Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Comments on Possible Sequel

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Summary

  • Metaphor: ReFantazio garnered critical acclaim and won awards, potentially paving the way for a sequel or series.
  • Director Hashino hopes to establish Metaphor: ReFantazio as a flagship RPG series, akin to Shin Megami Tensei and Persona.
  • While no concrete plans for a sequel are in motion, Atlus has exciting plans for 2025, hinting at potential Persona 6 news.

As a longtime fan of the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, I have eagerly anticipated the release of Metaphor: ReFantazio, and it did not disappoint! The game’s critical acclaim, awards, and commercial success are well-deserved, and I am thrilled to see director Katsura Hashino express a desire for the franchise to grow into a flagship RPG series.

In response to speculation about a potential sequel for Atlus’ 2024 hit JRPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Katsura Hashino, the director and a key member of the team behind the game, has shared his thoughts. Metaphor: ReFantazio is an innovative new title from Atlus and Studio Zero, led by many former Persona series members, including Hashino himself. Many elements from the Persona franchise have been incorporated into Metaphor: ReFantazio’s high fantasy world.

Metaphorically speaking, Refantazio was showered with praise from critics, extending the turn-based combat and social simulation gameplay from Persona, while intertwining it with an imaginative political fantasy plotline. Metaphor: ReFantazio not only earned a few accolades at The Game Awards 2024 but also took home Best Art Direction and Best Narrative in the JRPG category. Consequently, many gamers regard it as one of the top RPGs of 2024. Given its success, director Katsura Hashino has hinted at potential plans for a Metaphor: ReFantazio sequel, potentially even expanding into a full-blown series.

In the recent double issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine (as reported by ryokutya2089), Hashino stated that while there are currently no definite plans to develop Metaphor: ReFantazio into a series, he harbors the aspiration for it to become one in the future. Hashino further mentioned that the initial concept for Metaphor: ReFantazio aimed to establish a third JRPG franchise alongside Shin Megami Tensei and Persona, with the ultimate goal of making it an iconic title representing Atlus and Studio Zero. Hashino expressed, “I have no solid plans to turn Metaphor into a series… I do hope it can eventually become a series.

Hashino Wants Metaphor: ReFantazio To Be a ‘Third’ Flashship RPG Series for Atlus

In his comments, Hashino expresses interest in creating a game set during the Sengoku era, mentioning that it could resemble Capcom’s “Sengoku Basara” series. He chuckles while making this comparison.

As a devoted cinephile, I must express my fervent wish that the captivating narrative of “Metaphor” might someday unfurl across multiple episodes, rather than being confined to a single screenplay. Alas, for now, there seem to be no definitive plans in place for its transformation into a series.

In a flash, ReFantazio by developer sold a million copies on its debut day, placing it among the swiftly-sold titles in Atlus’ collection. This prolific team shows no signs of slowing down as we approach 2025. Though a sequel to ReFantazio may not be imminent at this time, rumors suggest that Atlus has an abundance of projects lined up for the year, including possible news about Persona 6 and the international release of Persona 5: The Phantom X. For now, fans must exercise patience and stay tuned to learn what Atlus has in store for us next year.

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2024-12-26 18:43