For better or for worse, Atlus' proclivity toward the re-release formula has become something of a standard these days. Players need not look further than modern Persona to see that enhanced editions have become commonplace, though other IPs under Atlus' umbrella, including Catherine and SMT, have received similar treatment. The pattern has, understandably, caused derision among some fans, already working its way into speculation about Metaphor: ReFantazio's future. After Metaphor: ReFantazio won three times at the Game Awards 2024 for its impeccable narrative, art direction, and RPG foundations, the question of what will follow has remained a point of conjecture.
Though no concrete plans have been made (or revealed, at least) for its future, director Katsura Hashino has stated he wishes for Metaphor to become a series one day. What this means in the context of Metaphor: ReFantazio's story is unclear: prequel, sequel, or spinoff, story DLC/expansion or re-release; the options are plenty. Metaphor's success will almost certainly warrant a follow-up in Atlus' eyes, though the company's pattern toward re-releases could leave an ever-growing divide in fan reception should it be applied. Still, there are pros and cons to what an enhanced edition of Metaphor: ReFantazio could bring, much like how Persona 5 Royal iterated on its original experience, which are worth weighing out.
After Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus Is Primed to Explore a Bold New Niche
After the astonishing success of Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus should keep the innovation train rolling, and one out-there idea just might work.
Weighing the Costs of Metaphor: ReFantazio Following the Traditional Atlus Re-Release Formula
The Pros of an Enhanced Edition
The enhanced editions of Atlus' past have served as more than remasters or ports, as they've worked to entwine new conceits within their original stories. The Atlus 're-release girl' is emblematic of this, evidenced more recently in SMT 5: Vengeance's Yoko Hiromine, shaking up any previous narrative contexts without requiring complete upheavals. Should Metaphor take a similar route, it might not contend with a 're-release girl' per se, but it would likely follow a similar structure. This could be through Metaphor's Royal Mage Academy, which could become a full dungeon, while it could also focus on the addition of followers, as characters like Batlin could have been cut content.
While this type of content could help with points of critique over Metaphor's late-game pacing, it is worth considering whether it would warrant a full re-release over the expansion/DLC approach. As Metaphor had a multiplatform release, there isn't much need for enhanced console accessibility, nor is there too much mechanically that needs iterated on. New story content could mean additional playable characters and Archetypes on a scale that DLC might not achieve, which could work in Metaphor's favor if it were gracefully integrated into its original story, though it would come with inherent risks of its own; balance is key, and new story or character additions are difficult to place in already established narratives.
The Cons of an Enhanced Edition
The biggest con for players with the re-release structure is, put simply, money. A re-release asks players to effectively purchase the same game twice, and while new narrative beats and mechanics could make the experience feel different when enough time has elapsed from the original game's release, its premise still hinges on what its predecessor had to offer. In something like SMT 5's case, it can be argued that Vengeance was a much-needed upheaval of the original game's story, bringing nuance to its characters and even more complexity to its battle system. Metaphor: ReFantazio's story, however, does not require the same degree of fine-tuning, and thus a re-release could feel redundant.
A Compromise Through DLC/Story Expansion
More variety in side dungeons and superbosses, particularly when most of Metaphor's were designed around its dragons, could work to the benefit of a re-release, though it seems Studio Zero's resources would ultimately be better allocated to a new game under the IP, or, as aforementioned, a DLC expansion. A Metaphor: ReFantazio story expansion could be placed in media res, adding its own new context or dungeon within the title's story, drawing from its already established framework. Thus, DLC would be a compromise that offers the same benefits as a traditional re-release without necessitating the same pattern, which could strike more favorably among fans.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 93 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- October 11, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Studio Zero
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus
- Engine
- GFD
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
