Honestly, walking into the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this past December, you could feel the tension. It wasn't just the usual "who's gonna win" buzz. There was this weird, looming cloud over the whole event because of the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree situation. Is a DLC even a game? Can it actually take the big trophy?
Then the lights dimmed.
When Astro Bot was officially crowned the TGA Game of the Year 2024, a lot of people breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, a win for pure, unadulterated joy. Team Asobi managed to pull off something that felt almost impossible in an era of 100-hour grimdark RPGs and live-service treadmills. They made a game that just wanted you to smile.
The Night the Underdog (and the DLC) Made History
The 2024 Game Awards wasn't a landslide like we saw with Baldur’s Gate 3 the year before. It was a dogfight. You had Final Fantasy VII Rebirth basically trying to swallow the entire RPG genre whole with its massive scope. Then you had Black Myth: Wukong, which was basically a cultural phenomenon coming out of China, breaking Steam records left and right.
And yet, the little blue robot took it home.
📖 Related: OG John Wick Skin: Why Everyone Still Calls The Reaper by the Wrong Name
Astro Bot didn't just win Game of the Year; it also grabbed Best Game Direction and Best Family Game. It was a statement. Voters clearly leaned toward "fun" over "friction." If you’ve played it, you know what I mean. Every single level has some weird, creative gimmick—like shrinking to the size of a mouse or turning into a sponge—that keeps your brain from ever getting bored.
Why Shadow of the Erdtree Caused a Meltdown
We have to talk about the DLC controversy. This was the first time in TGA history that an expansion was allowed in the main category. People were mad. Some fans felt it was unfair to let a $40 add-on compete against full releases like Metaphor: ReFantazio or Balatro.
FromSoftware is usually untouchable, but even they couldn't overcome the "is it a full game?" hurdle with the jury. Shadow of the Erdtree is masterpieces-level stuff, don't get me wrong. But at the end of the day, it's still attached to a game from 2022.
The Breakdown of the Major Winners
It wasn't just the Astro Bot show, though. The awards were surprisingly spread out this year, which sort of proves how stacked 2024 actually was, despite people saying it was a "slow year."
👉 See also: Finding Every Bubbul Gem: Why the Map of Caves TOTK Actually Matters
- Metaphor: ReFantazio was the "critical darling" sleeper hit. It walked away with Best RPG, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction. Beating out Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for Best RPG is a massive deal. It shows that Atlus has finally moved out of the Persona shadow and created something that stands on its own legs.
- Balatro proved that gambling (the fake kind!) is addictive as hell. It won Best Indie Game, Best Debut Indie, and Best Mobile Game. Seeing a poker-themed roguelike stand on that stage next to multi-million dollar blockbusters was kind of a trip.
- Black Myth: Wukong took home Best Action Game and the Player's Voice award. That last one is huge because it's 100% fan-voted. While the critics went for Astro Bot, the raw numbers of the gaming public were clearly behind the Destined One.
The "Robbed" Narrative: What Most People Get Wrong
If you go on X (formerly Twitter) or Reddit, you’ll see a lot of "Wukong was robbed" or "Rebirth deserved better."
Here is the thing: the TGA voting is 90% jury (media outlets and critics) and 10% fan vote. Critics almost always value innovation and "tightness" over raw scale. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is amazing, but it's also bloated. It’s got a lot of "map markers" and mini-games that some people found exhausting. Astro Bot is 12 hours of perfect pacing.
There’s no fat on that game.
Also, can we talk about Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II? Melina Juergens won Best Performance again. That’s two for two for her playing Senua. Even if the game didn't hit the GOTY heights everyone expected, the acting was basically unparalleled.
✨ Don't miss: Playing A Link to the Past Switch: Why It Still Hits Different Today
A Quick Look at the Stats from the Night
- Most Awards: Astro Bot (4 wins)
- Most Nominations: Astro Bot and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (7 each)
- The Surprise: Metaphor: ReFantazio winning Best Narrative over the heavy hitters.
Where Gaming Goes From Here
The 2024 awards felt like a turning point. We’re moving away from the "bigger is always better" mindset. The fact that a platformer and a card game were the biggest talking points of the night says a lot about where our heads are at. We want games that respect our time.
If you haven't played the winners yet, here is the move:
- Astro Bot is the mandatory play if you own a PS5. It’s the best use of the DualSense controller, period.
- If you want a story that actually makes you think about politics and society, grab Metaphor: ReFantazio.
- If you have an addictive personality, stay away from Balatro. Or don't. Just don't blame me when it's 3:00 AM and you're trying to find one more Joker card.
The Game Awards 2024 proved that a game doesn't need a thousand developers and a $300 million budget to be the best in the world. Sometimes, it just needs a little robot and a whole lot of heart.