As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the games that have defined the year. Among the many memorable titles, one game stands out as the clear winner of MonsterVine’s Game of the Year: Metaphor: ReFantazio.
A bold new chapter from Atlus, this title blends the best elements of its predecessors while introducing a unique fantasy setting and innovative gameplay that has captivated players worldwide. From its deep job system to its heartfelt narrative, Metaphor: ReFantazio has left a lasting impression on all who have played it
2024 Game of the Year – Metaphor: ReFantazio
I was blown away by Metaphor: ReFantazio at every step of the playing process. The characters and gameplay were finely honed versions of Atlus’ already excellent works, while the world and music have stood out to me since first booting up the title. Games like Metaphor don’t come around too often, and I highly recommend anyone check it out, as it goes above and beyond any expectation you may have. – Spencer
I love the Persona series, but I was nervous about Metaphor: ReFantazio. I don’t like fantasy settings all that much, and I wasn’t sure a shift in the formula would be welcomed, but I’m happy to report that every expectation I had was blown out of the water. Metaphor: ReFantazio is the culmination of years of turn-based expertise, creating a flexible and deep job system with the Archetypes. The story takes strong, if simple, political stances, but what it has to say about a nation in crisis and the work required to fix it resonated with me on a deep level. – James
From the moment Metaphor: ReFantazio was officially revealed, I was excited for it, and the game didn’t let me down. While at first I joked about it just being Persona in a full fantasy setting, it took that familiar formula and added some new twists that really make it stand out as something I want to see more of. The turn-based combat, job system, story, and especially the characters all came together to make it one of the most memorable games of 2024 for me. – Samantha
I am a Shin Megami Tensei man, and tend to enjoy the main line entries in the series more than things like Persona which I do like, just not as much. Seeing the news that Atlus was letting the Persona team do their own thing not tied to that property filled me with excitement from the second I saw the announcement and after finally beating it I can say I am not disappointed. The art style, the structure, the combat, the Archtype (Job) System all worked together with the story to present a strong, unified vision and message. It absolutely knocked that out of the park in the end too, I cried, I stood from my couch pumping my fist. Metaphor: ReFantazio absolutely deserves GotY, it was my personal one as well! – Frank
I love two things, Shin Megami Tensei and fantasy RPGs. Persona is SMT-ish so I guess I got what I wanted! I can sit here and talk about how great Metaphor: ReFantazio is, and it is great, I voted for it. But, I’d like to take a moment to talk about our lord and savior Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2, which is Metaphor but in a sci-fi setting and without the calendar system. Please, consider Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 for your next foray into Atlus games. Oh, right, Metaphor. Game rules. The archetype/job system works really well despite its flaws, and I think Studio Zero really laid the groundwork for exploring some more spin-offs within the SMT universe. 2024 had a lot of must plays but I think Metaphor really takes the cake in being THE must play game of the year. – Nick
Closing Thoughts
In a year full of exceptional games, Metaphor: ReFantazio has emerged as a standout title, surpassing expectations and delivering an unforgettable experience. Its blend of familiar Atlus craftsmanship with fresh innovations makes it the ultimate choice for Game of the Year.
