Lord of the Rings initially inspired Metaphor: ReFantazio, before Atlus "threw out" all its fantasy research to preserve "the originality that defines us"

GamesJRPGMetaphor: ReFantazioLord of the Rings initially inspired Metaphor: ReFantazio, before Atlus “threw out” all its fantasy research to preserve “the originality that defines us"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesJRPGMetaphor: ReFantazioLord of the Rings initially inspired Metaphor: ReFantazio, before Atlus “threw out” all its fantasy research to preserve “the originality that defines us"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Atlus / Sega) While creating an entirely new fantasy world inMetaphor: ReFantazio, its developers supposedly looked to classic fantasy fiction for inspiration before quickly chucking all of that research out the window to pave their own path forward. “At the very beginning of the development of Metaphor: ReFantazio, we looked into traditional fantasy culture,” modern Persona director Katsura Hashino said in an interview with the Official Xbox Podcast, citing J.R.R. Tolkien and his Lord of the Rings book as a touchpoint. “We researched not just what traditional fantasy was, but why it was written the way it was, what inspired it to be written in the way it was. So we did a lot of research.” Metaphor: ReFantazio Deep Dive Interview | Official Xbox Podcast - YouTubeWatch On Metaphor: ReFantazio Deep Dive Interview | Official Xbox Podcast - YouTube Metaphor: ReFantazio Deep Dive Interview | Official Xbox Podcast - YouTube Atlus and Studio Zero have tons of experience threading supernatural themes underneath a modern world that’s already familiar to us - Hashino even said previously that, in some ways,Persona’s familiarity makes it “easier” to work with- but the studio had never made something as high fantasy at Metaphor: ReFantazio, and at some pointdecided it “didn’t need to be so strict” about medieval conventions. “While we were trying to bring this aspect into our game, we sort of threw out all of our ideas of it and we realized we couldn’t really make a game that was in the traditional fantasy mode,” Hashino explained. “It wouldn’t really feel original to us. It would lack the originality that defines us. We’re also finding that it would be hard for us to bring out the creativity that we wanted to in this more traditional fantasy world.” Metaphor’s world is an odd mix of new and old, from the architecture to the weirdly forward-thinking tech involved. “Partway through we decided to just abandon all of the inspirations that we had and just kind of create something new,” the director added. “Then we took things just that we personally like and we tried to find ways to bring it into the game. There was a stopping of research and a starting of this original creative endeavour.” New JRPG giant Metaphor: ReFantazio beats all Persona games to become Atlus’ fastest-selling title and biggest Steam launch ever. 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the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”