In a recent chat with Game Informer, Katsura Hashino, the director behind Atlus’ Studio Zero, shared some intriguing insights about the future of fantasy games following the anticipated release of the 2024 JRPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio. While it may not be part of the Persona series, there’s no denying that the new title carries echoes of Atlus’ past successes—most notably, its calendar system and revamped social links. Yet, Hashino hints at something bigger on the horizon as the team looks to push the boundaries of what JRPGs can be.
When questioned about whether the team feels that their fantasy game itch has been scratched with Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hashino responded, “I think the desire is still there. I’m not sure if it’s deepened or dissipated, but it’s still there.” He implies that the passion for creating in the fantasy genre persists, but it’s been coupled with a growing ambition to not just conform to what’s already out there.
“That’s an underlying thing,” he added. “More so than just latching onto a specific genre of game, we’re going back to how we can evolve our JRPG and what it looks like. For us, it’s coming to a turning point where we want to really take it to the next level.”
Hashino openly acknowledges that Atlus has relied on the same overarching format for many titles over the years. He believes it’s essential to evolve with the times, recognizing that a game that was once fresh may now lose its relevance. “Of course, we want to retain our strengths, whether that be our narrative or elements that make us JRPGs. However, we feel the need to update our format and create games that would be more widely playable,” he said, emphasizing a vision that extends beyond the traditional JRPG audience. “We’re hoping to update our format with that in mind.”
Hashino has been focused on the trajectory of JRPGs, recently introducing the concept of “JRPG 3.0,” which he aims to embody in his next creation. Given his impressive track record, aspirations for the future are certainly high, and they’re well-founded. It’ll be fascinating to watch how these ideas materialize in Metaphor: ReFantazio and beyond.