Tag: Atlus
Opinion The Game Awards' Persona 3 Reload Disrespect Is Crazy
Left in the Dark Hour
The original Persona 3 altered my perspective of what a game could be. When I first played the title as a teenager all those years ago, its outstanding sense of style, iconic soundtrack, and brooding tone made it a truly unique experience. It remains one of my all-time favourites. When Persona 3 Reload released earlier this...
News SEGA Heaps Praise on Atlus Following Strong Metaphor: ReFantazio Sales
ReFantastico
Atlus has become an integral part of the SEGA machine since its acquisition all the way back in 2013. SEGA snapped the Persona developer up when its previous parent company faced bankruptcy, and in more recent years, the publisher has pumped serious resources into key projects — especially with regards to marketing. The bottom line...
News SMT 5: Vengeance PS5 Demo Up Now on PS Store
PS4 misses out on the demo
Atlus has uploaded a new PS5 demo for Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance to the PS Store, allowing those interested to sample the expanded version of the Nintendo Switch original released earlier this year. This is not tied to a PS Plus Premium subscription; it's free and available for everyone. Howev
News Metaphor: ReFantazio, Persona Director Katsura Hashino Is Already Grinding Out a New JRPG
Master of time management
Katsura Hashino, who, after directing Catherine, Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5, and now Metaphor: ReFantazio, we consider to be one of the greats, is already back at work. Intriguingly, while details regarding Studio Zero's next game are exceedingly scant, we know it won't be another Persona; what direction Hashino...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Metaphor: ReFantazio?
RPG royalty?
The latest title from RPG powerhouse Atlus, Metaphor: ReFantazio has been making big waves since its release last week. The fantasy adventure was met with near universal praise before that, racking up the kind of review scores that would suggest it's a candidate for Game of the Year. The bottom line is that everyone seems to think it's...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Rewards Gamers for Practising Cleanliness, Good Hygiene
Read into that what you will
In what we are sure is not meta-commentary on the state of gaming conventions, Atlus has reminded us all of the benefits of bathing regularly and practising good hygiene in Metaphor: ReFantazio. We wonder how many players will find themselves unconsciously washing more regularly, having been trained to do so in pursuit...
Poll Are You Playing Metaphor: ReFantazio?
No longer a fantasy
Having first been announced by Atlus all the way back in 2016 as Project Re Fantasy, it's almost surreal to think that Metaphor: ReFantazio is finally here. The game's gone down a treat with critics — it's one of the highest-rated releases of 2024 — and the generous ten-hour demo seems to have won over a lot of potential...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Immediately Tops 1 Million Sales at Launch
ReFantastico
Out today on PS5 and PS4 (as well as PC and Xbox Series), Metaphor: ReFantazio has immediately surpassed 1 million sales, making it Atlus' fastest-selling game to date. An undeniably impressive feat for the fantasy RPG, which is launching into a busy October schedule. That 'fastest-selling' title needs a little context, though. We need...
News Don't Sweat Metaphor: ReFantazio's Borrowed Persona Calender System
Studio Zero "didn't want players to feel limited by time"
Metaphor: ReFantazio is out imminently, available on PS5 and PS4 on 11th October. Persona fans will quickly recognise that the series' iconic calendar system has returned. Still, new players and Atlus veterans alike can rest easy, comforted by the knowledge that nothing in the game is...
News Making Metaphor: ReFantazio, Persona's Immaculate Menus Is 'Really Annoying', Says Director
"It takes a lot of time"
Astonishingly stylish, Atlus is currently the reigning champion in UI design, with its legendary Persona series scoring full marks in this regard. The imminent Metaphor: ReFantazio is no slouch in this department, either, and Studio Zero director Katsura Hashino was recently asked about its gorgeous menu design, and you can...
Review Metaphor: ReFantazio (PS5) - Brilliant, Memorable RPG Is One of Atlus' Finest Works
More than meets the eye
Spearheaded by a trio of veteran developers best known for their outstanding work on the Persona series, Metaphor: ReFantazio is the dawn of a brand new IP from Atlus. In its structure and mechanics, it feels comfortingly familiar, but in its fantastical setting and bold style — both in terms of visuals and audio — it...
News Atlus Fans Don't Think Xbox's Marketing Is Doing Metaphor: ReFantazio Justice
"Tf is metaphor?"
We've been poking fun at Atlus ever since it started steadfastly refusing to admit (in marketing material, anyway) that its imminent RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, is actually coming to PS5 and PS4 on 11th October, forcing us to do it for them. Xbox quite obviously paid for this privilege, which is fair and fine; however, some Atlus...
