After its exciting reveal during the Xbox Games Showcase 2023, fans of Atlus' unique RPG offerings were thrilled to hear that Metaphor: ReFantazio would be making its way to PlayStation and Steam as well. Despite initial concerns that the game may be exclusive to Xbox platforms, an official leak has confirmed that the highly-anticipated title will be available on both PlayStation 4 and 5 upon its release in 2024. The game's diverse selection of gameplay and impressive in-engine cutscenes were showcased in a thrilling trailer during the announcement, which ended with official branding confirming its release on Xbox Series X/S and PC through the Windows storefront.
Fans of Atlus can breathe a sigh of relief as a leaked trailer from Sega's Korean division has unveiled the platforms on which Metaphor: ReFantazio will be available. The trailer confirms that the game will be accessible on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and through Steam on PC. It's worth noting that the game isn't being developed for Xbox One, indicating a lack of support from Atlus towards Xbox. This confusion arose due to modern video game advertising practices, with Xbox having a deal with Atlus for the initial announcement and advertising of the game. While the intention may have been to associate the game with Xbox, it has caused some confusion over exclusivity, which has not been confirmed publicly.
It can be difficult to understand advertising strategies like Xbox's approach with Metaphor: ReFantazio because of the exclusivity of certain games to specific platforms. While Xbox typically does not have exclusive third-party releases, PlayStation frequently signs deals for games that may never come to Xbox or have a delayed release. Atlus is a prime example of this, with Persona 5 being exclusive to PlayStation platforms for many years, causing concern among Atlus fans. However, confirmation of the supported platforms for Metaphor: ReFantazio is expected soon, and even if Xbox does not secure exclusivity, the fact that the RPG is coming to Xbox Series X/S is a positive step. Xbox has previously struggled with major Japanese RPG releases, and this move could be indicative of their efforts to change their reputation in this area.
Metaphor: ReFantazio releases in 2024 on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Gematsu