Metaphor:ReFantazio Director Says Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is “Truly Inspiring” and Conveys “A Deep Understanding” of JRPGs

There's a new game bundle on Steam that lets you pick up what are arguably two of the best RPGs in the last few years on one discount. Developers Sandfall Interactive and ATLUS have joined together to form a bundle including both Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Metaphor: ReFantazio. Both games are currently on sale separately, but you can grab them together in a bundle for 10% off their combined price, and it's a bundle that both sides are proud to be a part of.

Metaphor: ReFantazio creative director and writer Katsura Hashino said that he was "very pleased" to know that Metaphor would be put together with Expedition 33, a game that he had his own personal high level of praise for.

"I am very pleased to hear that a Steam bundle will be released with Expedition 33, a title that has received high praise around the world," Hashino said in a press release. "Expedition 33 is a work that conveys a deep understanding of and sincere dedication to the JRPG genre, crafted with great care down to the finest details. As someone who also creates RPGs, I found it to be truly inspiring."

"I am genuinely delighted to see Japanese-style RPGs being born and embraced, not only from Japanese-based studios like ours, but other places around the world through diverse creative approaches," Hashino continued. "While the two titles differ in their worlds and overall direction, players may find a shared spirit in how we each approach and express the RPG genre. I hope that this bundle encourages players to experience both titles and enjoy the breadth of what RPGs can offer."

It cannot be overstated how significant this kind of praise is from such a legend of the JRPG genre. Persona fans will know Hashino's work well, as he's been one of ATLUS' key creatives behind Shin Megami Tensei and Persona for many years.

For Sandfall Interactive's part, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 creative director and Sandfall's chief executive officer, Guillaume Broche, had his own reverie towards ATLUS, Metaphor: ReFantazio and the work that Hashino and his team have accomplished over the years, citing them as inspirations for his love of JRPGs.

"Metaphor: ReFantazio is a game that is really inspiring for us," Broche said. "It tells a beautiful story in a completely new world that is masterfully crafted. It deals with heavy themes but one that resonates strongly with me is the importance of imagination in all aspects of our lives."

"The cast is lovable and the turn-based battle system is one of the best I have played. The re-imagination of the traditional jobs system through Archetypes is fantastic and opens up so many playstyles that are fun to play around with. On top of that, the game has one of the most charismatic villains I've ever seen in an RPG. It is a great honor to be able to collaborate with ATLUS on this bundle, as I have been a fan of their work since Shin Megami Tensei™: Lucifer's Call (also known as Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne for some players)."

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was Wccftech's staff and community pick for Game of the Year in 2025. We also gave it a 9.5/10 when we reviewed it at launch, while Metaphor: ReFantazio received a 9/10 from us when we reviewed it in 2024.

Both are two of the best RPGs you can play right now, with this new Steam bundle being a great chance to pick up both if you're a fan of RPGs and JRPGs but have somehow not tried either of them yet.

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