These are the nominees for best video game of the year

That time of year is approaching when the best of the last twelve months is reviewed and, among all the lists there are, there is one that stands out in the field of video games, that of The Game Awards. This awards ceremony, commonly considered “the Oscars of video games”, has been consolidating over the last decade and this 2024 promises to be close in many of its categories. All of them have just been announced, but there is one that stands out among the rest, the one called GOTY, also known as the game of the year.

The titles that will compete to win the precious trophy for best game of the year are AstroBot, Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Metaphor: ReFantazio. It is a selection of very different games that has not been without controversy, but the chosen one will not be known until next December 12, when the event organized by Canadian Geoff Keighley will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles ( California). Last year it was followed by 118 million viewers across different platforms.

One of the most followed events

Last year’s gala had 118 million simultaneous viewers

Nominated for best game of 2024

AstroBot
Balatro
Black Myth: Wukong
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Final Fantasy VII: Rebitrth
Metaphor: RePhantazio

After a tremendous 2023, 2024 has not disappointed in terms of video game releases either. You just have to see the quality of the titles selected by the large group of specialized media from around the world that are part of the jury for these awards. This year, however, there has been a bit of controversy with the choice of Shadow of the Erdtreesince more than being an unpublished title, it is an expansion for Elden Ringwhich already won this award in the 2022 edition. In fact, in recent days the awards regulations have been updated to allow the participation of this type of additional content.

Another title that stands out is Balatroan addictive indie game based on poker that has become one of the great phenomena of this year. For many, the fact that a card game is among the great blockbusters has been a surprise, although, without a doubt, due to its design and the impact it has had, it deserves it. On the other hand, the divisive Black Myth: Wukong also attracts attention, which does not happen as much with AstroBot, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth and Metaphor: ReFantaziothree titles unanimously acclaimed by critics and the public.

Complete list of categories

The Catalan video game ‘Neva’ is nominated in three categories

EDITORIAL / Third parties

In the rest of the categories there are some pleasant surprises, such as the three nominations that the Catalan game Neva has received, which will compete to win the award for best art direction, best indie and the “Games for Impact” that its managers , Nomada Studio, they already achieved in 2019.

Precisely, the category of best independent game is presented as one of the most disputed, since five titles of more than proven quality coincide. In addition to those mentioned Balatro and Snow: UFO 50, Lorelei and the Laser Eyesand Animal Well.

Below are the main categories:

Game of the year: Astro Bot, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Best address: Metaphor: ReFantazio, Balatro, Astro Bot, Black Myth: Wukong, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Best indie game: UFO 50, Neva, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Balatro, and Animal Well.

Award for game with social impact: Life is Strange Double Exposure, Neva, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, Closer the Distance, Indika, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.

Best narrative: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Silent Hill 2, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Best art direction: Neva, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Astro Bot, Black Myth: Wukong, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Best soundtrack: Astro Bot, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Stellar Blade and Silent Hill 2.

Best sound design: Astro Bot, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Silent Hill 2.

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Better support over time: Helldivers 2, Fortnite, Final Fantasy XIV, Diablo IV and Destiny 2.

Better Community Support: No Man’s Sky, Helldivers 2, Fortnite, Final Fantasy XIV, and Baldur’s Gate 3.

Best Indie Game Debut: Animal Well, The Brave Squire, Manor Lords, Pacific Drive, Balatro.

Best Mobile Game: Pokémon TCG Pocket, Zenless Zone Zero, AFK Journey, Wuthering Waves and Balatro.

Best VR/AR game: Metro Awakening, Metal Hellsinger VR, Batman: Arkham Shadow, Arizona Sunshine Remake and Asgard’s Wrath 2.

Best action game: Helldivers 2, Black Myth: Wukong, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, and Stellar Blade.

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Best action/adventure game: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Astro Bot, Silent Hill 2, Star Wars: Outlaws, and Prince of Persia: The lost Crown.

Best RPG: Dragon’s Dogma 2, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Best fighting game: Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, Tekken 8, Multiversus, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising.

Best family game: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Astro Bot, The Brave Squire, Princess Peach: Showtime! and Super Mario Party Jamboree.