We could pick one game to rule them all. We could pick categories and choose a high-flyer for each one. We could pick our highest-scoring game of this year and be done with it. But we’re not.
Different people have different tastes, different criteria for judgement and very different standards, and so, we’re letting the team have their say. We only get one nomination each. Welcome to our picks for what we think deserves to be 2024’s Game of the Year.
Honourable Mentions
As mentioned above, we only get the one vote each, which means inevitably some outstanding games simply won’t make the cut due to another gaining some form of small yet noteworthy edge over them. It’s here where these respectable runner-ups get their mention, those that still deserve their badges of excellence even if they didn’t quite make the favourites list this time.
We begin with the stunning visuals and glorious spectacle that is the post-apocalyptic treat of Stellar Blade. Also making the list as an epic, narrative JRPG adventure, is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. For a JRPG with an anime-styled aesthetic, none have received quite so much praise as Metaphor: ReFantazio. For indie titles, the PS5 release of Vampire Survivors is making waves on the internet. As for faithful remakes, Silent Hill 2 is certainly bringing a great deal of joy to many skeptics.
Now, the main event…here’s our picks.
Darren’s Pick: Astro Bot
Astro Bot is a 3D platformer game developed by Team Asobi and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 5. It is a sequel to Astro’s Playroom (2020) and the first game featuring the character to have been developed by Team Asobi since its separation from Japan Studio.
The game was released in celebration of PlayStation’s 30th anniversary and received universal acclaim from critics, having sold 1.5 million units by November 2024, and even won Game of the Year at this year’s Game Awards.
What we said…
“Astro Bot has something for everyone, fun, challenge, collectibles, nostalgia references and more. An absolute must for any PlayStation fan.” – Darren
Estelle’s Pick: Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an action role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. It is the fourth major game in the Dragon Age franchise, and the sequel to Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Set ten years after Inquisition, the game features new locations in the fictional world of Thedas for the player to explore. The story follows a player character known as Rook, who attempts to stop Solas, also known as the elven trickster god Fen’Harel, from destroying the Veil that imprisons wicked elven gods.
What we said…
“Okay, so hear me out. The game isn’t narratively exactly in line with what the original game was like, however, once you look past these small inconveniences is a game that I spent over 100 hours with. This was the most fun I’ve had with a Dragon Age game since Dragon Age 2. There is so much to enjoy that it’s a shame that we won’t be getting any more content for the series until the next release, whenever that is.” – Estelle
Zachary’s Pick: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Elden Ring released to critical acclaim and has been cited as among the greatest video games of all time. The major DLC expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, was released in June 2024 to similar acclaim and sold over five million copies, bringing with it dozens of hours of new exploration, exposition and combat.
It follows the player character in the Land of Shadow and is perhaps FromSoftware’s most lore-heavy creation yet, offering explicit details on the fallen gods and fearsome foes of the Lands Between, if you’re brave enough to find them, that is.
What we said...
“Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection & Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection are the real Games of the Year, though Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree [gets my vote]” – Zachary
Alan’s Pick: Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the sequel to Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) and the second in a planned trilogy of games retelling the events of the 1997 PlayStation masterpiece that is Final Fantasy VII. Upon release, the game was critically acclaimed. Like Remake, Rebirth re-imagines elements of the original game while massively expanding upon character development and the overall narrative structure.
The gameplay of Rebirth combines real-time action with role-playing elements. Set immediately after Remake’s events, players control a growing party of characters comprising the eco-terrorist group Avalanche, who embark on a journey across the planet to defeat the rogue soldier Sephiroth, who seeks to unite with the planet’s Lifestream to achieve greater power.
What we said…
“[Final Fantasy VII] Rebirth by a country mile. Rebirth is insane.” – Alan
Angelus’s Pick: Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is the fifth expansion pack to Final Fantasy XIV. It was released on July 2nd, 2024, over two years after the previous expansion. The expansion pack is released as a standalone product for current players; for new players, the “Complete Edition” that originally launched with Heavensward was updated to include all expansions including Dawntrail.
In Dawntrail, players travel to Tural, a continent across the sea, to participate in a rite of succession to determine the next leader of Tuliyollal. After the climactic events of Endwalker, Dawntrail was designed as a “summer vacation” for the player’s character, the Warrior of Light. In addition to adding new areas, the expansion pack increased the level cap, debuted two character classes and a new playable race, and initiated the game’s first major graphical overhaul since its relaunch in 2013.
What we said…
“A Golden Masterpiece. An expansion that is nearly flawless […] A must-play to any fans, and it sets a new era in Final Fantasy XIV.” – Angelus
Dan’s Pick: Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush is a 2023 Xbox rhythm-based action game published by Bethesda Softworks, now available on PS5. The game’s story follows self-proclaimed “future rock star” Chai whose music player is accidentally embedded in his chest during experimental cybernetic surgery, allowing him to rhythmically fight and re-perceive the world through environmental synesthesia.
Labelled a “defect” and hunted by the corporation that transformed him, Chai bands together with new friends to defeat the company’s executives and put a stop to their plans. Hi-Fi Rush’s gameplay sets itself apart from other examples in the character action genre. Chai’s relationship with his music player causes himself, surrounding enemies and environmental objects to move in sync with the beat of the game’s soundtrack.
What we said…
“I was skeptical. I was basically demanding that the game ‘wow’ me, and it did. The amount of quality content you get for this low a price is astounding.” – Dan
Trevor’s Pick: Tekken 8
Tekken 8 is the eighth canon release (and tenth overall entry) in the Tekken series and the first one to debut on home systems instead of arcades. The base game’s story mode, titled The Dark Awakens, takes place six months after the events of its predecessor and focuses on the final confrontation between protagonist Jin Kazama and his father Kazuya Mishima, as well as the introduction of Heihachi Mishima’s adoptive daughter, Reina.
Jin’s mother Jun Kazama also appears in her first canon appearance since Tekken 2. Meanwhile, an additional story mode titled Unforgettable Echoes focuses on Lidia Sobieska, Eddy Gordo, and Yoshimitsu on uncovering the Mishima Clan’s ancient history, as well as the resurrection of Heihachi himself.
What we said…
“Bandai Namco knows what players and fans want, and they make sure to over-deliver with that knowledge. This is the crème de la crème of fighting games.” – Trevor
Gary’s Pick: WitchspringR
A Steam exclusive for nearly a year, WitchSpring R and its associated series has been little more than a whisper on the wind for most console players. When the rumour of the series making its way to PS5 surfaced, so too did the screenshots and footage.
WitchSpring R had a nostalgic beauty to it, with the return of turn-based combat and fixed-camera locations reminiscent of 2D backdrops used during the JRPG golden age. It’s really quite exciting to get our hands on this one. WitchSpring R is a complete overhaul of the original WitchSpring game, with the addition of new characters, new story elements and gameplay features. The PS5 version released digitally on August 29th, 2024.
What we said…
“WitchSpring R takes on a lot mechanically, but by stripping out the usual fluff and filler, it delivers one of the best RPGs on PS5. It’s fun, easy to pick up and play, and it looks and sounds incredible too. Nicely done, Kiwi Walks. Nicely done indeed.” – Gary
That’s it for this year. What game would you put as the highlight of 2024? Let us know in the comments below, and see you all in 2025!
