Persona 5, Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Teases His Next Game

Persona 5, Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Teases His Next Game

Key Takeaways

  • Persona 5 director Katsura Hashino’s next game after Metaphor: ReFantazio is already in the works.
  • Hashino says that he didn’t pick the unannounced project based on his personal preference, but by looking at what his team at Studio Zero wanted to do the most.

As a seasoned gamer with over four decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Katsura Hashino is a name synonymous with exceptional game development, especially in the realm of RPGs. His latest masterpiece, Metaphor: ReFantazio, has proven to be yet another feather in his already overflowing cap, cementing its place among the highest-rated games of 2024.


Katsura Hashino, a seasoned professional at Atlus, has hinted at his upcoming project following “Metaphor: ReFantazio”. This project is currently in development, as he revealed during a recent interview where he also shared insights into his creative methods and daily life since leading a new division at Atlus.

Hashino, with close to five decades of experience in the gaming industry under his belt and contributions to nearly 50 games, is currently on a promotional tour for the highly praised “Metaphor: ReFantazio.” This game was launched on October 11, 2024, and has swiftly earned its place among the top-rated games of that year.

In connection with promotional activities, Hashino recently had a chat with Famitsu, discussing his projects, friendship with the creator of Silent Hill, Keiichiro Toyama, and various other topics. One intriguing aspect from this conversation is the revelation that the director of Metaphor: ReFantazio has already begun work on his next game, as confirmed by Hashino himself when he mentioned, “Indeed, I’ve already started.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Didn’t Pick His Next Project Based on Personal Preference

Hashino stated that the unexpected title was approved not because it was his personal preference, but due to what his team at Atlus was most passionate about pursuing. He works with the aim of making players happy, and in turn, he hopes that this satisfaction will also bring happiness to the company. This is always his approach.

Initially, my goal is to ensure the players are content, which in turn makes me hopeful for the company’s satisfaction. This has been my approach throughout my work.

Studio Zero Remains Focused on New Atlus Initiatives

During the interview, he pointed out that little has evolved since he founded and began managing Studio Zero in 2017, explaining that this studio isn’t a standalone business but rather a hub for new Atlus projects. Consequently, Studio Zero won’t dissolve just because Metaphor: ReFantazio has been released; instead, it will persist much as it did following the launch of its initial game, Catherine: Full Body. However, the term “new initiatives” doesn’t necessarily mean that Hashino’s next project will be another original IP. In fact, Catherine : Full Body was an updated version of the 2011 game Catherine, which pre-dates Studio Zero.

T ReFantazio places it among Hashino’s finest creations. Moreover, considering Atlus’s history, there’s a possibility that Studio Zero is already developing additional content for Metaphor, seeing as Atlus has expressed interest in releasing expansions instead of upgraded editions for games such as SMT5: Vengeance and Persona 5: Royal.

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2024-10-20 21:23