As a long-time gamer who has seen the evolution of gaming from the humble beginnings of Pong to the immersive experiences we have today, I must say that this year’s lineup of potential Game of the Year contenders is nothing short of astounding.
As of January 2024, I’ve been lucky enough to immerse myself in an array of fantastic games that have graced the gaming world this year, making it a stellar year for gaming enthusiasts like me.
As we approach the final five months leading up to The Game Awards in December 2024, the gaming industry is abuzz with excitement. Many game publishers and creators are gearing up for releases, hoping their creations will be crowned as the prestigious Game of the Year. It’s shaping up to be a remarkable year!
In simpler terms, the “Game of the Year” award is given to a video game that offers exceptional creativity and technology for players or consumers. This selection process involves nominations and votes. For instance, Baldur’s Gate 3 developed by Larian Studios was crowned as the Game of the Year in 2023.
Let’s take a look at an impressive collection of recent video games. Which ones could potentially be the top pick for the “Game of the Year 2024”?
In no particular order, here are the top 5 GOTY contenders for 2024.
Unicorn Overlord
“Unicorn Overlord is a strategy role-playing game created by Vanillaware, with Sega and Atlus serving as publishers. This game offers extensive gameplay, featuring real-time battles taking place across the battlefield in the overworld and between various units. Unicorn Overlord seamlessly blends traditional RPG elements into a unique 2D tactical video game. Whether you’re an experienced strategist or just starting out with tactical role-playing games, this game is easy to pick up and enjoy.”
Beyond engaging in massive real-time fights, players have the freedom to manage their characters, explore towns and cities, and undertake side missions. The game Unicorn Overlord emphasizes character and class recruitment, which significantly impacts the plot’s development. Additionally, players can choose to spare or eliminate previously hostile enemies, a decision that influences the game’s narrative in the end.
As a gamer, I’ve recently dived into the captivating world of Unicorn Overlord, and let me tell you, it’s been an unforgettable journey! This game has garnered an impressive average rating of 87.3 across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox platforms on Metacritic. But what truly sets it apart is the staggering 99% critic recommendation it received on Opencritic. With such accolades, Unicorn Overlord is definitely a strong candidate for this year’s Game of the Year award. I can’t wait to see where the game takes us next!
Dragons Dogma 2
Released by Capcom as a follow-up to their 2012 title Dragon’s Dogma, Dragon’s Dogma 2 quickly became a sensation in the gaming community, particularly due to its extensive character customization options. Players were already displaying their unique and diverse character designs even before the game was officially launched, thanks to an early character creation demo. However, Dragon’s Dogma 2 offers much more than just customizable characters; its engaging gameplay, intense combat sequences, and immersive world-building have placed Capcom’s newest video game among the top contenders for Game of the Year.
In Dragon’s Dogma 2, you can pick from various character roles, known as Vocations, each offering unique skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Additionally, this game features a system where you can enlist the help of non-player characters, or Pawns, in combat. With its expansive open world and captivating narrative, it’s easy to lose track of time as you delve deep into Dragon’s Dogma 2, potentially investing hundreds of hours in your quest.
Despite the game appearing nearly flawless across most elements, it faced a barrage of criticism, predominantly due to Capcom incorporating microtransactions. The game offered various purchasable items like ferrystones for fast travel, though these could also be obtained through regular gameplay. Many gamers find the inclusion of microtransactions in a single-player game perplexing and contradictory. As a result, the game has been subject to numerous negative reviews on Steam. However, it maintains an average score of 86 on Metacritic and a 93% recommendation rate from critics on Opencritic, hinting that this title remains a strong contender for Game of the Year in 20XX.
Stellar Blade
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The action-packed game titled Stellar Blade, created by Shift Up Studios (a Korean game developer), has been published on PlayStation 5 by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Despite some controversy over its storyline, players have lauded its impressive combat and visuals, resulting in it becoming the best-selling video game in the US during April.
Stellar Blade’s battle system shares many characteristics with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. In both games, players must learn enemy attack patterns, mastering the art of precise parries and counterattacks. Additionally, Stellar Blade takes full advantage of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller’s haptic feedback during combat. This feature allows players to sense enemy attacks and gauge the accuracy of their own weapon usage and strikes.
In the world of Stellar Blade, it’s not just the gameplay that captivates players; the visuals play a significant role in its widespread appeal. The heroine Eve can be tailored to your liking with a variety of collectible outfits at your disposal, each offering unique benefits for gameplay. However, some critics argue that Eve’s character design leans towards overt sexualization. Stellar Blade’s creators, Shift Up, have defended this design choice as catering to mature audiences. Despite the controversy, Stellar Blade boasts an impressive 81 score on Metacritic and a 84% recommendation from critics on OpenCritic.
Helldivers 2
2024 saw Helldivers 2, initially the biggest PC launch for PlayStation Studios, become embroiled in a PSN account scandal and garner considerable attention, making it one of the year’s most debated yet popular games. A third-person cooperative shooter, Helldivers 2 focuses on completing objectives during missions while contributing to collective goals known as “Major Orders.” This style of gameplay promotes teamwork as players work together to achieve specific objectives that contribute to a common objective across the universe. The game also offers a continuous battle pass system called “Warbonds,” allowing players to earn in-game currency without an expiration date.
Helldivers 2, created by Arrowhead Game Studios and distributed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, is now playable on both PCs and PS5. However, a debate arose about the necessity of PSN accounts for PC users, which ultimately led to its unavailability in 177 countries without PSN access. This controversial move triggered a wave of negative reviews on Steam, prompting Sony to rescind the PSN account requirement for PC gamers.
In the impacted areas, Helldivers 2 is no longer accessible via Steam; however, its popularity remains high, with an 82 rating on Metacritic and a 90% critical recommendation on OpenCritic. This strong acclaim might even secure it as Game of the Year for this year.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
If people were already amazed by the remake of Final Fantasy 7, wait until they see Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth! Square Enix has expanded on what they started with the original 1997 classic, and this time, the game offers a fully explorable world map that includes familiar locations like Costa Del Sol, Cosmo Canyon, Gold Saucer, and Gongaga. The updated Final Fantasy 7 feels more alive than ever!
As a diehard Final Fantasy fan, I can’t contain my excitement about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second installment in the eagerly anticipated trilogy. This game is a breathtaking remake of the 1997 original that we all know and love. One of the most thrilling aspects for me, as a loyal fan, is the inclusion of new playable party members, like Red XIII and Cait Sith. Furthermore, the reappearance of beloved characters such as Cid Highwind and Vincent Valentine adds an extra layer of delight. For us long-term fans, these additions are truly a cherished treat!
Despite some controversy over the reimagining of Final Fantasy 7 as a trilogy, the immense popularity of the game and its franchise is evident from the overwhelmingly positive reception towards Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The game’s impressive scores of 92 on Metacritic and 99% critic recommendation on OpenCritic indicate that it could potentially secure the Game of the Year (GOTY) award.
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2024-08-14 01:12