Tag: Atlus
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Gets a Fantastic Story Trailer
Game of thrones
Assuming you haven't already seen enough of Metaphor: ReFantazio, the RPG just got a fantastic story trailer, fresh from Anime Expo 2024. In it, we get a bit more background on some of the main characters — including the protagonist — and a glimpse of the world-shattering stakes that form the core of the game's narrative. "Fight...
News Players Won't See Every Dungeon in Metaphor: ReFantazio, JRPG Offers a 'Lot More Freedom'
Take your time
It sounds like the upcoming Metaphor: ReFantazio will be quite the departure from recent Atlus efforts like Persona 5 or SMT V: Vengeance, with game director Katsura Hashino suggesting there is a "lot more freedom" in his high fantasy undertaking. While the central story is set in stone, how players decide to spend their limited...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Director Explains the RPG's Lack of Persona-Style Romance
Keep it professional
Given that Metaphor: ReFantazio has a lot in common with the Persona games — especially in terms of gameplay structure and mechanics — many had simply assumed that it would also feature a Persona-style romance system, letting you forge a more intimate relationship with a party member or supporting character of your choice...
News Slipknot's Clown, Eloy, and New Guy Discuss Identity, Masks, and SMT V: Vengeance
Pseudo-sacrosanct perversion
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is out now (we quite enjoyed it), and in a continuation of Atlus's unlikely collaboration with American heavy metal band Slipknot, several members of that outfit have gathered to offer their thoughts on identity, masks, and SMT V. It's surreal to see Clown, one of the group's founding...
Review Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (PS5) - Combat-Heavy RPG Gets a Major Overhaul
Fiendishly tough
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an enhanced re-release of Atlus' 2021 dungeon-crawling RPG, originally exclusive to Nintendo Switch, and makes its long-awaited debut on PS5 and PS4. It takes a great game and makes it even better with a slew of essential quality-of-life improvements, a glossy graphical upgrade, and a new...
News Yet Another Metaphor: ReFantazio Showcase Will Air Next Month, Focusing on Story
Lost the plot
It's only just got done with Metaphor: ReFantazio's second gameplay showcase, but Atlus has already announced a third deep dive that's scheduled for the 6th July. This upcoming broadcast will focus on the game's story, the finer details of which have remained a bit of a mystery up until this point. "This is a story of how people must...
Preview Metaphor: ReFantazio Is Already a Contender for RPG of the Year
No metaphors here
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a lot. We were only allowed to spend around an hour with Atlus’ upcoming RPG at this years’ Summer Game Fest, but in that time, we ran into egg enemies wearing boots; we acted like an ass to our other party members; we made kebabs with one of or companions; we also fought squid Jesus which had a heart...
News Massively Hyped RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio Gets 11 Minutes of Live Gameplay
Out for a Strohl
The Summer Game Fest showcase itself may have been a disappointment, but the surrounded event — which lasts the whole weekend — does mean that we get to see fresh gameplay from a number of highly promising titles. One such game is Metaphor: ReFantazio, the superb-looking RPG from Atlus. Up until now, we've only seen edited...
News Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis Arrives on 10th September, Trailer Has New Gameplay
Shield yourself
The Episode Aigis expansion for Persona 3 Reload now has a confirmed 10th September release date. The DLC, which is locked behind the Persona 3 Reload 'Expansion Pass', has you take on the role of SEES' robotic ally in a post-game story. But if this is an accurate recreation of The Answer — the additional adventure from the...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Goes Crazy with New Combat Gameplay, Has Over 40 Character Jobs
That's class
Atlus' second Metaphor: ReFantazio showcase has just come to a close, and if you've been itching to see more of the game's intense combat system, you're in for a treat. The 20-minute video covers just about everything you need to know with regards to the RPG's hybrid battles, which combine an (optional) action-based opening phase with a...
Interview Why SMT 5: Vengeance Devs Decided to Revisit the RPG and Bring It to PS5, PS4 Players
Go (back) to hell
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is out next week on PS5 and PS4, and is set to introduce the demon-collecting RPG to a fresh audience. The original SMTV was a Nintendo Switch exclusive, but this re-release includes loads of additions and enhancements. To learn more about Vengeance (the game, not the act), its new stuff, and why...
News Stunning RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio Gets Another Full Showcase This Week
All aboard the Gauntlet Runner
We can't wait for Metaphor: ReFantazio, and our current excitement for the RPG largely stems from the game's first showcase, which aired back in April. With that in mind, another showcase sounds like a great idea, and that's exactly what we're getting. Set for the 7th June, this is another full presentation from...
