Top Contenders for GOTY 2024

Patrick_Yu · 4:53AM

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What is The Game Awards?

The Game Awards is an annual event established in 2014 by game journalist Geoff Keighley to honor the best achievements in the video game industry. Building on its predecessor, the Spike Video Game Awards, the show has become one of the most anticipated celebrations of gaming excellence. This year's ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theater on December 12, 2024, with a preshow hosted by Sydnee Goodman.

Featuring 31 categories, The Game Awards recognizes achievements in areas like best narrative, game direction, indie game, score, performance, and esports. However, the highlight of the event is the Game of the Year (GOTY) award.

What is Game of the Year?

The Game of the Year (GOTY) award is the most prestigious accolade at The Game Awards, recognizing a game that delivers an outstanding experience across multiple dimensions. This award is given to a title that excels not only in gameplay, but also in narrative, technical achievements, innovation, and emotional impact. Winning the GOTY title cements a game’s legacy within the industry and showcases its ability to push creative boundaries.

As of now, the nominations for this year’s award have not yet been announced. However, with several major releases still on the horizon, the competition remains fierce. In this article, I’ll be predicting which games I believe will earn a spot in the GOTY category, including standout releases from earlier this year and highly anticipated titles slated for the end of 2024.

The Top Contenders for Game of the Year 2024

1. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth stands as a top contender for Game of the Year 2024 due to its ambitious reimagining of one of the most beloved RPGs of all time. Building on the success of Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth takes the already impeccable blend of action and turn-based combat to new heights, introducing fresh mechanics and new party members that enhance the strategic depth of battles. The game’s massive open-world regions, split into six distinct areas, offer players an immersive experience filled with meaningful side quests, exploration, and optional activities. Each region is thoughtfully designed, capturing both the beauty and environmental devastation of a world suffering under the impact of Mako energy. This reimagined world delivers breathtaking sights while maintaining the original game's core themes of environmental preservation and survival, reinforcing the emotional connection players have with the world and its characters.

The game’s story is equally ambitious, as it attempts to create an alternate timeline for Final Fantasy VII, offering both a nostalgic revisiting of classic moments and a bold new direction. While this narrative shift is sometimes complex and divisive, Rebirth excels in its character development, with each party member getting a chance to shine through powerful voice acting and emotional cutscenes. The returning Materia system and newly added Synergy Abilities deepen the combat experience, rewarding players for mastering tactical gameplay. Even with its occasional narrative stumbles, Rebirth manages to capture the magic of the original while offering a fresh, engaging, and emotionally resonant journey, making it a standout candidate for Game of the Year.

2. Dragon’s Dogma 2

After more than a decade since the release of the first Dragon's Dogma, Dragon's Dogma 2 emerges as a long-awaited sequel that has captivated fans with its breathtaking open-world adventure and intense monster battles. The game masterfully builds upon the foundation of the original, preserving the thrill of scaling giant creatures and introducing fresh mechanics like the Trickster vocation, which adds layers of strategy to its already exhilarating combat. This new chapter doesn’t just bring bigger monsters and more elaborate fights—it introduces deeper systems, richer environments, and a vibrant cast of pawns, the quirky and essential companions who grow alongside you, offering both combat support and amusing interactions.

The game excels in merging open-world exploration with tactical combat, creating a sense of adventure that feels organic and player-driven. Instead of simply following quest markers, you’re encouraged to explore for the sake of discovery, and many of the game’s most memorable moments arise from unexpected encounters in its expansive, dynamic world. With its refined class system, allowing players to experiment and switch vocations freely, Dragon's Dogma 2 offers a highly replayable experience that invites mastery of its varied mechanics. Despite some technical hiccups, like performance drops and quest bugs, the game’s spectacular battles, compelling exploration, and immersive world make it a top contender for GOTY 2024.

3. Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 deserves to be a Game of the Year 2024 contender because of its high-octane co-op gameplay, tactical depth, and the sense of camaraderie it fosters among players. The game excels at keeping missions varied and exciting, with each encounter feeling unique due to dynamic terrain, enemy tactics, and unpredictable challenges. Its progression system, filled with powerful weapons, emotes, and Stratagems, keeps players engaged and rewards teamwork and strategy. The game's satirical tone, paired with its relentless action, makes every mission an adrenaline-filled experience, especially when playing with friends. Whether it's tackling alien Terminids or robotic Automatons, Helldivers 2 offers a constantly evolving battlefield that encourages coordination, quick thinking, and mastery of its complex mechanics. Regular updates even introduce new enemies, keeping the gameplay fresh and ensuring that each mission presents new threats.

While the game faced a brief controversy earlier in the year regarding PSN account linking on PC, the focus quickly shifted to how Arrowhead Studios continues to listen to player feedback and improve the game. Regular updates and patches have addressed balancing issues, enhanced weapon effectiveness, added new enemies, and improved overall gameplay. A recent patch, for example, revamped underpowered weapons like the flamethrower and railgun, making them viable against heavily armored enemies, and boosted the effectiveness of specialized anti-tank weapons. This responsiveness to the community has helped Helldivers 2 grow stronger over time, ensuring it remains a top-tier multiplayer experience.

4. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth deserves to be a Game of the Year 2024 contender not just for its innovative gameplay and dynamic combat, but because it stays true to what makes the series so beloved—the focus on middle-aged men navigating the challenges of life. The characters’ age and experiences are central to the heart of the game, grounding the story in relatable, human themes. Whether it’s Ichiban Kasuga, now 46, or the legendary Kazuma Kiryu facing his own mortality, Infinite Wealth explores themes of aging, health, and friendship with a sense of authenticity rarely found in games. This emphasis on older, grounded protagonists gives the series a unique appeal, drawing players in with its warmth, humor, and the deep emotional connection it fosters.

Beyond its character-driven appeal, Infinite Wealth excels in its gameplay innovations. The retooled turn-based combat system allows for more fluid, strategic movement and interactions with the environment, blending tactical depth with the chaotic fun of street brawling. Set against the vibrant and unexpected backdrop of Hawaii, the game offers players a richly detailed open world to explore, filled with unique enemies, quirky side activities, and emotional storylines. The expanded job system adds another layer of creativity, letting characters take on fun new roles like a Bruce Lee-inspired martial artist or a wetsuit-clad Aquanaut. With its combination of heartfelt storytelling, dynamic combat, and engaging world-building, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth captures the essence of what makes the series special while pushing it into exciting new territory.

5. Astro Bot

Astro Bot, the third game in the Astro Bot series, is a strong contender for GOTY 2024, and while it doesn’t feature the VR support seen in its predecessor, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, this doesn’t impact its status as a top-tier platformer. Instead, the lack of VR serves as a differentiator, allowing the game to shine through its creative level design and clever use of the PS5’s features. Team Asobi delivers a masterclass in platforming, with each level introducing unique gameplay mechanics—such as cymbal-based platform manipulation or gyro-controlled rocket ships—that are used just enough to captivate before moving on to something fresh. The use of the DualSense controller enhances the experience, from blowing into the mic to using the gyro, making the game feel immersive and inventive without the need for virtual reality.

What truly sets Astro Bot apart is its seamless blending of nostalgia and innovation, ensuring that the PlayStation cameos like Kratos Bot and Nathan Drake Bot are fun bonuses but not the core reason for its success. The level design consistently surprises players with new powers, secrets, and challenges, all while maintaining fluidity and creativity that keep the gameplay engaging from start to finish. Even without VR, Astro Bot is one of the most finely crafted platformers of recent years, excelling in mechanics and design. Its ability to stand as a standout platformer while paying homage to PlayStation’s history makes it a prime contender for GOTY 2024.

6. Persona 3 Reload

This is the second remake on our list, following Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Persona 3 Reload shines as a faithful yet deeply enhanced reimagining of a beloved classic. The game's stunning visual overhaul breathes new life into Tatsumi Port Island and its characters, while the addition of fully voiced Social Link scenes and new social events strengthens the emotional connections between the cast. The blend of school-life simulation with the intense dungeon crawling in Tartarus has been thoughtfully updated, introducing fresh mechanics like Theurgy attacks and an improved combat flow that keeps battles dynamic and exciting, making the gameplay more engaging than ever before.

Beyond the surface, Persona 3 Reload offers deeper exploration of its characters, providing new opportunities to connect with them through meaningful interactions. The revamped Tartarus now gives each block a unique visual identity, reducing the repetitive nature of dungeon exploration while adding more strategic depth to its challenging boss encounters. The carefully balanced turn-based combat, along with a richer narrative experience, ensures that Persona 3 Reload preserves the timeless themes of confronting mortality and finding purpose, all while feeling fresh and rewarding for both new players and longtime fans.

7. Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong is a strong contender for GOTY 2024 not only because of its technical ambition and challenging combat but also due to the creators' dedication to delivering a polished, evolving experience. The developers at GameScience have shown an impressive commitment to refining the game post-launch, listening to player feedback, and addressing technical issues, much like the continuous improvements seen with other major releases like Cyberpunk 2077. This dedication has allowed them to create a unique action RPG that blends soulslike combat mechanics with the fast-paced, combo-heavy style of traditional action games, offering players a thrilling and deeply rewarding experience. Its intricate progression system, coupled with the immersive story drawn from the classic Journey to the West, adds layers of depth to the game’s world, while its stunning visuals and creative boss encounters make each moment unforgettable.

