Predicting Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Release Date

Atlus is already in a position to have a strong 2024, with games like Persona 3 Reload, Unicorn Overlord, and Metaphor: ReFantazio slated for release. While Persona 3 Reload and Unicorn Overlord have already nailed down their release dates, Metaphor: ReFantazio is still without a concrete release date outside a Fall 2024 launch window. However, looking at past Atlus launches can help shed some light on when fans might expect Metaphor: ReFantazio to be released in a year when the developer may have more to release than what has been currently announced.

Metaphor: ReFantazio was first announced back at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2023, but recently has seen a new wave of information following a trailer shown at The Game Awards 2023. The recent developer deep dive into the game has given players more details about the world of Euchronia and the political turmoil surrounding the assassination of the king. The developers also gave expanded information about mechanics like Metaphor: ReFantazio‘s Archetype system, which could suggest the game is farther along in development than some fans may have initially thought.

It’s already going to be a crowded year of releases for Atlus, starting with Persona 3 Reload which launches on February 2, followed by Vanillaware’s Unicorn Overlord which is scheduled for release on March 8. After back-to-back months of releases, things will slow down for the developer until the Fall 2024 release window in which Metaphor: ReFantazio is planned to be released. However, looking at past Atlus releases can help narrow down the game’s most likely release date even further.

Past Major Fall Releases for Atlus

There is a clear trend of late-October/November releases for Atlus games dating back through the past few years, so it’s likely that Metaphor: ReFantazio will follow a similar pattern with its release date. This data also reveals that Atlus tends to release only one game per fall window, with the exception of Persona 5 Royal and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim‘s releases in Japan being a month apart back in 2019. However, this exception might end up painting a clearer picture of when Metaphor: ReFantazio will launch in a year rumored to contain more unannounced releases from Atlus.

While these three games are already scheduled for 2024 releases, there are rumors that Atlus may be planning to launch two other Persona spin-off games next year as well. The first is the mobile title Persona 5: The Phantom X, which has currently only undergone beta tests in China, but a global release in 2024 likely wouldn’t affect the rest of Atlus’ release plans, given that it is a mobile game. The other title might complicate things a bit, as the rumored Persona “ASA” game is said to be a party game featuring a large cast of past Persona characters, which could end up being a bigger spin-off release than some might expect.

Since Persona ASA hasn’t even been announced yet, it likely wouldn’t be released until late 2024 if it is indeed real. This would put Atlus in a position where two major titles would be released in that Fall 2024 window, which isn’t out of the question since there is past precedent for it. If this is the case, it seems like Metaphor: ReFantazio would be the first to launch, probably around October 4 or October 11, which would leave room for Persona ASA to launch towards the end of November, likely around November 22 or 29.

Persona 3 Reload

Released

February 2, 2024

Developer(s)

P-Studio

Genre(s)

JRPG

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence