Atlus has been known to produce consistently high-quality JRPGs for years now, but even so,Metaphor: Refantaziofeels like a massive accomplishment. It has enjoyed more mainstream success and critical acclaim than just about any game from the studio, which is saying something, asAtlus and its subsidiaries have not only spawned thePersonafranchise, butShin Megami Tenseiand other darlings likeCatherine.
Metaphor: Refantaziosurpasses its predecessors in a number of crucial ways. In terms of gameplay, its take on thePersona/SMTclass system is perhaps the most polished one yet, honing in on the most satisfying aspects of progression and party composition to make an endlessly addictive gameplay loop. The more structured, classically designed narrative also buttressesMetaphor’s calendar system, which feels more compelling than it ever did in thePersonafranchise. But really,Metaphor Refantazio’s greatest accomplishment is its mature and endearing narrative, stuffed to the brim with well-written characters, interesting lore, and enough twists to constantly keep players on their toes.
Metaphor: Refantazio Crushed The Game Awards 2024, Snagging Three of the Most Prestigious Accolades
Every 2024 Game Award Metaphor: Refantazio Won
Metaphor: Refantazio’s three victories last night were all from major categories. One could argue thatMetaphorwas an obvious choice for Best Art Direction, as every element of the game, right down to its UI (or especially its UI, depending on who’s asked) is impeccably, wonderfully realized. Character and creature design deserve special mention, with the Bosch-inspired Human enemies standing out as particularly bizarre and novel, boasting unsettling characteristics rarely seen in the gaming medium.
WhileMetaphorcertainly deserves this Best Art Direction victory, it would be a mistake to call it easily won. It was up against a number of stunning titles, includingNeva, which is perhaps one of the most gorgeous games ever made, andAstro Bot, whose glossy, exuberant design makes it visually spectacular. Such strong competition merely emphasizes how impressiveMetaphor Refantaziois from the perspective of visual design.
Best RPG is another category thatMetaphorfought tooth-and-nail to win. Itsgreatest competition here was almost definitelyFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, butDragon’s Dogma 2,Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and even theShadow of the Erdtree Elden RingDLC all had solid chances to take home the award inMetaphor’s stead. Ultimately,Metaphor: Refantazio’s success in this area relates not just to its RPG mechanics and features, but perhaps its most crucial Game Award: Best Narrative.
Metaphor’s Award for Best Narrative Is Its Most Significant
Metaphor:Refantaziohas a lot of strengths, but at the end of the day, its storytelling is what makes it so special. The narrative, which unfolds over 70–100 hours, depending on how long a player spends on the main campaign, is chock-full of unexpected twists, surprisingly nuanced social commentary, and grand character moments. On that last point,Metaphor’s obscenely lovable castdeserves particular recognition. Every member of the player’s main party is intriguing, charming, and well-realized in their own right, and even the more unlikable or villainous characters are interesting and often relatable, with antagonist Louis Guiabern being especially fascinating and intimidating.
Again,Metaphorwas up against some stiff competition for this award, and again,FF7 Rebirthwas perhaps its greatest direct competitor. ButRebirthbeing the middle entry in a trilogy, and including a lot of fillerwhileMetaphoris more rich in value, probably hurt the former’s chances.TheSilent Hill 2remake is another titlethat could have conceivably beatenMetaphorhere, but its status as a remake means that its shocking narrative and mature themes don’t hit quite as hard as they did in 2001.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
WHERE TO PLAY
From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.Control your destiny, face your fears, and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.
