October 11, 2024 – SEGA is thrilled to announce that Metaphor: ReFantazio, the latest RPG from ATLUS’s Studio Zero, has released on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5.
About Metaphor: ReFantazio
・A New Undertaking That Captures the Essence of ATLUS
ATLUS is a console game developer that was formed in 1986. It has garnered popularity across the globe, with its Persona series reaching 22 million* units sold worldwide. ATLUS will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year.
*As of March 5, 2024
ATLUS has worked on many contemporary stories, such as Shin Megami Tensei and Persona, and provided players with its own unique worlds and experiences. After the immense success of Persona 5, ATLUS is now set to explore the realm of classic fantasy.
A fantastical story that could not have been explored within the framework of modernity. This anniversary project offers a fresh new take on the fantasy RPG genre. Rather than seeking solace in the past, this new adventure has been driven by a philosophy of creativity and empathy and aims to break new ground.
・A Groundbreaking Project Helmed by Renowned Creators and Artists
A team of internationally recognized creators, who have earned accolades at various game awards, have assembled for this project to develop a totally new fantasy RPG, including director Katsura Hashino, character designer Shigenori Soejima, and composer Shoji Meguro. The team behind Metaphor: ReFantazio has an illustrious history, having developed Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5. Notably, Persona 5 has become the franchise’s biggest success, with 10 million units sold worldwide.
*As of December 22, 2023
Creators:
- Director: Katsura Hashino (Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne, Persona 3, 4, 5)
- Character Designer: Shigenori Soejima (Persona 3, 4, 5)
- Composer: Shoji Meguro (Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne, Persona 3, 4, 5)
Joining this incredible team of creators is a team of equally exceptional artists, all united in their goal to deliver an out-of-this-world production.
Artists:
- Concept artist Kazuma Koda (NieR:Automata)
- Gauntlet runner designer Ikuto Yamashita (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
・The Story, the Art and Sound, the Mechanics, All Unique
Story:
Lose track of time and immerse yourself. Mysterious and unpredictable events unfold in a realm replete with the anxieties and aspirations of its inhabitants, calling you on a grand journey with plenty to experience.
Art and Sound:
Distinctive and charming character designs. Beautiful and fantastical background art throughout the game’s world. With stylish UI based on Western painting tradition, even just browsing the menus provides a sense of excitement.
In addition, the game provides a new musical experience with a blend of orchestra, world music, choir, and chants, a sound developed from a reinterpretation of religious music.
Mechanics:
A unique battle system combining quick action with turn-based combat. An unbelievably comfortable play tempo and exhilarating graphics. Players are given a high degree of freedom and ability to strategize, realized through Archetypes, a mechanic at the pinnacle of party customization.
Ride gauntlet runners on a journey to change the world. The Daily Life mechanics present in the Persona series have evolved, allowing you to experience an entirely new type of journey.
The Game’s Story
・Setting
A world separate from our own, inhabited by 8 different tribes.
Within one corner of this world exists the Kingdom of Euchronia.
The kingdom is an alliance of nations that began with its valiant first king and saw unification and governance over the ages by the powerful royal bloodline in its immense magical prowess. However, the kingdom began to decay over the long years, now deteriorating into a land without virtue divided by prejudice and disparity.
In addition to the vicious animals roaming its vast territory, the land is inundated with mysterious creatures known as “humans,” meaning not even the smallest of safe spaces remains outside of the cities.
Then, the kingdom’s prince and king are assassinated, bringing even further confusion and anxiety to its citizens who now have no ruler.
・Prologue
A young man embarks on a journey to lift a curse, with a fairy by his side
The Elda are a minority tribe shunned in the Kingdom of Euchronia.
The protagonist, a young Elda, is traveling alongside his fairy partner, Gallica, to lift the curse placed upon the kingdom’s prince.
There is only one way to lift the deadly curse that eats away at the prince:
Take the life of its caster.
As the young man travels across the vast continent, he will have many chance meetings, form bonds, and eventually learn the truth of the kingdom.
The curtain unfolds after a terrible incident shakes the entire kingdom..
・Introduction
A race for the throne decided by majority vote, imposed by the power of magic.
Just over ten years have passed since the Kingdom of Euchronia’s crown prince was assassinated. Then, the king himself is cut down, leaving the kingdom in chaos without any ruler or heir to the throne.
Who will be the next king? The sanctifex serving as head of the state religion, a lord or lady of a nearby nation, or perhaps a leader of the military…? As the royal funeral is carried out with various powerful parties all vying for the throne, a spell is unexpectedly cast at the funeral site.
Time is finite before my soul departs this benighted world… Come October, there shall be a reckoning. A Day of the Hero. Upon that day, whosoever hath truly earned the greatest faith of the citizenry… shall ascend to throne and crown by right of kings.
Ringing in the sky was the voice of the king who had been declared dead. He had a grand spell set to activate upon his death that would pit every one of his citizens against one another in a race for the throne, to be decided by popular vote.
The people descend into utter chaos at the thought of electing their own king for the very first time. However, our protagonist decides he must throw himself into the fray in order to accomplish his mission.
And so begins the great race for the throne, to be carried out all across the kingdom. Over the course of his journey, he finds various allies to join him. What awaits them is a grand journey that will change the world as they know it.
Characters
・ The Protagonist Elda and His Fairy
・Allies of Differing Backgrounds
Within this society rife with discrimination, allies belonging to various tribes come to join the protagonist. Each of them has their own reason for wanting to change the world, and when they come into contact with the protagonist’s awakened power, Heroic Embodiment (Archetype), they become able to use it as well.
▼ATLUS Exclusive – Metaphor: ReFantazio Archive
ATLUS Exclusive – Metaphor: ReFantazio 4.23.2024
ATLUS Exclusive – Metaphor: ReFantazio | Archetypes
Metaphor: ReFantazio ATLUS Exclusive Showcase – Story
Metaphor: ReFantazio ATLUS Exclusive Showcase – Character
Metaphor: ReFantazio ATLUS Exclusive Showcase – World Tour
*English subtitles will be provided.
Demo for Metaphor: ReFantazio Out Now!
Play through the beginning of Metaphor with the new demo! You’ll be able to carry over your save data to the full game once you’re done! To pick up the demo, simply head over to your platform’s store to download it.
*The demo’s content may slightly differ from the launch version.
*You can play the demo as many times as you like.
*All screenshots and footage shown during the broadcast are from the Japanese edition of the game, which is still under development. English support will be available at release.
Product Information: