ReFantazio and Haas F1 Team team up for GP deF

Who would have thought that the universe of fantasy RPGs and the ultra-fast world of Formula 1 would literally collide? Well, my friends, Metaphor: ReFantazio and American F1 team MoneyGram Haas are proving that anything is possible, even mixing magic potions with high-speed cars. With the imminent release of the ATLUS game, the partnership is already starting at the Singapore GP, with characters from the game appearing on the cars of Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen. Will they get lucky or just a few more DNFs on the list?

A Mystical Partnership at High Speed

Now, think with me: we have two completely different universes — the magical fantasy of Metaphor: ReFantazio and the cruel and fast-paced world of Formula 1. What do they have in common? Honestly, very little. But hey, if ATLUS wants to put their characters on the nose of Haas cars during the Singapore Grand Prix, who are we to judge, right? After all, maybe a little magic is what these drivers need to finally make it into the top 5.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is not just any fantasy RPG; it comes from the creators of Persona 3, 4 and 5which already puts a lot of weight on expectations. The game promises an epic journey where, instead of drivers chasing championship points, we have players fighting against a curse in search of a magical crown. Meanwhile, at Haas, Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen are on the hunt for… well, anything that will bring home a podium. Will the competitive spirit of Metaphor Will it give a boost to the cars' performance?

But what the hell does one thing have to do with the other? Atlus, did you drink?

ATLUS Chief Marketing Officer Irvin Ducournau said the theme of overcome fear and anxiety in Metaphor fits perfectly with what Haas drivers face in races. Of course, it makes perfect sense. After all, if you don't get anxious watching a Haas car try to take a corner without spinning, then you don't know what real tension is. And let's face it: is there anything more “supernatural” than seeing Hülkenberg and Magnussen avoid collisions with half the grid during the GP? It seems so, since now they have the help of fantastic wizards and warriors to do so.

Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen: The Protagonists of Chaos

For those who follow F1, you know that Nico and Kevin are the classic “underdogs” of the grid. They are there, fighting, eating dust from time to time, but always trying to make something happen. Now, with Metaphor: ReFantazio printed on the cars, the mystical vibe enters the game. Hülkenberg will have his car decorated with the game's “Protagonist”, because, well, it makes sense. And Magnussen takes the character “Hulkenberg” — no, you didn't read it wrong — it's the character's name! ATLUS really outdid itself in paying homage to the driver. Who knows, maybe now a magic spell will happen that transforms Haas into a Red Bull, even if just for one lap?

In the world of Metaphorthe player faces epic challenges, giant monsters and, of course, that good old RPG drama. In Formula 1, the drivers also face monsters, but they have first and last names, like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, and instead of swords, they use turbocharged engines. It's almost the same thing, come on!

Haas F1: When All You Need Is a Little Magic

If you are there thinking, “Why did Haas decide to get involved with an RPG game?”the answer is simple: advertising and magic. The MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, which is fighting bravely to stay out of the bottom, has decided to join forces with ATLUS to promote Metaphor: ReFantazio at the Singapore GP. This means that throughout the weekend, Nico and Kevin’s cars will be proudly displaying the game’s logo on the nose. Because, well, who wouldn’t want to see an RPG logo while two cars are racing at 300 km/h?

And look, there is a beautiful logic to all this. If the characters of Metaphor can face curses and try to dominate kingdoms, why not help two drivers face the Haas curse — which, let's face it, seems very real at times. After all, any mystical help is welcome when your car rarely finishes in the top 10.

ATLUS and Haas: A Match Made in the Stars… or Not?

When you think of ATLUS, you probably think of Personaa franchise full of depth, symbolism and complex narratives. Now, when you think of Haas, well… you probably think of long pit stops and “what will go wrong this time?” jokes. But the truth is that this collaboration is a bold step for both parties.

Perhaps ATLUS saw a parallel between the struggles of the characters in Metaphor and the challenges Nico and Kevin face every time they leave the pit lane. In the game, the mission is to break a curse; in real life, perhaps the goal is to break the streak of races without great results.

Fun Facts About the Franchise and the Game: A Little History

For those who have parachuted into this magical universe, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a game created by the same team responsible for the series Persona. In other words, if you're a fan of RPGs that mix school life with epic battles against demons and mystical entities, you'll feel right at home here. Metaphor places you in the kingdom of Euchronia, where a curse has been placed on the crown of the United Kingdom (no, not the queen's one). The player's mission is, basically, to save the kingdom and do what any good protagonist would do: defeat everything that stands in their way.

The franchise Persona is already famous for its unique style and strategic battles, and Metaphor follows the same line, but with a more medieval and fantasy touch. It's a great option for RPG fans and those who enjoy an engaging narrative. The good part? It will be available for Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Steam starting October 11, 2024.

The partnership between MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Metaphor: ReFantazio It's a marketing ploy that mixes speed, magic and, of course, a dash of sarcasm. Ultimately, if the game's characters can help Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen overcome the difficulties of the track, then maybe there's hope for Haas. If not, at least we'll have a Singapore GP decorated with a touch of fantasy, because at the end of the day, we all need a bit of magic, even in Formula 1.