We’ve heard another awards present can be attempting to steal our thunder and muscle in on our territory as we speak, however who needs to journey to Los Angeles for a star-studded occasion anyway? The true motion, and the actual appropriate opinions, are proper right here.
2024 has been a reasonably good yr for video games, hasn’t it? There’s been some absolute bangers – although as with the final couple of instances we’ve written this text, that needs to be famous with an acknowledgement that it’s additionally been a disastrous yr for job losses and with it monumental losses of expertise from all angles of the trade: sport growth, publishing and advertising and marketing, and even our colleagues within the media. That bit continues to suck.
However there’s a lot to acknowledge this yr. Right here, we have a look again on the issues that stood out to us. When you’re executed, why not take a bit journey down reminiscence lane with our illustrious 2023 winners?
The Nostradamus Prize: Change 2 Clout Chasers
“Nintendo might lastly give followers a take a look at the Change 2 throughout an imminent Direct convention,” one mainstream newspaper web site breathlessly reported again in 2024. The article mined tweets from varied influencers and media podcasts. One analyst went as far as to peg a date vary on the announcement; these dates dutifully handed unmarked. When the fabled direct didn’t materialize, one other outlet known as it “the start of the tip”.
The primary spherical of Change 2 launch leaking got here in simply the second week of January, saying the machine can be revealed quickly and out in September. By September, we had been nonetheless studying leaks. Months after that, a YouTuber speculatively declares, “Nintendo will point out the Change 2 this week”, a daring prediction certainly when monetary updates are due and even them saying ‘We have now no updates on the successor to the Nintendo Change’ counts as a ‘point out’ that may be desperately mined for YouTube views. It’s a sample that has repeated just about all yr.
Commenters arrive at a savage conclusion: “Don’t you get bored with mendacity for clout?” one asks. “These so-called leakers throw 50 darts at a dartboard, 1 hits a bullseye and abruptly they’re ‘respected’,” snarls one other.
That is the uncommon occasion the place the offended commenters are proper, you already know. The Change is exhibiting its age although, and persons are completely determined for information a few successor. However that’s additionally led to this yr being an absolute banner yr for the carnival of silly that’s individuals making educated guesses dressed up as ‘leaks’ that prove to not be that educated, straight-up mendacity, and simply usually exhibiting their arse on-line looking for a little bit of clout.
As we’ve opined earlier than, admittedly in barely totally different circumstances, the entire leaker tradition is silly. And being falsely edged for a complete yr that Change 2 information is imminent isn’t going to get it in your fingers any sooner or make the nut any sweeter when you possibly can lastly purchase one – so can all of us simply hearken to all these items much less in 2025, please?
Greatest Style: Remasters
Are remasters a style? Hear, shut up, who cares. For the needs of this award we’re saying they’re, and we make the principles. The purpose is 2024’s gaming line-up was carried largely by some nice rereleases of fantastic bygone video games, and since no-one “critical” goes to provide them any awards, we’re right here to be unserious however trustworthy about some video games we have beloved enjoying in 2024. We’re courageous sufficient to inform the reality, you see.
It is tough to focus on one of the best remaster of 2024, as a result of there have been as many must-play rereleases this yr as there have been must-play releases within the olden days the place video games weren’t obtainable digitally on-demand and in addition the trade wasn’t on hearth. We’re not speaking about your Silent Hill 2s or your Ultimate Fantasy 7s right here – nothing so fancy as an entire reimagining – simply video games that obtained a contemporary coat of paint and possibly a shiny new photograph mode or one thing earlier than they discovered their means onto the most recent consoles. Hey, at the very least taking one other move at a online game for brand spanking new {hardware} 20 years down the road is sensible from a preservation perspective, in contrast to another media we might point out. (Image our collective onerous stare at each early 2000s sitcom that introduced a reboot this yr.)
Not like at sure different awards ceremonies that shall stay anonymous, no person this is going to pointedly begin enjoying music over the affectionate shout-outs, however we’re conscious that this has already gone on for a bit, so (deep breath in) what a yr it was to play high-quality rereleases of Ace Legal professional Tomb Raider Damaged Sword MySims Little Massive Journey Till Daybreak Useless Rising Lollipop Chainsaw Luigi’s Mansion 2 Clock Tower Paper Mario Marvel Vs Capcom Destiny/keep night time Persona 3 Braid Brothers The Factor I like you mum and pa goodnight!
