Metaphor: ReFantazio has been a project years in the making. Originally announced in 2017 as Project re Fantasy, the game has undergone some changes since then. Atlus, known for their urban fantasy games, has ventured into the realm of wizards and elves with ReFantazio. Set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, the game follows the story of a nation in turmoil after the assassination of the king. Players must navigate through a complex narrative involving eight different fantasy races and a royal tournament to elect a new leader.
Developed by Studio Zero, a division of Atlus led by Katsura Hashino, known for his work on the Persona series, ReFantazio marks a new direction for the studio. Hashino’s departure from P-Studio after Persona 5 allowed him to explore new storytelling avenues outside of the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series.
The game features a unique combat system with Archetypes, tactical party compositions, and a Fast battle system that adds a new layer of strategy. Players will travel across Euchronia in a Gauntlet Runner, interacting with various towns and characters to gain support for the royal tournament. The game also incorporates social simulation elements, where players must manage their time wisely to level up traits and engage in combat.
The demo showcased at Summer Game Fest highlighted the stunning visuals, intricate combat mechanics, and rich lore of ReFantazio. With a release date set for October 11 on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, fans can expect a deep and immersive gaming experience that blends nostalgia with innovation.
