Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio Free Demo Out on Steam

The composer behind the Persona series is leading the development of the upcoming game Guns Undarkness, which will offer a free demo on Steam. Learn more about the game's release plans and key details.

Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio Composer Heads New Tactical Stealth RPG

Guns Undarkness Free Demo Coming to Steam Next Fest

A free demo for Guns Undarkness will be available during the upcoming Steam Next Fest. The project is led by Shoji Meguro, known for his work on the Persona series and Metaphor: ReFantazio, alongside Ilya Kuvshinov, the character artist for Ghost in the Shell, and rapper Lotus Juice, recognized for his contributions to Persona 3.

Meguro has been with Atlus since 1995, composing music for acclaimed titles like the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series. In 2021, he transitioned to independent game development while continuing his musical collaborations with Atlus. Since departing, Meguro has focused on a sci-fi stealth action JRPG, which will be published through Kodansha Game Creators Lab.

Guns Undarkness was first unveiled during the Indie Live Expo Winter 2021 and successfully met its stretch goals through a Kickstarter campaign in 2022. A free demo is scheduled for release on February 24, 2025, as part of Steam Next Fest, with an Early Access launch planned for later this year.

Drawing Inspiration from Metal Gear Solid and Persona

According to its Steam page, Guns Undarkness is a turn-based tactical JRPG inspired by franchises such as Metal Gear Solid and Persona. The story unfolds in 2045, as the world teeters on the edge of collapse. Players assume the role of a private military contractor, undertaking missions with allies to uncover global secrets and rescue humanity.

The gameplay emphasizes two core elements: stealth and combat. In stealth phases, players navigate environments while avoiding detection. Successfully engaging enemies from a concealed position provides a tactical edge in battle. Combat is turn-based, allowing players to direct their characters and utilize an array of firearms to secure victory.

The Guns Undarkness demo will feature roughly 20 minutes of gameplay, including tutorials on basic controls, the battle system, weapon usage, and early-stage strategies. The game is slated for an Early Access release in Spring 2025 on PC, offering approximately 10 hours of content. A specific launch date has not been officially announced.