Katsura Hashino, Ex-Persona Developer, Shifts Focus to New Project Following Metaphor: Refantazio’s Success

In the wake of its recent release nearly two weeks ago, Metaphor: ReFantazio director Katsura Hashino is already looking ahead to his next project. In a recent interview with Famitsu, as transcribed by GamesRadar, Hashino shared his proactive approach to game development, stating, “Oh, I have already started.” He emphasized focusing not only on individual ideas but also on the broader vision for Atlus and its audience’s needs. “I look at Atlus as a whole and consider what’s best for our team to create right now,” he explained. “My priority is making users happy, and, as a result, I hope the company will benefit as well. That is how I always work.”

Hashino, who stepped down from his role at P-Studio to help establish Studio Zero—the Atlus team behind Metaphor—has a strong track record, including notable titles like Shin Megami Tensei, Persona 3, Persona 4, Catherine, Persona 5, and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Expectations are high for his next project.

Metaphor: ReFantazio has emerged as a distinctive title within the Atlus brand. It showcases similarities to popular franchises like Shin Megami Tensei and Persona while introducing its own unique features. Although there are some criticisms regarding its presentation and technical issues on the PC version, the game has been praised as a fantastic RPG that offers an immersive adventure experience. If you’re interested in our thoughts on the game, you can check out the full review here.

While the details of Hashino’s next game remain unclear, his commitment to creating meaningful experiences for players, alongside his development team at Studio Zero suggests it will be a project worth following. As fans await further news, one thing is clear: Hashino’s dedication to his craft continues to shape the future of JRPGs. In Hashino, we trust.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Publisher: Atlus

Developer: Studio Zero

Release Date TBC

Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox Series X|S

Metaphor: ReFantazio is an upcoming 2024 role-playing video game developed by Studio Zero and published by Atlus.

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