Summary
Atlus is in a position to have another big year in 2024 withPersona 3 ReloadandMetaphor: ReFantazioconfirmed for release this year. WhilePersona 3 Reloadis sure to be a huge success for the developer given the popularity of thePersonaseries, a new IP likeMetaphor: ReFantaziomight be more of an unknown when it comes to sales and reception. As such,Metaphor: ReFantazioseems like it could greatly benefit from launching day one onXbox Game Passand joining the ranks of the other JRPGs that have found an audience on the service.
Xbox Game Pass Could Help Boost Visibility for Metaphor: ReFantazio
Xbox Game Pass has already developed a reputation for being home to many popular JRPGs from across the genre, withtitles likeSea of StarsandYakuza: Like a Dragon, as well as other Atlus games, available on the service. Historically, Xbox hasn’t been the console most associated with JRPGs, but Microsoft has started changing that image in recent years. With Xbox becoming much more hospitable to the genre as time goes on, it would make sense for Xbox Game Pass to try and secure a new title from a popular developer like Atlus for a day-one launch on the service.
Atlus Already has a Strong Partnership with Xbox
As Xbox continues to make JRPGs more accessible to its players, Atlus has developed a deep partnership with the company, bringing many of their titles to the platform and working with Xbox to deliver exclusive reveals. Titles like thePersona 3 PortableandPersona 4 Goldenwere much-needed additions to the Game Pass library since they are considered some of the best games in the JRPG genre. WhilePersona 5 Royalalso came to Xbox Game Pass when it became multiplatform, it has since left the service in an unfortunate blow to JRPG fans, withPersona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Goldensoon to follow.
AddingMetaphor: ReFantazioto the service could help make up for the loss of these titleswhile also giving the game more exposure. Atlus has already worked with Xbox for the game’s reveal, making its debut at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2023 alongside their other title,Persona 3 Reload,which is already confirmed to launch day one on Xbox Game Pass. It would only be fitting thatMetaphor: ReFantazioalso launches on Game Pass after this reveal, and the continued partnership between these two companies makes it seem likely that this will be the case.
