Persona Devs Say Metaphor: ReFantazio Helped Them “Go Back to Basics” as Atlus Teases Big Evolution for Future JRPGs
The team behind Persona has been busy reflecting on their latest fantasy adventure, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and it turns out the project did more than give Atlus a shiny new IP. According to new reports, the developers say the game helped them “go back to our basics” and may shape the future of the studio’s JRPG direction in a big way. And yes, that includes whatever comes next for Persona — because if there’s one thing Atlus loves, it’s reinventing itself just enough to keep fans guessing.
The updates come from a pair of interviews with director Katsura Hashino, who seems to be in a reflective mood these days. Hashino discussed how Metaphor: ReFantazio pushed the team creatively, what they learned from stepping outside the Persona formula, and why the studio is now thinking hard about how to evolve JRPGs going forward.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the creators of Persona take a detour into high fantasy, the answer appears to be: a lot of soul‑searching, a renewed sense of direction, and maybe a few existential questions about the future of the genre.
Metaphor Helped the Persona Team Reset Their Creative Compass
One of the biggest takeaways from the new update is that Metaphor: ReFantazio gave the Persona veterans a rare chance to start from scratch. Hashino says the project allowed the team to “go back to our basics,” comparing the experience to the early days of developing Persona 3.
That’s a pretty bold comparison, considering Persona 3 essentially reinvented the franchise and set the tone for everything that followed. But Hashino explains that building a new world from the ground up — instead of iterating on an existing universe — forced the team to rethink their creative instincts and rediscover what makes their games tick.
He notes that while Metaphor borrowed familiar elements like calendar systems and social‑link‑style mechanics, the team had to evolve them to fit a completely different setting. In other words, they couldn’t just slap a school uniform on a knight and call it a day.
Atlus Wants to Evolve JRPGs, Not Just Repeat Persona’s Formula
The second major update is even more intriguing: Hashino says the team is now focused on “how we can evolve our JRPG and what it looks like” moving forward. That’s a pretty clear signal that Atlus doesn’t want to rely on the Persona formula forever — even if it’s been wildly successful.
Hashino admits the desire to make more fantasy games is still there, but the bigger priority is figuring out how to push the genre forward. He describes this moment as a “turning point,” suggesting that Atlus is thinking long‑term about how to keep its games fresh without losing the charm that made Persona a global hit.
For fans, this is equal parts exciting and mildly terrifying. On one hand, innovation is great. On the other, nobody wants to wake up one day and discover that the next Persona game has turned into a rhythm‑based farming sim. (Although knowing Atlus, they’d probably make it work.)
What This Means for Persona’s Future
While neither interview mentions Persona directly, the implications are hard to miss. If Metaphor helped the team reconnect with their creative roots and rethink their approach to JRPGs, it’s almost guaranteed that the next Persona entry will reflect that shift.
The Persona series has always evolved with each generation — from the darker tone of Persona 3 to the stylish confidence of Persona 5. Hashino’s comments suggest the next step might be even more ambitious, blending the lessons learned from Metaphor with the emotional storytelling and character‑driven design fans expect.
And honestly, if Atlus wants to shake things up, now is the perfect time. The JRPG landscape is more competitive than ever, and players are hungry for fresh ideas that still feel familiar. If Persona can pull off that balance, it’ll stay at the top of the genre for years to come.
Final Thoughts
The new updates paint a picture of a studio that’s energized, reflective, and ready to evolve. Metaphor: ReFantazio didn’t just give Atlus a new IP — it gave the Persona team a creative reset button. And based on Hashino’s comments, that reset is already shaping the future of their JRPGs.
If this is the mindset Atlus is bringing into its next wave of projects, fans might want to buckle up. The future of Persona looks bright, bold, and maybe even a little unpredictable — in the best possible way.
