PGDX 2024 Highlights: Atlus and Sega Takes Metaphor: ReFantazio Center Stage

PGDX 2024 featured numerous developers, big and small, showcasing their titles during the 3-day event. On day 2, Atlus and Sega took center stage to present their upcoming JRPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, with Atlus’ game designer Naoto Hiraoka leading the showcase.

A Message from the Game Director

The showcase began with a video of Metaphor’s game director, Katsura Hashino, sharing a few words about the JRPG. He provided a quick overview of the concept and vision for the title, which takes a high-fantasy route instead of the modern setting familiar from the Persona and Shin Megami series.

Hashino emphasized that Metaphor marks a return to the basics of JRPGs while retaining the distinctive art style seen in recent Atlus titles. If you’ve played Persona 5 or Persona 3 Reload, you know what I’m talking about.

The Development Team

During the showcase, Hiraoka highlighted the impressive development team behind the game:

• Director: Katsura Hashino (Shin Megami Tensei 3, Persona 3)

• Character Design: Shigenori Soejima (Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5)

• Composer: Shoji Meguro (Persona 3, Persona 4)

• Concept Art Designer: Koda Kazuma (NieR: Automata)

• Gauntlet Runner Design: Ikuto Yamashita (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

• Archetype Design: Yujio Himukai (Etrian Odyssey series)

Atlus, Sega, and Southeast Asia

While the showcase was mainly focused on Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hiraoka then shared the importance of Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines as Atlus titles have a strong fanbase in the region.

Filipinos have been feeling the presence of Sega recently as the region was treated with multiple events hosted by Sega to promote Persona 5 Tactica at Moon Rabit Cafe back in October 2023, then Persona 3 Reload at High Grounds Cafe at the start of this year. Sega was also present at previous events such as ESGS 2023 where they had theirbooth featuring their recent and upcoming titles for con-goers to give their titles a try.

With Metaphor: ReFantazio being a new IP for the company, Hiraoka hopes it will receive similar enthusiasm from Filipino fans.

Soon after, giveaways were given to those in attendance.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is set to release on October 11, 2024, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (via Steam). You can learn more details of the game’s combat here, or if you’re interested in the different editions available, Altus is offering an Atlus Brand 35th Anniversary edition that comes with tons of bonus items.

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