PlayStation.Blog Announces 2024 Game of the Year Winners

The votes closed last week for the PlayStation Game of the Year 2024 awards, and we’ve tallied up more than 1.6 million votes from around the world. We’re excited to share the year’s standout titles across 19 different categories, each shaped exclusively by your choices. While four games emerged as winners in each category, many others were passionately supported by players through both shortlist selections and write-in options. A big thank you to every voter and to the creative teams whose talents have entertained us on PlayStation consoles worldwide.

Before unveiling our champions, let’s quickly go over the category guidelines:

The Best Multiplayer Experience is reserved for titles released this year. Meanwhile, the Best Ongoing Game spotlights those that have introduced new, major content or transformative updates over the past year.

The Best Rerelease category is all about games that feature visual upgrades and some quality-of-life improvements while staying largely true to their original versions. It’s important to note, full-scale remakes of older titles aren’t eligible here but can vie for Game of the Year.

Due to the timing of the polls, some games weren’t able to make it this year but will be eligible for next year’s awards.

Interestingly, if a game previously won a Platinum Trophy in a category, it won’t be considered for the same category this year. This allows fresh titles to step into the spotlight. Hence, even though Grand Theft Auto VI won The Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond Platinum last year, it’s not part of that category this year.

Let’s extend our congratulations to every creator who launched titles this year. Now, let’s dive into our winners:

Best New Character

Platinum Trophy: Eve from "Stellar Blade"

Gold Trophy: Jane Harrow from "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6"

Silver Trophy: Emmrich Volkarin from "Dragon Age: The Veilguard"

Bronze Trophy: Ryoma Sakamoto from "Rise of the Rōnin"

This category saw a flood of write-in votes. Fans worldwide championed characters like Strohl from "Metaphor: ReFantazio," Wuk Lamat from "Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail," and General Brasch from "Helldivers 2." Yet, the majority of fans rooted for Eve, Jane Harrow, Emmrich Volkarin, and Ryoma Sakamoto.

Best Story

Platinum Trophy: "Silent Hill 2"

Gold Trophy: "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth"

Silver Trophy: "Stellar Blade"

Bronze Trophy: "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6"

The Best Story category showcased intense competition. New narratives from "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6" and "Stellar Blade" stood strong, alongside the gripping remakes of "Silent Hill 2" and "Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth," with the latter two neck-and-neck for the top position. Ultimately, the surreal return to Silent Hill, skillfully reimagined by Bloober Team and Konami, took the crown, alluring us into its dream-like yet haunting world.

Best Graphical Showcase

Platinum Trophy: "Black Myth: Wukong"

Gold Trophy: "Astro Bot"

Silver Trophy: "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth"

Bronze Trophy: "Stellar Blade"

When you play a game, and you have to say "wow," 2024 delivered plenty. Games pushed graphical boundaries with stunning visuals. While "Stellar Blade" and "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth" brought intricate realism, "Astro Bot" charmed with its vibrant worlds. Yet, it was "Black Myth: Wukong" that left an indelible image, starting with an epic sky battle and showcasing the PS5’s visual prowess with majestic mountains and lush landscapes.

Best Art Direction

Platinum Trophy: "Astro Bot"

Gold Trophy: "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth"

Silver Trophy: "Silent Hill 2"

Bronze Trophy: "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero"

Games this year brought art to life in fresh ways from chilling horrors to fantastical worlds. "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero" stayed true to its roots, and "Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth" dazzled with character and boss designs. "Silent Hill 2" nailed atmospheric renewal. However, Team Asobi’s "Astro Bot" took top honors with stages that pay heart-warming homage to gaming history, packed with delightful surprises at every turn.

Best Audio Design

Platinum Trophy: "Astro Bot"

Gold Trophy: "Silent Hill 2"

Silver Trophy: "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth"

Bronze Trophy: "Stellar Blade"

This year, auditory magic reverberated: metal clashing, gadgets humming, sleepy towns singing their eerie tunes. But "Astro Bot" was the comprehensive audio experience that stole the show. From Astro’s little footsteps syncing with diverse terrains to exhilarating power suit sounds, Team Asobi made each level a symphony of adventure.

Best Soundtrack

Platinum Trophy: "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth"

Gold Trophy: "Astro Bot"

Silver Trophy: "Stellar Blade"

Bronze Trophy: "Silent Hill 2"

The soundtrack scene wasn’t short of heavy hitters in 2024. "Astro Bot" gave us catchy tunes we’ll remember next year. "Silent Hill 2" reimagined Akira Yamaoka’s haunting melodies, and "Stellar Blade" didn’t miss a beat. Yet, "Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth" claimed the trophy, building on its legendary roots with rich, expanded arrangements—from serene towns to epic battles—proving yet again its timeless musical prowess.

Best Use of DualSense

Platinum Trophy: "Astro Bot"

Gold Trophy: "Stellar Blade"

Silver Trophy: "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth"

Bronze Trophy: "Silent Hill 2"

Feeling the clash of Eve’s blade or the rainfall in "Silent Hill" drives home the DualSense’s immersive impact. This year, many developers harnessed its features to enhance gameplay. Team Asobi’s "Astro Bot" takes the Platinum, cleverly combining game mechanics with the DualSense’s potential—from gyroscopic challenges to voice-activated features—elevating an already delightful experience.

