In 2024, amidst a bustling year for Japanese role-playing games, Atlus surprised everyone with their unexpected hit, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Launching alongside heavyweights like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Persona 3 Reload, this game still managed to carve out a niche for itself and captured the hearts of many gamers. While some were initially unsure about the game’s potential, given the high bar set by titles like Persona 5, it skyrocketed beyond many fans’ expectations and secured its place in gaming history.
Upon its release in October 2024, Metaphor: ReFantazio quickly accumulated praise from every corner of the gaming community. It boasted impressive scores on review platforms like OpenCritic and Metacritic, and even snagged a Game of the Year nomination at The Game Awards for 2024. From a business perspective, the game was an undeniable success, selling an astonishing one million copies on its first day, making it the fastest-selling game in Atlus’s history. Given its triumphant debut, it seems almost certain that Atlus will look to build on this success, potentially elevating Metaphor: ReFantazio to a franchise alongside their iconic Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series.
Atlus, a stalwart in the industry for nearly four decades, isn’t always in the limelight. Titles like Trauma Center, Etrian Odyssey, and Growlanser have remained niche, unlike household names like Final Fantasy. The company’s giants, however, are unquestionably the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, with nearly a hundred games between them. Notably, Persona, which began as a spin-off from Shin Megami Tensei, has fostered a large following over the years.
It seems Atlus might have plans to give Metaphor: ReFantazio the same treatment. Katsura Hashino, who directed the game, mentioned in a Famitsu interview, translated by MP1st, that he dreams of spinning it into a notable franchise. While he doesn’t have any detailed plans just yet, he’s brimming with ideas and is keen to see the series flourish like his past works.
If Atlus decides to alternate releases among Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, and Metaphor games, it could keep fans engaged for years to come. Metaphor’s world is certainly rich enough to deserve sequels—possibly continuing with the same beloved characters or introducing a fresh cast. Ventures into other genres such as a tactical RPG, drawing inspiration from titles like Tactics Ogre or Persona 5 Tactica, could also expand its universe in exciting directions.
While there hasn’t been an official announcement about a Metaphor: ReFantazio sequel, whispers in the industry suggest a mobile spin-off, possibly from a collaboration with Netflix Games, might be in the works. Whether these rumors bear fruit, Atlus enthusiasts can take comfort in knowing that more Shin Megami Tensei and Persona games are likely on the horizon, promising to keep players entertained in the interim.
Metaphor: ReFantazio didn’t just come out of nowhere. Conceived by the creative forces behind Persona 3, 4, and 5, the game crafts a unique fantasy realm where players are thrust into an adventure with their fairy companion, Gallica. The task is to break the curse on a kingdom’s long-lost prince. Throughout the journey, players can unlock magical Archetype powers and learn to wield the abilities of various job classes, all while forming bonds and battling formidable foes.
With its captivating narrative and expansive world, Metaphor: ReFantazio sits comfortably alongside other RPG and JRPG titles. Released on October 11, 2024, across multiple platforms, it’s an experience that resonates well with fans of the genre. As we wait in anticipation for what Atlus will bring next, one thing is certain—Metaphor: ReFantazio has set a new standard for what we can expect from this seasoned developer.
