The Game Awardsare quickly approaching, and with each category filled with big names, the competition is fierce. While many games seek to take home the Game of the Year award atThe Game Awards, there are plenty of other strong categories to be coveted. With the event only a few weeks away, many are speculating which games will be lucky enough to bring home an award.
One of the most popular categories at The Game Awards is for Best Action Adventure Game.The many categories at The Game Awardsbring some of the most well-received titles of the year into the spotlight, and the five games featured in this category have proven to be a diverse list.
2024 Best Action Adventure Game Nominees
Astro Bot
Team Asobi’sAstro Bothas been a massive success this year. The charming 3D platformer boasts overwhelmingly positive reviews from both critics and players alike, citing its fun gameplay and satisfying mechanics as some of its best qualities. Since its September 6 launch,Astro Bothas sold a whopping 1.5 million copies, bringing a shining moment to Sony’s rocky year.Astro Botboasts nearly 200 cameosfeaturing some of the most beloved Sony franchises while showcasing classic platforming mechanics in a modern setting, making it a wonderful tribute to the history of the PlayStation. It also sits as the highest-rated game in the category with an impressive Top Critic Average of 95 on OpenCritic.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
It’s been a long time since aPrince of Persiagame graced the industry, andPrince of Persia: The Lost Crownoffered a bold new take on the franchise. As one of the first big releases of 2024,The Lost Crownlaunched to incredibly strong reviews, which is impressive, since the developers at Ubisoft took such a big risk. Instead of continuing the established third-person gameplay that much of thePrince of Persiafranchise has become known for,The Lost Crownlooked back to its 2D roots, opting for a Metroidvania approach this time around. What could have been a misstep actually madeThe Lost Crownan action-packed experience that brought a unique chapter to life.
Silent Hill 2
Although one of the strongest, and most surprising, releases of the year,the remake ofSilent Hill 2is a title that is surprising to see among these nominees. While the game features action mechanics within its exploration-based gameplay, it is a more unorthodox nomination compared to its competition. Since there isn’t a horror category, it makes more sense forSilent Hill 2to be labeled as an action-adventure game, but its horror leanings may keep it from taking the category.
The expectations for this game leading up to its launch were daunting, as it’s a beloved classic. Thankfully, developer Bloober Team did the game justice. Bloober Team’s work on the game was so well-received that many were shocked whenSilent Hill 2failed to secure a GOTY nomination. On the bright side,Silent Hill 2still boasts five nominations.
Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlawsset out to bring players into the role of young scoundrel Kay Vess as she explores one of the most iconic worlds in the sci-fi genre. While the game’s open-world adventure has been praised, a lot of the more action-focused moments inStar Wars Outlawsdon’t quite hit the same note. Criticisms of repetitive combat and frustrating stealth missions makeStar Wars Outlawsthe lowest-rated game in the category, according to OpenCritic. While the other nominees have OpenCritic scores in the mid-80s and 90s,Star Wars Outlawsfinds itself at a Top Critic Average of 75. Recent updates have improvedStar Wars Outlaws' controversial stealth, but it may not be enough to warrant a win for Best Action Adventure Game.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
As the most recent addition to Nintendo’s massiveLegend of Zeldafranchise,Echoes of Wisdombrings players into the shoes of the titular Zelda as she embarks on a mission to save Link. Bringing forth a fun blend of dungeon crawling from classicLegend of Zeldaentries with clever problem-solving and foregoing the traditional Link-led story,Echoes of Wisdombrings a fresh perspective to the long-running series. Its creative combat mechanics serve as a fun balance to the game’s knack for adventure. MixingTears of the Kingdom’s encouragement for players to think outside the box with its varied combat,Echoes of Wisdomis a strong contender that has the potential to come out on top.
Final Prediction
All titles in the category showcase a strong year for the action-adventure genre, butAstro Botlooks like the strongest contender overall. With its near-perfect critical reception and the upper hand of being the only game in the category also nominated for GOTY,Astro Bothas taken the year by storm.Astro Bothas resonated with a large variety of gamers, and its solid balance of both action and adventure elements combined with its reception and sales gives the platformer a big edge.
Of course, there could always be a surprise in store, as The Game Awards can sometimes feature unexpected moments. However, withAstro Bot’s impressive successsince its launch, Best Action Adventure Game is one Game Awards title that Team Asobi’s fun-loving platformer feels like a shoo-in to win.
