Game of the Year 2024: Analyzing the Nominees

Astro Bot

Regarding its Metascore of 94, should Astro Bot follow suit with its gaming award votes, it’s a clear winner for the 2024 GOTY.

This family-friendly, action-adventure PS5 exclusive is beautifully put together, with its nostalgic elements giving it broad appeal. It’s a title playable by all generations, with an upbeat and completely unfaultable vibe.

Whether or not Astro Bot takes the crown of GOTY is unknown, but with seven nominations across various award categories, it’s almost guaranteed to take at least one award home on the night.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Excellent mechanics, unforgettable characters and solid storylines are the primary makeup of Metaphor: ReFantazio. RPGs aren’t new to be considered for GOTY awards, and although Final Fantasy is a strong contender in this genre, it might be Atlus’ time to shine.

Similar to Astro Bot, Metaphor’s Metascore is a strong 94. However, with public voting involved, its lack of broad appeal might struggle against some of the bigger names on the nominees list.

Balatro

A card game with no narrative up for GOTY; who would’ve guessed it? Well, that’s precisely what Balatro is, and its Metascore of 90 proves that it shouldn’t be overlooked.

People who play Balatro love it, and this isn’t going to change before GOTY awards have been tallied. Furthermore, they’ve just dropped a mobile version, which is perfect timing to remind voters why they couldn’t put this game down in the first place.

It’s overperformed since its release and game nominations, as we’ve never witnessed a card game receive five nominations for awards in history.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Whenever a Final Fantasy title is nominated for an award, its competitors should expect the worst and hope for the best.

FF7 Rebirth is a huge production from a world-renowned series that has captivated audiences for decades, and despite being a PS5 exclusive, it was the Most Anticipated Game of 2023.

In contrast to Metaphor, its RPG rival, Final Fantasy could thrive off the public vote despite having a lower Metascore of 02.

Black Myth: Wukong

Everyone loves an underdog, and that’s exactly what Black Myth: Wukong brings to the table: underdog status.

Since GOTY conversations have emerged online, it’s the most mentioned game alongside FF7 Rebirth. Although action-adventure games usually struggle to win GOTY, this technical masterpiece has huge support.

Unfortunately, a Metascore of 81 places Black Myth at the bottom of the critical consensus regarding GOTY nominations. In addition, its biggest audience is from China, and this nation’s presence within the voting jury is small.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Controversy surrounds the Shadow of the Erdtree simply because it’s an expansion instead of a full game. Voters were surprised to see its entry into GOTY, which could certainly prevent its chance of success.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion for a game that won this award in 2022. However, it’s the best-reviewed game of 2024, sitting alongside Astro Bot and Meaphor with a 94 score. Despite its expansion, the cult following of Elden Ring and this franchise still position it as a serious contender.

The Game Awards 2024 Details:

• Date: Thursday, Dec 12, at 7:30 p.m. EST
• Where to Watch: Streaming on official Game Awards’ socials: YouTube, X, Twitch, Instagram, Steam, TikTok and Facebook.