Publisher ATLUS and developer Studio Zero have released more details about its upcoming turn based JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, via a recent end-of-year broadcast for the game. The details include details for the world, concept art, lore, story, characters, the game’s eight tribes, game mechanics including the party customization “archetypes,” the game’s notable staff, and more. Metaphor: ReFantazio will launch in fall 2024 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store. In Metaphor: ReFantazio, players will control the protagonist who “will find himself surrounded by a diverse group of allies, and a grand adventure that will shape the future of the kingdom begins.”
All the relevant information from Atlus via Gematsu :
Concept Artist: Kazuma Koda (Notable work: NieR: Automata)
Concept Artwork: The Capital
Mechanical Designer: Ikuto Yamashita (Notable work: Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Story
A mysterious and exciting story unfolds in a world where people must fight their own anxiety. Join Atlus on an immersive journey that promises hours of captivating exploration and discovery.
Art and Sound
Unique character design populates a vast, beautiful world against a fantastical backdrop. The stylish UI, inspired by Western paintings, creates unique and fun interactions.
The sound design, based on an interpretation of various religious music, combines orchestra, folk music, chorus and sutra in a style players have never experienced.
Game Mechanics
A unique battle system that seamlessly combines real time action and turn based commands, players will find exhilaration and strategy at every turn. Party customization through “Archetypes” provides players the freedom to personalize their adventure.
In an evolution of the Persona series’ calendar system, you’ll embark on a journey to change the world in your party’s gauntlet runner, bringing the sensation of travel to life.
Where Fantasy Meets Reality
The story takes place in a nation consisting of three countries populated by eight tribes called the United Kingdom of Euchronia. For the player, it is a world of fantasy, but those living in this fantasy world naturally have their own “fantasies.”
“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.”
A fantasy envisioned by people living in a fantasy world, dreaming of a world not so unlike your own. Both the player and the world’s inhabitants think of each other’s worlds as impossible—mere stories.
But is it truly impossible? What is it that makes us think we can’t change that?
“Anxiety:” A simple concept and yet a complex emotion that the game will explore.
Only Those Who Face Their Fear and Anxiety Have the Power to Awaken
“Magic” is a general term for a phenomenon that consumes “magical power” and causes effects that defy the laws of nature. However, the inhabitants of Euchronia are unable to use magic on their own. Magic requires a special tool called an “igniter,” the possession and use of which requires a license.
The protagonist and his friends awaken and begin to master magical powers that defy this convention and need for “igniters.” An “Archetype” is 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.
The Eight Tribes
With humanity transcending borders in real life, the game refers to those of distinct personalities and cultures as “tribes” rather than races of a nation or ethnicity.
The people who live in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, where this game is set, are divided by the concept of “tribe.” While they all have different physical characteristics, it is their cultural differences that come into focus within our story. The divisions that separate the tribes are primarily caused by their respective ideologies and beliefs rather than physical differences and appearances. Such beliefs are things where people should be able to find common ground, and yet they live in a reality where their future is influenced by their birth.
Clemar Tribe
The clemar tribe composes the largest population across the allied kingdoms. Their most distinctive features are the horns which grow on both sides of their head.
Clemars have a broad diversity of facial and body types, which has essentially made them average and common.
The Euchronian royal family are clemar, and members of this tribe hold a majority of important positions within the government. As a result, many clemars internalise the belief they are the most preeminent tribe.
Clemars value freedom and dislike illogical restraint. They enjoy cultivating discussion, but do not always consider the situation or appropriateness of doing so, which occasionally leads to conflict.
Roussainte Tribe
One of the most populous tribes of the united kingdom, second only to the clemar.
Long, pointed ears are their most distinguishing feature. They often boast excellent physiques, which has given them superior martial prowess. Roussainte women are stronger than most men of other tribes.
Many inevitably work in the military and often hold key offices. They are considered as influential as the clemar, and the two tribes are sometimes called the “prevailing tribes.”
Many roussainte pride themselves on outperforming others in strength. While this can be perceived as a self-disciplined competitiveness, on the flip side, there are many with a belligerent temperament, obsessed with proving superiority in any situation.
Rhoag Tribe
A tribe whose members have longer lifespans, some living more than twice as long the average of other tribes. They age at the same pace until adolescence, spending the remainder of their lives in middle and old age. Perhaps as a result, the rhoag tribe conjures images of the elderly in many minds.
In a seniority-based society, rhoags often hold high positions due to their longevity. They place great value in eventually passing down their knowledge and purpose, so much so that they’re known to remember favours as well as hold grudges for three generations.
Though many rhoag have unique markings on their face, they are not born with them—they are a form of traditional make-up.
Ishkia Tribe
A tribe recognizable by their avian wings, as well as their almond eyes and long eyelashes.
