Atlus has been moving in a very interesting direction. Presently, the studio prepares for something big: Metaphor ReFantazio, while also dragging out some old gems. I have been an Atlus follower since their days of Shin Megami Tensei and Persona, and honestly, it feels like we are about to witness another huge change from their side.
The latest updates show it is not just Persona anymore for Atlus. Other titles such as Shin Megami Tensei, Unicorn Overlord, and, of course, Metaphor ReFantazio are getting frequent mentions. Metaphor feels particularly different, almost like Atlus is trying something new.
A big pointer concerning the game is that Unicorn Overlord has sold more than 2 million copies in less than a year. That is no mere number; it means people are ready for something fresh. I remember when I first played it, I was not expecting it to blow up as much. It shows that Atlus can step outside of the Persona franchise and make something that resonates with players.
The sequel to Metaphor ReFantazio has been making its rounds in the rumor mill. This early in a new IP’s life, it is not standard procedure for Atlus to just jump into sequels. If they do so in this particular case, it means that the game would have made some very heavy impacts. Given the reviews and player response, I think it is less of an “if” at this point and more of a “when” and “how much bigger” is the next one going to be.
The first Metaphor had heavy themes, a lot of political storytelling, and unique allegories. A hypothetical sequel could capitalize on that and expand to present a much deeper world for us to engage with. As a fan, I truly want them to take that risk.
Atlus, meanwhile, is doing a proper retrospective of some older entries. So far, we know of a remaster for Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army. This has already created some conjecture on whether Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon might return as well. Both games eventually gained cult-classic status, and bringing them back would introduce players to stories that are, in all reality, worth playing even today.
Other older franchises have also become talking points among fans. Many mention Digital Devil Saga and Etrian Odyssey. Atlus has played around with them in the past, and knowing how the studio operates, some form of return is guaranteed. Whether it is a remaster, a remake, or a new game based on old ideas, such titles still have a rightful place.
The exciting thing for me is that Atlus is not glued to one lane. Every passing year, they remind the audience that the future for them does not end with Persona. They are creating both new titles and digging into old classics. For fans, including me, that has become a blend of the past and future colliding.
The company seems to be making a moment in time where anything is possible. Sequel to Metaphor ReFantazio, a full-fledged return of Raidou Kuzunoha, and a resurrection of Digital Devil Saga can all happen. A treasure trove of Atlus, and at this time, they are fearless about delving into it.
This really does seem to be the studio opening the gates, one by one; each bar either leads to something entirely new in the making or something we treasured given a revival with an even greater vigor. You may also be interested in: Persona 3 Reload and Persona 4 Revival Are Changing the Future of Persona
