ReFantazio’ Borrows Heavily from ‘Persona 5’ in a Metaphorical Way

Atlus Unveils Metaphor: ReFantazio, a New Fantasy RPG with Persona Elements

A Guiding Principle for Studio Zero

When developing Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus’ Studio Zero had a clear vision: create a fantasy RPG that captures the essence of the Persona series while introducing fresh elements. Katsura Hashino, the director behind several Persona titles, left P-Studio to establish Studio Zero, bringing along key team members like character artist Shigenori Soejima and composer Shoji Meguro. The project also features guest developers Koda Kazuma (NieR:Automata concept artist) and Ikuto Yamashita (artist for Neon Genesis Evangelion).

A Tale of Assassination, Election, and Adventure

Set for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on October 11, Metaphor: ReFantazio combines the social aspects of Persona with a faster-paced combat system in a new fantasy setting. The story revolves around the assassination of a king, which triggers an election where anyone can become the next ruler, provided they garner sufficient support. The protagonist, pursuing a personal mission, must forge alliances, earn bounties by slaying monsters, explore dungeons, complete side quests, and rally followers.

Immersive Social Elements and Mobile Bases

Like the Persona series, Metaphor emphasizes social interactions, whether it’s strengthening bonds with followers or spending time with the game’s diverse cast. Instead of fast travel, players traverse the world using mobile bases equipped with various amenities, from hang-out rooms and libraries to cooking and laundry facilities. These mundane activities, reminiscent of Persona’s satisfying slice-of-life elements, contribute to the game’s immersive atmosphere.

Archetypes and Customizable Squads

Hashino explains that Metaphor features a job system centered around powers called archetypes, which manifest in various forms throughout the game. By confronting their anxieties, protagonists acquire these special abilities. While archetypes may resemble Persona’s eponymous enemies, they function more like traditional battle styles. For example, a seeker is a balanced fighter, while a mage specializes in magic. Players have the freedom to customize their parties, even creating squads composed entirely of the same job.

Atlus’ Renaissance and the Power of Fantasy

Atlus is currently experiencing a resurgence, thanks to the breakout success of titles like Persona 5 (2016) and Persona 3 Reload (March 2023). Reload, a remake of a PS2 classic, became Atlus’ fastest-selling game within its first week. Metaphor maintains the series’ distinctive style and fluid combat while offering a vast, immersive experience that, in Hashino’s words, “questions the power of fantasy, a power we all possess.”