News Atlus Unmasks Demonic SMT V: Vengeance Collaboration with Slipknot
I push my fingers into my eyes
Atlus has fused a demonic collaboration in anticipation of the release of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, partnering with legendary heavy metal band Slipknot to produce some genuinely hellish masks. This partnership is to be continued, as the Persona publisher has promised a promotional video featuring band members is...
News Persona 3 Reload Joins PS Plus Premium Game Trials Catalogue on PS5, PS4
Progress and Trophies will carry over
Atlus's effortlessly stylish Persona 3 Reload is now a limited-time game trial for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. So, if you were on the fence about diving into this expansive RPG, and you pay Sony for the privilege, now you can check it out relatively risk-free with a three-hour slice, with progress and...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Bringing New Details to Summer Game Fest
Hashino and Soejima on stage
The next big Atlus JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio will be taking to the Summer Game Fest stage next month to share new details about the game. Director Katsura Hashino and artist Shigenori Soejima will be on stage to present the game to fans in attendance and watching via livestream, presumably revealing new footage. The show...
Rumour SEGA Wants Persona to Be an Annual Franchise Alongside Like a Dragon, Sonic
And so it begins
It doesn't come as a huge surprise, but SEGA reportedly wants Atlus to pump out a new Persona release every year. This is according to well-known leaker Midori, who claims that the publisher now places the Persona series alongside Like a Dragon and Sonic as one of its big three. Really, it's testament to how far Persona has come,...
News SMT 5: Vengeance Gets a Super Detailed 13 Minute Video on All Its New Stuff
A crazy number of improvements
If you've been wondering what Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance actually does differently compared to the original Nintendo Switch title, then you've got to give this exhaustive new video a watch. Clocking in at over 13 minutes, this official, step-by-step guide on Vengeance's various additions and improvements is robust...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Might Be a Much Harder RPG Than We Realise
No mention of difficulty settings yet
Metaphor: ReFantazio, the upcoming RPG from key Persona developers, is starting to sound like it could be quite hardcore. The game's latest information dump — with arrives via a lengthy press release stuffed with new screenshots — specifically mentions difficulty when outlining the title's turn-based combat...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Might Be the Most Stylish Atlus Game Ever, Going By New Screenshots
Metaphwoar
If you asked us for our opinion on the most stylish game in existence, we'd be very tempted to say Persona 5 takes the cake. We'd maybe argue that the more recent Persona 3 Reload is up there too. But Atlus might well have topped its own masterworks with the upcoming Metaphor: ReFantazio, which just looks ridiculously good in these new...
News Latest SMT 5: Vengeance Trailer Is All About the New PS5, PS4 Story
As positive previews drop
Atlus has shared another Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance trailer focusing entirely on the new story branch featured in the expanded PS5, PS4 re-release. Also releasing for Xbox systems and Nintendo Switch, you can see exactly what the fresh content has to offer over the original release in the trailer above. An expanded...
News Metaphor: ReFantazio Says No to Romance, Unlike the Persona Games
No, you can't date the elf
Atlus' upcoming RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, seems built around systems that wouldn't feel out of place in the developer's Persona series. It's got turn-based battles that hinge on striking enemy weaknesses, it's got warrior spirits that you can summon in combat, and — most crucially to this article — it's got a bonding...
News Persona 3 Reload's Seriously Slick Soundtrack Is Now Available to Stream
Bangers from the Dark Hour
The full Persona 3 Reload soundtrack is now available on music streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Spanning 62 songs across 2 hours and 15 minutes, the soundtrack is one heck of ride, made up of immaculately smooth beats and rousing battle themes. We can't recommend it enough. To be clear, the Reload...
News SMT 5: Vengeance Offers '75 More Hours of Gameplay', Says Atlus
"The best Shin Megami Tensei 5"
The original Shin Megami Tensei 5 on Nintendo Switch is already a long game, clocking in at around 70 hours if you want to see most of what the RPG has to offer — and its expanded re-release, Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance, will apparently double that runtime. That is, if you play through the game twice, since...
Random We're In Awe of Metaphor: ReFantazio's Box Art
Princely
There's nothing quite like video game box art that makes you stop and say "wow". Admittedly, it's been a while since such a cover caught our eye, but we simply can't gawk at the newly revealed box art for Metaphor: ReFantazio and not write an article about it. The upcoming RPG looks to be a stunner in terms of art direction, and the cover...
News Long-Time SMT Series 'Demon Artist', Kazuma Kaneko, Departs Atlus
After 35 years with the legendary developer
Kazuma Kaneko, whose career as a character designer at legendary JRPG studio Atlus has spanned almost four decades, has officially left the company. Kaneko has joined COLOPL, a developer and publisher headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, where he will work on a new IP. News comes to us through a creator...
