It’s been almost a year since we saw something new about Project Re Fantasy, and now I wish that I didn’t. Atlus put out an awfully strange video today promoting the game, and there’s not much to glean from it. Besides the fact that it’s going to be awfully weird and wants you to “rethink fantasy.”
I don’t even have the words to describe this video, so just watch the Project Re Fantasy trailer below:
Persona 5 and Catherine director Katsura Hasino will head Studio Zero and direct Project Re Fantasy. Here’s a translated statement (courtesy of Gematsu) from him about the upcoming title, and why he chose the fantasy direction:
25 years ago, the Atlus RPG uttered its first cry. Speaking of RPGs in those days, the stories of morality in so-called medieval fantasies worlds were mainstream. The Shin Megami Tensei series was released as an “opposition” to such a “common” world view, and the Persona series was released as its spin-off. Both series, even today in their latest entries, have always been made with the concept that it will be a counter to the times. And now how will Atlus, which has been creating counters to such eras, approach a new RPG? That is, to challenge the norms of the genre users have already been consuming for decades in various media on a regular basis.
So, we have succeeded at contemporary drama so far, but the next RPG theme is nothing other than a return to a “true fantasy world.” We firmly believe that to make this beautiful gaming experience, going somewhere among all the games made about overflowing fantasy worlds only we can go, is a counter to the current era. As only the creators of Shin Megami Tensei and Persona can do, we’ll offer players all around the world a “true journey” based on the themes and essence at the foundation of those two titles. By all means, please come and witness this challenge.
Platforms are still to be determined for Project Re Fantasy, but it’s expected to release for home consoles. We’ll have more as it’s revealed. Atlus implores gamers to check out the game’s official website for more.
