Unlocking the Power of Fantasy: Hashino's Visionary Approach to Game Design

In a captivating interview, renowned game creator Katsura Hashino, the mastermind behind the acclaimed Persona series, shares his insights on the transformative potential of video games. Hashino's latest project, Metaphor: ReFantazio, delves into the realm of fantasy, exploring themes of tribalism, racial tension, and the pursuit of power. This ambitious endeavor aims to push the boundaries of the medium, empowering players to embark on a journey of personal growth and interpersonal connection.

Empowering Players to Exceed Their Limitations

Katsura Hashino, the visionary behind the Persona series, has long believed that video games possess the unique ability to shape society and positively impact people's lives. In his recent interview with Polygon, Hashino emphasized this conviction, stating, "Players themselves become the protagonist. In that way, they're a way for the player to earn [experience] for their own lives. And since experiences change people's lives, for better or worse, they are a factor in how society itself is shaped."Hashino's latest project, Metaphor: ReFantazio, appears to embody this philosophy more than ever before. The game's narrative and gameplay mechanics are centered around personal growth and strengthening interpersonal bonds, providing players with the motivation and tools to overcome their own limitations.

Exploring the Allure of Fantasy

Metaphor: ReFantazio marks a departure from Hashino's previous work in the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona franchises, venturing into the realm of traditional fantasy. This decision, Hashino explains, was driven by the desires of his development team, who were collectively drawn to the boundless possibilities of the fantasy genre."I started asking them, 'Why do you like fantasy?' And nobody had a really clear answer," Hashino recounts. "Everybody was a little bit vague. So I got really curious about this idea of fantasy and what makes it so compelling and attractive to people."Through his research and conversations with other Japanese fantasy creators, Hashino came to understand the appeal of fantasy as a medium that transcends the constraints of the real world. "What I ended up learning from this is that what they thought about fantasy, and what people seem to like about fantasy, is that it's a very free medium where you can do anything that you want to do — it's not limited by the real world in any way."

Crafting a Unique Fantasy Experience

While Metaphor: ReFantazio may be set in a fantastical world, Hashino and his team drew inspiration from the real world to create a unique and compelling narrative. The game's protagonist and their allies embark on a journey akin to a modern-day road trip, reflecting "how modern people enjoy vacations."Moreover, the different tribes that populate the game's world are inspired by the diverse personalities and societal dynamics found in contemporary Japanese society. Hashino explains, "We decided that it would be really interesting to split up different tribes by personality type, to diverge from the kind of standard flow of fantasy and make it our own take on the genre."These tribes, each defined by distinct personality traits, serve as a reflection of the complexities and nuances of human nature. From the older generation's attempts to impose their values on the youth to the indecisive individuals who readily agree with others, Metaphor: ReFantazio aims to explore the universal themes of tribalism and racial tension through a fantastical lens.

Redefining the Narrative Approach

In crafting Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hashino and his team did not strictly adhere to the templates established in the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series. Instead, they focused on fulfilling the original vision for their fantasy concept, even if it meant cutting or altering familiar mechanics.One notable change is the absence of romantic relationships, which have been a staple in Hashino's previous works. "For Metaphor, we didn't really aim to be more mature or grown up, but the goal that the character's trying to do is more large scale and epic. There isn't really time for love. When you're aiming to be a sovereign, you can't go off [on dates]."Instead, the game's narrative emphasizes the importance of forming supportive connections with allies, who in turn help the protagonist unlock their heroic qualities. This shift in focus, from personal relationships to a larger-scale, epic journey, reflects Hashino's desire to create a more mature and immersive fantasy experience.

Empowering Players to Shape Society

Hashino's underlying belief in the transformative power of video games is at the heart of Metaphor: ReFantazio. He envisions the game as a medium that can provide players with the motivation and tools to overcome their own limitations and anxieties, ultimately shaping the world around them."I want games that I make to be able to provide that push to people to exceed those [limitations]," Hashino affirms. By immersing players in a fantastical world filled with complex societal dynamics and the pursuit of power, Metaphor: ReFantazio aims to inspire players to reflect on their own roles and responsibilities within their communities.As Hashino eloquently states, "Though the games we make are just a tiny part of that, it's what we think about when we make games." With Metaphor: ReFantazio, Katsura Hashino and his team have crafted a bold and visionary work that seeks to redefine the boundaries of the fantasy genre and empower players to become agents of positive change in their own lives and beyond.