Metaphor: ReFantanzio, one of 2024's most acclaimed games, has been racking up numerous Game Awards, including Best RPG, Best Art Direction, and Best Narrative. However, one aspect of the game that has particularly stood out is its soundtrack, produced by Shoji Meguro, the long-time music director of the Persona series. In a recent interview, Meguro delved into the creative process behind the game's music, including the battle theme that has become a viral sensation.

Meguro, known for his work on the Persona soundtracks, which are characterized by their pop-y, jazzy vibes, acknowledged that Metaphor's heavy orchestral/choral sound is a departure from his usual style. To effectively transition from Persona to Metaphor, he had to relearn classical music theory, which he found exciting. "When I was first told about Metaphor: ReFantazio, I was told it would be an epic, high-fantasy RPG. And immediately I heard the sound of great orchestras playing and thought this might be an opportunity to write songs I've never really written before, which excited me greatly," Meguro said.

In developing the music for Metaphor, Meguro aimed to evoke a classical, fantasy experience with a unique twist that fans have come to expect from Atlus games. This twist became what Meguro called a "spiritual musical style" that defines the soundtrack, particularly the battle music. The battle theme, which features an orchestra-backed choir and a Japanese monk chanting in a rapid-fire cadence, has taken the gaming community by storm, inspiring memes and animated shorts.

Meguro's search for the right voice for the chanting monk led him to YouTube, where he discovered Keisuke Honryo, a monk who performs with the musical group Nam Jazz Experiment, which combines jazz with the recitation of traditional Buddhist sutras. "It was so great, I immediately made [Honryo] an offer and luckily he accepted and was happy to be a part of this game," Meguro said.

The battle music's unique sound is not just due to the chanting monk, but also Meguro's approach to game scoring. He reframed his thinking to consider the music as not just serving the player, but also as an integral part of the game's world. "I've always considered game scores to be similar to UI elements, constructs that exist solely to service the player," Meguro said. "Although the score has to capture the atmosphere of the story for the user, it's worth reminding ourselves that this music is not actually playing directly within the world the characters are in."

This approach led to a thought-provoking conversation with the game's director, Katsura Hashino, about how to connect what players are hearing to what the characters are hearing. The idea was implemented in the game, where the player's sidekick casts a spell that allows them to hear music as they roam about the world and get into fights. This moment dramatically changes the context of all of Metaphor's music, especially its battle themes, making the songs feel more intense and immersive.

Meguro's work on Metaphor's soundtrack has been met with widespread critical acclaim, and he is delighted by the enthusiastic response from fans. "That brings me so much joy that fans are responding enthusiastically to the music of Metaphor," Meguro said. "It's an honor to get that kind of reaction."

The success of Metaphor's soundtrack serves as a testament to Meguro's innovative approach to game scoring and his ability to push the boundaries of what is possible in video game music. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how Meguro's work influences the future of game soundtracks.