fantasy JRPG. You see, while we’ve based many aspects of our world on medieval conventions, we didn’t want to limit ourselves by sticking too closely to historical facts. Instead, we’re using this setting as a canvas to unleash our creativity and experiment with new ideas, rather than just recreating the past. So get ready for an immersive journey into a fantastical medieval world, unlike any you’ve seen before!

The innovative game, “ReFantazio,” is the latest intellectual property from Studio Zero, a branch of Atlus. This role-playing game (RPG) exhibits characteristics common to other series by Atlus, like Shin Megami Tensei and Persona. Enthusiasts can already try out the demo of “Metaphor: ReFantazio” before its launch on October 11. What sets “Metaphor” apart from other Atlus games is its unique setting. Unlike Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, which usually place players in modern settings, “Metaphor: ReFantazio” transports players to a completely fresh epic fantasy realm.

During an interview with Gamer Braves, Hashino discussed the mix of fantasy and contemporary aspects in their project, sharing that at first, the team aimed to strictly follow medieval traditions. This led to debates on topics such as whether walls should have rivets or screws, and how much glass there should be in the town, given its scarcity during medieval times. However, they eventually decided to let go of these minor concerns and fully explore the creative potential of Metaphor: ReFantazio’‘s fantastical environment.

Metaphor: Refantazio’s Fantasy World Is an Escape From Our Reality

Hashino explained that one reason they developed this type of fantasy realm was to affirm that our everyday reality doesn’t have to remain constant. While many games strive for historical authenticity in their medieval settings, like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, this often resulted in more criticism than appreciation. Similarly, Final Fantasy 16 encountered a similar debate regarding its Europe-inspired backdrop. Given these instances, Hashino’s team’s method appears to be the best approach, as it not only strengthens Metaphor: ReFantazio’s narrative but also makes the game’s fantasy universe stand out distinctly.

During the same interview, Hashino shared how the game, Metaphor: ReFantazio, centers around anxiety and depicts characters taking out their hearts before gaining new powers as an allegory for coping with such feelings. Essentially, he said that the concept is like grabbing your heart, giving it a pep talk to ‘ganbare’, or work hard, and strive your best. Most Atlus RPGs embody a core theme that permeates throughout the game, and even a fresh IP like Metaphor adheres to this pattern. It’s reasonable to expect that Persona 6 will also incorporate a central theme that influences every aspect of the game, from its visuals to its storyline and character motivations.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is gearing up for a remarkable debut on October 11th. Numerous enthusiasts who delved into the demo have been swift to commend the game, with initial feedback praising its world creation, characters, engaging gameplay, and distinctive music. Although some performance issues were noticed on PC during the demo, Atlus has pledged to address any problems with Metaphor: ReFantazio, guaranteeing that the game will be released in peak condition and will delight JRPG fans across the globe.

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2024-10-07 19:53