Images: Saber Interactive, Playstack, Team ASOBI
From heart-pounding action games to addictive titles you simply can't put down, here are GosuGamers' picks for the 2024 Game of the Year.
Game of the Year is always a controversial topic of discussion, with every gamer out there having their own picks and opinions on what is the game of the year. The list of winners (and losers) from the Game Awards 2024 already caused quite a bit of ruckus last week, and the writing team here at GosuGamers can't help but add fuel to the fire by shouting to the world which games we think deserve Game of the Year. Just because we can.
Without further ado, here are the GosuGamers writing team's picks for the 2024 Game of the Year.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Release date: September 9
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
By Kurt Lozano
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the original Space Marine game released back in 2011. The long wait has been well worth it for fans, as Space Marine 2 delivers one of the best Warhammer 40,000 video game experiences ever.
Space Marine 2’s main draw is its single-player campaign (which can also be played in co-op) that continues the story of the titular Space Marine, Demetrian Titus. The game also has plenty of multiplayer game modes to keep players hooked, like the co-op PvE Operations and the PvP Eternal War – with even more content set to be added in the future, all for free.
Space Marine 2 immerses players into the Warhammer 40,000 universe’s grimdark setting in spectacular fashion, as the Space Marines fight a desperate war in defense of the Imperium against all manner of enemies. The endless hordes of Tyranids you fight for a big chunk of the game capture this perfectly, as the unending waves you see in the background are not just setpieces – they’re actually getting closer to try and kill you.
Of course, Space Marine 2 also lets players live out the Space Marine power fantasy as the game truly lets you feel like a Space Marine – genetically-enhanced super-soldiers created tasked with destroying all that threaten the Imperium with their boltgun, chainsword, fists, and more. The game also captures a bit of the tabletop game’s flavor by letting players customise their own Space Marine for multiplayer play.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Warhammer 40,000 or someone new to the series, Space Marine 2 is one of the best depictions of this beloved universe that you shouldn’t miss out on.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Release date: February 29
Platform: PlayStation 5
By Dom Ng
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the continuation of Final Fantasy VII Remake, and the second instalment of the modern day FF7 trilogy of games. Rebirth includes plenty of sidequests, fleshes out a lot more of the main characters’ stories, and even gave us a very controversial ending to the game seemingly without further explanation. It dives deeper into the backstories and relationships of Cloud and his allies, retelling moments from the original FF7 game, albeit in a new style due to its premise.
The combat system is extremely fluid, and in many ways better than Remake’s. Visually, the game looks amazing and even more polished than Remake, with meticulous attention paid to details in character designs and environments. The soundtrack is also a masterpiece, with many familiar tunes being remade to fit the tone of the game.
While honouring the original story, Rebirth goes in unexpected directions that provoke speculation and discussion. Sometimes, one may even outright argue that it takes liberties with the original game. But we personally feel that once Part 3 is out, we will be able to appreciate the wide tapestry Square Enix is trying to paint with this trilogy.
Metaphor Re:Fantazio
Release date: October 11
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
By Arianne Blanco
I’ve already nerded out about Metaphor Re:Fantazio with a review I wrote after its release, but I’m not about to squander the chance to hype it up even more! Metaphor Re:Fantazio is Atlus’s love letter to the JRPG genre. A whole new game that features Atlus’s key strengths when it comes to game-making: the soundtrack is superb, the story is unforgettable, and the art is nothing short of breathtakingly gorgeous. It’s no wonder that Metaphor Re:Fantazio racked up a ton of awards at The Game Awards 2024 (And yes, I’m still salty that it lost Game of The Year).
But besides me obviously being deeply in love with the art and sound design of Metaphor Re:Fantazio, the game also breathed new life into the typical turn-based combat system that Atlus is known for. The combat provided a fresh new experience that should appeal to both Persona and Shin Megami Tensei fans. It feels like a refined and arguably more difficult type of turn-based combat as opposed to Persona’s, which amps up the excitement and stakes, although there are still familiar elements like player advantage when you attack enemies without spotting you. You can choose to either enter turn-based combat, or just hack and slash away if you’re at a higher level!
Metaphor Re:Fantazio also doesn’t shy away from portraying a generally dark and serious story; the main character is a veritable outcast of society; disregarded, abused, and hated by those around him simply for his race. However, that doesn’t mean Metaphor can’t uplift you. There are tons of heartwarming moments between each character, as the player builds strong and relatable enough bonds with companions to make you forget the lack of romance options in the game (although I am a bit sad I can’t get to romance Hulkenberg, Metaphor’s Best Girl). At the heart of this game is a poignant message, and the message is: you are capable of controlling your own destiny.
Balatro
Release Date: February 20
Platform: PC, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
By Tommy Makmur
Balatro doesn't have a story that makes you question your life or hooks you instantly with conspiracy theories. Balatro doesn’t have AAA graphics that cost millions of dollars for their photorealism. So, what it is it about Balatro that makes it my pick for Game of The Year? It simply offered something much more important to me: good ol’ fashioned addictive fun.
The game is simple: you are given a deck and make poker hands with it. Every Hand you make earns you chips, and you can only make a limited amount of Hands. Accumulate enough chips, and you will pass Blinds. There are three rounds of Blinds that you need to clear to go to the next level: Small Blind, Big Blind, and Boss Blind. Every time you clear a Boss Blind, your Ante goes up, which means you go to the next level and repeat the three rounds of Blind. If you can’t complete a Blind, the game ends, and you start over.
