From the triumphs of Astro Bot and Balatro to the most anticipated reveals, here are the highlights and surprises of the 2024 The Game Awards
The 2024 edition of The Game Awards delivered unforgettable surprises, crowning Astro Bot as Game of the Year and celebrating innovation across both AAA and indie titles. With new trailers, exciting announcements, and well-deserved victories, the event highlighted a remarkable year for the gaming industry, leaving fans eager for what’s to come.
Main Result
During The Game Awards 2024, the Game of the Year award went to Astro Bot, which also claimed three other significant awards, including Best Game Direction and Best Action/Adventure Game.
Other noteworthy titles, such as Balatro (which we’ll discuss below) and Metaphor: ReFantazio, received three awards each, highlighting the competitiveness of this year’s edition. Additionally, Black Myth: Wukong stood out as the Best Action Game, while Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was recognized for its Best Score and Music.
This edition of The Game Awards celebrated not only the year’s best games but also the talent and innovation thriving in the gaming industry.
But let’s get to the point: the most anticipated titles of this year’s The Game Awards, according to us.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is an ambitious sci-fi role-playing game (RPG) developed by Naughty Dog. Set 2,000 years into the future, the story follows Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on the remote planet Sempiria, where a religious cult has prophesied the discovery of a mysterious “illuminated” planet. The game offers a semi-open-world experience, with hub areas to explore and innovative melee combat.
This is all enhanced by detailed visuals powered by the PS5 engine and an original soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Influenced visually by ’80s anime and featuring a cast that includes Tati Gabrielle and Kumail Nanjiani, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet promises to redefine the sci-fi RPG experience, generating immense excitement among fans—and we can’t wait to play it!
Elden Ring: Nightreign
FromSoftware surprised fans with the announcement of Elden Ring: Nightreign, a new cooperative spin-off set in the Elden Ring universe, slated for a 2025 release on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox.
This standalone title diverges from the original game by focusing on three-player multiplayer experiences, where participants face enemies and bosses in strategic sessions.
The debut trailer showcased a familiar yet refreshed setting, with procedural elements and iconic creatures from other universes, such as Dark Souls bosses. Nightreign promises to expand the mythos of the Lands Between, maintaining the dark and captivating aesthetic that defines the franchise, and aims to take cooperative dynamics to a new level.
Fumito Ueda Returns After Nearly 10 Years
Fumito Ueda, the legendary creator of iconic titles such as ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, unveiled his new project, currently known by the codename Project: Robot.
The debut trailer introduced a dreamlike and desolate sci-fi world, focusing on a mysterious character climbing a gigantic humanoid robot while an artificial voice delivers a chilling countdown to evacuation.
The ethereal and melancholic soundtrack evokes Ueda’s distinctive style, promising an emotional experience exploring recurring themes like loneliness and connection. The game is being developed by genDESIGN and will be published by Epic Games Publishing, though no release date or platform details have been provided. The announcement has sparked tremendous excitement among fans, reaffirming the cult-like status surrounding Ueda’s works. Naturally, we’re just as hyped and can’t wait to play it!
Mafia: The Old Country
Mafia: The Old Country takes the celebrated series back to the origins of organized crime in early 1900s Sicily. The game follows Enzo Favara, a character immersed in a gripping story exploring themes of loyalty and honor within Mafia families. The trailer showcased a richly detailed setting, promising a compelling third-person action experience. Mafia: The Old Country is set to release in summer 2025 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, already generating significant interest among fans of the series thanks to its deep narrative and evocative visual style.
Last, but not least:
During The Game Awards 2024, CD Projekt RED revealed the first trailer for The Witcher 4, marking the start of a new saga in the renowned franchise inspired by Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels.
The trailer, created with pre-rendered graphics in Unreal Engine 5, (which we wrote here about, some time ago) spotlighted protagonist Ciri as she faced a monster in a dark, atmospheric setting. While no gameplay details or release date were shared, the video revealed that Ciri has become a full-fledged Witcher, drawing power from natural elements. The confirmed presence of Geralt of Rivia suggests that the two characters may share the stage in this new adventure.
Anticipation is high, with the game slated for a 2026 release, promising to further expand The Witcher universe with new stories and challenges.
With a well-structured production and engaging rhythm, this edition of The Game Awards has been hailed as one of the best in recent years, leaving gamers eagerly awaiting a bright future in the world of video games.
But let’s get to what interests us the most!
This edition saw significant participation from indie titles, with a particular focus on Balatro. This innovative indie game combines traditional poker elements with roguelike mechanics, creating a unique and engaging gaming experience.
Developed by STW Games, the title quickly gained popularity, selling over 3.5 million copies and drawing attention at the recent Indie Games Awards 2024, where it won the Best Independent Game and Best Debut Game awards.
These accolades highlight the innovation and creativity of games developed outside major production studios, emphasizing the importance of the indie scene in the gaming industry.
Among the contenders, standouts include Animal Well, Manor Lords, Pacific Drive, Neva (which we recently discussed here), and The Plucky Squire.
The big winner of the evening was Balatro, triumphing in two categories: Best Independent Game and Best Debut Game. Balatro’s victory underscores the importance and talent within the indie gaming scene, confirming its crucial role in contemporary gaming.
More info can be found on the official site: The Game Awards.
