Atlus’s Visionary Katsura Hashino Aims to Revolutionize the JRPG Genre With Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona
Katsura Hashino, the acclaimed game director behind Atlus’s renowned Persona series, has outlined his next ambitious chapter for Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) in a recent interview.
As the creative force steering both Persona and the highly anticipated Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hashino shared that his goal is to evolve JRPGs into a new era, an evolution he refers to as 'JRPG 3.0.' This forward-looking concept seeks to redefine the genre’s core structure and presentation, setting the stage for a transformative phase in interactive storytelling and gameplay. Hashino, reflecting on the rich history of JRPGs, identified what he calls 'JRPG 1.0' as the period of the genre’s foundational classics.
While he refrained from listing specific titles, games such as Dragon Quest (debuted in 1986) and Final Fantasy (first released in 1987) are widely recognized as pioneers that established many of the mechanics and narrative styles celebrated in JRPGs today.
He acknowledges how the genre later transitioned to what he terms 'JRPG 2.0,' emphasizing advancements that made games more immersive and responsive to player input, elevating the quality of the overall experience. With the development of Metaphor: ReFantazio and future Persona installments underway at Atlus, Hashino is focused on ushering in the next significant evolution.
In his own words, the director believes the upcoming wave, 'JRPG 3.0,' will introduce a deeper level of complexity to these games, fundamentally altering their structure and visual storytelling.
He stated the intention is to create experiences that not only build on the genre’s proud legacy but also break new ground through innovative mechanics and modern presentation. Atlus has a proven track record of genre-defining successes.
The Persona series, in particular, has become synonymous with character-driven narrative and stylish gameplay, raising the bar for JRPGs on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation consoles.
Meanwhile, Metaphor: ReFantazio represents an entirely new IP for Atlus, and expectations are high for what Hashino’s team hopes to deliver on both storytelling and technical fronts. Hashino’s philosophy highlights a commitment to evolving the JRPG landscape rather than simply iterating on established formulas.
With Atlus’s expertise and the director’s vision, gamers and industry watchers alike are eagerly anticipating the future direction of the genre.
Whether through Nintendo Direct announcements or major releases on the eShop, both Metaphor: ReFantazio and upcoming Persona games stand poised to influence the next generation of JRPGs, promising fans a new dimension of interactive artistry.
As the creative force steering both Persona and the highly anticipated Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hashino shared that his goal is to evolve JRPGs into a new era, an evolution he refers to as 'JRPG 3.0.' This forward-looking concept seeks to redefine the genre’s core structure and presentation, setting the stage for a transformative phase in interactive storytelling and gameplay. Hashino, reflecting on the rich history of JRPGs, identified what he calls 'JRPG 1.0' as the period of the genre’s foundational classics.
While he refrained from listing specific titles, games such as Dragon Quest (debuted in 1986) and Final Fantasy (first released in 1987) are widely recognized as pioneers that established many of the mechanics and narrative styles celebrated in JRPGs today.
He acknowledges how the genre later transitioned to what he terms 'JRPG 2.0,' emphasizing advancements that made games more immersive and responsive to player input, elevating the quality of the overall experience. With the development of Metaphor: ReFantazio and future Persona installments underway at Atlus, Hashino is focused on ushering in the next significant evolution.
In his own words, the director believes the upcoming wave, 'JRPG 3.0,' will introduce a deeper level of complexity to these games, fundamentally altering their structure and visual storytelling.
He stated the intention is to create experiences that not only build on the genre’s proud legacy but also break new ground through innovative mechanics and modern presentation. Atlus has a proven track record of genre-defining successes.
The Persona series, in particular, has become synonymous with character-driven narrative and stylish gameplay, raising the bar for JRPGs on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation consoles.
Meanwhile, Metaphor: ReFantazio represents an entirely new IP for Atlus, and expectations are high for what Hashino’s team hopes to deliver on both storytelling and technical fronts. Hashino’s philosophy highlights a commitment to evolving the JRPG landscape rather than simply iterating on established formulas.
With Atlus’s expertise and the director’s vision, gamers and industry watchers alike are eagerly anticipating the future direction of the genre.
Whether through Nintendo Direct announcements or major releases on the eShop, both Metaphor: ReFantazio and upcoming Persona games stand poised to influence the next generation of JRPGs, promising fans a new dimension of interactive artistry.
