Atlus Confirms Length of Metaphor: ReFantazio in Comparison to Persona 5

Katsura Hashino, the director of the upcoming JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, has shared details about the game's length, comparing it to Atlus' previous titles like Persona 5. Metaphor: ReFantazio is being developed by Studio Zero, a division of Atlus led by key figures from the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series. This includes Hashino, known for directing many modern Persona games, who now leads the development of Metaphor: ReFantazio. Unlike the Persona series, this new title is an action-based RPG rather than a traditional turn-based one.

With the game's release set for October, it's no surprise that fans have been drawing comparisons between Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona. One of the most striking similarities lies in Metaphor's archetypes, which function as an RPG job system, while incorporating social simulation elements from Persona. Players can bond with the protagonist's allies and engage in various activities to improve their social stats, such as delivering speeches. Given that Persona 5 boasts an extensive playtime, often stretching to nearly 100 hours, players have been curious whether Metaphor will offer a similar depth of content—a question Hashino recently addressed.

In an interview with Vandal, Hashino confirmed that Metaphor: ReFantazio would have a playtime comparable to Persona 5. According to HowLongToBeat.com, an average Persona 5 playthrough takes around 100 hours to complete the main story, with extra content pushing that number to 110 hours, and a completionist run extending close to 200 hours. Hashino stated, "Persona 5 was a very large and detailed game, and Metaphor: ReFantazio will match that in both scope and length," based on a translated interview. This suggests that fans can expect to spend a similar amount of time immersed in Metaphor: ReFantazio's world.

Post-Game Content Confirmed for Metaphor: ReFantazio

Hashino also revealed another key feature of Metaphor: ReFantazio: the inclusion of post-game content. He mentioned that there will be plenty of exciting elements available after the main game concludes, encouraging players to return and explore more after completing the story. Hashino expressed hope that the team has successfully crafted a well-paced game, thanks to the integration of action elements into the gameplay.

The development team had considered shortening the game’s length, but the sheer volume of content added during development led Metaphor to align closely with Persona 5 in terms of playtime. Hashino also confirmed that Metaphor: ReFantazio will feature several 2D-animated cutscenes, with roughly the same number of animated sequences as Persona 5.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is set to launch on October 11, 2024, and has already garnered attention for its distinctive gameplay style and ambitious content. Fans can look forward to a rich and lengthy experience, packed with post-game activities and cinematic moments to enjoy long after the credits roll.