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Every year, the gaming industry awaits the largest awards ceremony. The Game Awards 2024 was no exception. Among many contenders, the game Metaphor ReFantazio stood out, winning the title of the best RPG of the year. This project from Atlus combined a unique artistic style, innovative mechanics and a deep story. It became an example of what a next-generation role-playing game should look like.

A well-deserved victory at the annual ceremony is not just recognition of the developers’ efforts, it is a signal for the entire industry: the RPG genre continues to evolve. A mixture of fantasy, social elements and non-linear storytelling created a product that competed on equal terms with the most famous games of the year.

Why Metaphor: ReFantazio became the best RPG game of the year

The victory was not an accident. The concept set new standards of quality, offering unique mechanics and an amazing atmosphere. Created by the creators of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, it absorbed the best of Japanese role-playing traditions, adding modern elements that made the gameplay more exciting and dynamic.

An important feature was the deep plot, intertwining themes of power, loyalty and the struggle for ideals. At the center of the story is the main character, who must overcome obstacles in a fantasy kingdom full of magic and intrigue. Each decision affects the development of the plot, and the non-linearity allows you to experience unique events with each new playthrough.

The opinions of critics and editors of leading gaming publications, such as Gamespot, agreed on one thing: the game Metaphor: ReFantazio became the best RPG of the year due to the quality of development and a unique combination of tradition and innovation. The atmosphere holds attention until the final credits, and the characters are remembered for a long time.

Mechanics and gameplay of Metaphor: ReFantazio

The project is based on a turn-based battle system, but with elements of strategy and tactics. Players are given a wide range of options for customizing heroes and their abilities. Using combinations of attacks, magic spells and special techniques allows you to create an individual combat style. Each fight requires careful planning and analysis of the enemy’s weaknesses.

The world consists of several kingdoms, each of which has its own culture, political systems and secrets. Exploring these locations allows you to open new quests and find unique artifacts. The gameplay includes elements of a social system, where interaction with NPCs affects the development of the plot. The user can form alliances, participate in political intrigue and influence the outcome of key events.

Artistic style and atmosphere of Metaphor: ReFantazio: features of the best game

The character design is made in a recognizable manner, which is combined with a dark and mysterious environment. The kingdoms are filled with details: from architecture to vegetation, which creates the feeling of a living and breathing world.

Particular attention is paid to animations and spell effects. Each use of magic is accompanied by bright flashes of light and dynamic movements of the heroes. Such elaboration makes the battles spectacular and exciting. The artistic style emphasizes the contrast between light and darkness, creating a unique atmosphere of struggle and hope.

The musical accompaniment also plays an important role. The composer uses orchestral arrangements with elements of electronic music to convey the emotional intensity of the events. In each episode, the melody emphasizes the mood – from anxious tension to triumphant joy.

What makes Metaphor: ReFantazio stand out from the competition

At The Game Awards 2024, in addition to Metaphor: ReFantazio, such hits as Final Fantasy XVI and Baldur’s Gate 3 competed for the title of best RPG game. Each of these projects has high quality, a detailed world and exciting gameplay. However, it was Metaphor: ReFantazio that was able to combine unique elements that took it to a new level and ensured a well-deserved victory. Why?

1. Deep nonlinearity. Every decision made has a direct impact on the plot and the world of the game. The developers from Atlus created a system where choices are not limited to obvious “good” or “evil”. The protagonist’s actions lead to unexpected consequences that manifest themselves in the development of characters, the discovery of new locations and final scenes. For example, alliances with different factions can completely change the political landscape of the kingdom. This approach allows for a unique experience with each new playthrough, and the plot forks encourage you to explore all possible options for the development of events.
   Innovative combat system.
2. The mechanics combine classic elements of turn-based battles with a deep strategic component. Each fight requires careful planning and analysis of the enemy. The player can combine attacks, use magic spells and activate the unique abilities of their characters. Tactical depth is manifested through a system of enemy weaknesses, positioning on the battlefield and the ability to combine attacks to create powerful combos. Unlike standard turn-based battles, here the dynamics are maintained due to the constant need to make decisions and adapt to the situation.
3. Social mechanics. Interaction with NPCs goes far beyond standard dialogues. Social mechanics in the project allow the user to form relationships, enter into alliances and influence the fate of the heroes. The development of these connections opens up new storylines, side quests and even unique abilities for comrades in arms. For example, helping a certain character can result in them becoming an ally at a critical moment or providing access to rare resources. These elements are reminiscent of the bond system from the Persona series, but implemented on a larger scale, affecting the fate of entire kingdoms.

