When the team at Studio Zero embarked on creating Metaphor: ReFantazio, they envisioned it as a standout addition to the world of JRPGs, aiming to build it into a franchise that would sit proudly alongside their famous Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series. Now that it’s out in the wild, fans have had the chance to dive deep into the game, embrace its charm, and even consider it as a contender for game of the year. All signs point to its fantastic launch being a success story. But what about the whispers of a sequel? Well, that remains up in the air.
This week, Famitsu magazine (#1880) features an insightful interview with Katsura Hashino, the brain behind Studio Zero and Metaphor: ReFantazio. The discussion, which was brought to light by ryokutya2089 and shared via Persona Central, offers a peek into Hashino’s thoughts and dreams for potential sequels.
Hashino mentioned he’d love to explore new settings in any future games, with a nod towards a historical backdrop like Japan’s Sengoku period piquing his interest. “If I decide that the best setting for a future title is the Sengoku period, it might turn into a JRPG with a world like the Basara series (laughs),” he quipped.
As much as that idea is intriguing, there’s no concrete plan for a ReFantazio follow-up just yet. Despite this, Hashino and his team have their eyes set on transforming Metaphor into a series.
Given its tremendous success—it’s breathtaking to note that this game became Atlus’ fastest-selling title ever with over a million copies flying off the shelves at launch—bets on a sequel are high. ReFantazio’s warm welcome on PC also marks a triumph; the Persona series didn’t initially enjoy such success on that platform.
If by any chance you haven’t caught the buzz yet, check out our glowing 5-star review of Metaphor: ReFantazio. It’ll help you see why fans are over the moon about this release, proving it’s much more than just a ‘grown-up Persona.’