The polls for the PlayStation Recreation of the 12 months 2024 awards closed final week and with the numbers crunched – totalling over 1.6 million votes globally – we are able to reveal this 12 months’s high 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 way of choosing from shortlists or write-in choices. A thanks to those that voted, and naturally, 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 tips:
- As with nearly all of the opposite classes, Finest Multiplayer Expertise focuses on titles launched in 2024. Finest Ongoing Recreation focuses on titles which have seen new, massive scale content material or game-changing updates launch over this previous 12 months.
- Finest Rerelease is categorized as titles that, in the primary, function upgraded visuals and a few QoL enhancements however in any other case hew near their unique launch model. This class doesn’t embrace full-scale remakes of older titles. These are eligible for Recreation of the 12 months consideration.
- As a result of polls closure date, some titles weren’t eligible for inclusion. These titles will probably be eligible in subsequent 12 months’s Awards.
- If a title gained a Platinum Trophy in a class any earlier 12 months, it gained’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 Recreation of 2025 and Past class – because it earned the Platinum in 2023’s Awards.
Congratulations to everybody who launched titles this 12 months.
Finest 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 Finest New Character class obtained the very best variety of write-in votes, so a shout out to – amongst others – Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Strohl, Last Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail’s Wuk Lamat, and Helldivers 2’s Normal Brasch, all of whom have followers throughout the globe. The vast majority of the votes nonetheless 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.
Finest Story
Platinum Trophy: Silent Hill 2
Gold Trophy: Last Fantasy VII Rebirth
Silver Trophy: Stellar Blade
Bronze Trophy: Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6
The Finest 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 high place: Silent Hill 2 and Last 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 highest spot. Bloober Workforce and Konami’s remake of this PS2 traditional captured the dreamlike essence of the unique title whereas enhancing it with high-fidelity facial seize so as to add additional nuance to the city’s troubled guests. We’ll see Silent Hill 2 in our stressed goals for years.
Finest Graphical Showcase
Platinum Trophy: Black Fantasy: Wukong
Gold Trophy: Astro Bot
Silver Trophy: Last Fantasy VII Rebirth
Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade
You already know that second once you’re enjoying a recreation and also you simply need to cease and say wow? 2024 has been choc-full of these because of a line-up of attractive video games which have pushed the boundaries of what’s potential graphically. Adventures like Stellar Blade and Last Fantasy VII Rebirth introduced a sensible fashion to their improbable worlds, whereas the brilliant and playful planets inhabited by Astro and his bot buddies captured the hearts (and eyes) of players in every single place.
Maybe one of the crucial memorable of these moments is the opening of Black Fantasy: Wukong, which sees you elevating your workers in a surprising combat amidst the clouds. However that’s just the start; the motion epic’s towering mountains, dense forests and glistening snowfields actually highlighted simply how stunning PS5’s visuals may be, serving to it declare this 12 months’s Platinum trophy.
Finest Artwork Route
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Last 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, Last Fantasy VII: Rebirth featured top-tier character and boss design, whereas Silent Hill 2 superbly recaptured the moody ambiance of the PS2 unique with a recent aesthetic.
Nonetheless, Workforce Asobi’s Astro Bot leaped as much as declare high prize within the class. The platforming journey’s Bots sport loving homages to traditional recreation characters decked out in gear that thoughtfully distills the unique character design. Every stage is a visible banger in addition, together with creative knife-juggling ghosts, conventional Japanese structure, and outlandish sci-fi contraptions. Congrats to Workforce Asobi.
Finest Audio Design
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Silent Hill 2
Silver Trophy: Last Fantasy VII Rebirth
Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade
This 12 months our ears rang with clashing steel, buzzing devices, and small cities creaking and moaning, respiratory detailed life into the environments we performed by way of. Nevertheless it was Astro Bot’s all-encompassing auditory journey that blasted it to the highest spot. From Astro’s pitter patter adjusting to no matter terrain he crossed, to the squishes, bangs, and pows of his energy fits, each stage crammed gamers’ ears with a galaxy of sound.
Finest Soundtrack
Platinum Trophy: Last Fantasy VII Rebirth
Gold Trophy: Astro Bot
Silver Trophy: Stellar Blade
Bronze Trophy: Silent Hill 2
2024 featured stiff competitors within 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, Last Fantasy VII: Rebirth secures the highest place for Finest Soundtrack. It’s no surprise, as the unique PlayStation recreation is taken into account to have one of many best soundtracks within 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 in opposition to Sephiroth. This 12 months, among the finest soundtracks ever solely bought higher.
Finest Use of DualSense
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Stellar Blade
Silver Trophy: Last 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 understand how way more immersive the DualSense could make your video games. And this 12 months, many builders made probably the most of its options to make their video games extra terrifying, difficult and pleasing.
With Astro Bot, winner of this 12 months’s Platinum trophy to be used of DualSense, Workforce Asobi constructed on what they created up to now. From rolling Astro round in a LocoRoco-inspired world to clearing the trail with a blow of your breath, each factor of the journey is developed with the controller in thoughts, including to the enjoyment of an already joyful recreation.
