“Flagship title that represents our company”: Like Shin Megami Tensei and Persona, Metaphor: Refantazio Boss Aims to Make It a Defining Series for Atlus

Atlus, the Japanese video game developer has long been recognized for its rich, narrative-driven RPGs: Shin Megami Tensei and Persona. However, the company’s ambitions don’t end with these two powerhouse series. Instead of sticking to the tried and tested formula, it took a bold leap with Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Players have been enjoying the game since its launch. | Image Credit: Atlus

And if a recent discussion with Studio Zero director Katsura Hashino is anything to go by, the studio wants to elevate this new critically acclaimed title into a third flagship franchise under its name, paving the path for future DLCs and sequels. With impressive sales numbers and growing recognition, the game has the potential to make that leap.

Metaphor: ReFantazio might become the new flagship for Atlus

Since its release on October 10th, the game has been a success, quickly surpassing 1 million copies worldwide (announced by SEGA). This milestone shows the game’s appeal and potential as well as the fanbase’s hunger for more high-quality JRPGs.

Even though in the discussion (leaked by ryokutya2089), Hashino mentioned that there are currently no official plans to turn Metaphor into a series, he is hopeful that the game can eventually become a franchise, serving as a key pillar for the studio moving forward.

And why not? The title has demonstrated that the studio can bring something fresh to the table while maintaining the complexity of the narrative and featuring memorable characters.

In the same discussion, Hashino revealed that this project was made from the ground up with the ultimate goal of creating a third JRPG series that could stand alongside Shin Megami Tensei and Persona.

Since the project started with the goal of creating a third JRPG series alongside Shin Megami Tensei and Persona, I’d like to develop it into a flagship title that represents our company.

This ambition reflects the studio’s confidence in the game’s potential, signaling that it is ready to commit to turning Metaphor into a franchise and making it a staple of the RPG genre, as well as a defining part of the studio’s future.

The future of Metaphor: ReFantazio looks bright

The studio wants to convert the title into a defining franchise. | Image Credit: Atlus

For now, Metaphor: ReFantazio is going to be a fresh and promising entry in Atlus’ catalog. Despite its early success, Hashino and his team are cautious about rushing into turning it into a full-fledged series just yet.

The decision to refrain from expanding the title immediately not only shows the studio’s dedication to maintaining high standards but also reveals that the game’s future hinges on its lasting impact and the continued demand from its growing fanbase.

If Hashino and his team can build on this foundation, this new title could become a defining part of the studio’s legacy, alongside Shin Megami Tensei and Persona. For now, fans can only wait and see how the studio plans to further develop this promising new series.

In the end, as Atlus continues to innovate and expand its catalog, fans can now look forward to a future filled with new stories, settings, and experiences from one of the industry’s most respected developers.