The polls for the PlayStation Game of the Year 2024 awards closed final week and with the numbers crunched – totalling over 1.6 million votes globally – we will reveal this 12 months’s prime contenders throughout the 19 classes, as formed solely by your selections. Whereas 4 titles earned trophies per class, there have been quite a few video games that obtained assist from gamers worldwide, both by deciding on from shortlists or write-in choices. A thanks to those that voted, and of course, to these creators and groups whose creativity and craft has been shared and loved on PlayStation consoles the world over.
Earlier than we dig into the winners, a fast reminder on the class pointers:
- As with the majority of the different classes, Greatest Multiplayer Expertise focuses on titles launched in 2024. Greatest Ongoing Game focuses on titles which have seen new, giant scale content material or game-changing updates launch over this previous 12 months.
- Greatest Rerelease is categorized as titles that, in the fundamental, function upgraded visuals and a few QoL enhancements however in any other case hew near their authentic launch model. This class doesn’t embrace full-scale remakes of older titles. These are eligible for Game of the Year consideration.
- As a consequence of the polls closure date, some titles weren’t eligible for inclusion. These titles might be eligible in subsequent 12 months’s Awards.
- If a title received a Platinum Trophy in a class any earlier 12 months, it received’t be eligible for inclusion in the identical class this 12 months to permit different titles an opportunity to shine. As such Grand Theft Auto VI isn’t included in The Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Past class – because it earned the Platinum in 2023’s Awards.
Congratulations to everybody who launched titles this 12 months.
Greatest New Character
Platinum Trophy: Eve (Stellar Blade)
Gold Trophy: Jane Harrow (Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6)
Silver Trophy: Emmrich Volkarin (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
Bronze Trophy: Ryoma Sakamoto (Rise of the Rōnin)
The Greatest New Character class obtained the highest quantity of write-in votes, so a shout out to – amongst others – Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Strohl, Remaining Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail’s Wuk Lamat, and Helldivers 2’s Basic Brasch, all of whom have followers throughout the globe. The majority of the votes nevertheless had been cut up between Stellar Blade’s Eve, Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6’s Jane Harrow, Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Emmrich Volkarin and Rise of the Rōnin’s Ryoma Sakamoto.
Greatest Story
Platinum Trophy: Silent Hill 2
Gold Trophy: Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth
Silver Trophy: Stellar Blade
Bronze Trophy: Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6
The Greatest Story class had sturdy competitors this 12 months, together with new gripping narratives in Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6 and Stellar Blade. Two unforgettable remakes duked it out for prime place: Silent Hill 2 and Remaining Fantasy VII: Rebirth. The votes for primary had been remarkably shut.
In the end, James Sunderland’s surreal return journey to Silent Hill took the prime spot. Bloober Staff and Konami’s remake of this PS2 traditional captured the dreamlike essence of the authentic title whereas enhancing it with high-fidelity facial seize so as to add further nuance to the city’s troubled guests. We’ll see Silent Hill 2 in our stressed desires for years.
Greatest Graphical Showcase
Platinum Trophy: Black Fantasy: Wukong
Gold Trophy: Astro Bot
Silver Trophy: Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth
Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade
that second once you’re enjoying a sport and also you simply must cease and say wow? 2024 has been choc-full of these due to a line-up of attractive video games which have pushed the boundaries of what is feasible graphically. Adventures like Stellar Blade and Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth introduced a practical type to their unbelievable worlds, whereas the vibrant and playful planets inhabited by Astro and his bot buddies captured the hearts (and eyes) of avid gamers in all places.
Maybe one of the most memorable of these moments is the opening of Black Fantasy: Wukong, which sees you elevating your workers in a shocking battle amidst the clouds. However that’s simply the starting; the motion epic’s towering mountains, dense forests and glistening snowfields actually highlighted simply how stunning PS5’s visuals will be, serving to it declare this 12 months’s Platinum trophy.