Greatest Silly Identify that Really Makes Sense: Useless Rising Deluxe Remaster
When Capcom introduced Useless Rising Deluxe Remaster with a valiant however inevitably doomed try to get #DRDR trending, it appeared solely proper and pure to react to the sport’s identify with a roll of the eyes. We get plenty of this kind of phrase soup in video games; at a sure level it simply washes over you.
It’s true, to be honest, that the ‘Deluxe’ bit was solely added to this identify as a result of a cheap-and-cheerful ‘right here’s the unique at the next decision and secure fps’ model of the unique sport already launched again in 2016 and continues to be obtainable on retailer fronts. However you already know what? ‘Deluxe Remaster’ is definitely an excellent moniker for what Capcom’s second Useless Rising re-release is.
Trapped between a rock and a tough place, the place ‘remaster’ speaks to that cheaper launch and ‘remake’ conjures up photographs of the luxurious Resident Evil reimaginings, Capcom invented a brand new class. Useless Rising is the best-looking remaster of the yr, and a extra cynical writer would have simply known as it a remake. However I might truly see this one having some legs. Okami Deluxe Remaster, anybody? Road Fighter 4?
Technological pioneer award: Ubisoft
What a yr for Ubisoft. However, look previous the present information surrounding a possible buyout and also you’ll see this yr has been an formidable yr of technical innovation for the corporate. It confirmed off an early construct of an AI NPC-powered sport expertise the place you possibly can inform a vibrant solid of characters about your background as an Olympic pole vaulter and your skill to interrupt right into a two-story constructing by hovering by the sky. This, in fact, ends in a digital clean stare and monotone amazement at your athletic capabilities.
Or what about its NFT sport – Champion Techniques! A sport so scorching sizzling on the NFT pattern that it was launched with out a lot fanfare, being dominated by a sole participant. Initially thought to have been a cheater, it turned out that an in-game bug funneled gamers his means crowning the man as some pseudo Sephiroph determine. An unbeatable rival blessed by the crypto gods to by no means lose.
Additionally price mentioning as a facet notice is that Ubisoft was additionally the primary ever writer to launch a quadruple A sport this yr! Cranium and Bones shocked the world with its long-awaited launch and definitely received hearts and minds with its boundary-pushing design and visible constancy. By no means earlier than has scavenging from a derelict ship been so participating.
Ubisoft is just not the one writer to chase such tendencies in fact, firms like Sq. Enix have exclaimed loudly their intention to embrace the controversial tech, however few firms have proven as clearly the deserves of doing in order the French big. To this, we should supply applause, until in fact one in all these initiatives someway manages to make a billion {dollars}, wherein case we’ll sit right here a bit perplexed by the entire ordeal. Better of luck!
Greatest Recreation for Individuals with Again Issues: Fantasian
Video video games have been round for some time now, and meaning a few of us are extremely aged. Ultimate Fantasy is pushing ever nearer to forty years outdated, and even if you happen to hopped on board bright-eyed and bushy-tailed within the collection’ PS1 heyday, you’re now doubtless pushing 40 your self.
Fantasian is a superb love letter to old-school RPGs. The critiques had been a bit all over, and it’s straightforward to see why: if you happen to come to those Japanese-style RPGs for story and vibes, Fantasian in all probability is fairly common – however if you happen to’re an outdated, nerdy git who likes actual crunchy RPG programs, it’ll blow your rattling thoughts, which is why our specialist nerd mates over at RPG Website named it their 2021 GOTY when it was an Apple Arcade unique, thereby solely aimed on the restricted venn diagram centre of ‘uber saddos’ and ‘iOS person. Now, it’s on every thing, for everybody.
Simply as crunchy because the RPG fight for these of us is the brittle bones of their backbone. However because the sciatica radiates and cripples, you possibly can at the very least achieve this whereas having fun with a few of the finest turn-based fight round in a sedentary place. The perfect of each worlds!
Life imitates artwork award: Bethesda dropping a nuke on Fallout London
Fallout is a collection in regards to the hubris of mankind, doomed to destruction by its ceaseless pursuit of revenue and progress – but additionally its unbreakable will to outlive within the face of overwhelming adversity. The irony of this lesson in gentle of Fallout: London’s tumultuous 2024 shouldn’t be misplaced on anybody.
