Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Admits He Doesn’t Check User Feedback to Help His Mental Health

Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Admits He Doesn't Check User Feedback to Help His Mental Health

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs), I find Katsura Hashino’s approach to user feedback fascinating and somewhat relatable. Living in a world where instant gratification and constant connectivity are the norm, it’s refreshing to see someone like Hashino, a creative powerhouse behind the Persona franchise, opt for a more introspective and self-preserving approach.


Through social media, it’s simpler than ever before for individuals to communicate directly with video game creators about their games. Yet, not everyone appreciates this approach, such as Katsura Hashino, the director of the Persona series, and the creator of Metaphor: ReFantazio.

In conversations with Famitsu (through Automaton), Hashino shared that he tends to maintain a detachment from feedback about his games to protect his psychological well-being. Although he does review things immediately following release, he clarified that he can’t make adjustments based on this feedback. When it becomes necessary to look something up, he prefers to do so efficiently and not dwell excessively on the reactions, as prolonged exposure isn’t beneficial for one’s mental health.

Does Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Game Director Have Twitter/X?

Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Admits He Doesn't Check User Feedback to Help His Mental Health

Beyond this, when Toyama inquired if Hashino checks his name online, Refantazio’s game director verified that he does not, and he doesn’t use social media either. Moreover, Hashino himself disclosed his unease about attending in-person promotional events.

It’s not unexpected, considering Japan’s traditionally reserved society compared to the US. This observation might help explain why the former Silent Hill developer, now known as Toyama, was initially dismissive of user feedback but has since become more open to listening and incorporating valuable opinions into his work. Interestingly, Toyama is currently working on a new horror game titled Slitterhead, scheduled for release on November 8 for consoles and PC.

Luckily for Hashino, he doesn’t have to be active on social media for his game to succeed, since it has already sold over a million copies in its first day of release. If you haven’t played the RPG yet, you might want to give it a try, as our review raves that “Metaphor: ReFantazio” is an exceptionally crafted JRPG that skillfully combines the best aspects of the Persona series with a unique fantasy storyline. It’s a rich and intricate tale that unfolds at a perfect pace, offering a wealth of familiar mechanics and systems.

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2024-10-20 00:38