What is the Game of the Year Awards? (Goty)

As 2024 comes to an end, it’s time to look at the games that may win the Game of the Year award!

The Game of the Year Awards—the video game Oscars—is an annual celebration that has been running for 10 years now. It brings together developers, fans, and industry leaders to honour the year’s best game. This title goes to the game that has the best visuals, gameplay, storyline, and more. This year’s nominees have set a new standard for what games can accomplish, and the excitement is real! Everyone is eager to see which game will claim the ultimate title and be crowned Game of the Year!

The Game of the Year 2024 ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theatre on December 12, 2024, with a preshow hosted by Sydnee Goodman.

Surprise the gamers in your life with gaming codes!

1. Black Myth: Wukong

Starting with the fan favourite, Black Myth: Wukong!

This game has captivated both fans and critics, making it to the top 10 nominees for Game of the Year 2024 awards.

Black Myth: Wukong is inspired by the Chinese fantasy novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en, and it blends mythology and challenging combat.

The game is powered by Unreal Engine 5, delivering advanced graphics that push visual boundaries. With an engaging storyline, thrilling gameplay, expansive maps, and powerful creatures, it sets a high bar for the gaming industry!

Black Myth: Wukong is a strong nominee for the title of Game of the Year.

2. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a 2024 action RPG from Square Enix, following Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) as the second entry in a trilogy reimagining the 1997 classic. Blending real-time action with strategic gameplay, players control Cloud Strife and the AVALANCHE group as they battle Shinra Corporation and the powerful Sephiroth journey to protect the planet!

This game was one of the most anticipated games in 2024, with immersive gameplay powered by high-quality graphics.

3. Animal Well

The haunting world of Animal Well is a critically acclaimed 2024 Metroidvania puzzle game developed by Shared Memory and published by Bigmode.

In it, players control a blob navigating a labyrinth filled with animals. Animal Well emphasises exploration through nonlinear platforming and puzzle-solving without combat. Players collect gear items to overcome obstacles.

The game features a unique engine built from scratch to enhance precision platforming and a distinct artistic style with procedural animations. Basso’s efforts to prevent data mining and encourage natural puzzle-solving have contributed to the game’s success and intrigue.

People loved and enjoyed playing Animal Well, making it to the top 10 games that may win the game of the year 2024!

4. Balatro

The poker-like game, Balatro, is an addictive deckbuilding game where you play illegal poker hands and discover jokers and combos!

This roguelike game is highly rated, as people love the definitive poker experience with endless possibilities and in-depth campaign modes.

Reviewer: "Simple yet incredibly satisfying and addictive."

5. Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an action RPG by BioWare, set ten years after Dragon Age: Inquisition and released in October 2024.

It features a new single-player story in Thedas, where players can select from factions and build unique characters with customisable features. The combat system has shifted to real-time action with a pause-and-play option, and the game world is designed with interconnected hubs that can be accessed through magical portals.

Here are some reviews:

• "Gameplay is incredibly smooth and entertaining, I haven't found it tedious which I do in almost every other game."


• “This game is absolutely incredible. I've been a longtime Dragon Age fan and have been waiting on pins and needles for this, and it was well worth the wait. The combat is very fast-paced and engaging, and I found that I didn't miss having a third-party member because I was more focused on my own character.”


• “I'm having a ton of fun with this game so far! Visually it's absolutely beautiful, the atmosphere, set design etc. are top-notch, as are things like water, weather and hair physics.”

6. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Black Ops 6 takes players back to the early 90s, following the events of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and the 1980s flashbacks of Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

The game is packed with thrilling, conspiracy-filled campaigns where loyal soldiers are branded traitors by a corrupt US government. Players will go undercover, make key choices that shape the story, and solve mysteries along the way.

For more information about the game, check out our Call of Duty blog.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 stands as the most robust FPS release of 2024.

7. Astro Bot

Astro Bot is back and better than ever in this thrilling 3D platformer, launched to celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary! In the new version, Astro has 15 new abilities. Players can jump, punch, and swim through 90 levels across six galaxies. Packed with 307 bots to rescue, including 150 collectible PlayStation-inspired VIP bots, the adventure keeps the players excited and thrilled with three difficulty settings and many challenges.

Not to forget, the DualSense controller plays a big role, doubling as a spaceship called the "Dual Speeder" for level traversal.

Astro Bot earned a tonne of positive reviews for bringing endless fun!

8. Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 is an action-packed, third-person shooter game in which players go on an adventure across alien planets!

Players use weapons—like machine guns, pistols, and flamethrowers—to take down the alien threat. For pinpoint accuracy, players can even switch to a first-person view. This game offers intense, bloody battles with explosive combat effects and alien bodies scattered across the battlefields.

9. Metaphor: ReFantazio

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a 2024 role-playing game from Studio Zero and Atlus, inviting players into the mystical kingdom of Euchronia, a fantasy world with parallels to modern life. Metaphor: ReFantazio Plot:

After the assassination of Euchronia’s king, the young protagonist, Will, an outcast from the magical Elda tribe, joins a royal tournament to decide the next king. Will, alongside his fairy ally Gallica, goes on a quest to break a curse on his childhood friend, the comatose prince, all while uniting the divided tribes.

The game’s combat blends turn-based strategy with real-time action, with social simulation elements that allow Will to unlock ancient powers, gather allies, and battle the ambitious Louis, who aims to transform all tribes into humans, believing only the strong should survive.

10. Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 is a remake of the classic 2001 survival horror game, developed by Bloober Team and published by Konami.

The story is about a widower, James Sunderland, as he takes a journey to the eerie town of Silent Hill, driven by a mysterious letter from his deceased wife, Mary. The remake features a reimagined third-person camera, enhanced combat mechanics, and haunting input.

The game sold one million copies within its first three days!

Reviewer: “This game is hypnotic and absolutely brilliant. The game reflects the main characters' feelings and personal tragedies while at the same time dealing with aspects of depression and isolation in a way that had never been done before in a game.”

Now we must eagerly wait for the Game of the Year 2024 ceremony to know which of these 10 nominees will win the title of "Game of the Year." All of these games have certainly pushed the boundaries of what gaming can achieve. The stunning visuals, captivating gameplay, and unforgettable stories make the competition fierce and hard.

Which game deserves to win?