Best Accessibility Features

Platinum Trophy: "Astro Bot"

Gold Trophy: "The Last of Us Part II Remastered"

Silver Trophy: "Silent Hill 2"

Bronze Trophy: "Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered"

With "Astro Bot," Team Asobi not only delivered a wonderful nod to PlayStation’s past but also championed accessibility. Thoughtful design included high-contrast visuals and an Access Controller-friendly control scheme, ensuring more players can enjoy his vibrant adventures.

Best Multiplayer Experience

Platinum Trophy: "Helldivers 2"

Gold Trophy: "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6"

Silver Trophy: "Fortnite"

Bronze Trophy: "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero"

Bringing peace is a challenge, but sharing it makes victory sweeter. Players joined forces in "Helldivers 2" to fight off threats, unleashing democracy on all fronts regardless of location or partner.

Best Ongoing Game

Platinum Trophy: "Fortnite"

Gold Trophy: "Final Fantasy XIV Online"

Silver Trophy: "Call of Duty"

Bronze Trophy: "No Man’s Sky"

The world tires, but some games continue thriving. Constant content releases keep competitors fierce in "Gran Turismo 7," rebuild galaxies in "No Man’s Sky," and explore new realms in "Final Fantasy XIV Online." Yet, "Fortnite" remains the reigning champion, inviting us to a continuous, creative celebration with endless possibilities and playful collaboration.

Best Expansion

Platinum Trophy: "Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree"

Gold Trophy: "God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla"

Silver Trophy: "Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide"

Bronze Trophy: "Alan Wake 2: The Lake House"

We’ve had an expansion bonanza involving "God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla," "Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide," and more. However, none could overshadow "Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree," which expanded your horizons with new foes, lands, and challenges—continuing FromSoftware’s tradition of difficult yet rewarding gameplay.

Best Sports Game

Platinum Trophy: "EA Sports FC 25"

Gold Trophy: "WWE 2K24"

Silver Trophy: "F1 24"

Bronze Trophy: "NBA 2K25"

Sports-fueled thrill-seekers enjoyed "F1 24’s" enhanced handling and "WWE 2K24’s" nostalgic match types. Ultimately, "EA Sports FC 25," with its intuitive FC IQ and inviting 5v5 Rush mode, scored the winning goal as this year’s Best Sports Game.

Best Rerelease

Platinum Trophy: "The Last of Us Part II Remastered"

Gold Trophy: "Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered"

Silver Trophy: "Tomb Raider I-III Remastered"

Bronze Trophy: "Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics"

"The Last of Us Part II Remastered" dashed onto the scene with polished visuals, fluid frame rates, and the innovative No Return mode, solidifying itself as the definitive version that captivated players with its emotional journey.

Best Independent Game

Platinum Trophy: "Balatro"

Gold Trophy: "Palworld"

Silver Trophy: "Phasmophobia"

Bronze Trophy: "Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 (Flat Version)"

While "Phasmophobia" and "Five Nights at Freddy’s" kept thrill-seekers occupied, "Palworld" enchanted communities with monster adventures. Yet, "Balatro" stacked the deck with its mesmerizing roguelite card mechanics, proving irresistible all year long.

Best PS VR2 Game

Platinum Trophy: "Resident Evil 4 VR Mode"

Gold Trophy: "Metro Awakening"

Silver Trophy: "Phasmophobia"

Bronze Trophy: "Cooking Simulator VR"

Horror found a natural home in VR with beloved Resident Evil’s chilling immersion as a leading vote-getter. While Metro’s tense VR interpretation and Phasmophobia’s spectral camaraderie amazed, "Resident Evil 4 VR Mode" remained unforgettable.

Best PS4 Game

Platinum Trophy: "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6"

Gold Trophy: "Metaphor: ReFantazio"

Silver Trophy: "Sonic X Shadow Generations"

Bronze Trophy: "Persona 3 Reload"

Among gripping RPGs like Atlus’s creations and Sega’s thrilling new "Sonic X Shadow Generations," "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6" emerged victorious with a captivating campaign, fan-favorite Zombies mode, and immersive multiplayer experiences, marking it this year’s PS4 champion.

Best PS5 Game

Platinum Trophy: "Astro Bot"

Gold Trophy: "Black Myth: Wukong"

Silver Trophy: "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth"

Bronze Trophy: "Stellar Blade"

Astounding games graced PS5 this year, with "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth" kicking off epic RPG action in February. "Stellar Blade" and "Black Myth: Wukong" continued dazzling players until "Astro Bot," released in September, charmed the community with endearing platforming joy.

Studio of the Year

Platinum Trophy: "Team Asobi"

Gold Trophy: "Bandai Namco"

Silver Trophy: "Shift Up"

Bronze Trophy: "Arrowhead Games"

Game studios fired on all cylinders this year, crafting trendsetters and unforgettable adventures. Yet, Team Asobi, through "Astro Bot," won hearts by tapping into gaming’s essential delight, bridging nostalgia and fresh enthusiasm for newcomers. These developers remind us of games’ power to entertain and inspire.

Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond

Platinum Trophy: "Ghost of Yōtei"

Gold Trophy: "Marvel’s Wolverine"

Silver Trophy: "Death Stranding 2: On The Beach"

Bronze Trophy: "Monster Hunter Wilds"

The horizon is packed with future gems, including this standout list. "Monster Hunter Wilds" charges into action soon, kicking off a promising year, while "Ghost of Yōtei" promises more samurai adventures. With other titles like "Marvel’s Wolverine" and "Death Stranding 2," exciting gaming experiences await.