Honestly, looking back at the list of game award winners 2024, it’s kinda wild how much the narrative has shifted since the trophies were actually handed out. We all remember the hype. The lights. Geoff Keighley doing his thing. But if you step back and look at the actual spread of victories across The Game Awards, the Golden Joysticks, and the DICE Awards, the year wasn't just about one "big" game. It was a dogfight.
Everyone expected Final Fantasy VII Rebirth or maybe the cultural juggernaut Black Myth: Wukong to just steamroll everything. That didn’t happen. Instead, we got a year where a small, vibrating robot and a poker-themed roguelike basically ran the table.
The Astro Bot Sweep and the GOTY Debate
The biggest shocker for some—though maybe not for those who actually played it—was Astro Bot taking the top crown at The Game Awards. It didn't just win Game of the Year; it grabbed Best Game Direction and Best Family Game too. People called it a "safe" choice. I think that's a bit of a disservice.
Team Asobi managed to make a platformer that felt like pure, unadulterated joy in a year where a lot of big-budget titles felt, well, heavy. Astro Bot was a celebration of PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, sure, but it was also a masterclass in haptic feedback. It’s hard to explain until you feel the "texture" of the ground through the controller. That’s likely why it beat out heavy hitters like Metaphor: ReFantazio and the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
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Speaking of Elden Ring, that was a whole other mess. It was the first time a DLC was ever nominated for the main GOTY category. Some fans were livid. They felt an expansion, no matter how massive, shouldn't be competing with full standalone releases. It ended up winning Best RPG at the Golden Joysticks, but the fact it was even in the conversation for the big one changed the rules forever.
Why Balatro Is the Real Story of 2024
If you haven't played Balatro, you’ve probably at least heard the screams of your friends losing their minds over a "Full House." This game was everywhere. It won Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie, and—funnily enough—Best Mobile Game.
Think about that.
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A game about poker-themed "jokers" and "mults" created by a solo dev (LocalThunk) managed to dominate three distinct categories. It proves you don't need a $200 million budget to win game award winners 2024 status. You just need a gameplay loop that is more addictive than caffeine. It's basically digital crack, and the critics knew it.
Other Heavy Hitters That Took Home Gold
- Metaphor: ReFantazio: This one was the darling of the RPG crowd. It snagged Best Narrative and Best Art Direction. If you like Atlast-style games but wanted something that wasn't Persona, this was your winner.
- Helldivers 2: Despite the controversy with the PSN account linking earlier in the year, the community stuck by it. It won Best Multiplayer and Best Ongoing Game. Arrowhead managed to capture lightning in a bottle with that "Starship Troopers" vibe.
- Black Myth: Wukong: It won the "Players' Voice" award. This is the one the fans vote for entirely. It’s a huge deal because it shows the massive gap sometimes between what critics love and what the global audience is actually playing. It also took Best Visual Design at the Joysticks.
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II: Melina Juergens won Best Performance again. Honestly, is anyone surprised? Her portrayal of Senua is probably the most intense acting in the medium right now.
The Fallout Effect and Best Adaptations
We have to talk about the "Best Adaptation" category because it was stacked. Arcane Season 2 was a masterpiece, but the Fallout TV show took the win. This was a turning point. Fallout didn't just adapt a story; it adapted an entire world and made it accessible to people who had never even touched a Bethesda game. It was a massive win for Amazon and a sign that the "prestige TV" treatment for games is here to stay.
What This Means for Your Backlog
If you’re looking at this list and wondering what to play next, don't just go for the GOTY. The real value in the game award winners 2024 is the diversity.
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If you want something high-octane and visually stunning, Black Myth: Wukong is the move. If you want to lose 100 hours to a story that actually makes sense, Metaphor: ReFantazio is the one. But if you want to understand why 2024 was a weird, great year for gaming, play Astro Bot and Balatro. They represent the two ends of the spectrum: the peak of polished corporate celebration and the raw power of a single good idea.
One thing is for sure: the "indie" label is becoming increasingly meaningless when games like Balatro are outshining AAA blockbusters in terms of cultural impact.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the "Players' Voice" nominees: If you want to know what people are actually playing (not just what critics like), look at the top 5 of this category. It’s a great way to find hidden gems like Wuthering Waves or Zenless Zone Zero.
- Don't sleep on the "Games for Impact" winner: Neva won this year. It's a short, emotional experience from the creators of Gris. If you need a break from shooting things, it’s a mandatory play.
- Update your hardware: Many of these winners, specifically Astro Bot and Hellblade II, are designed to push specific hardware (DualSense and high-end audio). If you’re still using basic TV speakers, you’re missing half the experience.