SEGA is thrilled to announce that Metaphor: ReFantazio, the latest RPG from ATLUS’s Studio Zero, has released on Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Steam. To commemorate the game’s launch, check out the brand-new trailer!
On October 8, the overseas review aggregation site “Metacritic” gave Metaphor: ReFantazio high scores: 92 points for the Xbox version, 94 points for the PlayStation 5 version (the highest rating among 2024 releases), and 91 points for the Windows/Steam version (as of October 11). Additionally, the Free Demo which is available worldwide ahead of the full product release, has achieved 1 million downloads and received high praise.
The Review Aggregation Site “Metacritic” Has Marked a Score of 94!
On October 8, the overseas review aggregation site “Metacritic” gave Metaphor: ReFantazio high scores: 92 points for the Xbox version, 94 points for the PlayStation®5 version (the highest rating among 2024 releases), and 91 points for the Windows/Steam version (as of October 11).
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.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Launch Campaign Celebrating the Release Has Begun
Period: 11~23 October 2024, 11:59PM GMT+8
How to participate:
・Like this post and follow the Atlus South East Asia FB page
・Tell us which is your favourite part of Metaphor: ReFantazio and why
・Tag a friend who you think will also enjoy the game
Reward: Copy of the Metaphor: ReFantazio Anniversary Edition
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
Protagonist (voiced by Natsuki Hanae)
*Named by the player
A young man traveling alongside his fairy partner, Gallica, to lift the deadly curse placed upon his longtime best friend, the kingdom’s prince.
Because he is of the elda tribe, he has been shunned by others and is looked upon with contempt and prejudice. This minority tribe has been labeled by the state religion of Sanctism as filth, and is said to possess dangerous magic which goes against its teachings.
Gallica (voiced by Sumire Morohoshi)
A fairy who acts as the protagonist’s travel companion and is also on special orders to assist in saving the prince.
She’s unable to fight due to her small stature, but her constitution as a fairy gives her special insight into magic and allows her to sense magla to a greater extent than the protagonist. While she sometimes speaks harshly when her values differ from others’, she is a reliable friend to have on a journey.
・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.
Strohl (voiced by Kensho Ono)
A clemar man met at the capital’s recruitment centre.
A good man with a sharp mind who values justice, but given he’s enlisted among commoners despite his noble stature, it seems he’s under some complicated circumstances.
Hulkenberg (voiced by Saori Hayami)
A roussainte knight originally assigned to guard the prince.
She served by his side as a royal guard.
Deftly skilled in the use of many different weapons, the proficiency cited upon her recommendation for the royal guard at a young age is clearly genuine.
However, after the attack on the prince, she came to terms with her own disgrace and became a wanderer, lamenting her failure to protect her liege.
Heismay (voiced by Akio Otsuka)
A eugief former knight.
As is characteristic of his tribe, he is very perceptive of noise, with the ability to sense minute changes through sounds that are imperceptible to others.
Eugiefs face no small amount of discrimination for their unique appearance, and it seems that Heismay has his own complicated past as well.
Metaphor: ReFantazio – Content Guidelines
The posting, streaming, or sharing of images, screenshots, videos, and audio of gameplay including background music (hereafter referred to as “gameplay footage”) of Metaphor: ReFantazio, which is available on Xbox X|S, Windows, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and Steam®, is only permitted for personal and non-commercial use, provided that you adhere to the following guidelines.
Shareable Content
All content can be shared.
In order to provide the best experience to all users, please indicate the presence of any spoilers in content you stream or share online. We kindly ask for your cooperation in this matter.
Sharing Methods
- You are permitted to share gameplay footage on blogs, websites, social media, and video-sharing platforms for personal non-commercial use only.
- In order to provide the best experience to all users, please indicate the presence of any spoilers on content you stream or share online.
- Sharing any form of in-game content online prior to the title’s release is strictly prohibited.
Indication of Copyright
Please make sure to clearly include the game’s copyrights on content you share online as shown below.
©ATLUS. ©SEGA.
*(C) is an acceptable alternative for ©.
Warnings
- Videos that are mere copies of content without creative input or commentary are not permitted. This also applies to sharing BGM tracks and any other form of in-game music solely on its own with the intention of sharing the audio. You may share portions of unedited gameplay footage on social media provided the content adheres to our guidelines.
- You are not permitted to share game-related content on any fee-based website or service. Doing so will constitute commercial use. However, you are permitted to share videos and stream via online platforms that enable you to receive revenue from the platform (e.g. the YouTube Partner Program), as this does not constitute commercial use.
- You are not permitted to act in any manner that defames a third party, including targeting specific players.
- You are not permitted to share game-related content that is illegal, inappropriate or against public policies.
- This includes the following:
- Actions that hinder the functioning or compromise the safety of our products or services.
- Cheating, cracking, unauthorized access, bypassing of technical restrictions, and illegal modification of the game, or any tools and services that enable these violations.
- Upon request, you are obligated to immediately cease the sharing of any gameplay footage, regardless of the circumstances. We reserve the right to delete any videos or discontinue any broadcasts that are deemed to be inappropriate. Please note that inquiries about these decisions may go unanswered.
- We do not provide indemnity in the event that your gameplay video infringes upon the rights of any third parties. Furthermore, no compensation will be provided for any damages incurred due to disputes with third parties arising from your use of in-game footage.