Today the western arm of Atlus reached out to share more details and many screenshots of the upcoming fantasy JRPG by the creators of Persona 5, Metaphor: ReFantazio.
As we learned with the latest reveal, the game is set in a nation named United Kingdom of Euchronia, including three countries populated by eight tribes that are pretty much at each other's throats in one way or another.
Yet, these people living in a fantasy world have their own concept of fantasy.
In this world, there is only one tribe. All people accept each other, and no soul is born into discrimination. In such a world, there is no need for sorcery. A megapolis is built through learning and labour.
Towers of glass that reach the heavens. Safe nights with no dark shadows. Busy streets well travelled. And in the laws of these emotionally satisfied people, it reads: All lives are equal.
This is a fantasy for the divided and anxious people of Euchronia, and being a fantasy, it's something they believe impossible.
The game explores "anxiety," which is apparently a simple concept, but it's also a complex emotion.
Considering this game is made by the creators of Persona 5, you likely won't be surprised by the fact that it includes the concept of "Awakening."
Only Those Who Face Their Fear & Anxiety Have the Power to Awaken “Magic.”
Usually, the inhabitants of Euchronia can't use Magic without an item called "igniter," which requires a license.
Inevitably, the hero and his friends awaken and receive magical powers that defy that convention and don't need any igniters.
This is an "Archetype" and it's described as a "primordial secret power that awakens by facing your fear and anxiety. Put another way, it is the awakening of the nature of a hero that lies dormant in people's hearts."
Incidentally, we also learn that the mysterious monsters named "Humans" ("Ningen" in Japanese, which reads as "human" but is written in Katakana, like it was a foreign word) are inspired by the work of Renaissance artist Hieronymus Bosch.
We also get a more detailed description of the main characters:
Protagonist (CV: Natsuki Hanae)
Together with the fairy, Gallica, he embarks on a journey to lift the deadly curse placed on his childhood friend, the prince of Euchronia. He is a boy of the elda tribe, branded a "tainted" people by the state religion who believe the elda have inherited dangerous and heretical magic. Being so rare among the populous, they are detested and discriminated against throughout the kingdom.
Gallica (CV: Sumire Morohoshi)
Not only a traveling companion, Gallica is the guide who helps the protagonist carry out his mission to save the prince. Although she is too small to participate in battles, her knowledge of magic and ability to sense magla is superior to the protagonist due to her fairy nature. She doesn't mince words, but she is a reassuring ally on his journey.Strohl (CV: Kensho Ono)
He is a young man of the clemar tribe who meets the protagonist in the recruitment centre for the State Army.A smart young man with a strong sense of justice, he hails from a noble family. And yet, it seems his circumstances are complicated, as it is rare for a noble to enlist in the army alongside commoners.
Hulkenberg (CV: Saori Hayami)
A knight of the roussainte tribe and former member of the royal family's Kingsguard who served by the prince's side.Despite her young age, she excelled in the use of various weaponry, and was assigned to the personal guard of the prince. But when the prince was attacked, she failed to protect him and set out to wander, carrying the stigma of this failure in her heart.
Heismay (CV: Akio Otsuka)
A former knight of the eugief tribe. He has acute perception compared to most others, due in part to the eugief trait of being sensitive to sound. With an appearance that differs greatly from other tribes, it's not uncommon for eugiefs to be discriminated against—and it seems Heismay is no exception, his past his own burden to bear.
Lastly, we also get a more extensive list of the Japanese voice cast:
Natsuki Hanae, Sumire Morohoshi, Kensho Ono, Saori Hayami, Kazuhiko Inoue, Akio Otsuka, Yoshino Nanjo, Misato Fukuen, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Tetsu Inada, Mamiko Noto, Ginga Banjo, Yuichi Nakamura, Mitsuru Miyamoto, Noriko Hidaka, Megumi Ogata, Satoshi Mikami, Tomokazu Sugita, Toru Furuya, Yui Ishikawa, Atsushi Tamaru, Yoko Hikasa, Ai Fairouz, and Kenji Hamada.
There certainly are plenty of star-level names there, but the most interesting notion is that the cute Heismay is voiced by Akio Otsuka, AKA Solid Snake.
Below you can check out all the screenshots and art.
Metaphor: ReFantazio will release in the fall of 2024 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC in fall 2024.
If you'd like to see more you can check out the announcement trailer showcased in June at the Xbox showcase and another video focusing on commentary from the developers.
