August 28, 2024 – SEGA has revealed new information about Metaphor: ReFantazio, the latest RPG from ATLUS’s Studio Zero, which will launch on October 11, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, and Steam.
・Introduction
A race for the throne decided by majority vote, imposed by the power of magic.
Just over ten years have passed since the Kingdom of Euchronia’s crown prince was assassinated. Then, the king himself is cut down, leaving the kingdom in chaos without any ruler or heir to the throne.
Who will be the next king? The sanctifex serving as head of the state religion, a lord or lady of a nearby nation, or perhaps a leader of the military…? As the royal funeral is carried out with various powerful parties all vying for the throne, a spell is unexpectedly cast at the funeral site.
Time is finite before my soul departs this benighted world… Come October, there shall be a reckoning. A Day of the Hero. Upon that day, whosoever hath truly earned the greatest faith of the citizenry… shall ascend to throne and crown by right of kings.
Ringing in the sky was the voice of the king who had been declared dead. He had a grand spell set to activate upon his death that would pit every one of his citizens against one another in a race for the throne, to be decided by popular vote.
The people descend into utter chaos at the thought of electing their own king for the very first time. However, our protagonist decides he must throw himself into the fray in order to accomplish his mission.
And so begins the great race for the throne, to be carried out all across the kingdom. Over the course of his journey, he finds various allies to join him. What awaits them is a grand journey that will change the world as they know it.
The Tournament for the Throne
When the king is assassinated, the royal magic is activated: a spell that selects the kingdom’s next monarch based on who gains the most support by a set deadline. With the throne open to any and all, an unprecedent competition for the throne unfolds.
As the concept of an election is completely new to the people of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, garnering the support of the masses will not be an easy task. Sanctifex Forden, the leader of the kingdom’s state religion, declares the Tournament for the Throne as a means for candidates to demonstrate their qualities to the people.
In the tournament, those making a bid for the throne are charged with visiting all of the kingdom’s major cities. There, they will need to prove their worth by facing grueling challenges.
The first challenge, the Exhibition of the Brave, takes place at Port Brilehaven – where candidates compete to see who can bring in the biggest monster head. Candidates who clear the first challenge will then move on to a challenge at Altabury Heights, followed by a final challenge in Gran Trad.
Candidates Vying for the Throne
Moderate in charge of the Sanctist Church
Forden (voiced by Mitsuru Miyamoto)
The 78th Sanctifex of the Sanctist Church, the state religion of the Euchronia. He holds the highest authority within Sanctism and, as such, is the leader of the Crown Theocracy. As a High Priest from the Rogue tribe, which is neither the numerically dominant Cremar tribe nor the Lusant tribe, he is a figure supported by a wide range of people.
In the turmoil following the sudden death of the previous king, many view him as something of an interim king, given his position as the leader of the moderate faction.
A radical officer of the State Army
Louis (voiced by Yuichi Nakamura)
A clemar royal army officer of great renown who managed to become nobility at an exceptionally young age. He possesses extraordinary skills as both a warrior and an archimage, but even more highly regarded are his capabilities as a military strategist, for which his superior insight and grasp of psychology set him apart. He prizes rationality above all else, strictly adhering to a policy of appointing officers by their capabilities alone, without regard for tribe or origin. As a result, senior officials accuse him of trying to undermine tradition.
Gideaux (VA: Yoshihisa Kawahara)
“I come before you only in loyal service of His Eminence. I relinquish the throne to him gladly.”
A roussainte warrior who serves as both Forden’s primary bodyguard and Captain of the Monk Army, the enforcement arm of the Crown Theocracy. He joins the tournament in support of Forden but has no designs on the throne. He also does not take kindly to the elda protagonist being in the running for king.
Glodell (VA: Taishi Murata)
What our country needs… is power!
An ambitious roussainte candidate dubbed “Glodell, the Black Hound”. Despite his allegiance to Louis, he harbors hopes of making a name for himself in the tournament. Be wary, for Glodell may pose a threat to your claim.
Milo (VA: Junichi Yanagita)
“When I take the throne, all the hideous will be stripped of their titles! Together, we shall build a nation ruled only by radiant, everlasting paragons of beauty!”
An ishkia evangelist of beauty who plans to uplift the beautiful and depose the hideous. Wherever he goes, the shrill screams of his fans follow.
Loveless (VA: Kouhei Amasaki)
“When I’m king, pleasures will rule the city! A bar on every block and a flagon in every hand! All you can drink, all year round!”
