The 2024 Game Awards has cemented its status over the past decade as not just the biggest night in gaming, but one of the most celebrated award shows across all entertainment industries.

What began in 2014 with just 1.9 million viewers has grown into a cultural phenomenon, pulling in over 118 million viewers for last year’s 10th-anniversary celebration. Hosted by veteran game journalist Geoff Keighley, the event has evolved into much more than an awards show—it’s a stage for the year’s biggest gaming announcements, trailers and reveals. This unique blend of awards and hype keeps fans coming back every December.

Unlike traditional award shows like the Oscars or Emmys, The Game Awards gives the community a 10% stake in the voting process. It’s a small share, but it ensures players have a voice in honoring the best games of the year. If I had my way, here’s who I’d like to see take home wins on Thursday night.

The Washington Post called this October release the “year’s smartest, most exciting video game,” praising it for its political relevance. Image Courtesy of: Studio Zero/Atlus/Sega

I didn’t think any game could reignite my love for the fantasy RPG genre. The genre had grown stale, repetitive, predictable, each release felt like a copy of what came before—until “Metaphor: ReFantazio” arrived.

This game is a masterclass in blending creativity with tradition. While it draws inspiration from classic fantasy tropes, it reimagines them in unexpected and deeply satisfying ways.

The gameplay is a seamless mix of real-time and turn-based combat, set in a rich, epic world that feels both familiar and entirely new. The story grips you with its unpredictable twists, while its characters break free from tired archetypes to deliver fresh, compelling perspectives. Louis, the game’s antagonist, is one of the most captivating villains I’ve encountered in years—a militaristic force of nature who makes every encounter feel like life or death.

“Metaphor: ReFantazio” isn’t just a game—it’s an experience that redefines what the genre can achieve. It is a completely unique experience which pushes the industry forward. It’s my clear pick for Game of the Year.

No story this year has been as engaging or thought-provoking as “Metaphor: ReFantazio.” The plot follows a protagonist fighting to unite a continent and claim the throne, but it’s far from a typical power fantasy.

The twist? The hero is part of a race vilified by society, and the narrative tackles themes of discrimination, anxiety and leadership with depth and care.

Throughout the journey, you recruit party members from diverse fantasy races, each carrying their own emotional scars and stories of survival. These personal arcs enrich the central narrative, building a world that feels alive and deeply flawed. By the end, you’re left reflecting on what it means to lead and how to confront prejudice—not just in-game, but in life.

When “Helldivers 2” was released in February, it became PlayStation’s fastest selling title of all time. Image Courtesy of: Arrowhead Game Studios/SIE

“Helldivers 2” brought my friends and me back to the golden days of co-op gaming. Unlike the soulless cash-grab live service games that dominate the market, this title delivers a constantly evolving experience that stays fresh and engaging.

Set against the backdrop of a galactic war, the game’s ever-changing battlefields keep you on your toes, while its tongue-in-cheek satire of fascism and meaningless wars adds humor and depth.

Few games make you feel like part of a larger community the way “Helldivers 2” does. Whether you’re battling for survival on Malevelon Creek or strategizing with teammates, every moment feels like an epic event. The title takes all the best ingredients from “Halo,” “Warhammer 40k” and “Starship Troopers” and draws inspiration from them to craft an experience that is new and fresh. One that is always pulling you back to Super Earth. It’s multiplayer done right.

Atlus is known for its distinct visual style, but “Metaphor: ReFantazio” takes their artistry to new heights. From its vibrant environments to its grotesque, otherworldly creatures, every inch of the game is dripping with creativity and purpose.

Even the user interface, often an afterthought in games, is packed with detail and personality. The designs of the characters and monsters serve the narrative beautifully, reflecting the game’s themes of discrimination and individuality. This is not just art direction—it’s world-building at its finest.

“Arcane” is competing against the adaptations of Amazon’s”Fallout” and “Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” Paramount’s “Knuckles” and Netflix’s “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft.” Image Courtesy of: Riot/Fortiche/Netflix

I’ve never been a fan of “League of Legends,” I’ve seen first-hand the horrors of how addictive the game could be, watching my friends suffer under its control.

But “Arcane” transcends its source material to become one of the greatest pieces of animation ever created. With breathtaking visuals and a gripping narrative, the show explores ambition, loyalty and the cycle of violence with emotional depth.

Season two somehow manages to outdo the already stellar first season. The animation is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, with every frame packed with detail and meaning.

Despite some minor pacing issues, “Arcane” sets the gold standard for video game adaptations. It is near perfect. But it doesn’t need to be perfect. Since, after all, perfection is “only an end to pursuit.”

“Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” is the first DLC to be nominated for a Game Awards major category, earning five total nominations. Image Courtesy of: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco

DLCs rarely earn spots in award categories, but “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” is an exception. It takes everything great about the base game and amplifies it, offering new classes, weapons and spells that expand player freedom.

RPGs thrive on immersion, and “Shadow of the Erdtree” excels at drawing players into its dark, sprawling world. Whether you’re uncovering its secrets or surviving its punishing battles, the experience is endlessly rewarding, and it’s easy for the hours to fly by as you inhabit the shadow lands.

“Black Myth: Wukong” is also nominated in the Game of the Year Category, making it the lowest-scoring game to earn a nomination, with a 81/100 on Metacritic, a review aggregator website. Image Courtesy of: Game Science

“Black Myth: Wukong” delivers a god-tier action experience, both literally and figuratively. Every boss fight is a cinematic clash, a jaw-dropping spectacle, with your character, “the destined one,” growing stronger as the stakes rise.

The fluid combat system, with its versatile staff mechanics and magical transformations, ensures no two battles feel the same.

The game’s mythological setting adds depth to its over-the-top action, making each encounter feel like part of a grand legend. If you’re craving epic battles and heart-pounding gameplay, this is the clear winner.

Set to be released on Feb. 28, 2025, “Monster Hunter Wilds” is the latest in the “Monster Hunter” series which debuted in 2004. Image Courtesy of: Capcom

Sure, “GTA VI” is the clear winner. But I prefer to act out my hyper-realistic violence against fantasy creatures instead of everyday people.

And so my heart belongs to “Monster Hunter Wilds.”

“Monster Hunter” is a staple of the gaming industry, a pioneer of an entire genre of action games. As a longtime fan of the series, I’m thrilled to see Capcom pushing the franchise forward with open-world environments, dynamic weather and new gameplay systems.

The public beta has only fueled my excitement, showcasing the game’s potential to perfect everything that made its predecessors great. If it lives up to the hype, “Monster Hunter Wilds” could very well be the Game of the Year for 2025.

This year’s nominees have set the bar high, and while the winners will be revealed Thursday night, these are the games I believe deserve the spotlight. Whether they take home the trophy or not, they’ve already earned a place in gaming history.

Catch the 2024 Game Awards live on all major digital, social and digital platforms starting at 6:30 p.m.