Finest 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
Workforce 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 really distinctive implementation of haptic suggestions with visible cues in tow, guarantee gamers can discover a bevy of vibrant worlds alongside Astro.
Finest Multiplayer Expertise
Platinum Trophy: Helldivers 2
Gold Trophy: Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6
Silver Trophy: Fortnite
Bronze Trophy: Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Shelling out peace doesn’t come simple, however the style of liber-tea is that a lot sweeter when shared with a workforce. This 12 months gamers united below the Helldivers 2 flag of democracy to combat off bots and bugs. Whether or not you dropped in with associates or accomplished mission goals with strangers on-line, we salute you.
Finest Ongoing Recreation
Platinum Trophy: Fortnite
Gold Trophy: Last Fantasy XIV On-line
Silver Trophy: Name of Obligation
Bronze Trophy: No Man’s Sky
Nothing lasts eternally, however some video games have advanced into an ever-growing ecosystem. Fixed updates bringing new fierce competitions in Gran Turismo 7, rebuilding a universe from the bottom up in No Man’s Sky and exploring new frontiers in Last Fantasy XIV On-line.
With fixed innovation, endless tales, and an entire galaxy to discover there was one recreation that has withstood the check of time above the remainder. Fortnite. Whether or not it’s dancing with Snoop Dogg, tackling groups with the TMNT, or simply hanging together with your greatest associates and anime characters, Fortnite appeals to the creativeness of us all. Add in modes like LEGO, automotive racing, and even an FPS, and you’ve got a recreation that’s higher than the sum of its components.
Finest Growth
Platinum Trophy: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
Gold Trophy: God of Struggle Ragnarök: Valhalla
Silver Trophy: Last Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide
Bronze Trophy: Alan Wake 2: The Lake Home
Wished to discover extra of Kratos’ historical past? God of Struggle Ragnarök: Valhalla delivered. Craved a brand new Last Fantasy XVI story? 2024 had you lined. Wanted extra Alan Wake in your life? Yup, bought that too.
There was no scarcity of expansions of already improbable video games this 12 months. God of Struggle 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 many largest expansions of the 12 months, it introduced dozens of latest enemies and managers to face, an entire 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 certainly one of FromSoftware’s most difficult boss fights ever, including a scrumptious and lethal cherry on high of an unimaginable journey.
Finest Sports activities Recreation
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 recreation gamers in 2024. F1 24’s improved Dynamic Dealing with dazzled adrenaline junkies with sensible heart-pumping races, whereas WWE 2K24 got here off the highest rope to ship nostalgia by bringing again fan-favorite match varieties.
The competitors was sturdy however EA Sports activities FC 25 took residence the chip, securing the Finest Sports activities Recreation title for 2024. The brand new FC IQ function overhauled techniques and delivered probably the most strategic management over gameplay within the franchise’s historical past. EA Sports activities FC 25 additionally made it simpler to choose up and play with associates within the 5v5 Rush mode, as smaller groups carry extra time on the ball for gamers who wish to be near the motion.
Finest 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 Preventing Assortment: Arcade Classics
The Final of Us Half II Remastered kicked down the door firstly 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.
Finest Unbiased Recreation
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 in the end 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.
Finest PS VR2 Recreation
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 remains to be a vivid reminiscence for a lot of, pulling within 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 ambiance. Phasmophobia proved supernatural escapades are greatest with firm, and Cooking Simulator VR delighted with its culinary chaos.
Finest PS4 Recreation
Platinum Trophy: Name of Obligation: Black Ops 6
Gold Trophy: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Silver Trophy: Sonic X Shadow Generations
Bronze Trophy: Persona 3 Reload
A few of 2024’s greatest 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 Finest PS4 Recreation victory this 12 months. Treyarch and its improvement companions delivered a gripping, action-packed marketing campaign, ushered within 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.
Finest PS5 Recreation
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Black Fantasy: Wukong
Silver Trophy: Last Fantasy VII Rebirth
Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade
Nice gaming experiences launched throughout your entire stretch of 2024, and 4 particularly had been seemingly high of thoughts for a lot of voters. Last 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 nearly all of votes.
Studio of the 12 months
Platinum Trophy: Workforce 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 carry to life. We had one of many best satire multiplayer experiences, a brand new staple within the action-adventure style, and a workforce placing out a number of hits in a calendar 12 months. Nonetheless, the studio that captured the hearts of gamers was Workforce Asobi.
Via Astro Bot, Workforce Asobi tapped into the simplistic but hard-to-master, pleasure of enjoying a online game. From invoking emotions in seasoned players they could have forgotten, to being a brand new gamer’s first magical expertise. They show to gamers they’ve the expertise to carry out the very best within the artwork kind.
Most Anticipated Recreation of 2025 and Past
Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei
Gold Trophy: Marvel’s Wolverine
Silver Trophy: Demise Stranding 2: On The Seashore
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 carry sword clashes, exploration and extra to 2025 within the type of Ghost of Yōtei. And with Insomniac’s and Kojima Manufacturing’s newest works additionally a part of PlayStation’s future, there’s loads to be enthusiastic about.
