More than seven years ago, Atlus asked Yoko Taro to give his opinions on the then-new Studio Zero announcing their new project, a fantasy RPG codenamed Project: ReFantasy. The game designer behind Nier and Drakenguard candidly (and jokingly) asks Atlus and Studio Zero to reconsider.
Fast-forward to today, Atlus has since followed up this video by having Yoko Taro played a demo of that game, now titled Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Sega Asia posted this video with full English substitles.
The interview format is more like a variety talk show TV with stylised subtitling and off-the-cuff remarks that keeps what would have been a straightforward interview refreshing.
Yoko Taro has quite the choice of quotes when asked about his thoughts about Metaphor: ReFantzio and this includes:
On Metaphor’s graphics and gameplay:
“I can tell they made an incredible game and they put a lot of work into its stylish UI. It was so stylish that I almost soiled myself.”
On Metaphor: ReFantazio being Atlus’ first take on an “orthodox” fantasy RPG:
“I could definitely see it as a traditional fantasy RPG… though Metaphor really transforms and subverts many aspects of the genre… Atlus’s definition of ‘orthodox’ is different than that of the average person.”
On the monster designs:
“I was especially struck by the bosses’ grotesqueness. There’s no way I could be friends with the guy designing such freakish monsters.
“Just kidding, I’m sure we’d get along.”
On his hopes and concerns about Metaphor:
“I know that the interview outline mentions ‘concerns’ but man, Atlus’s PR team really has a twisted sense of humour.”
On the guest collaborators working with Studio Zero on Metaphor, in particular Nier Automata concept artist Kazuma Koda:
“[Kazuma Koda] handled Nier Automata’s concept art and the game’s overall art direction… Now he’s creating art for Metaphor. So everytime I run into him, I tell him ‘You traitor!’ while gritting my teeth and shooting him an ice-cold stare.”
What is Yoko Taro working on next:
“There’s no way I could answer that! Oh to heck with it.
“(Jokingly) I’d be glad to give a clear-cut answer. My next game is Metaphor: ReFantazio 2!
“I, Yoko Taro, will be its director and writer. Please look forward to it, everyone! The game starts with blood and gore!”
On Yoko Taro’s more beautiful face (the mask he wears) since the his last appearance:
“Yes, thanks to the game’s success, I was able to give my face a gorgeous visual upgrade. To make my face even more beautiful I’d like everyone to play my games.”
As always, Yoko Taro puts on a show. It is wild to see Atlus managed to get hold of him, an employee at Square Enix, to comment on a game he has no connection to. Basically doing marketing work for another company and for free, as he regularly brings mentions throughout the interview.
Metaphor: ReFantzio will be out on October 11 for the PS4, PS5, PC (Steam) adn Xbox Series X|S.