Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Addresses Sequel Possibilities

Katsura Hashino, director of the acclaimed 2024 JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, has shared his thoughts on the future of the franchise and a possible sequel in a recent interview with Weekly Famitsu magazine. Despite the game’s commercial and critical success, including wins for Best Art Direction and Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2024, Hashino revealed that there are currently no concrete plans for a sequel.

“There are no concrete plans to make Metaphor into a series…I do hope it can become a series one day,” Hashino stated in the interview. He expressed his original vision for Metaphor: ReFantazio as a potential third major JRPG series for Atlus, alongside established franchises Shin Megami Tensei and Persona, hoping it could become a flagship title representing both Atlus and Studio Zero.

The game, which successfully translated many Persona mechanics into a high fantasy setting, has proven to be one of Atlus’s fastest-selling titles, reaching one million copies sold on its launch day. The title combines turn-based combat with social simulation gameplay, wrapped in a political fantasy narrative that has resonated strongly with players.

Looking to the future, Hashino shared some creative aspirations, mentioning interest in potentially developing a JRPG set in the Sengoku period, drawing comparisons to Capcom’s Sengoku Basara series. While Metaphor: ReFantazio’s future remains uncertain, Atlus appears focused on other projects for 2025, with industry speculation pointing toward Persona 6 news and an international release of Persona 5: The Phantom X.

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