News First Review Scores for PS5's Metaphor: ReFantazio, Silent Hill 2 Are Glowing
Famitsu weighs in on upcoming PS5 games
Two of October's biggest game releases have just received their very first reviews, and they of course come courtesy of Japanese magazine, Famitsu. First up, Atlus' much-anticipated fantasy RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, earns itself a 37/40, with the panel of four awarding three 9s and a 10. Meanwhile, the...
News RPG Fans Rejoice! Metaphor: ReFantazio Demo Out Now on PS5, PS4
Fantazy for everyone
Update #3: The playable demo for Metaphor: ReFantazio is out everywhere now, letting everyone get a taste for the RPG's early hours. And, as previously reported, your progress will carry over to the full release. What's not to like? Update #2: The demo for Metaphor: ReFantazio is indeed happening; it's now available in Asia,...
News Superb Strategy RPG Unicorn Overlord Tops 1 Million Sales
On the march
Released back in March of this year on PS5 and PS4, Unicorn Overlord has officially broken through 1 million sales — an impressive (and well deserved) benchmark for developer Vanillaware. Last we heard, the strategy RPG had shifted half a million units within a month or so, making it one of the fastest — or possibly the fastest —...
News Atlus Sponsors Conveniently Named F1 Racer for Metaphor: ReFantazio Ad
Blink and you'll miss it
Thinking outside the box, Atlus will sponsor the Haas racing team, with two of the cars competing at this week's F1 Singapore Grand Prix bearing the faces of characters from the impending Metaphor: ReFantazio, the next epic JRPG from the team behind Persona. Spotted by Eurogamer, while it might seem like a strange pairing,...
Mini Review Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis (PS5) - Expensive Expansion Is a Flawed Affair
SEES the day
Episode Aigis is an epilogue to Persona 3 Reload — a remake of the additional scenario that first appeared in Persona 3 FES on the PS2. Much like Reload itself, this expansion is pretty much a one-to-one recreation in terms of core narrative and structure, but it's bolstered by all of the remake's quality of life and combat system...
News United Kingdom of Euchronia Calls as Metaphor: ReFantazio Draws Near
Fresh fantasy
Incredibly, Metaphor: ReFantazio, the next all-consuming RPG from the developers of Persona 3, Persona 4 and Persona 5, is out in just over a month, likely sinking all of our best-laid gaming plans. We got a look at the game's fantastical setting in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, which is full of scenic vistas and thrilling...
News Lust Over 16 Minutes of Unedited Metaphor: ReFantazio Gameplay
Bellissimo
There are still many big games scheduled to release this Christmas, and Metaphor: ReFantazio from Atlus is one of them. While the SEGA subsidiary really doesn’t want you to know the game is coming to PS5, it is on 11th October. This gameplay demo appears to be based on the Xbox Series X|S release judging by the button prompts, but...
News Atlus Really Doesn't Want You to Know Metaphor: ReFantazio Is Coming to PS5
Lost like tears in the rain
Metaphor: ReFantazio is of course coming to PS5, as Atlus would be absolutely insane to exclude the platform where the majority of its fanbase exists. The SEGA subsidiary would rather you didn’t know about it, however. Following the release of yet another trailer at Gamescom 2024 this week – seriously, perhaps it’s...
News Atlus, It's Time to Stop Spoiling Metaphor: ReFantazio
Here's yet another trailer
Not content with its previous 500 trailers for Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus has dropped yet another look at the upcoming RPG in celebration of its presence at Gamescom 2024. We don't know about you, but we've seen more than enough of Metaphor. We were pretty much sold on the project as soon as it was revealed, given the...
News Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis Has a New Boss Fight You'll Never See Coming
Behind the mask
For the most part, Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis is going to be a one-to-one remake of the original Persona 3 FES epilogue, but that doesn't mean Atlus can't have fun with optional boss battles. As the DLC's new trailer reveals, you'll be able to test your might against the one and only Joker — Persona 5's daring protagonist. In...
News Persona 3 Reload Dev Says P3P's Female Protagonist 'Likely Never Going to Happen'
Mass Destruction
It was always a slim hope; even then, it would have come with a premium price tag. Still, our dreams of Persona 3 Portable's female protagonist coming to remake Persona 3 Reload have been dashed against cruel, hard reality, seemingly for good. Producer Kazuhisa Wada let us down gently but firmly: "It is likely never going to...
Preview Persona 3 Reload's Episode Aigis Remake Will Still Divide Opinion
Persona-l taste
Recently, we were given early access to a preview build of Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis on PC. And if there's one thing that we've learned about the upcoming expansion, it's that, just like Reload itself, this will be another incredibly faithful remake. Those expecting any kind of deviation from the rather divisive original will...
News Meet Metis in Fresh Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis Gameplay Trailer
Sister act
Persona 3 Reload is getting its Episode Aigis - The Answer expansion on 10th September, which focuses on everyone's favourite clockwork companion. In a new trailer, Atlus introduces us to Aigis' sister of sorts, Metis, and gives us a glimpse of the kind of dungeon-delving players can expect to undertake. The Answer was first released in...
News Atlus Treats Fans to Another Extensive Metaphor: ReFantazio Character Showcase
Currying favour
Atlus fans struggling with the wait until the release of Metaphor: ReFantazio can luxuriate in this latest look, which examines friends and foes alike in a character-centric trailer. The game's narrative follows an otherworldly election in a fantasy universe, and we get a glimpse at some of the other competing candidates. Launching...
News Gacha Spinoff Persona 5: The Phantom X Coming to Console, with More on the Way
Collaborations with Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden planned
In case you don't already have enough Persona in your life, there's potentially a lot more coming down the pipeline, regardless of which cast is your favourite. Smartphone spinoff Persona 5: The Phantom X has been confirmed for a console release, with a port promised for some time after...
News Become Fully Immersed with Persona 5 Royal's Official Line of Coffee, Hot Sauce
Social drinks
Atlus' mandate to bring Persona 5 Royal to every possible market continues, and the developer/publisher has unveiled a partnership with Jade City Foods to produce three separate lines of coffee beans and hot sauces graded along the Agi scale, fittingly enough. Spotted by IGN, Jade City Foods is offering a light roast called Shujin...
News One of the PS2's Most Overlooked Soundtracks Has Finally Arrived on Music Streaming Services
The Digital Devil Saga continues
The full soundtracks for Digital Devil Saga and Digital Devil Saga 2 are now on music streaming services like Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Both games are collected under one album called Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 1&2 Original Soundtrack, which spans 139 songs. Search for...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Gets a Fantastic Story Trailer
Game of thrones
Assuming you haven't already seen enough of Metaphor: ReFantazio, the RPG just got a fantastic story trailer, fresh from Anime Expo 2024. In it, we get a bit more background on some of the main characters — including the protagonist — and a glimpse of the world-shattering stakes that form the core of the game's narrative. "Fight...
News Players Won't See Every Dungeon in Metaphor: ReFantazio, JRPG Offers a 'Lot More Freedom'
Take your time
It sounds like the upcoming Metaphor: ReFantazio will be quite the departure from recent Atlus efforts like Persona 5 or SMT V: Vengeance, with game director Katsura Hashino suggesting there is a "lot more freedom" in his high fantasy undertaking. While the central story is set in stone, how players decide to spend their limited...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Explains the RPG's Lack of Persona-Style Romance
Keep it professional
Given that Metaphor: ReFantazio has a lot in common with the Persona games — especially in terms of gameplay structure and mechanics — many had simply assumed that it would also feature a Persona-style romance system, letting you forge a more intimate relationship with a party member or supporting character of your choice...
News Slipknot's Clown, Eloy, and New Guy Discuss Identity, Masks, and SMT V: Vengeance
Pseudo-sacrosanct perversion
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is out now (we quite enjoyed it), and in a continuation of Atlus's unlikely collaboration with American heavy metal band Slipknot, several members of that outfit have gathered to offer their thoughts on identity, masks, and SMT V. It's surreal to see Clown, one of the group's founding...
Review Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (PS5) - Combat-Heavy RPG Gets a Major Overhaul
Fiendishly tough
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an enhanced re-release of Atlus' 2021 dungeon-crawling RPG, originally exclusive to Nintendo Switch, and makes its long-awaited debut on PS5 and PS4. It takes a great game and makes it even better with a slew of essential quality-of-life improvements, a glossy graphical upgrade, and a new...
News Yet Another Metaphor: ReFantazio Showcase Will Air Next Month, Focusing on Story
Lost the plot
It's only just got done with Metaphor: ReFantazio's second gameplay showcase, but Atlus has already announced a third deep dive that's scheduled for the 6th July. This upcoming broadcast will focus on the game's story, the finer details of which have remained a bit of a mystery up until this point. "This is a story of how people must...
Preview Metaphor: ReFantazio Is Already a Contender for RPG of the Year
No metaphors here
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a lot. We were only allowed to spend around an hour with Atlus’ upcoming RPG at this years’ Summer Game Fest, but in that time, we ran into egg enemies wearing boots; we acted like an ass to our other party members; we made kebabs with one of or companions; we also fought squid Jesus which had a heart...
News Massively Hyped RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio Gets 11 Minutes of Live Gameplay
Out for a Strohl
The Summer Game Fest showcase itself may have been a disappointment, but the surrounded event — which lasts the whole weekend — does mean that we get to see fresh gameplay from a number of highly promising titles. One such game is Metaphor: ReFantazio, the superb-looking RPG from Atlus. Up until now, we've only seen edited...
News Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis Arrives on 10th September, Trailer Has New Gameplay
Shield yourself
The Episode Aigis expansion for Persona 3 Reload now has a confirmed 10th September release date. The DLC, which is locked behind the Persona 3 Reload 'Expansion Pass', has you take on the role of SEES' robotic ally in a post-game story. But if this is an accurate recreation of The Answer — the additional adventure from the...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Goes Crazy with New Combat Gameplay, Has Over 40 Character Jobs
That's class
Atlus' second Metaphor: ReFantazio showcase has just come to a close, and if you've been itching to see more of the game's intense combat system, you're in for a treat. The 20-minute video covers just about everything you need to know with regards to the RPG's hybrid battles, which combine an (optional) action-based opening phase with a...
Interview Why SMT 5: Vengeance Devs Decided to Revisit the RPG and Bring It to PS5, PS4 Players
Go (back) to hell
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is out next week on PS5 and PS4, and is set to introduce the demon-collecting RPG to a fresh audience. The original SMTV was a Nintendo Switch exclusive, but this re-release includes loads of additions and enhancements. To learn more about Vengeance (the game, not the act), its new stuff, and why...
News Stunning RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio Gets Another Full Showcase This Week
All aboard the Gauntlet Runner
We can't wait for Metaphor: ReFantazio, and our current excitement for the RPG largely stems from the game's first showcase, which aired back in April. With that in mind, another showcase sounds like a great idea, and that's exactly what we're getting. Set for the 7th June, this is another full presentation from...
News Atlus Unmasks Demonic SMT V: Vengeance Collaboration with Slipknot
I push my fingers into my eyes
Atlus has fused a demonic collaboration in anticipation of the release of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, partnering with legendary heavy metal band Slipknot to produce some genuinely hellish masks. This partnership is to be continued, as the Persona publisher has promised a promotional video featuring band members is...
News Persona 3 Reload Joins PS Plus Premium Game Trials Catalogue on PS5, PS4
Progress and Trophies will carry over
Atlus's effortlessly stylish Persona 3 Reload is now a limited-time game trial for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. So, if you were on the fence about diving into this expansive RPG, and you pay Sony for the privilege, now you can check it out relatively risk-free with a three-hour slice, with progress and...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Bringing New Details to Summer Game Fest
Hashino and Soejima on stage
The next big Atlus JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio will be taking to the Summer Game Fest stage next month to share new details about the game. Director Katsura Hashino and artist Shigenori Soejima will be on stage to present the game to fans in attendance and watching via livestream, presumably revealing new footage. The show...
Rumour SEGA Wants Persona to Be an Annual Franchise Alongside Like a Dragon, Sonic
And so it begins
It doesn't come as a huge surprise, but SEGA reportedly wants Atlus to pump out a new Persona release every year. This is according to well-known leaker Midori, who claims that the publisher now places the Persona series alongside Like a Dragon and Sonic as one of its big three. Really, it's testament to how far Persona has come,...
News SMT 5: Vengeance Gets a Super Detailed 13 Minute Video on All Its New Stuff
A crazy number of improvements
If you've been wondering what Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance actually does differently compared to the original Nintendo Switch title, then you've got to give this exhaustive new video a watch. Clocking in at over 13 minutes, this official, step-by-step guide on Vengeance's various additions and improvements is robust...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Might Be a Much Harder RPG Than We Realise
No mention of difficulty settings yet
Metaphor: ReFantazio, the upcoming RPG from key Persona developers, is starting to sound like it could be quite hardcore. The game's latest information dump — with arrives via a lengthy press release stuffed with new screenshots — specifically mentions difficulty when outlining the title's turn-based combat...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Might Be the Most Stylish Atlus Game Ever, Going By New Screenshots
Metaphwoar
If you asked us for our opinion on the most stylish game in existence, we'd be very tempted to say Persona 5 takes the cake. We'd maybe argue that the more recent Persona 3 Reload is up there too. But Atlus might well have topped its own masterworks with the upcoming Metaphor: ReFantazio, which just looks ridiculously good in these new...
News Latest SMT 5: Vengeance Trailer Is All About the New PS5, PS4 Story
As positive previews drop
Atlus has shared another Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance trailer focusing entirely on the new story branch featured in the expanded PS5, PS4 re-release. Also releasing for Xbox systems and Nintendo Switch, you can see exactly what the fresh content has to offer over the original release in the trailer above. An expanded...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Says No to Romance, Unlike the Persona Games
No, you can't date the elf
Atlus' upcoming RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, seems built around systems that wouldn't feel out of place in the developer's Persona series. It's got turn-based battles that hinge on striking enemy weaknesses, it's got warrior spirits that you can summon in combat, and — most crucially to this article — it's got a bonding...
