Persona director Katsura Hashino wasted no time in setting his sights on the future. Just days after the release of his latest project, Metaphor: ReFantazio, he confirmed in a recent interview that he has already begun work on his next game.
Persona’s Katsura Hashino is Already Working on Next Game After Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Success
The Next Project He’s Working On Isn’t Just His, Said Hashino
Just when you thought you’d exhausted every ounce of whimsy and dungeon-crawling adventure in the critically acclaimed Metaphor: ReFantazio, Persona director Katsura Hashino threw a curveball. In a recent interview, the mastermind behind some of gaming’s most iconic JRPGs announced he’s already hard at work on his next project.
When asked about his next project after Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hashino told Famitsu, as translated by Genki on Twitter (X), "Oh, I have already started." He then clarified that his next project isn’t simply his. "I don’t really think about what to do as an individual," Hashino emphasized. "I look at Atlus as a whole and think about what is best for our team to create right now."
The upcoming project is expected to once again be led by Studio Zero, the division within Atlus that Hashino established after leaving P-Studio, the studio renowned for developing the Persona games. There is no confirmation on whether the new project will be an entirely fresh IP like Metaphor, or perhaps a continuation of something existing that the studio worked on, like Catherine. For Hashino, it only matters that "we could develop an interesting game with the right people in the right place."
Given that Metaphor represents Atlus' first full-scale fantasy RPG, it's likely that their next endeavor will also venture into unexplored territory—one that differentiates them from the typical Persona mold.
He followed the previous statement by saying, "We're not going to break up after the release [of Metaphor: ReFantazio], so I hope we can take on new challenges as a team, no matter what kind of work we create."
This collaborative approach has undeniably served him well in the past, with Persona 5 becoming a modern classic. But will it appease the growing chorus of fans who feel that Metaphor: ReFantazio could do more to live up to its hype?
Hashino Avoids Reading User Feedback, But Still Prioritizes User Happiness
News of this next project comes as Metaphor: ReFantazio continues to receive critical acclaim. Released on October 11, 2024, the title garnered widespread praise for its visual design and compelling narrative, quickly establishing itself as a contender for Game of the Year. However, the game wasn’t without its critics.
Some fans on Steam expressed disappointment with certain gameplay elements, arguing that Metaphor: ReFantazio didn't stray far enough from the familiar Persona formula. The series' proven strengths are undeniably appealing, but many felt that a new franchise should have offered a more distinct experience.
Despite fan feedback, Hashino, in the same interview, stated that he tries "not to think about it too much." He added, "of course, I’ll check it out right after it’s released and periodically. But even if I check it out, I can’t adjust it anymore. I’ll check it out all at once when I need to, but it’s not good for my mental health to keep looking at it. It’s like watching it for work, once it’s released."
He mentioned that he doesn't "ego-search" or look up his name online. He even admitted to not using social media. Regardless, Hashino’s priority is still utilitarian in nature: "Firstly, I want the users to be happy, and as a result I hope the company will be happy as well. That is how I always work."
In contrast, Slitterhead’s Keiichiro Toyama revealed in the same interview that he used to dismiss fan feedback as well. However, he now approaches it with a different perspective. "It’s not a service-based game, so it’s not like we’re making detailed adjustments," Toyama said. "But we’d like to listen carefully to what people have to say, and if there’s anything that we can use, we’d like to use it as a resource."
Metaphor: ReFantazio, hailed by critics as a masterpiece, launched to widespread acclaim, despite a few minor quibbles. Hashino expressed his personal satisfaction with the final product: "Whether or not you enjoy it is really up to each individual customer, but I feel that I have put together what I wanted to create. I would be happy if you could pick it up."
Here at Game8, we awarded Metaphor: ReFantazio a score of 96. Its only drawback was noticeable frame rate drops and low-poly textures, even when played on the PS5. However, this is a relatively minor issue that doesn't detract significantly from the overall gameplay experience. For more on our thoughts on Metaphor ReFantazio and how it redefines RPGs, check out our article below!
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Famitsu | 『メタファー』橋野桂×『野狗子』外山圭一郎対談。なかったことになる恐怖とファンタジーへの憧れが生み出す新しい“何か”
Metaphor: ReFantazio Steam Reviews