Though the fewest in number of the eight tribes, they have a reputation for their intelligence, giving them a strong presence in bigger cities.
Many find higher status in intellectual labor, such as scholars and sanctors and the like, making it not uncommon for ishkia to be wealthy.
Due in part to their regal stature, the ishkia are commonly admired. However, the act of speaking down on others has been ingrained in their nature for some, making it just as common for them to be resented.
Nidia Tribe
Characterized by their iridescent eyes and hair, members of the nidia tribe lack the conspicuously notable features of other tribes. They are known to be gregarious and talented at flattery. However, this temperament often leads to a reputation of being good with words yet untrustworthy or eccentric.
Paripus Tribe
A tribe recognizable by bestial ears and a tail. There are many variations in their hair and skin colors, including cold-colored skin not seen in other tribes. They are physically adept and often honest with their emotions, giving them a reputation for hedonism, for better or for worse. They are drawn to parties and festivities, and while this happy-go-lucky charm is often to their credit, it can also be seen as recklessness.
Due to this stereotype, they are looked down upon by other tribes which prevents them from securing a foothold in politics despite despite being nearly as populous as the roussainte and clemar tribes. The discrimination against them is especially obvious in large cities.
Eugief Tribe
A tribe characterized by their bat-like wings and ears. Due to their difference in appearance and abilities compared to the humanoid tribes, they are often seen as creepy and discriminated against. For that reason, the majority live life without wealth and are lower in rank among the other tribes. They are generally mild-mannered and cooperative. However, they are not good at making big decisions and tend to hesitate due to their constant concern for others.
Mustari Tribe
A tribe recognizable by a third eye. They don masks and wear culturally-significant attire, which many among the other tribes find unsettling. Though their population isn’t necessarily low in number, the mustari are hard to come by, as most live in an archipelago in the inland sea.
As they believe in a unique faith, they are often targets of persecution outside of the island, denounced as “pagans.”
The Humans
The humans are designed based on the work of Hieronymus Bosch, a fantasy artist from the Renaissance era who is said to be the first artist that drew monsters on a world stage.
Bosch was a mysterious artist with a fantastical and eerie style—players can expect to be surprised (and perhaps horrified) by these foes.
Humans are unknown monsters with bizarre forms who rampage through their surroundings indiscriminately unlike any natural beast . Despite their berserk nature marking little sign of intelligence, they can wield advanced magic beyond the grasp of all sentient beings. Many aspects of their biology and ecology remain a mystery. Given their unnatural physical resilience, large specimens can wipe out entire armies.
Homo Gorleo
A human that attacked a fortress located in the wastelands north of Royal Capital Grand Trad. This fearsome monster singlehandedly drove the fort’s troops to total annihilation.
Homo Avades
A human with an indescribable eggshell-like body.
Even among larger humans, this one is both enormous and extremely dangerous, capable of leveling a city.
The only thing that the strange and irregular appearances of humans have in common is the presence of what appear to be elements resembling body parts in their biology.
Introduction
Royal Magic that ignites a tournament for the throne…
More than ten years have passed since the assassination of the prince, heir to the throne of the United Kingdom of Euchronia.
And now with the king having succumbed to a fatal attack, the kingdom is in turmoil with no heir to set its course. Who will be the next king? Will it be the head of the state religion, the Sanctist Church? A lord of a neighboring principality, or perhaps the leader of the military?
As expectations rise among influential figures with their eyes on the throne, a “spell” is cast during the king’s funeral that no one could have predicted.
Time is finite before my soul departs this benighted world…
There shall come a reckoning—a Day of the Hero. Upon that October day, whosoever hath truly earned the greatest faith of the citizenry… shall ascend to throne and crown by right of kings.
The voice of the king, who all know to be dead, suddenly echoes in the sky. Upon the event of his death, he had arranged for a grand magic to allow all citizens to compete for the throne through his final, royal tournament.
The people are cast into turmoil over this unprecedented event, unable to fathom a world where the people decide the next king. Amidst this chaos, the protagonist decides that in order to fulfill his mission, he must participate in the race.
Thus begins the grand tournament for the throne that takes the entire kingdom by storm. Along his journey, the protagonist will find himself surrounded by a diverse group of allies, and a grand adventure that will shape the future of the kingdom begins.
Main Character
Protagonist (voiced by Natsuki Hanae in Japanese)
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 (voiced by Sumire Morohoshi in Japanese)
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.
Allies
In a discriminatory society, the protagonist joins forces with allies from across the tribes. Each has their own reasons for desiring a better world. Influenced by the “heroic embodiment” that awakens in the protagonist, and they too awaken the same powers: An Archetype.
Strohl (voiced by Kensho Ono in Japanese)
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 (voiced by Saori Hayami in Japanese)
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 (voiced by Akio Otsuka in Japanese)
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.
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