Greatest Artwork Course
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth
Silver Trophy: Silent Hill 2
Bronze Trophy: Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
The video games of 2024 introduced top-tier creative visions to life, from harrowing horrors to fantastical creatures. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero captured the supply materials completely, Remaining Fantasy VII: Rebirth featured top-tier character and boss design, whereas Silent Hill 2 fantastically recaptured the moody environment of the PS2 authentic with a recent aesthetic.
Nonetheless, Staff Asobi’s Astro Bot leaped as much as declare prime prize in the class. The platforming journey’s Bots sport loving homages to traditional sport characters decked out in gear that thoughtfully distills the authentic character design. Every stage is a visible banger as well, together with ingenious knife-juggling ghosts, conventional Japanese structure, and outlandish sci-fi contraptions. Congrats to Staff Asobi.
Greatest Audio Design
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Silent Hill 2
Silver Trophy: Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth
Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade
This 12 months our ears rang with clashing steel, buzzing devices, and small cities creaking and moaning, respiration detailed life into the environments we performed by. Nevertheless it was Astro Bot’s all-encompassing auditory journey that blasted it to the prime spot. From Astro’s pitter patter adjusting to no matter terrain he crossed, to the squishes, bangs, and pows of his energy fits, each degree crammed gamers’ ears with a galaxy of sound.
Greatest Soundtrack
Platinum Trophy: Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth
Gold Trophy: Astro Bot
Silver Trophy: Stellar Blade
Bronze Trophy: Silent Hill 2
2024 featured stiff competitors in the soundtrack division. Astro Bot launched new tracks we’ll be buzzing properly into 2025. Silent Hill 2 brilliantly recaptured Akira Yamaoka’s eclectic and moody sounds, and Stellar Blade’s soundtrack was, properly, stellar.
Nonetheless, Remaining Fantasy VII: Rebirth secures the prime place for Greatest Soundtrack. It’s no surprise, as the authentic PlayStation sport is taken into account to have one of the best soundtracks in the historical past of the medium. Every observe in Rebirth is stunningly fleshed out with broader instrumentation, from the soothing city of Kalm to the rousing boss battles towards Sephiroth. This 12 months, one of the finest soundtracks ever solely obtained higher.
Greatest Use of DualSense
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Stellar Blade
Silver Trophy: Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth
Bronze Trophy: Silent Hill 2
Should you’ve heard the conflict of Eve’s blade ring out from its speaker, or felt the pitter-patter of the rain in Silent Hill, you know the way rather more immersive the DualSense could make your video games. And this 12 months, many builders made the most of its options to make their video games extra terrifying, difficult and satisfying.
With Astro Bot, winner of this 12 months’s Platinum trophy to be used of DualSense, Staff Asobi constructed on what they created in the previous. From rolling Astro round in a LocoRoco-inspired world to clearing the path with a blow of your breath, each component of the journey is developed with the controller in thoughts, including to the enjoyment of an already joyful sport.
Greatest Accessibility Options
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: The Final of Us Half II Remastered
Silver Trophy: Silent Hill 2
Bronze Trophy: Horizon Zero Daybreak Remastered
Staff Asobi has not solely crafted an epic, nostalgic journey paying homage to PlayStation’s intensive 30-year historical past, they’ve additionally championed accessibility by design! Excessive distinction visuals, a streamlined, Entry Controller-friendly management scheme, and actually distinctive implementation of haptic suggestions with visible cues in tow, guarantee gamers can discover a bevy of vibrant worlds alongside Astro.
Greatest Multiplayer Expertise
Platinum Trophy: Helldivers 2
Gold Trophy: Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6
Silver Trophy: Fortnite
Bronze Trophy: Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Dishing out peace doesn’t come straightforward, however the style of liber-tea is that a lot sweeter when shared with a staff. This 12 months gamers united beneath the Helldivers 2 flag of democracy to battle off bots and bugs. Whether or not you dropped in with mates or accomplished mission targets with strangers on-line, we salute you.
