BNP Staff Favorites for 2024: Video Games

So…2024 was a hell of a year. Both eventful and in some respects…hellish. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t some high points. Here are the video games we were grinding on, here are the games that had scenes that had some of us bawling our eyes out, and here are the games that made this (silly, silly, silly) year one to remember.

Metaphor ReFantazio (October 2024) [Trailer]

Hi, I’m here to cry. I walked into this game with no expectations, I just knew that my favorite game for the last eight years has been Persona 5/Persona 5 Royal, and I couldn’t fathom anything that could top it any time soon. *Spins in chair* Reader, I am nothing but a grape under Hulkenberg’s heel. Do you know how much I screamed in the final quarter of 2024 simply because of the plot twists in this game? Reader, I wept. The gameplay, the heart, the storyline, Metaphor ReFantazio had no business being this good. (Granted, it’s arguably the most harrowing game to play during the American election cycle) but wow; by the heavens, I can’t imagine a world without this game. This was such a necessary story in its execution. The way the game talks about racism, class divides, oppression, and grief? Wow. I want a masterclass on storyline building from these narrative designers. If you love a writer, get this game. If you hate a writer, get this game so you can talk shit about their writing. So much love was put into this game, and I hope it is felt every day by the players. Personally, Metaphor ReFantazio wa…