As voted by our staff, Metaphor: ReFantazio from Studio Zero and ATLUS is GameLuster’s 2024 Game of the Year! See the rest of our winners for our various awards here!
Do you believe in love at first pause screen? When I first saw Metaphor’s reveal trailer (or, re-reveal if we count Project Re:Fantasy‘s tease way back in 2016), I was transfixed. That signature ATLUS style, given new life with a high fantasy setting, was mesmerising. The story hinted at felt grand, the characters shown off immediately felt intriguing, and the world put on display was one I knew I would want to get lost in for a long, long time.
Fast forward to the time of writing and I, among others, have done exactly that. I’ve spent hours getting deep into the weeds of Metaphor’s many stories and systems – most notably, the Archetypes. Immediately familiar yet clearly different to anyone who’s played an ATLUS RPG before, the Archetypes are the summons with which we fight. They are your primary means of casting spells and dealing damage. They’re also impeccably designed. Each Archetype boasts a striking aesthetic that accentuates the ideal they represent, as well as uniquely animated moves that never get old (shout out Meteophor, all my retainers love Meteophor). What excites me most, though, is how utterly versatile they are.
The right to wield multiple Archetypes is not limited to the protagonist (that’s Will, if you’re into ATLUS “canon” names). Every party member gets access to every lineage of Archetype, including their own signature ones which capture their spirit well. Then, Skill Inheritance allows you to mix and match moves across Archetypes—put simply, the buildcraft goes crazy. Whether you’re after a great all-rounder build to clear a mixed dungeon or an insanely powerful bosskiller, the sky (and your magla) is the limit.
Leveling your characters even acts as an extension of the storytelling. Each character’s stat upgrades, undetermined by the player, lend themselves to their signature Archetype lineage. Yet, that same lineage demands they go out and raise specific Archetypes from other lineages. Want that shiny Magic Knight for Hulkenberg, my beloved? You’re going to have to switch over and level the Mage on her. These requirements get more complex as the story progresses. To grow their own archetypal ideals, the party must first walk in the shoes of others. The overarching theme of empathy and understanding others extends even to Metaphor’s core systems.
Of course, empathy is hardly difficult in Metaphor. With their new tale, Studio Zero have crafted one of the most lovable parties I’ve ever had the pleasure of journeying with. They’re charming, funny, tragic, earnest, into some weird foods, and ever-committed to their own grand ideals. Not to mention beautifully voice acted, with a cast I would award every accolade if I could. Everyone gets their own arc played through their social link, and each one had me glued to my seat. I could very comfortably write an entire article on each of them—for concision’s sake, though, I’ll limit myself to a loving shoutout to Heismay. The man goes through a grand tale of redemption, with growth both personal and societal affected by his deeds. He’s also peak character design, with the enveloping deep voice of Philippe Spall being a surprisingly perfect fit for Heismay’s small-but-mighty build. I love my video game dad.
This is to say nothing of the villains, side characters, and even the diverse array of random NPCs who give this world its personality. Louis is immediately intriguing as a main foil, deftly commanding both my respect and disdain in equal measure. Forden’s a bastard, Catherina’s a loveable meathead, and Brigitta really, really needs a hug. At every turn, Metaphor offers new stories to get lost in, all slowly tying their way back to the main tale: a mad dash for the throne with conspiracies aplenty. I found myself yelling in surprise, dumbstruck with shock, and moved to tears multiple times throughout my playthrough.
Striking visuals definitely encouraged these waves of emotion. Deserved winner of multiple art direction awards at this point, Metaphor is just gorgeous to look at. Our main party all sport memorable character designs, with the protagonist’s suit being my favorite. Each locale boasts a different aesthetic, capturing the vibes of grand cities, quaint villages, trading ports, and everything in between. Finally, a grand journey would be nothing without a sweeping vista or two—enter the Gauntlet Runner. While traveling to various destinations, our driver Neuras will occasionally pull over just to get the party to admire the scenery. We’re gifted with stunning stills, quaint conversation, and even a stat boost for good measure. Metaphor knows it looks gorgeous, and revels in it.
And then there’s the music. I cannot touch on absolutely everything for a short GOTY puff piece, but let me tell you: Shoji Meguro cooked, perhaps harder than he ever has before. By now, most of you will have heard the excellent battle theme (if you haven’t, please stop reading now and go listen to it). Even more impressive, though, is how well the soundtrack fits in everything you do. Where previous ATLUS titles have offered us a multitude of bangers that find a natural home in any workout or driving playlist, Metaphor’s music feels almost purpose built to blend into the background of gameplay, accentuating every action we take and lulling us into a genuine sense of immersion. I’ve caught myself humming the Grand Trad and Gauntlet Runner themes time and again.
There’s not much else I can say in such a short space. Studio Zero’s debut title continues its founder Katsura Hashino’s legendary legacy, welcoming us all to the United Kingdom of Euchronia with open arms and never letting go. With delightfully intricate systems, top class performances, and that signature ATLUS style, Metaphor: ReFantazio is GameLuster’s 2024 Game of the Year.
Have you played Metaphor? Do you agree it’s 2024’s Game of the Year, or did your favorite get snubbed? Comment below!
You nailed it!! Not only it is my GotY, it’s now the first game I’ll point to when asked about whether or not video games are art. This is a great game and an excellent piece of art. Until now, I’d felt Persona 4 was their best work, but they’ve gone well beyond that with Metaphor.