Greatest Ongoing Game
Platinum Trophy: Fortnite
Gold Trophy: Remaining Fantasy XIV On-line
Silver Trophy: Name of Obligation
Bronze Trophy: No Man’s Sky
Nothing lasts ceaselessly, however some video games have developed into an ever-growing ecosystem. Fixed updates bringing new fierce competitions in Gran Turismo 7, rebuilding a universe from the floor up in No Man’s Sky and exploring new frontiers in Remaining Fantasy XIV On-line.
With fixed innovation, unending tales, and a complete galaxy to discover there was one sport that has withstood the take a look at of time above the relaxation. Fortnite. Whether or not it’s dancing with Snoop Dogg, tackling groups with the TMNT, or simply hanging together with your finest mates and anime characters, Fortnite appeals to the creativeness of us all. Add in modes like LEGO, automobile racing, and even an FPS, and you’ve got a sport that’s better than the sum of its components.
Greatest Enlargement
Platinum Trophy: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
Gold Trophy: God of Conflict Ragnarök: Valhalla
Silver Trophy: Remaining Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide
Bronze Trophy: Alan Wake 2: The Lake Home
Wished to discover extra of Kratos’ historical past? God of Conflict Ragnarök: Valhalla delivered. Craved a brand new Remaining Fantasy XVI story? 2024 had you coated. Wanted extra Alan Wake in your life? Yup, obtained that too.
There was no scarcity of expansions of already unbelievable video games this 12 months. God of Conflict Ragnarök: Valhalla took you to the trials of the Norse afterlife, whereas Alan Wake 2: The Lake Home acted as an unnerving addendum to an already terrifying journey. In the meantime, we left the Lands Between to journey to the Land of Shadow in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree growth. Simply one of the largest expansions of the 12 months, it introduced dozens of new enemies and managers to face, a complete new map to discover and numerous new methods to develop your Tarnished’s armoury. The sheer quantity of content material apart, Shadow of the Erdtree additionally launched one of FromSoftware’s most difficult boss fights ever, including a scrumptious and lethal cherry on prime of an unimaginable journey.
Greatest Sports activities Game
Platinum Trophy: EA Sports activities FC 25
Gold Trophy: WWE 2K24
Silver Trophy: F1 24
Bronze Trophy: NBA 2K25
Excessive-scoring motion was plentiful for sports activities sport gamers in 2024. F1 24’s improved Dynamic Dealing with dazzled adrenaline junkies with real looking heart-pumping races, whereas WWE 2K24 got here off the prime rope to ship nostalgia by bringing again fan-favorite match sorts.
The competitors was sturdy however EA Sports activities FC 25 took house the chip, securing the Greatest Sports activities Game title for 2024. The new FC IQ function overhauled techniques and delivered the most strategic management over gameplay in the franchise’s historical past. EA Sports activities FC 25 additionally made it simpler to select up and play with mates in the 5v5 Rush mode, as smaller groups convey extra time on the ball for gamers who need to be near the motion.
Greatest Rerelease
Platinum Trophy: The Final of Us Half II Remastered
Gold Trophy: Horizon Zero Daybreak Remastered
Silver Trophy: Tomb Raider I-III Remastered
Bronze Trophy: Marvel vs Capcom Combating Assortment: Arcade Classics
The Final of Us Half II Remastered kicked down the door at the starting of 2024 with its spectacular visible enhancements, crisp body charge, and new No Return mode that provided new challenges as soon as gamers accomplished the emotionally charged story. Crisp foliage, dense shadows, and detailed character design pushed this launch to be gamers’ definitive model of the sport.
Greatest Impartial Game
Platinum Trophy: Balatro
Gold Trophy: Palworld
Silver Trophy: Phasmophobia
Bronze Trophy: 5 Nights at Freddy’s: Assist Wished 2 (Flat Model)
The frights of Phasmophobia and 5 Nights at Freddy’s: Assist Wished 2 saved gamers on their toes, and monster-taming journey Palworld helped them construct group. However this hand finally went to Balatro, which constructed a deck of roguelite enjoyable that turned poker on its head and saved gamers locked into its hypnotically enjoyable gameplay loop all 12 months.