So, what makes Balatro addicting? Allow me to introduce you to the Joker, the ultimate Dopamine releaser. Each time you complete a Blind, you can buy a Joker, and there are 150 types of it that boost your run – ranging from multiplying your chip gain to leting you play more Hands. Nothing’s more satisfying than seeing the number of chips go up and up.
Overall, Balatro is a fun game that can entertain casual and hardcore gamers alike, and it doesn’t require a full-time commitment from players. Most importantly, you can play Balatro almost everywhere, whether it's in front of your PC or… on the toilet waiting for that one enormous discharge.
Astro Bot
Release Date: September 6
Platform: PlayStation 5
By Timothy Raj Augustin
Astro Bot is a Super Mario-esque triumph in platforming from Team Asobi, a studio that unblushingly channels the love it holds for decades of PlayStation history into its most brilliantly creative game yet. The game’s adorable robot mascot is a part of that history himself; Astro first appeared in 2013’s The Playroom in a demo for the PlayStation Camera. He then went on to appear in similar demo-like titles for niche console offshoots like Astro Bot Rescue Mission for the PlayStation VR, and Astro’s Playroom for the DualSense controller.
Astro Bot (2024) is his first flagship title, and considering this character’s history, who better to celebrate 30 years of PlayStation history? The game picks up right after the events of Astro’s Playroom, with Astro’s PlayStation 5 mothership blown to pieces and his robot friends scattered across space. Players have to repair the mothership by hunting down its many anatomically-accurate pieces and reunite Astro with as many bots as possible. There are hundreds of the latter, so that’s a task in itself.
It might come easy to dismiss Astro Bot as nothing more than a PlayStation ad - after all, those circles, crosses, squares and triangles are ubiquitous in every level — but that would be a gross underestimation of what the game really has to offer. Somehow, Team Asobi has assembled not only a series of thrilling and imaginative platforming setpieces for this game, but brought them to life in some of the most tactile environments we’ve ever seen in a platformer. Once in a while, a game comes along that makes good on the DualSense’s gimmicky adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. This is one of them.
Team Asobi has a strong sense of what makes the platforming genre work. New ideas and experiences are pelted at the player here at a breezy pace, each level offering new combinations of gadgets, environments and playstyles, so they never feel fatigued — only energised to keep going and see what lies in store for them next. From the game’s shockingly epic bossfights and emotional climax, to its catchy soundtrack and plethora of side activities, Astro Bot is a game that delivers on its promise of being a joyous platformer on every conceivable level.
Zenless Zone Zero
Release Date: July 2
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, PlayStation 5
By Anna Bernardo
I’m not a stranger to HoYoverse games, but I never expected to call one my game of the year. Yet Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), a free-to-play action RPG has me hooked.
Breaking away from HoYo’s RPG formula and vibe since its last two games Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, ZZZ plunges players into a post-apocalyptic world. Set in New Eridu, humanity’s last refuge, the city is constantly threatened by Hollows — anomalies that corrupt life, turning them into Ethereals. Players step into the role of a proxy, guiding agents through these Hollows to secure resources and find a way out.
The game’s fast-paced combat is its crown jewel. Parrying, dodging, and well-time attacks are rewarded, and now with the option to remove “TV mode,” these high-adrenaline encounters are easily available. And for those hungry for a challenge, weekly boss fights are available, scaling in difficulty as the story and gameplay progress.
Outside the Hollows, New Eridu offers a nostalgic vibe with 90s and early 2000s aesthetics. Tasks assigned to proxies outside of combat feel far less tedious than in previous HoYo titles, making it easier to gather resources for the next gacha pull and easier for players to come back should they decide to take a break.
What sets ZZZ apart is its colourful cast of agents, paired with unconventional humour and mature innuendos (special mention to the Sons of Calydon). While some label it as a “gooner game,” ZZZ only keeps its tone playful without ever crossing the line. Five months in, ZZZ remains a rewarding experience for players balancing busy schedules, offering challenges at their own pace and a mysterious world that blends intrigue with light-hearted moments, in a story that continues to unfold.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Release Date: October 30
Platforms: Android, iOS
By Jay Chan
Announced on February 27, Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) Pocket was a strange prospect. There is already a Pokemon TCG Live game, which acts as a digital extension of the physical Pokemon TCG. Players can already redeem codes from physical Pokemon TCG products, collect cards and play against opponents online — all on Pokemon TCG Live. What is so different about Pocket?
Feeling curious, I pre-registered for the game, and got it downloaded onto my phone on October 30. I played it for a while, and I have to say that Pokemon TCG Pocket is another big win in the massive Pokemon franchise. Pokemon TCG Pocket focuses on opening packs and collecting cards unlike its Live counterpart, and some of the art in the cards are just gorgeous and impossible to replicate in a physical card.
The UI of the game is also simple and clean, and quite the step up from Live. And of course, you can still battle other opponents (or the AI) like in any TCG! While competitive Pokemon TCG Pocket runs a little differently from the actual physical Pokemon TCG, the gameplay is mostly similar and much shorter. This makes the game an ideal one for short commutes, or when you need a short break from work.
I have played many card games on my phone like Magic: The Gathering Arena and Marvel Snap, but I've never been able to stick with them (for various reasons) the way I have with Pokemon TCG Pocket. Eventhough the game is new, and some of its competitive elements are still unpolished, I am already sucked in; the game will get even better with additional content released — I am sure about it!
