Threads
- Astro Bot, while enjoyable and fun, did not deserve the Game of the Year award.
- Stellar Blade and Space Marine 2, considered by many to be top-tier games, were absent from the GOTY nominations.
- It appears game journalists have too much influence in the award selection process, especially at The Game Awards.
Astro Bot surprisingly winning the GOTY at The Game Awards 2024 has been a hot topic for a few days now. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fantastic game and I enjoyed every second of my playthrough. But, its selection as the game of the year feels undeserved compared to other titles that came out this year.
Let’s talk about the nominees for a second. We all saw the internet meltdown when Shadow of the Erdtree got nominated for the GOTY award. But to imagine Stellar Blade and Space Marine 2 – two of the year’s best titles – not receiving a nomination for the award? Give me a break.
The whole award ceremony felt lackluster, and it was capped off by Astro Bot being awarded the Game of the Year.
Why it matters: The widespread disappointment strengthens the argument that, while Astro Bot is enjoyable, it wasn’t the most deserving winner of the GOTY award.
Taking Nothing Away From Astro Bot
Astro Bot deserves credit for mastering classic platforming. The levels are well-designed, and full of creative challenges and hidden secrets. The controls are smooth and responsive, making every jump and move feel just right.
The variety of gadgets and power-ups keeps the game fresh and exciting. The charming visuals and lively soundtrack add to the fun, creating an enjoyable world to explore. It’s a game focused on pure fun, reminding us why we love video games.
It’s no surprise that Astro Bot also won the Best Family Game at the event. The game apparently appeals to a wider audience, as it’s easy for anyone to get into.
Did It Really Deserve The GOTY Award?
I’ve seen many people say Astro Bot deserved the award because it’s just pure fun. I can confirm it’s good fun – it’s fascinating even.
But “fun” isn’t the sole criterion for Game of the Year. GOTY should highlight the best in game development, offering new ideas, great stories, or unique gameplay.
While Astro Bot does a great job at what it aims to do, it doesn’t push boundaries. It improves on existing formulas, but it doesn’t reinvent the genre. This is where it begins to fall short.
The game’s fun aspect is undeniable, but this alone doesn’t make it worthy of gaming’s top award. Compared to the depth, ambition, and cultural impact of other nominees, Astro Bot feels more like a crowd-pleaser than the “best game of 2024.”
Let’s Begin The Journey To The West
Now you’re thinking what other game deserved the GOTY award? This shouldn’t even be a question. Black Myth: Wukong is hands down the best game of 2024 and it shouldn’t even be a debate, provided you actually played the game from start to finish, unlike certain people.
Black Myth: Wukong is a visually stunning action RPG that blew my mind with its incredible graphics, smooth combat, and rich mythological world. The game’s ambition and scale made it a strong contender for GOTY.
Before you come at me saying it doesn’t redefine the genre and it’s just another “soulslike” game – it’s not. I’m sick and tired of people complaining about the game’s difficulty when in reality, it’s much much easier than any soulslike game.
It’s more similar to God of War than Sekiro or Elden Ring, and we all love God of War, right? I can assure you, that anybody can get into Black Myth: Wukong and have an absolute blast playing it. However, most people just give up after struggling against the first boss, which is a shame honestly.
We had game journalists giving Black Myth: Wukong lower ratings for absurd reasons, including its “difficulty” and, more embarrassingly, its “lack of diversity.” Are we going to judge games based on how politically relevant they are? Games are supposed to help us escape reality, not remind us of it.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Wukong’s low ratings. Check the game’s Steam page; it has nearly a million reviews, with 96% of them being overwhelmingly positive.
It’s absurd that the GOTY award was determined by how some game journalists perceived a game. Let’s put it like this: Black Myth: Wukong won the Player’s Voice GOTY while Astro Bot won the “Journalists’ Darling” award.
A Weak Year for Game Awards Nominations
This year’s Game Awards nominations just didn’t feel right. Titles like Stellar Blade and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 didn’t even get nominated for GOTY, which is baffling given their quality and positive reception.
The absence of such games raises serious concerns about how these nominations were decided. The fact that these games were overlooked while Astro Bot got a nomination says a lot about the overall quality of this year’s awards.
While it’s important to recognize all types of games, GOTY should honor the most influential title of the year—one that pushes the boundaries or sets a new standard.
As charming as Astro Bot is, it doesn’t meet that criteria. It’s not even available to everyone as it’s locked behind PlayStation’s exclusivity, for crying out loud.
With snubs like Black Myth: Wukong and Stellar Blade, and questionable nominees lowering the event’s prestige, The Game Awards 2024 fell short. Hopefully, future years will offer a more balanced approach to honoring games, but I won’t get my hopes up.
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Passionate gamer and content creator with vast knowledge of video games, and I enjoy writing content about them. My creativity and ability to think outside the box allow me to approach gaming uniquely. With my dedication to gaming and content creation, I’m constantly exploring new ways to share my passion with others.
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