Summary
The Game Awardsis anannual event of great prestige in the video game industry, celebrating the achievements of the year’s most notable titles. Despite its relevance, the fierce competition among releases often forces the awards to make difficult choices, leaving out some games that stood out in quality and innovation throughout the year.
In 2024, among the standout titles the year saw released, many games were left out of The Game Awards nominations, although this doesn’t mean these releases weren’t any good. This situation reinforces how complex it is to try and accurately capture all the incredible gaming experiences that were produced over a single year at an awards ceremony.These games are just of few of 2024’s best that were snubbed at this year’s The Game Awards.
Nine Solswas oneof the most acclaimed indie titles of 2024, standing out for various factors like engaging gameplay and hand-drawn art. This action-platformer, inspired by Soulslike games, combines Eastern mythology with refined gameplay mechanics, providing a unique experience that won over both fans and critics and solidified its position among the year’s best indie games.
Despite the recognition and positive reviews,Nine Solswas left out of The Game Awards nominations. This exclusion surprised the gaming community, who expected at least a nomination in the Best Independent Game category, but the title ended up being overlooked in favor of other releases.
Hades 2is currently in Early Access, offering players an early glimpse of what to expect from the official release. Although The Game Awards doesn’t have rules excluding games still in development, the fact that Supergiant’s game isn’t complete yet may have hurt its chances of nomination. However, it was even left off of the Most Anticipated Game nominees list, surprising many.
Even so,Hades 2continues to impress with its gameplay, expanding its Roguelike mechanics with new abilities and engaging challenges, now featuring a new protagonist. Additionally, the game once again nails the rich and detailed setting that immerses players in a mythological world inspired by Greek mythology, combining captivating storytelling with stunning visuals. These elements highlightHades 2as one of the most promising titles of the year.
This game may have been hurt in the nominations due to its late release but deserves to be among the Best Art Direction group isDragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake.Using Square Enix’s animation techniques, the developers managed to modernize this game’s graphics while still retaining the feel of the 1988 classic.
Furthermore, the game succeeds in capturing the vibe of playing one of the most classic JRPGs in the gaming industry and modernizing it for new audiences without disrespecting the original material. This goes beyond the graphics and the game’s entire artistic direction, as mechanics and even the soundtrack ofDragon Quest 3 HD-2Dmaintain the same quality.
One of the big highlights among indie games in 2024,Mullet Madjackattracted players’attention with its frenetic and colorful gameplay. This FPS, inspired by ’90s anime and other boomer shooters, offers fast-paced action and a vibrant aesthetic to create a unique experience.
However, in a year when the indie genre also saw other major releases,Mullet Madjackwas one of the games left out of The Game Awards nominations. Even without this recognition, the game proved to be one of the best indies of 2024, featuring some of the most fluid and fun gameplay around.
Although it’s a genre that rarely features among the year’s best releases, sports games are popular and have a loyal fan base, so much so that The Game Awards has a category just for them. However,College Football 25was still left out of the Best Sports/Racing nominees.
After more than a decade off the market,College Football 25presents authentic and detailed gameplaythat captures all the essence and nuances of college football. With refined mechanics, improved graphics, and fun game modes, the franchise satisfies both longtime fans and new players, offering an engaging and realistic experience for those passionate about the sport.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobylfaced various production problems, including delays and major challenges brought about by the war in Ukraine, where developer GSC Game World is based. Despite these difficulties, the game remained fun and consistent, offering one of the best settings seen in 2024 through an immersive and detailed atmosphere that captivated players and solidified its place as one of the year’s most memorable releases.
However, due to its very late November release,STALKER 2ended up being a game left out of The Game Awards nominees. Despite having the quality to compete in some award categories, its late arrival didn’t allow enough time for the game’s qualities to be considered in the nominations.
One of the major releases at the end of 2024 wasDragon Age: The Veilguard, which, after more than 10 years of waiting, took players back to BioWare’s medieval high fantasy universe. Despite being agame that significantly changed the franchise’s formulain various respects, it still managed to please many players, including longtime fans.
However, these changes weren’t unanimously accepted by critics or fans, as the game was left out of The Game Awards' main categories, like Best RPG and Best Action-Adventure. Nevertheless,The Veilguardwasn’t entirely forgotten in the nominations, as its excellent accessibility options placed it among the contenders for the Innovation in Accessibility award.
Persona 3 Reloadbrought back a timeless classic, enhancing graphics, gameplay, and presenting a renewed experience for both old and new fans of the game which set new standards for the franchise. As a remake, it managed to modernize fundamental elements of the original, preserving the emotional and narrative impact that established the game as a milestone in JRPG history.
Despite its undeniable quality,Persona 3 Reloadended up being left out of The Game Awards nominees, not receiving nominations in categories like Best RPG or even Best Score and Music. This absence was surprising, considering Atlus' impact in 2024, but this new version remains indispensable for players who want to experience one of the developer’s best narratives with a modern touch.