A hedonistic paripus candidate participating in the Tournament, promising free booze to all. His promises have attracted a like-minded crowd, who are more invested in indulging in their vices than improving the kingdom’s prospects.
Rudolf (VA: Mafia Kajita)
“Without military power, the crown’s voice means nothing! When I am king, I will establish a unified nation with the roussainte tribe at its head!”
A hot-blooded candidate who pledges to establish a roussainte military dictatorship. His war-hawkish policies seem to have earned him the support of those dissatisfied with the clemar-majority kingdom.
Lina (VA: Tomomi Isomura)
“Once I’m in charge, I’ll commission runners for everyone in the kingdom! And Kayden Workshop won’t have to worry ’bout turnin’ a profit ever again!”
A eugief candidate participating in the Tournament only to generate publicity for her family’s business, Kayden Workshop. Kayden Workshop products are highly regarded within the engineering community, and her custom-made runner, the GR-1000 Kayden Mark III, is astoundingly fast for its small size.
A Host of Other Contenders Will Also Be Coveting the Throne, But Who Will Ultimately Claim It?
Roger (VA: Haruki Ishiya)
“This country is bound by chains of the Senate’s legislation and the Sanctists’ orthodoxy. And what have these things cost us? Our freedom!”
A young clemar candidate who champions freedom and aims to abolish taxes, laws, and religion altogether.
Goddard (VA: Kento Fujinuma)
“Tax the young! Bankroll the elderly! Those too old to work will know prosperity under my rule!”
An aged rhoag demolition worker who intends to put the elderly first and levy taxes on the young.
Your Followers
While many will contest your claim to the throne, you’ll also meet loyal allies who’ll support you in your campaign.
Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter folk in need of help. Offering a sympathetic ear and aiding them in their plight can win them to your cause.
Some companions like Strohl and Hulkenberg will aid you in combat, but not all of your allies are fighters; they’ll support your claim in their own unique way.
Interacting with them and fostering bonds will be the key to discovering new Archetypes for you to wield in battle.
Brigitta (VA: Yoko Hikasa)
“Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Brigitta. I run this shop and manage trade of magic igniters.”
The rhoag proprietress of a magic igniter shop in Grand Trad. When Brigitta discovers that the protagonist is an elda, she tests him with a quest. Upon clearing it, she’ll become his Follower and unlock the Merchant Archetype, which increases the amount of loot dropped in battle. She also allows access to Grand Trad’s igniter shop, which is normally off-limits to the elda.
Maria (VA: Yui Ishikawa)
“So you’re going to try and become king? Wow! Then I’ll cheer for you as loud as I can!”
An orphaned little girl who lives at the Hushed Honeybee Inn in Grand Trad. Her rhoag-ishkia heritage often subjects her to discrimination, leaving her without friends her own age. She loves hearing stories of adventure and getting her to open up can turn her into a staunch ally. After bonding with her, you’ll be able to awaken the Healer Archetype, which specializes in healing and purification.
Bardon (VA: Kenji Hamada)
“Ah, thanks to ye! That you’d accept such a perilous request, even with this tournament looming over everything…”
A roussainte warrior serving as the captain of the guard corps in Martira, the first town that the protagonist visits. His naivety sees him stumbling into another incident shortly after resolving a problem in town. Forming a bond with him will allow you to unlock the Commander Archetype, which can quickly turn the tides of battle.
Alonzo (VA: Atsushi Tamaru)
“Heh, good one. We just happen to be in the same boat, so why not lend each other a hand?”
An inscrutable young nidia man who is adept in both gathering information and deceiving others with it for personal gain. Befriending him will enable you to wield the Faker Archetype, which can unnerve even the toughest enemies.
Catherina (VA: Fairouz Ai)
“You really don’t know! I’m Catherina, the bounty hunter!”
A Follower of the protagonist and a candidate for the throne, Catherina aims to stand up for the paripus tribe—who are often looked down upon—and put bounties on the rich. Despite being a contender for the throne, she develops a unique bond with the protagonist. Earning her support as a Follower will unlock the Brawler Archetype, which can unleash devastating attacks.
■ Join Jun Fukuyama, the voice behind Persona 5’s protagonist, as he plays through the demo of Metaphor: ReFantazio, ahead of its October 11 release!
Fukuyama, who has lost more hours of sleep playing Persona 5 than he’d like to admit, dives into the demo without any prior knowledge—offering his commentary as he takes on Scenario Mode, Dungeon Mode, and Boss Challenge Mode.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Demo Playthrough with Jun Fukuyama
The demo featured contains the same content as those available at events.
English subtitles will be provided.
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