The Game Awards 2024: Restart’s Predicted Winners
Who's likely to win big at The Game Awards 2024? Restart has an idea. We've shared our predictions for the winners in the leading categories for this year's anniversary awards show – but do they match up with yours?
Posted 6 days ago
Swords, soundtracks, special effects, and star actors are once again locked in competition thanks to the announcement of The Game Awards 2024 nominees. But which games are likely to snag the top trophies? The Restart team has committed a frankly unhealthy number of hours into several of the major contenders, and we have Opinions. Dangerous, we know. So join us as we tempt fate by predicting the winners and explaining why for the categories of Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, and Best Score and Music!
A quick note: These are our predictions for the winners at The Game Awards 2024, not necessarily our personal picks – you’ll need to wait for our end-of-year awards to discover those!
Game of the Year
Restart’s Prediction: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Release Date: October 11, 2024
Brandy says: From stylish graphics and killer music to a masterful storyline, Metaphor: ReFantazio is the complete package and a perfect pick for Game of the Year. At the same time, I’m not oblivious to the industry’s (and my own) deep appreciation for the original Final Fantasy VII, so I can also see Rebirth taking the win.
Henry says: The stupendous Silent Hill 2 and Animal Well didn’t make the cut for Game of the Year, which means I have no choice but to begrudgingly throw my hat in with Restart’s two ReFantazio fanatics. It’s a tough call for the top award, but 2024 could see developer Atlus reap quite the collection.
What Chris said in his Metaphor: ReFantazio review...
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"A truly incredible bit of world building, with a winding story of political intrigue, beats that defy expectation, and a fresh take on familiar systems."
Best Game Direction
Restart’s Prediction: Balatro
Balatro Special Edition (Physical)
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Brandy says: This one is hard to predict, even if only for the vagueness that goes along with the term “game direction.” In terms of creativity, Balatro takes the cake with a very simple premise many people already understand (basic poker hands), which is thrown for a loop with the addition of clever wild cards. That being said, we shouldn’t count Rebirth out here, as the second entry in the Remake project further displayed the thought and care that has gone into such a monumental undertaking: remaking and retelling one of the most beloved stories in all of gaming.
Henry says: Balatro’s poker card fundamentals grant it a phenomenal appeal and ease of entry. An impressive feat for a game that rapidly pulls players into dizzying roguelike combinations and boosts. The fact that you can get far with a half-and-half mix of loose maths and general point-scoring vibes is all the more impressive. A genius roguelike in its own right, but also the perfect means by which to hook less genre-savvy folk into trying other card-driven competitors like Slay the Spire and Monster Train. Surely this has to take the award for “Direction,” as nebulous as that is.
Best Narrative
Restart’s Prediction: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Release Date: October 11, 2024
Brandy says: I’m giving away my personal pick here (as though it weren’t already obvious), but it’s been many a year since a story hit me the way Metaphor’s did. A complex, but believable look at political and societal turmoil in a world eerily similar to our own, with enough over-the-top boss battles to remind players this is still a fantasy world. Throw in some amazing twists and enough suspense to make your heart race (literally), and you have the best story of the year.
Henry says: Stellar as it is, Silent Hill 2’s narrative is largely the same as it was in the original, making it a bit of an odd choice for the Best Narrative category. FF7’s dimension linking/time splitting might take it for some, but I’m hopeful Metaphor’s unique influences will set it above the rest.
Best Art Direction
Restart’s Prediction: Black Myth: Wukong
Henry says: Reeeally right toss up here between Astro Bot, which has the most edible-looking characters I’ve ever seen, and Black Myth: Wukong’s sumptuous environments and enemies. I reckon the latter’s immensely cinematic clashes with both humanoids and beasts – or sometimes a blend of the two – will secure it the trophy.
Brandy says: Cutest game of the year? Astro Bot, hands down. But best overall art direction? That one’s tougher. I’ll go with Henry here and say Wukong’s gorgeous environments and character models will see it come out on top.
Best Score and Music
Restart’s Prediction: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Henry says: It’d be lovely to see Silent Hill 2’s delicately applied score and effects rewarded here, and I would have liked to see Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown get a nod too, but competing against Nobuo Uematsu and Yoshitaka Suzuki’s grand Final Fantasy score, and the emotional connection to tracks like One-Winged Angel and Aerith’s Theme is almost certainly too much to ask.
Brandy says: Henry’s got it right (again). It’s near impossible that any game – even one with a rapping monk – will be able to compete with the music (and nostalgia) found throughout Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth and come out on top.
With The Game Awards 2024 just a week away, you won’t have to wait long to point and laugh when all of our predictions are proven horribly, horribly wrong. Don’t worry, we’re used to it! If you haven’t already, check out the nominees ahead of the show to submit your personal vote. And whether you can watch live or not, check back with Restart around the show for all the major updates.