What Would a Follow-Up to Metaphor: ReFantazio Look Like?
Exploring Possibilities for a Sequel to Metaphor: ReFantazio
In an era where AAA games take years to develop, passion projects can be a significant gamble. Fortunately, Metaphor: ReFantazio has been met with critical and commercial success, solidifying the efforts of director Katsura Hashino and Studio Zero in introducing a fresh intellectual property to Atlus' portfolio. With such acclaim, it’s natural to speculate on how this success might be sustained and whether Metaphor could evolve into a flagship series for the developer. The potential directions for a follow-up are vast, offering both opportunities and challenges.
The Possibilities of an Enhanced Edition
Atlus has established a pattern of revisiting its games with expanded editions, a practice seen in titles like Persona 5 Royal, Catherine: Full Body, and Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. While these enhanced versions offer refinements, additional content, and broader platform availability, they also spark debates about whether consumers should repurchase largely the same game. Whether Metaphor: ReFantazio will follow this model remains uncertain, but given the game's ambitious scope, speculation about cut content has already begun.
While some Atlus titles have benefited from an upgraded version, Metaphor already feels more polished than the original release of Shin Megami Tensei V, which arguably needed Vengeance to better flesh out its world and story. Whether an enhanced edition is necessary for Metaphor is up for debate, but breaking away from this trend could help solidify its identity as a unique franchise.
A Direct Sequel or a Fresh Cast?
If Atlus chooses not to release an enhanced edition, a full-fledged sequel could be an exciting alternative. The studio has historically taken an anthology approach with its major franchises, as seen in Shin Megami Tensei and Persona. This method would allow for an entirely new cast within the world of Metaphor, introducing fresh perspectives while maintaining its core gameplay and thematic elements.
However, transitioning to a new cast raises the question of whether Metaphor’s core mechanics and narrative framework are adaptable. The game’s unique world and character relationships are deeply tied to the protagonist’s identity, particularly through the Archetype system and the enigmatic voice guiding their journey. While it would be possible to reshape these elements, an alternative approach could be to bring back the original cast in a story that explores their futures. Given the game’s themes of social change, a sequel that delves into the continued struggles of its world could be a compelling choice. Expanding on the protagonist’s journey in a post-game setting would allow Atlus to address cut content while also delivering a fresh experience.
Potential for Spinoffs or Prequels
Beyond direct sequels or enhanced editions, Metaphor: ReFantazio has potential for spinoffs and prequels. While a rhythm game akin to Persona Dancing may not fit its tone, other genres could provide interesting adaptations. Tactical RPGs, similar to Persona 5 Tactica, or action-oriented experiences like Persona 5 Strikers could translate well to Metaphor’s fantasy setting. A fighting game in the style of Persona 4 Arena could also be an interesting possibility, leveraging the game’s striking visual style and unique combat mechanics.
A prequel, meanwhile, could expand on the history of Metaphor’s world, exploring the downfall of its past civilizations and the origins of its current society. Such a story could give players deeper insight into the lore and themes of the game while offering a fresh narrative perspective. Given the game’s existing influences from Etrian Odyssey and Shin Megami Tensei IV, a prequel could further embrace those inspirations to craft a compelling experience.
The Future of Metaphor: ReFantazio
Regardless of the direction Atlus takes, it is clear that Metaphor: ReFantazio has the potential to become a major franchise. Whether through an enhanced edition, a sequel, or a spinoff, the game’s rich world and ambitious storytelling provide fertile ground for future projects. Fans eagerly await to see what Hashino and Studio Zero have in store for this promising new IP.