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Project Re Fantasy Resurfaces as Metaphor: ReFantazio; Persona 3 Reload, 5 Tactica Confirmed

Raise your hand if Metaphor: ReFantazio (formerly Project Re Fantasy) was on your Xbox Game Showcase bingo card. Last we heard, Director Katsura Hashino reassured fans that development work on Project Re Fantasy was coming along nicely, and this new trailer (see below) feels like incontrovertible proof of that.

Metaphor: ReFantazio launches for Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store in early 2024.

It looks to be a traditional RPG set in a mish-mash of modern times and a fantasy world. I don’t know, it’s kind of a lot to process, but I’m already sold. Of note: the Persona 5-like menus, indications of a life simulator, and Shin Megami Tensei-esque combat. Here’s how Atlus describes Metaphor: ReFantazio:

Write your destiny and rise above fear as you step into a fantasy world unlike anything you’ve seen before. Fraught with unsettling mystery, the kingdom stands on a precipice. Now, you must embark on a journey, overcoming obstacles and forging bonds with friends.

From the creative minds of the Persona series – Metaphor: ReFantazio marks ATLUS’ first ever, full-scale fantasy RPG, brought to you by director Katsura Hashino, character designer Shigenori Soejima, and composer Shoji Meguro. Metaphor: Refantazio is developed by Studio Zero.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Screenshots

We also received a brief foreword regarding Metaphor: ReFantazio from Hashino himself. If you aren’t familiar with him, he’s actually the creative lead behind the modern Persona games, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, and Catherine. That’s one heck of a resume.

And speaking of modern Persona

Persona 3 Reload

We also got official word on Persona 3 Reload, the ground-up remake of Persona 3 that got leaked a few days ago. As we learned previously, it’s expected to come out in “early 2024.” Per the official website, only Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC are listed as platforms right now.

Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate and enter the hour “hidden” between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of Tartarus, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.

Play the game like never before with a revamped battle system, cutting-edge graphics and gameplay, enhanced audio featuring all-new English voice-over, and much more. Dive into the Dark Hour and awaken the depths of your heart!

Atlus shared the all-new voice actor line-up for the main cast, too. They’re not the same people as in the original game, but they’re all known names in the scene.

  • Aigis – Dawn Bennett
  • Akihiko Sanada – Alejandro Saab
  • Fuuka Yamagishi – Suzie Yeung
  • Junpei Iori – Zeno Robinson
  • Ken Amada – Justine Lee
  • Mitsuru Kirijo – Allegra Clark
  • Protagonist – Aleks Le
  • Shinjiro Aragaki – Justice Slocum
  • Yukari Takeba – Heather Gonzalez

Persona 5 Tactica

Persona 5 Tactica, the strategy RPG spin-off of Persona 5, arrives earliest of them all: November 17th. Only Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC have been announced as platforms so far. If the staggered platform reveals of the Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden remasters were anything to go by, we could be getting announcements for PlayStation and Nintendo Switch at a later date. Fingers crossed!

After a strange incident, the Phantom Thieves wander into a bizarre realm where its citizens are living under tyrannical oppression. Surrounded by a military group named Legionnaires, they find themselves in grave danger until a mysterious revolutionary named Erina rescues them and offers an enticing deal in exchange for their help. What truth lies behind Erina and the deal she offers to the Phantom Thieves?

Overthrow your enemies with powerful Personas, an assortment of weapons, and wipe them out with style in this fresh new tactical RPG from the award-winning Persona 5 game.

Whew. Atlus has been busy, huh? You’ll want to stay tuned to RPGFan for more updates on Metaphor: ReFantazio, Persona, and the general goings-on of this year’s Summer Game Fest!

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Gio Castillo

Gio Castillo

Gio is a writer and editor with a deep fondness for role-playing and management games. He lives in the Philippines with two cats he loves dearly.

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