Metaphor: ReFantazio Emphasizes Anxiety, Not Politics

At a recent preview event for Metaphor: ReFantazio in New York, key members of the development team, including producer Junichi Yoshizawa and lead scenario planner Yuichiro Tanaka, shared insights about how their previous work influenced the game and addressed the coincidental timing of the game's themes with real-world elections.

Director Katsura Hashino, in a pre-recorded message, explained that one of the game’s central themes is anxiety. "We wanted to explore the idea of individuals discovering their inner strength and facing their fears by connecting with others." As the team developed this concept, they moved away from their earlier works, creating what Hashino described as “a fantasy world version of an election.”

Hashino also emphasized that any resemblance to real-world elections was purely coincidental. "We never intended this overlap with real elections. It’s just a surprising parallel between our world and the world of Metaphor."

Elections Without Political Intent in Metaphor’s Fantasy World

Tanaka elaborated on the election theme, noting that while elections are often seen as tense and serious, the team focused on the positive potential they hold. "We wanted to highlight the efforts people make to build a better future," he said. The election theme was woven into the game early on, with moments of festivity and hope mixed with battle sequences. Tanaka continued, "The election isn’t meant to push any political message. It’s simply a tool to tell the story in this fantasy world."

Though the game’s release coincides with global political events, Tanaka reiterated that the timing is coincidental. "We hope players enjoy the election concept in the context of our fantasy world, separated from any real-world political agendas."

Exploring Anxiety in a High Fantasy Setting

Tanaka also delved into how the game addresses anxiety. "We wanted to explore the different ways people face and respond to anxiety," he said, emphasizing that the team created distinct tribes within the game, each with its own approach to handling fear and tension. These tribes serve as a reflection of various human responses, though they are completely detached from real-world racial identities.

Initially introduced as Project Re Fantasy, the game’s development evolved beyond traditional high fantasy themes. "We never set out to create a high fantasy like The Lord of the Rings," Tanaka explained. "We wanted to craft something new that felt right for Atlus."

A Fresh Take, Yet Familiar

Though Metaphor is a new intellectual property, it bears similarities to Atlus’s Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series, particularly in visual and gameplay mechanics. "We recognize the similarities," Tanaka admitted. "But unlike Persona, which is centered in a single city, Metaphor takes players on a geographical journey, adding a new layer of exploration."

Azusa Kido, lead daily system planner, pointed out that Metaphor introduces a diverse cast, unlike Persona, which traditionally focuses on high school students. The game’s protagonist is a young boy in an unfamiliar world, designed to be relatable while offering a fresh perspective.

Creating a high fantasy world came with challenges, particularly in designing a setting where nothing is familiar. "In modern settings, players understand how things like money and buildings work," Tanaka noted. "In Metaphor, we had to invent everything from scratch. It was a fun but demanding process."

A Blend of Old and New

Tanaka credited the team’s past experience with modern settings in games like Persona, which allowed them to create something innovative within the fantasy genre. For instance, they chose not to depict every moment of a character’s journey, leaving room for players to fill in the gaps with their imagination.

Kido highlighted how the game’s daily system adds depth, challenging players to make decisions as they travel through unknown territories. "We know it might feel overwhelming, but it’s part of the adventure," she explained.

A Culmination of Atlus’s Legacy

Hashino described Metaphor as a culmination of Atlus’s work, incorporating lessons from previous titles like Persona and Catherine while venturing into new territory. Yoshizawa added that while some elements from past games didn’t fit into Metaphor, they may reappear in future projects.

The team is confident that Metaphor represents their best work yet, combining familiar features with new ideas to create a high fantasy experience unlike any other. With its rich narrative, engaging mechanics, and captivating world, Metaphor could be Atlus’s most ambitious title to date—but we’ll have to wait for its release to find out.