Atlus Exclusive Metaphor: ReFantazio Fourth Live Stream Set for July 29

Metaphor: ReFantazio, the widely anticipated JRPG from long-time veteran Persona developers Atlus, will have its fourth live stream, slated on July 29. Katsura Hashino, the director of Metaphor: ReFantazio and its previous accomplishments of Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5, will host the stream at 6 PM PT/9 PM ET.

Metaphor: ReFantazio news drop incoming! 📣

Learn more about rival candidates and allies you meet during your journey in the “ATLUS Exclusive” Character Showcase, going live on YouTube!

📅 July 29th, 2024
🕒 6pm PT/9pm ET

➡️ https://t.co/AubmMhJbL5 pic.twitter.com/lDoGHQxVyJ

— Official ATLUS West (@Atlus_West) July 24, 2024

In the live stream on July 29 on their YouTube page, fans can expect a focus on the character roster in the game and the followers, individuals responsible for the bond-building feature in the game, similar to Persona’s Social Links. However, unlike in Persona, the characters in Metaphor: ReFantazio will not feature a romance route.

Everything We Know So Far About Metaphor: ReFantazio

Release Date and Platforms

Metaphor: ReFantazio was first announced under a codename in 2016 before its full reveal last year, and fans have speculated its release to be somewhere around fall 2024. In the previous trailers released by Atlus, the developers confirmed that the game will be released on October 11, 2024.

Unlike other developers who loved tying games to be their exclusives, Atlus also unveiled that Metaphor: ReFantazio is coming to PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Windows and Steam. As for Nintendo Switch owners, we unfortunately have not received news regarding the platform release, but rumours are circulating that it will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2.

Those wanting to pre-order the game can select two editions. Attached is a table showcasing the difference between Standard Edition and Collector’s Edition.

Metaphor: ReFantazio	Standard Edition	Collector’s Edition
Price	$69.99	$149.99
Preorder Bonus	Archetype EXP Chest Set Adventurer’s Journey Pack	Archetype EXP Chest Set Adventurer’s Journey Pack Steelbook Soundtrack Artbook Homo Tenta Metallic Pins Sticker Sheet Kingdom of Euchronia Cloth Map Costume & Battle BGM Set DLC Voucher Atlus 35th Anniversary Digital History Book + Soundtrack

Story and Plot

According to the descriptions, the game begins with the assassination of the King of Euchronia, which brings about a struggle for succession. The main protagonist, us, along with our fairy companion Galica, must find a solution to succeed in the royal tournament for the throne and break a curse placed upon his childhood friend, a prince the kingdom believes to be dead.

As for the plot, the protagonist is a boy of the Elda tribe and was branded as a tainted person by the state religion due to his inheritance of dangerous and forbidden magic. The tribe is so rare among the populous that they are detested and discriminated against throughout the kingdom.

However, it did not stop our protagonist from entering and embarking on a journey to help their friend. In our quest, we will face numerous obstacles and challenges but meet and befriend companions such as Hulkenberg, Strohl and more to win the royal tournament.

Gameplay Mechanics

Taking inspiration from Persona 5, Metaphor: ReFantazio battle UI and menu work resembles its aggressive stylisation, as players will battle in a turn-based RPG in which players exploit elemental weaknesses, draw power from archetypes, and summon them.

In addition, the game will feature time-action-packed combat or “command battles” when you’re fighting lower-level enemies, allowing players to assess their opponents on the field and take them out without engaging in turn-based fights, making your grinding more efficient and time-saving. As for enemies closer to and above your level, the game will return to its traditional turn-based RPG combat.

Furthermore, Metaphor: ReFantazio will include the calendar and relationship simulation systems from Persona, where players must strengthen relationships and awaken traits within the player character that can become archetypes. Players in their travels will be accomplished by those weird walking vehicles seen in numerous trailers now, known as “gauntlet runners”, and seem to function as a hub for the party between towns.

Lastly, there will be no romancing in the game, as the new Atlus title is entirely ditching romance, a massive shape-up from the Persona series.

Parting Notes

With everything considered, Metaphor: ReFantazio will be a massive release in the RPG genre, appealing to fans of Atlus’s previous work and RPG enthusiasts seeking a new fantasy adventure.

As Atlus continues to promote its new game through trailers and explaining its various features, follow our Twitter page for timely updates regarding the latest announcements from Katsura Hashino’s new IP.