News Persona Dev's Metaphor: ReFantazio Releases for PS5, PS4 in October, New Gameplay Is Glorious
Final Fantazio
Metaphor: ReFantazio, the next RPG from Persona developer Atlus, now has a confirmed release date: the 11th October. And to properly kickstart our march towards launch, we've been treated to a 25-minute presentation, which features a load of fresh gameplay footage. Metaphor has always seemed incredibly promising — especially since...
News Prepare Yourself for Incoming Metaphor: ReFantazio Livestreams
ATLUS to provide an extensive update
ATLUS has revealed plans for what it is calling the "ATLUS Exclusive: Metaphor: ReFantazio" broadcast, with the publisher/developer promising approximately 30 minutes of never-before-seen gameplay. How's that for something to look forward to? Spotted by Gematsu, the broadcast will be available on YouTube on 22nd...
News SMT 5: Vengeance Teases New Story, New Gameplay, and New Demons in Fresh Trailer
Sweet revengeance
Still set to release on the 14th June, Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is really starting to kick its marketing machine into gear. And today, we've been handed a new trailer the enhanced PS5 and PS4 re-release. It gives us a glimpse of new story stuff, new locations, new gameplay elements, and new demons that you'll be able to...
No horsing around
We've always been massive fans of Vanillaware here at Push Square. The talented Japanese developer has been crafting bangers for decades now, and its latest release, a gorgeous strategy RPG called Unicorn Overlord, is arguably one of its best games to date. So, when we were handed the opportunity to interview someone who's worked...
News Unicorn Overlord Development Began in 2016, When It Was Originally Planned for PS Vita
Alongside 13 Sentinels
As it turns out, Unicorn Overlord was in development for a lot longer than people probably realise. The gorgeous strategy RPG, which released just last month on PS5 and PS4, was first conceived by developer Vanillaware all the way back in 2016. What's more, it was originally planned as a PS4 and PS Vita release — but it...
News SMT 5: Vengeance Trailer Teases New Enemies, Dungeons, and More
Second slice of footage revealed
Atlus has published a second trailer detailing its expanded re-release of Shin Megami Tensei V, which brings the RPG to PS5 and PS4 consoles with a new Vengeance campaign. That new content is the focus of this latest glimpse, with new enemies, dungeons, and another form for main character Nahobino spotted. Check out...
News A Unicorn Overlord Sequel Could Be Considered
Duocorn Overlord
It's a bit of a stretch, but a question in a newly released player survey suggests that Atlus and Vanillaware are at least trying to gauge interest in a potential sequel to Unicorn Overlord — the immaculate strategy RPG that launched just last month. Said survey queries players on their experience with the game, and their...
News Unicorn Overlord Sales Top Half a Million, Could Be Vanillaware's Fastest Selling Game
Unicorn overload
Unicorn Overlord, the typically gorgeous Vanillaware strategy RPG that released in early March, has now sold over 500,000 copies. The news comes directly from publisher Atlus, via the game's new accolades trailer (which just so happens to include your favourite PlayStation website). It's the kind of result that we've come to expect...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Unicorn Overlord?
Far from over(lord)
We're a bit late with this one, but we still want to know your thoughts on one of this month's best games. We are, of course, talking about Unicorn Overlord — the strategy RPG from Vanillaware. The title was always going to be somewhat niche in terms of appeal, but those who have played it will know how finely crafted an...
"I have a habit of making food jiggling"
Being a Vanillaware title, the recently released (and excellent) strategy RPG Unicorn Overlord bears immediate resemblance to the Japanese developer's previous outings, like Muramasa: Rebirth, Dragon's Crown, and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. This is because longtime artist Shigatake insists on depicting food as...
News SMT 5 Moves Its PS5, PS4 Release Date Forward By a Week, Avoids Elden Ring DLC
Now drops alongside Monster Hunter Stories
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance was previously locked in for release on the 21st June, but for whatever reason, it's now launching one week earlier, on the 14th June. Atlus has confirmed the new date via its social media accounts, and states that any current pre-orders should now be fulfilled on the updated...
News Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis Will Be Locked Behind Expansion Pass
Won't be available to buy separately
Atlus has now confirmed you will need to buy pieces of content you probably don't want if you wish to play the Episode Aigis DLC for Persona 3 Reload, as the expansion is locked behind the £28.99 / $34.99 Expansion Pass. It won't be up for purchase separately, with a PR representative telling Push Square "the...