What truly sets Black Myth: Wukong apart is how GameScience combines visually stunning environments and a rich cultural narrative with deeply satisfying gameplay. The combat, which requires a balance of twitch reflexes and strategic resource management, feels both engaging and fair, and the game’s rich lore and breathtaking boss fights ensure that every challenge is worth overcoming. Although the game has experienced some technical hiccups, the developers have remained committed to addressing these issues while continuing to refine the game’s performance and gameplay. This active engagement with their community has helped Black Myth: Wukong evolve into one of the most compelling gaming experiences of the year, firmly establishing it as a top contender for GOTY 2024 and one of the best boss rush games of the decade.

8. Balatro

Balatro is a remarkable entry into the roguelike genre, offering an experience unlike any other by centering its mechanics around poker. Its gameplay is deceptively simple yet incredibly satisfying, allowing players to create powerful hands while experimenting with a wide variety of card types, deck modifications, and multipliers. The thrill of building hands like flushes, coupled with the rush of seeing your multipliers skyrocket, makes each run an addictive adventure. The game’s structure, encouraging players to push the boundaries of its system, adds a level of depth and replayability that feels endless, while never becoming overwhelming or frustrating.

Visually, Balatro enchants with its hypnotic art direction, melding the old-school feel of a CRT filter with vibrant card designs that come to life in every run. The soundtrack enhances the immersive experience, perfectly accompanying the tense and exhilarating moments when you’re just one card away from victory. While the competition for GOTY 2024 is undoubtedly fierce, Balatro is undeniably a standout indie title. It may face tough odds for the top award, but it’s a strong contender, and without a doubt, it’s a shoe-in for Best Indie Game 2024.

9. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

While DLCs are eligible for GOTY under the Game Awards' rules, it's rare for them to win, even when they’re as remarkable as Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Typically, expansions tend to perform better in categories like Best Ongoing Game, much like Cyberpunk 2077 with its Phantom Liberty DLC in 2023. That said, Shadow of the Erdtree is a monumental achievement, delivering a full 30-hour experience that rivals the original game in both scope and execution. FromSoftware showcases its mastery once again, creating a world that feels as treacherous as it is captivating, filled with complex characters, beautifully designed environments, and pulse-pounding boss fights. The Land of Shadow embodies everything that made Elden Ring a masterpiece, offering a dense, diverse environment rich in exploration and discovery.

The DLC not only brings new weapons, spells, and upgrades but also deepens the Elden Ring lore, making the world feel more expansive and complete. Every boss encounter feels like a finely tuned challenge, rewarding players who adapt and experiment with their strategies. With its breathtaking environments and masterful design, Shadow of the Erdtree enhances Elden Ring's already towering legacy—especially after the original game won Game of the Year in 2022. However, despite its brilliance, the chances of this DLC winning GOTY are slim but not zero.

10. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the first Nintendo-exclusive game on our list, is a standout addition to 2024, thanks to its innovative fusion of classic 2D Zelda gameplay with the creativity and freedom introduced in Tears of the Kingdom. Nintendo has crafted a game that not only places Zelda at the center of the narrative but also revolutionizes the way players interact with the world. The new echo system allows players to summon previously defeated enemies and objects to solve puzzles and engage in combat, fostering the same "break the game" mindset that made Breath of the Wild so captivating. This modern approach, combined with nostalgic elements like linear dungeons and key-item progression, creates a rich and immersive experience that both honors the series’ legacy and pushes it forward. The inclusion of unique art styles for each chapter and cleverly designed puzzles adds to the game’s charm, making it a standout title in the franchise.

However, it's not just the innovative mechanics that make Echoes of Wisdom special. The game masterfully balances its deep puzzle-solving mechanics with a sprawling world that feels like a hybrid between A Link to the Past and Breath of the Wild. Exploration is rewarded with optional quests, hidden mini-dungeons, and a variety of powerful echoes, encouraging players to thoroughly engage with the world around them. While the combat may not reach the heights of other Zelda games, with summoning mechanics that occasionally feel less dynamic than wielding a sword as Link, it still provides enjoyable moments, especially with the introduction of automatons as high-risk, high-reward companions. Altogether, Echoes of Wisdom captures the best of both classic and modern Zelda, making it a top-tier contender for the year’s best game.

Conclusion

As we move into October 2024, the Game of the Year race is heating up with some of the year’s biggest releases already making a strong case for themselves. Titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Dragon's Dogma 2, Helldivers 2, and Black Myth: Wukong have all captured the gaming world’s attention with their unique blends of gameplay, storytelling, and technical achievement. While many of these games are already cemented as top contenders, there are still several major titles on the horizon that could shake up the final GOTY nominations. The following highly anticipated games are still set to release:

Dragon Age: The Veilguard (October 31, 2024)
Mario & Luigi: Brothership (November 7, 2024)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (November 20, 2024)

I will continue to update this article as these unreleased games hit the market and showcase their full potential. With a few months left before the Game Awards on December 12, 2024, new games are still being released, and the competition remains fierce. Whether these upcoming releases will rise to the occasion or if the already-established frontrunners will hold their ground, one thing is certain: this year’s Game of the Year award will be hotly contested, and we’re in for an exciting finish.