While many RPG games focus on dynamic action scenes and spectacular special effects, the best game by far, Metaphor: ReFantazio, focuses on storytelling and character development. The storyline dives into emotional and philosophical questions, forcing you to think about the consequences of your decisions.

Who else won at The Game Awards 2024

Many projects received well-deserved recognition at the ceremony. In addition to the triumph of Metaphor: ReFantazio, the following best games took home awards:

1. Astro Bot — winner in the Game of the Year category.
2. Black Fantasy — best project with outstanding design.
3. Baldur’s Gate 3 — victory in the Best Multiplayer Game category.

The concepts showed a variety of genres and approaches. Each victory became a symbol of the developers’ achievements and their contribution to the development of the industry.

Conclusion

The victory of the best game Metaphor ReFantazio at The Game Awards 2024 is recognition of a new era of RPG. The project showed that the genre continues to evolve, offering players deep stories, innovative mechanics and stunning visual style. This triumph inspires developers to create even more ambitious projects, and users – to new exciting adventures.

Cyberpunk 2077 makes you take a fresh look at the world of the future, full of contradictions and temptations, mirages and real dangers. We present 10 reasons why you should immerse yourself in this neon nightmare and test your strength in a world where technology and human passions intertwine in an extraordinary dance.

1. The atmosphere of Night City, which makes you live by different laws

Cyberpunk 2077 is life in the world of Night City, where each block lives by its own rules. The atmosphere of the city is created by an incredible combination of architecture, sound design and visual components:

Neon splendor is more than just graphics. Graphic elements are made on the REDengine 4 engine, with Ray Tracing support, which gives neon lights and shadows depth and realism. Walk along the streets of the city – each sign, each building glows with unique neon shades that are mesmerizing.

Soundtrack as part of the gameplay. Auditory sensations also play an important role – tracks from Refused, representing the legendary Samurai band, add an atmosphere of rebellion and anarchy. The sounds of gunshots, sirens, people screaming – all this creates a unique feeling of a living city.

The culture of the future, which is already knocking on the door. Cyberpunk 2077 is a symbiosis of subcultures: from nomads to corporations, each group with its own philosophy and approach to life. They determine the style, lifestyle and interaction with the outside world.

2. Unique characters that will not leave you indifferent

One of the strengths of Cyberpunk 2077 is the development of characters. The heroes create the illusion of life, in which everyone has their own motives and goals:

1. Johnny Silverhand: a legend within the game. Keanu Reeves brilliantly embodied the character, who became an icon of resistance against corporations. Johnny is the spirit of the revolution, and his attitude to the world makes you think about the nature of power and freedom.
2. A Woman with a Destiny: Panam Palmer. Panam is one of the key figures with whom the protagonist can establish a personal relationship. Her inner struggle and rejection from the nomads make you feel the reality of the choice between personal freedom and obligations.

Meet Night City: the characters that make up its soul. Victor, who helps with cyber implants, Judy, who is a specialist in virtual reality – they all add depth and an emotional component to the game.

3. A plot that keeps you in suspense until the last minutes

The plot of Cyberpunk 2077 is multi-layered and variable, which allows each playthrough to be unique:

1. Each decision affects the ending of the game. For example, the choice of allies or the approach to completing a mission radically changes the development of the plot. CD Projekt Red tried to make each fork in the road as significant as possible.
2. The line of love and personal relationships. The hero can have romantic relationships, which makes the game more human and personal. These relationships are not just an option, but really affect the hero’s experiences and motivations.
3. Deep themes and social issues. The project touches on transhumanism, moral dilemmas, and corporations that manipulate humanity. Themes of mind control and lost identity permeate the entire plot.