Did we actually assume that Bethesda and Xbox would let an enormous price range, main streaming service adaptation of one in all its finest identified and finest properties move with out a contemporary replace to its final good Fallout sport? Console Warfare by no means adjustments.
And so, with the Prime collection sextupling The Commonwealth’s inhabitants nearly in a single day, the long-awaited next-gen 4K and efficiency improve patch for Fallout 4 dropped, and promptly broke just about each mod going, simply two days earlier than the scheduled launch of Fallout: London after 5 years of growth.
When it lastly emerged from the wreckage two months later, mutated with additional arms and glowing just like the Canary Wharf skyline it so painstakingly recreates, Fallout: London shocked us all.
Regardless of every thing, it was nonetheless among the best video games of the yr – and simply retains getting higher with patches of its personal. Sure, it was buggier than an entomologist’s backpack and boasted an set up course of so bewildering that you simply acquired a BTEC in laptop science when you hit the title display. However once you’re lastly enjoying, it has an immersive, genuine power that just about wholly captures the traditional Bethesda RPG really feel that Fallout 76 rejected and Starfield overlooked.
So, if you need a correct Fallout expertise, simply with extra Wombles, baked beans and soccer hooligans, make a journey to buggy London city – if ya assume yer ‘ard sufficient.
Greatest Supporting Actor(s): Barret & Yuffie, Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth
In a constructive transfer for the trade, we’re speaking about and acknowledging the actors behind online game characters an increasing number of now, celebrating voiceover and movement seize performances – however typically, it’s good to additionally discuss in regards to the holistic entire
Barret & Yuffie are, in a means, the hidden stars of FF7 Rebirth, although the story beats and narrative nature of the pair within the sport implies that these behind the characters are unlikely to be nominated for any ‘main’ awards. However by a mixture of good movement seize, nice care in hand-animated particulars, and wonderful voice performances in each English and Japanese, they quietly steal a bunch of the scenes they’re in.
Barret is the grumpy dad of the group; Yuffie the plucky child. Opposites appeal to, however they’re additionally the identical: two individuals bonded by a visceral hatred, cast in loss, of sure gamers in FF7’s story. Typically, as different characters do the necessary stuff in FF7 Rebirth’s lavish cutscenes, this pair are enjoying round on the edges. In the event you take your eye off the foreground, you’ll typically subtly see their relationship creating nearly however not fairly off-camera.
They’re nearly at all times as much as one thing, forging this twisted revenge-driven father-daughter relationship. A lot of this, I think about, has been achieved by cutscene animators by hand – and it’s an consideration to element few video games have. I watch background performances like this typically in movie and TV – however seldom in video games. In Rebirth, this unlikely duo catch my eye – as a result of they’re pitched brilliantly.
Most Improved: Summer season Video games Fest
Credit score the place credit score is due: Summer season Video games Fest started to really feel a bit extra like a really worthwhile occasion this yr. Nearly all of VG247’s employees are within the UK – and meaning it’s various journey to get out to the large video games showcase in LA. We attended both means, clearly – however in 2023 it didn’t actually really feel price it. In 2024, although, it… kinda slapped? Publishers confirmed up, Keighley’s individuals had organizationally taken on suggestions… it was considerably higher each for followers on-line and for these of us on the bottom.
Possibly time is a flat circle. There was a time when E3 turned unwieldy, unfriendly, and too costly for enterprise, growth, and media organizations alike. However now, it does really feel a bit like we’re coming again round to a ‘lite’ model of E3 once more, with bigger exhibits, separate showcases, and never only a handful of stands however a number of mini ‘campuses’ dotted across the Larger Los Angeles space. Xbox particularly actually channeled the ‘traditional’ E3 power with their big providing, whereas a variety of publishers actually introduced their A-game to the primary SGF Campus.
Positive, it’s nonetheless in an space of city the place if you happen to wander a block or two within the mistaken path you may get caught with a unclean hypodermic. However that’s LA, child! Get straight in a cab and inform them to drive quick. However the video video games – the video video games factor felt means higher this yr. We’ve missed the summer time showcases, and if this can be a glimpse on the future trajectory, it’d simply be that they’re again for actual.
CEO of the Yr: Intel’s Pat Gelsinger
Intel has had an unbelievable yr. And by unbelievable, we imply they’ve been an unmitigated catastrophe. The corporate has had a variety of cock-ups, though one of the best by far is its 14 collection CPUs, which have routinely been burning out and failing. Intel blamed motherboard suppliers for clocking too excessive, these suppliers blamed Intel, and avid gamers who’d spent lots of on high-end CPUs watched them overheat and die, progressively delivering an increasing number of soul-crushing blue screens till they turned nugatory.
