Game of the Year: #2 - Metaphor: ReFantazio 1
Image: Push Square

Making a game that feels genuinely unique only gets harder as time goes on. And while Metaphor: ReFantazio borrows a lot of ideas from Atlus' other properties, it provides a brilliantly unique fantasy adventure through its intriguing world, colorful characters, stellar art direction, and booming orchestral soundtrack.

This is an enriching RPG that stands out in a year that's been packed with great examples of the genre. Metaphor makes for a truly memorable journey, and that might be why it seems to have resonated so strongly with both critics and players.

Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube152k
Watch on YouTube

Indeed, the best games are always about memorable moments. Whether they're through impactful storytelling or dynamic gameplay, these memories end up defining so many of our favourite titles — and Metaphor has them in abundance.

Again, the visuals and music do a lot of heavy lifting, but we'd be mad to gloss over the game's excellent turn-based combat. Riding a very fine line between being absolutely brutal and immensely satisfying, battles bring a thrilling sense of escalation to this tale of plucky underdogs.

However, we think it's Metaphor's characters — and the world building that surrounds them — that will solidify the game's lasting legacy. All of them are so carefully written, brimming with personality and always offering fresh perspectives on both the setting and the story that's unfolding.

What's more, Louis has to be the most endearingly diabolical villain of the year.

Atlus smashed it with Metaphor: ReFantazio — and we can only hope that this is just the beginning of another superb RPG series.

Push Square's Game of the Year top 10 is decided by votes coming from internal staff and regular contributors. Our community Game of the Year poll also factors into the result. Feel free to agree or disagree with our list in the comments section below.

You can check out all of our Game of the Year coverage by clicking the link.

Do you agree with Metaphor: ReFantazio being our #2 Game of the Year?