The Game Awards 2024 delivered a night full of surprises, big wins, and exciting game reveals. One of the biggest shocks came when Astro Bot, a PlayStation 5 3D platform game developed by Team Asobi, claimed the prestigious Game of the Year award. Astro Bot scored an impressive four total victories, also earning recognition in categories like Best Family Game, Best Action/Adventure Game, and Best Game Direction.
For many fans and critics, Astro Bot’s big win wasn’t unexpected. The title had received near-universal acclaim, boasting a 94 (critic) and 9.2 (user) score on Metacritic. Even so, some viewers were surprised to see it triumph over heavyweight contenders such as Black Myth: Wukong, Balatro, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Reactions ranged from thrilled admiration to frustrated disbelief—once again showcasing how passionate and divided the gaming community can be when it comes to these award shows.
PlayStation’s Big Night
It wasn’t just Astro Bot shining under the spotlight. Another PlayStation title, the third-person shooter Helldivers 2, won Best Multiplayer Game and Best Ongoing Game. In total, PlayStation secured five awards, reflecting the strength and variety of its first-party lineup this year.
To celebrate The Game Awards’ 10th anniversary, PlayStation revealed a new Naughty Dog project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi adventure starring Tati Gabrielle as bounty hunter Jordan A. Munis. The reveal teased a haunting, trap-like planet and even hinted that Kumail Nanjiani would appear as one of the game’s targets. While no release date was given, anticipation is already building.
Other Major Winners and Highlights
Beyond Astro Bot, several other titles made waves:
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- Metaphor: ReFantazio won Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, and Best RPG.
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth took Best Score and Music.
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 earned Best Audio Design, and its lead actress, Melina Juergens, won Best Performance for her portrayal of Senua.
- Baldur’s Gate 3 claimed Best Community Support, showing that deep and immersive RPGs still have a strong place in players’ hearts.
Esports was represented as well, with League of Legends earning Best Esports Game and Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) receiving Best Esports Athlete honors. T1, Faker’s team, took Best Esports Team.
Fans voted Grand Theft Auto 6 as the Most Anticipated Game, beating out other major upcoming releases. Meanwhile, the Best Adaptation award went to Fallout, and CaseOh won Content Creator of the Year.
My Experience with Astro Bot
Having spent a considerable amount of time playing Astro Bot myself, I can personally attest to the game’s charm and innovation. As a platformer, it’s not just about jumping around and collecting items—it’s about exploring beautifully crafted worlds that feel alive and inviting.
The clever use of the PS5’s DualSense controller adds a tangible richness to every movement: You can feel subtle vibrations as Astro Bot scampers across different surfaces and leaps into the air. The level design is imaginative, often surprising you with hidden areas or delightful nods to the broader PlayStation ecosystem. It’s both accessible enough for younger players to enjoy and challenging enough for seasoned gamers to appreciate.
That combination made me understand why it’s beloved by critics and fans alike. The game doesn’t simply rely on flashy graphics or gimmicks—it genuinely brings joy, from its whimsical soundtrack to its adorable character animations, making it the kind of experience that leaves you smiling and eager to see what’s next.
All in all, the 2024 Game Awards highlighted the industry’s creativity and passion. Astro Bot’s victory may have surprised some, but playing it firsthand, I truly understand why it earned the top spot. Whether you’re a fan of intense action games, thought-provoking RPGs, or family-friendly platformers, this year’s winners show that there’s something for everyone in the world of gaming. And as The Game Awards continue to evolve, players can look forward to even more memorable experiences in the years to come.
