Japanese Video game publisher Atlus is off to a successful start with its latest release, Metaphor: ReFantazio. The game has shattered the company’s previous records on Steam, pulling in over 60,000 concurrent players at launch. This massive success marks a turning point for Atlus after previous titles like Soul Hackers 2 only received mediocre reviews.
This time Atlus listened to its fans and introduced Metaphor: ReFantazio on PC alongside other platforms. So far, the move paid off as they already sold more than one million copies in the first 24 hours. Despite a $70 price tag, and some grumbles about regional pricing, players love the game.
Aside from some hiccups, Atlus is known for excellent games. Yet, Metaphor: ReFantazio isn’t just riding on Atlus’ reputation. The game offers a fresh take on the RPG genre, blending familiar mechanics with innovative features. Its fantasy setting and praised storytelling have captured players’ imaginations.
This launch also showcases the importance of quality localization. Metaphor: ReFantazio hit the ground running with multiple language options, making it accessible to a wide audience from day one. We can be sure to see other Japanese publishers like Capcom and Square Enix to follow the trends and move away for their segmented launching strategies.
For Atlus, the Persona series helped the company build a loyal international fan base that set them up for Metaphor: ReFantazio’s warm reception. Players are now praising not just the game itself, but Atlus’s decision to embrace PC gaming. Many see this as a win-win for both developers and gamers.
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s triumph could signal a new era for Japanese RPGs on PC. As more developers recognize the platform’s potential, we might see a surge in day-one PC releases for titles we are looking forward to.