2023 was always going to be a hard year to follow with the volume of bangers making it difficult for critics and players to pick a definitive number one game. 2024 wasn’t quite as intense but it was not short of quality, with several titles staking their claim for one of the many coveted Game of the Year awards. However, once again the year was soured by constant layoffs and studio closures, and all of us at WellPlayed would like to thank every affected developer or employee who contributed to a game that released in 2024, and those whose projects never made it to the finish line. We wish you all the best and hope that you all have or will land on your feet.
When it comes to celebrating games, the WellPlayd Game Awards are up there with the best (or so we like to think), and using a foolproof 3-2-1 weighted voting system that continues to baffle the WellPlayed team, we’ve settled on winners in 11 different categories. Strap in, there are no world premieres or Muppet segments here, just winners coming at you hard and fast.
If you would like to hear us discuss the 2024 WellPlayed Game Awards, you can check out the WellPlayed DLC Podcast episode where all the action unfolds below:
Game Of The Year: Astro Bot
Review Score: 9 // Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment // Developer: Team Asobi // Platforms: PS5
Our review said:
Astro Bot is a wonderfully entertaining and diverse platformer that throws new ideas at you at an incredible rate, topped with stunning visuals and an injection of PlayStation nostalgia.
Self-Published Indie Of The Year: Another Crab’s Treasure and UFO 50
Review Score: N/A // Publisher: Aggro Crab // Developer: Aggro Crab // Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Switch / PC
Review Score: N/A // Publisher: Mossmouth // Developer: Mossmouth // Platforms: PC
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Third-Party Published Indie Of The Year: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Review Score: 9.5 // Publisher: Ubisoft // Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier // Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Switch / PC
Our review said:
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an expertly executed series revival that displays the best of Ubisoft Montpellier’s pedigree while pushing the action-platformer to new highs.
Best Multiplayer Game: Helldivers 2
Review Score: 9 // Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment // Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios // Platforms: PS5 / PC
Our review said:
Crafted with intelligence and brimming with chaotic good vibes, Helldivers 2 sets the kind of tone many others in the action space should take notice of, overcoming some early tech issues by being a sheer delight to play.
Narrative Of The Year: Metaphor: ReFantazio and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Review Score: 9 // Publisher: SEGA // Developer: Atlus // Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / PC
Our review said:
This excitingly realised world of magic and tech reflects the prism of current-day humanity upon its canvas in often confronting ways but with an excess of style to boot. You may even find a few metaphors about social cohesion and prejudice in here.
Review Score: 9.5 // Publisher: SEGA // Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio // Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC
Our review said:
As a story, it pulls together numerous strings and introduces plenty more, wrapping them together carefully to ensure there are plenty of satisfying and equally shocking reveals.
Best Art Style: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Review Score: 9.5 // Publisher: Epic Games Publishing // Developer: Remedy Entertainment // Platforms: PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / PC
Our review said:
Everything looks slick, with the exemplars of fashionable yet functional interfaces back at it again. Forging new bonds with supporters and levelling up is rewarded with a colourful, inspired mishmash of styles.
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Best Game Design: Astro Bot
Review Score: 9 // Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment // Developer: Team Asobi // Platforms: PS5
Our review said:
Building on the interactive mechanics found in Playroom, almost every level comes equipped with a gimmick that dictates the gameplay…Each of them feels different to the last and are all equally engaging and fun, resulting in a frankly staggering level of creative variety that kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
Best Aussie-Made Game: The Plucky Squire
Review Score: 9.5 // Publisher: All Possible Futures // Developer: Devolver Digital // Platforms: PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / Switch / PC
A wickedly creative romp through a basic storybook tale of good versus evil that ends up being anything but basic, The tale of Jot and his merry band of mates is one that you will easily enjoy — remembered long after that final page has been turned.
Best Sound Design: Silent Hill 2
Review Score: N/A // Publisher: Konami // Developer: Bloober Team // Platforms: PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / PC
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Best Soundtrack: Astro Bot (Composed by Kenneth CM Young
Review Score: 9 // Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment // Developer: Team Asobi // Platforms: PS5
Our review said:
Every level is soundtracked by an earworm that you’ll be humming for days after putting the controller down. Whether it’s a tune about the GPU or CPU, the memorable odes to the PS5 hardware are infectious and entertaining companion pieces to the game’s amazing platforming action.
Best Performance: Luke Roberts (James Sunderland in Silent Hill 2)
Review Score: N/A // Publisher: Konami // Developer: Bloober Team // Platforms: PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / PC
Well that’s another year down, with another round of winners etching their names in the WellPlayed history books.
What were your favourite games of 2024? How did we fare with our winners? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