Right here on VG247, one member of employees ended up working by two 14900K CPUs earlier than getting a 3rd that really seems to now be secure long-term. It’s a complete mess, and if you need the total particulars you’re finest off referring to absolutely the legends at Avid gamers Nexus, who break all of it down in unflinching element and have been chasing Intel’s spiral for fairly some time now.
The true beneficiary right here is rival AMD, which is definitely seeing extra individuals flip to ‘Workforce Pink’ for his or her CPUs. After which there’s the Intel CEO, who has been compelled out of the corporate however little question with a parachute manufactured from stable gold. However, hey – at the very least he’s fascinated by his employees.
“I might invite you to hitch me in praying and fasting for the 100K Intel workers as they navigate this tough interval,” the lately departed CEO lately posted on X. On the time of printing, it’s not clear if the ability of prayer can do something to assist damaged CPU clocks – or if the fasting and prayers are additionally being prolonged to the 15% of Intel’s workforce which have been minimize this yr.
Greatest Soar Scare: Silent Hill 2 Remake truly being nice
The remake of Silent Hill 2 was introduced again in late 2022 to a combined reception. Many had been overjoyed to see Konami reviving its legacy IP, one which finally helped form the survival-horror style as we all know it, however others had little belief left within the writer to do the revival justice. In any case, the Silent Hill collection lately has been removed from good.
This was exacerbated when Bloober Workforce had been revealed because the developer of the remake. Recognized for Layers of Worry and The Medium most notably, many did not have the very best of hopes for the developer. For a lot of – us included – its video games didn’t evoke the identical kind of heightened worry required to make one thing like Silent Hill 2 work. Moreover, Silent Hill 2 was a product of the time when it was made. How might anybody try to recreate that magic in 2024?
Finally, the playing cards had been stacked towards Bloober Workforce. So, when the press lastly obtained their fingers on the sport – sharing glowing previews and prime overview scores – within the lead as much as launch, the largest soar scare of the yr was that Bloober Workforce’s Silent Hill 2 was, truly, good. The developer defied all expectations – a few of them, admittedly, unfair – and delivered a greater remake than most Silent Hill followers might’ve ever imagined. It is a wholly new reimagining of the unique sport, however it managed to seize the tone and sheer terror of it is predecessor completely, whereas remaining extremely devoted – and additional enhancing – the story of James Sunderland.
Put it this manner, no person can be doubting the capabilities of Bloober Workforce once more anytime quickly.
The Jim Trinca memorial Award for the Podcast with the Weirdest Vibes: Official Xbox Podcast
At VG247, we all know a factor or two about awkward podcasts. We’re residence to Jim Trinca’s Greatest Video games Ever podcast, in any case, and so this award exists in honor of Jim within the wake of his dying earlier this yr (he now works at Eurogamer, which is pretty much as good as lifeless to us).
Regardless of how good at making issues awkward Jim is – or Tom for that matter, together with his bloody infinite tales – we couldn’t hope to take residence the gong for the weirdest vibes in a online game podcast. No less than not this yr, when Microsoft plopped out a 22-minute dialogue amongst its executives – most of that are excruciating.
Amidst what definitely gave the impression to be a comms and messaging tailspin over what Xbox video games would come to different platforms, a slick manufacturing was laid on, the Xbox executives sitting in a snazzy void, peppered with well-reasoned questions from a journalist-turned Xbox worker. The execs shuffle of their excessive stools, the stench of company panic
“Let’s simply sort out the exclusivity query,” Spencer kicks off, revealing that 4 Xbox video games would go to different platforms. This was finally teasing issues like Pentiment coming to Change, with Spencer then noting that Indiana Jones was not one of many 4. Six months and 5 days later, Indy was confirmed for PS5 anyway.
We at VG247 genuinely just like the clear means the Xbox crew operates, and there’s plenty of advantage to their given technique of considering past the console. However this podcast simply felt bizarre. And on reflection, plenty of it simply looks like a lie. Not even a promise of long-term library preservation and next-generation Xbox {hardware} might actually reserve it. Truthfully, if it’s between this and listening to Jim discuss his oaxters… we’ll take the oaxters.
