2024 Gaming Awards Spotlight: Genre Winners That Dominated

Discover the best action and RPG games of 2024, featuring Black Myth: Wukong and Metaphor: ReFantazio, showcasing innovation, artistry, and immersive experiences.

Hardcore Gamer's Best of 2024 Awards rolled out over eight exciting days, culminating in the prestigious Game of the Year reveal. The journey showcased exceptional titles across key genres, celebrating innovation, artistry, and pure fun. Today, they unveiled their picks for Best Action Game, Best RPG, Best Shooter, and Best Action Adventure Game, highlighting titles that pushed boundaries and captured player imaginations globally. These weren't just games; they were experiences that defined a remarkable year in interactive entertainment. Let's dive into the champions and their worthy competitors across these fiercely contested categories.

πŸ† Best Action Game: Black Myth: Wukong

After years of intense anticipation following its stunning reveal, Black Myth: Wukong finally arrived. And wow, did it deliver. Players weren't just getting a visually breathtaking journey steeped in ancient Chinese mythology, starring the legendary Monkey King. They got a world dripping with detail, begging to be explored, paired with a combat system that was brutally challenging yet incredibly rewarding. Sure, it might not have offered the sheer build variety of some other Souls-likes, but its unique flavor and satisfying mechanics carved out its own distinct niche. The combination of that mythical setting, fluid fighting, and those gorgeous vistas created an action experience that packed one heck of a punch, securing its place as a true 2024 standout. It wasn't just a game; it was an event.

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Action Runner-Ups:

Game Title Image
Stellar Blade 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-1
Kill Knight 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-2
Antonblast 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-3
Anomaly Agent 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-4

🎲 Best RPG: Metaphor: ReFantazio

ATLUS, the masters of deep, stylish RPGs, did it again. Metaphor: ReFantazio stepped out from the long shadows of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, confidently forging its own path while brilliantly refining what made those series beloved. Imagine the pitch-perfect turn-based combat of Persona 5 and SMT V, but somehow more refined, more precise. That’s what awaited players. The genius Archetype system was a game-changer, letting players shift between distinct combat roles – maybe a stalwart Healer one moment, a versatile Seeker the next. This kept battles fresh and unpredictable, a godsend in a sprawling eighty-hour epic. Combat flowed beautifully, never feeling like a grind, especially with a ridiculously catchy fantasy soundtrack scoring every slash, spell, and strategic decision. Metaphor managed to be ambitious and complex yet incredibly welcoming and fun – truly the mark of a great RPG.

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RPG Runner-Ups:

Game Title Image
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-6
Granblue Fantasy: Relink 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-7
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-8
V Rising 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-9

πŸ”« Best Shooter: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

The grim darkness of the far future found explosive new life in Space Marine 2. Sabre Interactive didn't just make a sequel to the 2011 cult classic; they redefined what a Warhammer 40K shooter could be. Remember that Gears of War-esque feel? They took that foundation, smoothed off the rough edges, and then poured on the glorious, over-the-top spectacle the 40K universe demands. The core combat became a symphony of chainsword revs and bolter fire, deeply satisfying and immensely fun. But the real kicker was adding replayable missions and cooperative play – features that turned great moments into shared, unforgettable campaigns against the xenos hordes. Dropping into massive battles, surrounded by the epic scale and grim lore of 40K, delivered an energy boost few other shooters could match in 2024. It felt powerful, it felt huge, it felt utterly Warhammer.

2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-10

Shooter Runner-Ups:

Game Title Image
Helldivers II 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-11
I Am Your Beast 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-12
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-13
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-14

βš”οΈπŸ•΅οΈ Best Action Adventure: Astro Bot

Finding the perfect balance between thrilling action and genuine sense of adventure is tough. Many games lean hard into one or the other. Astro Bot? It threaded that needle with almost uncanny precision, creating pure platforming joy. Whether navigating the time-twisted sands of "Trapped in Time" or bouncing through the playful beats of "Trunk of Funk," Team ASOBI crafted a delightful thrill ride. The game effortlessly satisfied both itches: the excitement of precise jumps and clever power usage (action!), combined with the wonder of exploring wildly inventive, visually stunning worlds (adventure!). Its genius lies in accessibility – anyone, young or old, could pick up a controller and immediately feel the infectious joy radiating from Astro. Simple mechanics, stunning graphics, and relentless charm ensured there was never, ever a dull moment. Pure, unadulterated fun.

2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-15

Action Adventure Runner-Ups:

Game Title Image
Nine Sols 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-16
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-17
Silent Hill 2 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-18
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom 2024-gaming-awards-spotlight-genre-winners-that-dominated-image-19

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Q: Where can I find the full Hardcore Gamer Game of the Year 2024 results?

    A: The awards were revealed over eight days on Hardcore Gamer's website. This article covers the winners for Action, RPG, Shooter, and Action Adventure. Check their site for the full list, including Game of the Year!

  2. Q: Are these winners only for specific platforms?

    A: The awards recognize the best games regardless of platform. Winners and runners-up like Black Myth: Wukong, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Space Marine 2, and Astro Bot were available on multiple platforms (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S), though Astro Bot is a PlayStation 5 exclusive.

  3. Q: What makes Black Myth: Wukong's combat challenging but rewarding?

    A: It demands precise timing for dodges, parries, and attacks, learning enemy patterns thoroughly. Success feels earned because overcoming tough encounters relies heavily on player skill mastery rather than just leveling up stats. That "click" moment when you finally beat a tough boss is pure adrenaline.

  4. Q: How does the Archetype system in Metaphor: ReFantazio improve replayability?

    A: By allowing players to switch between distinct combat roles (Healer, Seeker, etc.) during battle and across different playthroughs, it encourages experimenting with vastly different team compositions and strategies. You can tackle challenges in multiple ways, keeping subsequent runs feeling fresh.

  5. Q: Why is Astro Bot considered so accessible?

    A: Its controls are intuitive and responsive, the difficulty curve is gentle (though with challenges for those seeking them), the objectives are clear, and the sheer visual charm and joyful atmosphere make it welcoming for players of all skill levels. It’s designed purely to be fun first and foremost. Just pure platforming bliss.

  6. Q: Does Space Marine 2 require playing the first game?

    A: While familiarity with the Warhammer 40K lore and the first Space Marine game enhances the experience, Space Marine 2 is designed as a standalone story. You can jump straight into the action and enjoy the co-op mayhem without prior knowledge, though some character moments might land better if you know Titus's history.

  7. Q: Were there any major surprises among the runners-up?

    A: Seeing titles like the stylish indie shooter I Am Your Beast or the meticulously crafted metroidvania Nine Sols alongside giants like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was a fantastic reminder of the diverse quality across genres in 2024. A really strong year overall. The depth was impressive.