In the world of RPGs, Atlus has always sought to innovate, especially with its latest project, Metaphor: ReFantazio. The development team, led by Kenichi Goto, endeavored to refine the turn-based combat system, aiming to create a more fluid and engaging experience for players. Early on, they recognized that traditional turn-based battles often felt tedious, prompting them to implement a new Fast and Squad battle system that alternates between real-time and turn-based mechanics.

“Our goal was to reduce the predictability of victories in battles,” said Goto, emphasizing the team’s desire to rejuvenate player experiences.

However, the risk of breaking well-established game mechanics loomed large. Goto shared that during this experimentation, there came a moment where the team nearly compromised the core elements that make Atlus games unique. The aim was to streamline combat but not at the expense of the depth and strategy that fans expect.

Ultimately, after feedback indicating players felt pressured to avoid turn-based battles, the developers adjusted their approach. They reaffirmed that the most critical aspect of gameplay must remain the heart of turn-based encounters, ensuring action transitions smoothly into these foundational battles. This evolution has garnered positive reactions, with early reviews highlighting the achievements made in combat design, marking a significant improvement from previous offers.