News First Persona 3 Reload DLC Out Now, Adds Songs from Persona 5 and 4
Only available in the Expansion Pass
Since Atlus only said the first bit of Persona 3 Reload DLC would be launching this month, it's come as a slight surprise that the musical-focused expansion is actually already available now on PS5, PS4. The first set brings back a handful of classic tracks from Persona 5 and Persona 4, which you can listen to...
News Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis Expansion Pass Price Revealed at £29 / $35
Now up on the PS Store
Update: The Persona 3 Reload Expansion Pass is now available to buy on the PS Store in Europe and North America — and so we know exactly how much it costs. It's priced at £28.99 in the UK, and $34.99 in the US, which is pretty much what we expected given price points in other regions. Original Story: The so-called...
So says Atlus
Episode Aigis, the paid expansion that's coming to Persona 3 Reload in September, was originally going to be included in the remake itself. This is according to a Famitsu interview with producer Kazuhisa Wada (as translated by Persona Central), who explains that development cycle difficulties forced the team to abandon its ambitions...
Poll Are You Playing Unicorn Overlord?
Begin the march
Unicorn Overlord, the new strategy RPG from Dragon's Crown and 13 Sentinels developer Vanillaware, is out now on PS5 and PS4. While it certainly isn't the highest profile release of 2024 so far, there's simply no doubting the talents of the Japanese studio behind it. The game's been picking up some incredibly high scores, with our...
News Full Price Remake Persona 3 Reload Will Be 'Complete' with Episode Aigis DLC, Says Producer
Interesting choice of words
Persona 3 Reload is a full price remake of a PS2 game that released in 2006. On one hand, it's an excellent revival. On the other, you'd probably expect such a game to definitive — but it isn't, because it's missing additional content that was added through re-releases. A slice of that content, originally titled The...
Review Unicorn Overlord (PS5) - An Utterly Brilliant Strategy RPG
Follow the white horse
Vanillaware doesn't miss. We've been spouting that line for ages, but with the arrival of Unicorn Overlord, it rings truer than ever before. Following up on the superb 13 Sentinels was never going to be easy, but the Japanese studio has somehow manged to produce an equally excellent game three years later — and it's not even...
News Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis Releases in September, Is Part of an Expansion Pass
Reload, reloaded
Persona 3 Reload is getting an 'Expansion Pass', and Episode Aigis is going to be part of it. To be clear, Episode Aigis forms the additional story scenario that was present in Persona 3 FES on PS2. It was called 'The Answer' here in the West, while 'Episode Aegis' was its Japanese name. Anyway, the Expansion Pass only includes...
News Persona Series Sales Pass 22 Million, Atlus Celebrates with Special Trailer
Golden
Atlus has announced that the Persona series has slid past 22 million copies sold, releasing a special Persona 3 Reload trailer, "Promise", to celebrate. It's an impressive milestone, one which demonstrates how vast the gulf between the various players in the space remains; Final Fantasy, for comparison, has sold more than 180 million units...
News Brush Up on RPG Unicorn Overlord's Complex Battle System on PS5, PS4
Many lives may depend on it
Unicorn Overlord is the visually stunning strategy RPG from developer Vanillaware, which we are confident will be one of the year's best games. You can try it now for free in an incredibly generous demo, with progress transferring to the full game, which releases next week on 8th March. I
News Persona 3 Reload The Answer DLC Looking Increasingly Likely
Merciless
Rumours that the recently released Persona 3 Reload would be getting The Answer (previously only playable in the Persona 3 FES iteration) began swirling last month and look increasingly likely to be correct. Now that the game has been in players' hands for a while, further evidence has emerged that there is still more SEES action to come...
News JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio Sounds a Lot Like Persona in Reverse
Combat in the day, relationships at night
Metaphor: ReFantazio is the next huge JRPG from Shin Megami Tensei developer Atlus, and if new PS Store pages are anything to go by, then the game's structure will be like Persona, but in reverse. Wishlist pages for the title in Japan and Asia claim you'll "go on quests, dungeon dive, and hunt for treasures...
News SMT 5: Vengeance Gets Extended Trailer, Physical Pre-Orders on PS5
Digital devil drama
The recently revealed Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is out on PS5 and PS4 this June, when PlayStation players will get a chance to experience the demonic RPG, once exclusive to Nintendo Switch. Along with an extended cut trailer, Atlus has revealed the fancy physical editions fans can now pre-order for PS5 (PS4 pre-orders will...
Hands On Unicorn Overlord Has the Potential to Be One of 2024's Best RPGs
Vanillaware doesn't miss
Look, at this point, we're automatically sold on anything Vanillaware does. The Japanese studio has an incredible track record stretching back to the PS2, and although it's an eternity away from being the most well-known developer in the world, there's simply no denying the quality of its output — especially in recent...