4. The ability to become anyone – the role-playing component

Cyberpunk 2077 offers a flexible role-playing system that allows you to adapt the character to your own style:

1. Personalization. Character customization includes choosing appearance, cyber implants, skills, and even origin (nomad, corporate, street kid). This allows you to feel the storylines more deeply.
2. A variety of approaches to the gameplay. Do you want to be a hacker who quietly penetrates systems? Or do you prefer to act head-on, with a flamethrower in your hands? Cyberpunk 2077 gives you choices, and each style brings a unique gaming experience.
3. The importance of choices and their consequences. Every decision, be it a battle or a dialogue, has consequences. For example, destroying a certain boss can lead to a war between factions or to changes in Night City itself.

5. Amazing quest design

A Cyberpunk 2077 review cannot be complete without mentioning the unique approach to quests, which are varied and thought out to the smallest detail:

1. Main and side missions are deep stories. Main quests reveal the plot and help to understand the world, while side missions often concern the personal stories of characters. For example, one of the side missions is related to the search for Judy’s friend, and it can amaze with its emotional depth.
2. Multi-layered quests and their branching. Completing a mission can open up additional lines and opportunities. Often, the same quest can be completed in different ways: with a negotiation approach or in the Rambo style.
3. Unique characters within quests. Each mission will greet you with unique NPCs, which are made with love for detail and have their own personal story.

6. Future technologies embodied in the game

Technology is the heart of Cyberpunk 2077, it makes the session dynamic and multi-layered:

1. Cyberimplants and their impact on the gameplay. In the process, you can install various cyberimplants: from enhancing vision to installing claws that turn your hands into deadly weapons. This helps to adapt the character to the style of play and makes it unique.
2. Modern weapons and gadgets. The weapons in the game are varied – from smart guns that can aim at a target to energy swords. Gadgets such as drones and grenades with a pulse charge make the battle even more interesting.
3. Artificial intelligence and interaction with NPCs. Artificial intelligence is truly impressive: NPCs react to your actions, remember and even change their attitude towards the hero depending on your actions.

7. Multiplayer mode and its prospects

1. Although Cyberpunk 2077 was initially released as a single-player game, the developers promised to implement a multiplayer mode.
2. Potential for a joint session. The multiplayer mode will allow you to explore Night City with friends, organize joint raids and complete tasks.
3. Competition with other representatives of the genre. The developers plan to make the multiplayer mode such that it competes with well-known projects like GTA Online.

8. Unique art design and visual splendor

Cyberpunk 2077 amazes with its visual style and design, which is inspired by the subculture:

1. The game designers were inspired by the works of writers such as William Gibson and films like Blade Runner. This is felt in every detail of the city and its inhabitants.
2. Development of visual elements. The visual style of Night City involved creating over 1,500 unique objects, from signs to holograms, to make the user feel like they are in a fully-fledged world of the future.
3. Reflections of real megacities in the design of Night City. The city’s architecture was inspired by Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Mexico City – a mixture of neon, glass, and concrete creates the feeling of an oversaturated, but living city.

9. Post-release support and content expansions

CD Projekt Red continues to support Cyberpunk 2077 by releasing patches and expansions:

1. Bug fixes and gameplay improvements. After the release, the game faced criticism, and the developers actively worked on fixing bugs and improving performance.
2. Add-ons and DLC. Several DLCs have already been released, adding new quests, weapons, and clothing for characters. This allows you to extend the enjoyment of the session and explore new aspects of the world.

10. Variety of endings – each game is unique

Every decision affects the ending in Cyberpunk 2077.

1. The impact of choices on the ending. The developers have created several endings that depend on the actions throughout the session. For example, whether you decide to help Johnny Silverhand or remain loyal to the corporation – all this changes the outcome.
2. Emotional nuances of different endings. Some endings are very dramatic and touch on serious topics, making you think about the price of progress and human nature.
3. Replayability and new opportunities. The variety of endings encourages you to play the game again to find out how events can unfold with different choices.

Conclusion

Cyberpunk 2077 is a window into the future, full of choice, danger, and freedom. Immerse yourself in this world, where every step is important, and every choice is part of a big adventure. If you are looking for something more than just entertainment, Cyberpunk 2077 is definitely worth your attention.