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2024 was a great year in terms of launches. Something that is demonstrated in the list of GOTY nominees which, aside from regular and annual controversies, They bring together the best of these twelve months. And Indiana Jones didn't have time to run for nominations.
But like every year, the debate is served. What if Wukong had a lower average on Metacritic than the other non-nominated games, yet another contempt for Xbox, and if DLC could now enter… A whole debate raging on social networks and to which we cannot add much, except wait for the final result the following morning of December 13 in Europe.
But among all the names of candidates, the one who writes these lines has a clear favorite: Metaphor: ReFantazio. Since Atlus announced this new IP on the Internet, a wave of excitement and curiosity has been generated to see what Persona's parents could create. A new team who wanted to take advantage of everything they learned in the saga to create something new that moves away from the student environment. Something more mature.
With all this on the table, Metaphor: ReFantazio arrived on our consoles with very clear lines and ideas: reinvent the JRPG genre while retaining the narrative and personal essence of its games. Something he achieved in spades, with a very complete game that delivers on all these promises and more, once again elevating JRPGs to the status of gaming Olympus.
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Just with that That should be enough to be a GOTY winner, let's not deny it. Of the nominees, the only one I can affirm these concepts is the work of Atlus. But in case you don't know much, I have other arguments in its favor.
A world that invites you to dream and explore
One of Atlus' biggest achievements with its new IP is undoubtedly its world. Far from current modernity and more Japanese environments, the company recreates a unique medieval world, rich in details and inviting to learn more. Inspired by classic fantasy, each region of the map is unique and is full of details that tell their own stories. The architecture, the flora and fauna, even the NPCs we meet on our journey have something to tell. All this motivates the player to want to continue exploring and discover everything about this world.
In addition, Metaphor: ReFantazio rewards this curiosity with side quests which stray from the ordinary and offer richly written side stories or secrets to discover. With all this and an impressive visual section, every corner of the map seems alive and meaningful.
A fight that combines classic and modern
The experience of metaphor is mainly based on three fundamental pillars. We have already detailed the first, while the second is, without a doubt, its gameplay, where Atlus has achieved the perfect balance between classic and modern. The purest JRPG strategy with the fluidity and dynamism of the most current titles. A combination that results in challenging and highly entertaining gameplay.
Plus, it has the right level of depth and customization thanks to the archetypes, an evolution of the famous Dragon Quest works. A customization system that allows us to adapt our group of heroes to various situations and above all to our style of play. An easy idea to understand, but mastering it will take time, giving unparalleled depth to its gameplay.
And we will put all this into practice against enemies that are well designed and balanced, with adequate variety and, above all, which present significant challenges. There will be no easy paths, no strategies that always work, but the game invites us to innovate and find the best way to face combat at any time.
A powerful story with characters who leave traces
The third pile we were talking about is undoubtedly your powerful story. Porque metaphor: ReFantazio deals with subjects that few games have dared to tackle, such as racism or social exclusion. It's not just about good versus evil, but about accepting everyone as equals, regardless of where they were born or their social position. Subjects that Atlus deals with brilliantly, with meaningful messages.
Additionally, everything is backed by a group of characters who leave their mark, with great story arcs which explore these themes and others such as identity, sacrifice or the desire for transcendence. As we delve deeper into their personal stories, we will connect more with them, not only in gameplay, but on a personal level, by getting involved.
Again, Metaphor: ReFantazio has one of the most powerful narratives we can remembermaking the story the middle of a whole.
Certainly, 2024 features an impressive list of GOTY candidates and the favorite of many is Shadow of the Erdtree, the Elden Ring DLC. AND No one, not even me, doubts its quality as a game or expansion and surely brings much more content than newly released games. But in the end, It's still an expansion that requires the original game to appreciate and it doesn't bring anything new in itself.
But beyond these impressive suitors, Metaphor: ReFantazio stands out for its incredible world, its storytelling and unique gameplay that knows how to mix the best of two worlds. All this helps set a new standard in the JRPG genre, a fact that no other contender can claim in its respective genres. A more than solid argument to be the GOTY of 2024, because it means a before and an after.
It is a work which celebrates the best in gaming and also demonstrates its ability to inspire, challenge and excite. A game that deals with current issues such as social segregation or discrimination. A title that knows how to show the good and evil of society through characters who address subjects as personal and current as one's own identity, the feeling of not being good at something or of not having a destiny.
For all these reasons, Matephor: ReFantazio should be the 2024 GOTY.
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