2024 Game of the Year Contender Has Free Download Available Until May 31

Metaphor: ReFantazio, the 2024 JRPG that won numerous Game of the Year awards at several outlets and was in the running at many others, is free to download for Game Pass subscribers until it leaves the service on May 31. Upon release, Metaphor: ReFantazio was met with rave reviews and won the Grand Prize at the Japan Game Awards. Though nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024, Astro Bot took home the big prize, while Metaphor won Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, and Best Role-Playing Game.

Metaphor: ReFantazio comes from Studio Zero, a division of Atlus, the developer and publisher best known for the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchises. Katsura Hashino, the game’s director, also helmed Persona 3, 4, and 5. Though it is an original IP and not a spin-off, many have compared Metaphor to the Persona franchise, noting the shared features and mechanics between the two.

Microsoft announced on May 19 that the highly praised Metaphor: ReFantazio will be leaving Game Pass on May 31 along with several other titles, including another beloved Atlus RPG, Persona 4 Golden. As some games leave the service, new ones come on board like Remnant 2, Final Fantasy 6, and the recently released Forza Horizon 6. Those interested in taking advantage of Metaphor: ReFantazio‘s free download as part of the Game Pass service will need to sign up for Game Pass Premium, Ultimate, or PC Game Pass to access the game before May 31.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a very long game, taking anywhere between 60 and 100 hours to beat. There could be some Game Pass subscribers who are already in the middle of a playthrough and might not have time to beat it before May 31 rolls around. Additionally, anybody who planned to try it out might be discouraged from doing so, knowing they will not have time to complete the game before it leaves the service. However, titles exiting Game Pass are usually discounted for anybody looking to buy it, and saved progress will carry over.

Put the consoles in the correct order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)

While some gamers might not like the idea of a lengthy title leaving the service, Metaphor: ReFantazio‘s yearlong stint on Game Pass most likely made it available to some gamers who otherwise would not have touched the 2024 JRPG. Its status as a new IP should make it more appealing to newcomers as well.

Several titles are also coming to Microsoft’s subscription service on day one in the second half of the month. Luna Abyss, Echo Generation 2, and Crashout Crew will all be free to download for Game Pass Ultimate members. The announcement ends with a reminder that an Xbox Showcase is coming in June, though it gives no hints as to what might be announced.