Metaphor: ReFantazio has been named the 2024 Game of the Year by the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR). The announcement was made on March 12, 2025, in Baltimore as part of the organization’s 24th annual awards program.
The fantasy RPG from Sega’s Atlus studio secured six awards in total, including recognition for Art Direction (Fantasy), Costume Design, Game Design (New IP), Original RPG, and Original Dramatic Score (New IP).
The game tied with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which also claimed six awards, including Art Direction (Period Influence), Gameplay Design (Franchise), Game (Franchise Adventure), and Original Dramatic Score (Franchise).
Sony’s most acclaimed title of 2024, Astro Bot, won five awards, including Best Family Game (Franchise).
Chinese sensation Black Myth: Wukong followed with four awards, including Character Design, Original Action Game, Animation (Technical), and Original or Adapted Song.
In terms of development studios, MachineGames and Atlus tied for the most awards with six each. On the publishing side, Sega and Sony Interactive Entertainment led with eight awards apiece.
Voice actor Troy Baker made history with his fourth career win for his performance in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. This achievement sets him as NAVGTR’s most awarded voice performer, breaking his previous tie with Laura Bailey.
Complete List of 2024 NAVGTR Award Winners
- Animation, Artistic: Harold Halibut
- Animation, Technical: Black Myth: Wukong
- Art Direction, Contemporary: Helldivers 2
- Art Direction, Fantasy: Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Art Direction, Period Influence: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Camera Direction in a Game Engine: Astro Bot
- Character Design: Black Myth: Wukong
- Control Design, 2D or Limited 3D/VR: Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Control Design, 3D: Astro Bot
- Control Precision: Astro Bot
- Costume Design: Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Direction in a Game Cinema: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Direction in Virtual Reality: Alien: Rogue Incursion
- Engineering: Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
- Gameplay Design, Franchise: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Gameplay Design, New IP: Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Game of the Year: Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Game, Classic Revival: Silent Hill 2
- Game, Franchise Action: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Game, Franchise Adventure: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Game, Franchise Family: Astro Bot
- Game, Franchise Role Playing: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Game, Original Action: Black Myth: Wukong
- Game, Original Adventure: Death Game Hotel
- Game, Original Family: The Plucky Squire
- Game, Original Role Playing: Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Game, Fighting: Tekken 8
- Game, Puzzle: Balatro
- Game, Racing: F1 24
- Game, Rhythm: Maestro
- Game, Simulation: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
- Game, Special Class: Infinity Nikki
- Game, Sports: College Football 25
- Game, Strategy: Age of Mythology: Retold
- Graphics, Technical: Astro Bot
- Lighting/Texturing: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Original Dramatic Score, Franchise: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Original Dramatic Score, New IP: Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Original Light Mix Score, Franchise: Princess Peach: Showtime
- Original Light Mix Score, New IP: The Rise of the Golden Idol
- Performance in a Comedy, Lead: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Kazuhiro Nakaya as “Ichiban Kasuga”
- Performance in a Comedy, Supporting: Helldivers 2 – Craig Lee Thomas as “Super Earth Spokesperson”
- Performance in a Drama, Lead: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Troy Baker as “Indiana Jones”
- Performance in a Drama, Supporting: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Alessandra Mastronardi as “Gina”
- Song, Original or Adapted: Black Myth: Wukong – I See
- Sound Editing in a Game Cinema: Star Wars Outlaws
- Sound Effects: Helldivers 2
- Sound Mixing in Virtual Reality: Alien: Rogue Incursion
- Use of Sound, Franchise: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Use of Sound, New IP: Still Wakes the Deep
- Writing in a Comedy: Thank Goodness You’re Here!
- Writing in a Drama: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
The organization has already announced key dates for next year’s awards, with entries due by November 24, 2025, and winners to be announced on March 11, 2026.
Gaming enthusiasts interested in the complete list of categories, nominees, and winners can find this information on the NAVGTR website.