Greatest PS VR2 Game
Platinum Trophy: Resident Evil 4 VR Mode
Gold Trophy: Metro Awakening
Silver Trophy: Phasmophobia
Bronze Trophy: Cooking Simulator VR
Immersive horror frights proved a robust draw for PS VR2 gamers. Regardless of launching this time final 12 months, Resident Evil 4 VR Mode continues to be a vivid reminiscence for a lot of, pulling in the majority of participant votes as Capcom sublimely tailored the thrills of its survival horror franchise for VR. Vertigo Video games introduced the post-apolycaptic world of Metro to VR, including in immersive options whereas retaining that franchise’s taut, oppressive environment. Phasmophobia proved supernatural escapades are finest with firm, and Cooking Simulator VR delighted with its culinary chaos.
Greatest PS4 Game
Platinum Trophy: Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6
Gold Trophy: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Silver Trophy: Sonic X Shadow Generations
Bronze Trophy: Persona 3 Reload
Some of 2024’s finest video games launched on each PS5 and PS4 this 12 months. Atlus delivered two RPG bangers with Private 3 Reload and Metaphor ReFantazio. Sega additionally expanded on its hedgehog love letter in Sonic X Shadow Generations, that includes a brand new marketing campaign. What a 12 months for Sega!
Regardless of the sturdy competitors, Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6 secures the Greatest PS4 Game victory this 12 months. Treyarch and its improvement companions delivered a gripping, action-packed marketing campaign, ushered in the return of round-based Zombies mode, and provided the infinite pleasure of genre-defining multiplayer. Congrats to the Name of Obligation builders for this 12 months’s achievement.
Greatest PS5 Game
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Black Fantasy: Wukong
Silver Trophy: Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth
Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade
Nice gaming experiences launched throughout the complete stretch of 2024, and 4 particularly had been seemingly prime of thoughts for a lot of voters. Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth’s lavish and expansive RPG journey kicked issues off again in February. Stellar Blade’s sci-fi motion unleashed itself on PS5 two months later, with Black Fantasy: Wukong’s personal tackle tight fight mechanics leapt into the fray in August. Nevertheless it was the platforming adventures of Astro Bot, launched in September, that netted the majority of votes.
Studio of the Year
Platinum Trophy: Staff Asobi
Gold Trophy: Bandai Namco
Silver Trophy: Shift Up
Bronze Trophy: Arrowhead Video games
No online game would exist with out gifted individuals and groups pouring their passions into the medium. Yearly, we’re privileged to expertise the creativeness and concepts that took years to convey to life. We had one of the best satire multiplayer experiences, a brand new staple in the action-adventure style, and a staff placing out a number of hits in a calendar 12 months. Nonetheless, the studio that captured the hearts of gamers was Staff Asobi.
By Astro Bot, Staff Asobi tapped into the simplistic but hard-to-master, pleasure of enjoying a online game. From invoking emotions in seasoned avid gamers they might have forgotten, to being a brand new gamer’s first magical expertise. They show to gamers they’ve the expertise to convey out the finest in the artwork type.
Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Past
Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei
Gold Trophy: Marvel’s Wolverine
Silver Trophy: Demise Stranding 2: On The Seaside
Bronze Trophy: Monster Hunter Wilds
Hotly-anticipated heavyweights line the horizon of 2025 onwards. Gamers haven’t lengthy to attend both: Monster Hunter Wilds launches in simply over two months. Whereas its beast-fighting delights kickstart the 12 months, Sucker Punch’s newest journey will convey sword clashes, exploration and extra to 2025 in the type of Ghost of Yōtei. And with Insomniac’s and Kojima Manufacturing’s newest works additionally half of PlayStation’s future, there’s lots to be enthusiastic about.