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Shoji Meguro wants a song in Metaphor: ReFantazio to land in two stages: first a jolt of surprise at hearing something unexpected, then a growing sense that the music fits the scene so well it becomes hard to let go of. In an interview reported on October 8, 2026, he also gives the same reasoning for performing the score live himself. Those are his stated aims, not a measure of how every listener responds.
The two-stage reaction Meguro is aiming for
Meguro describes his approach to writing game music in terms of how a player should react the first time they hear a track. In his words, “When players hear a song in the game, I want them to think, ‘Wait, they can actually have a song like this!?’ and be genuinely surprised.”
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Metaphor: ReFantazio Official Strategy Guide | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Metaphor: ReFantazio Launch Edition - PlayStation 5 | $38.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Metaphor: ReFantazio | $34.70 | Buy on Amazon |
He then describes what he hopes happens next: “Then, over time, I want that reaction to become something like, ‘It really surprised me at first, but it actually fits the scene so well, and now I’m hooked on it…’.”
The sequence matters to how the soundtrack is built. The shock is meant to be a starting point rather than the point of the music. A cue that startles on first hearing is supposed to earn its place within the scene, so that the surprise is later recast as a sense of fit.
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How the score is built
According to the interview, Meguro knew early in development that the score needed to be an orchestral epic. Director Katsura Hashino encouraged him to preserve what is described as Atlus’s distinctive, edgy quality. The result is traditional orchestral writing with moments of electronic euphoria layered on top.
Two vocal choices stand out in the interview. Both are central to the score’s identity, and both are the composer’s own explanations.
Buddhist chanting in the battle music
Meguro recruited Keisuke Honryo, identified in the interview as chief priest of Myojoji Temple, to record Buddhist chanting for battle music. Meguro says he wanted the result to be religious in nature while keeping an Atlus edge: “I wanted to create something that was both religious in nature and had that distinctive Atlus edge.”
He found Honryo after seeing a YouTube performance by Honryo and his group, which the interview names “Nam Jazz experiment,” combining Buddhist chanting and jazz. This detail comes from Meguro’s account in the interview and has not been independently verified.
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Choral vocals in a created language
The score also uses choral vocals sung in a specially created language. The interview says the aim was to make the music seem as though it plays inside the characters’ heads, rather than sounding like a soundtrack heard from outside the story.
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Why Meguro performs the music live
Meguro gives two reasons for performing the score in person as the composer. The first concerns the audience’s experience: “I think having fans hear and enjoy game music at a live concert can create a lot of emotion by allowing them to relive their experiences of playing the game.”
The second is more playful: “But aside from that, the reason I personally perform the music live as the composer is because I want to surprise the fans.” The same instinct as the in-game approach is visible here. A concert is another place where he wants the audience to be caught off guard.
Composer background, in Meguro’s own account
The interview reports several biographical details, which are presented as Meguro’s own recollections. He began electric organ lessons at age five. After receiving an 8-bit computer and experimenting with programming, he became interested in game development. He joined Atlus in 1996, went freelance in 2021, and remains a frequent Atlus collaborator.
He also reflects on how technology shaped his work. He says early PlayStation and PlayStation 2 hardware limited what he could express musically, and that he has felt less constrained since then. On his motivation, he says he does not feel he has anything left to prove, and that he keeps creating because he has not found anything that truly satisfies him. These are personal reflections rather than an objective assessment of his career.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The game at a glance
Atlus’s official page identifies Metaphor: ReFantazio as a role-playing game, names Shoji Meguro as composer, and gives October 11, 2024 as the release date. Its platform list is:
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- A mysterious and exciting story unfolds in a world where people must fight their own anxiety. Join the high-stakes Royal Tournament that promises hours of captivating exploration and discovery
- Ride your gauntlet runner to faraway dungeons and towns across an expansive world. Discover beautiful landscapes accompanied by captivating music, immersive UI, and anime cutscenes
- An exhilarating turn-based combat system with a blend of real-time action. Party customization through “Archetype” powers provides the freedom to personalize your adventure
- Go on quests, dungeon dive, and hunt for treasures by day. Strengthen relationships, build bonds, and increase virtues by night. Choose your actions wisely, time management is key to achieving your goal
- PC
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Steam
- Xbox Series X|S
The official page describes a story set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, where a royal tournament follows the king’s assassination. Gameplay combines turn-based combat with real-time action and Archetype-based party customization.
Physical editions and what they contain
Atlus’s page lists a physical base game. Its Collector’s Edition listing includes a physical base game, steelbook, soundtrack, artbook, metallic pins, sticker sheet, and cloth map, alongside digital items and DLC. Contents can vary by region or retailer, so check the specific listing before buying, particularly if the soundtrack or steelbook is the reason for the purchase.
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The interview spells the fairy companion’s name “Gallica,” while Atlus’s official English page spells it “Galica.” For in-game reference, follow the official page.
The orchestral tour: what is and is not confirmed
The October 8, 2026 report describes a world orchestral tour with the following opening schedule:
- Texas: premiere on Friday, October 9, 2026
- Illinois: Sunday, October 11
- California: Tuesday, October 13
- Further stops in Asia and Europe, not dated in the report
The report does not name venues, ticket sellers, or availability. Because the first date is the day this article is published, confirm dates and ticket status directly with the tour organizer before making travel or purchase plans.
The phrase “wants to keep surprising you” captures the composer’s stated approach in full: a first reaction of surprise, a later sense of belonging, and, in the live setting, a deliberate effort to catch the audience off guard again.
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