The Game Awards 2024 has come and gone, and with it, a wave of excitement that will keep gamers buzzing for months to come. As E3 bows out, The Game Awards has firmly established itself as the event where the biggest game studios unveil their most anticipated titles. This year’s show was a three-hour spectacle packed with jaw-dropping reveals, surprise announcements, and exclusive gameplay previews. Whether you’re a fan of epic RPGs, heart-pounding shooters, or indie gems, the 2024 Game Awards had something for everyone. In this article, we break down the top 10 biggest announcements of the night, from the return of beloved franchises to thrilling new adventures on the horizon.
1. Bandai Namco’s Curveball: Shadow Labyrinth
Out of nowhere, Bandai Namco dropped a bombshell with the announcement of Shadow Labyrinth, a brand-new 2D action platformer. The game draws inspiration from the beloved Metroidvania genre, letting you explore treacherous worlds while gaining new abilities along the way. But here’s the twist: you’ll be adventuring alongside Puck, a yellow, circular companion (yes, Pac-Man’s cousin). As you defeat enemies, Puck will consume them, adding a quirky twist to your combat encounters. It’s a strange and delightful concept, and we can’t wait to see more.
2. Ciri Takes the Lead in The Witcher 4
Get ready to step back into the world of The Witcher, but this time, Geralt takes a backseat. CD Projekt Red kicked off the main event with an exciting first look at The Witcher 4, and the biggest surprise? Ciri is taking over as the protagonist. Geralt will still be around, but this is Ciri’s story now. The game will be a single-player, open-world RPG, built on a customized version of Unreal Engine 5. Expect breathtaking visuals and expansive landscapes. If you loved The Witcher 3, prepare to be blown away by what’s coming next.
3. Elden Ring Nightreign: A Standalone Adventure
If you thought the Elden Ring universe couldn’t get any bigger, think again. FromSoftware is giving us Elden Ring Nightreign, a spinoff that reimagines the world we loved. Rather than playing as the Tarnished, this new game lets you control unique champions, each with their own distinct abilities. The kicker? You’ll be able to team up with up to two friends for co-op gameplay as you fight through the Lands Between together. While this isn’t a direct sequel, it’s definitely a thrilling new chapter in the Elden Ring saga.
4. Fumito Ueda’s Mysterious Sci-Fi Game
Fumito Ueda, the legendary creator of Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, made a big return to the spotlight with a tease of his next project. The trailer gave us just a taste of what’s to come—a mysterious, sci-fi world that hints at elements of his past games, but with a fresh, futuristic twist. While we don’t know much more than that, any game from Ueda is guaranteed to be an emotional, artistic experience. Fans are already buzzing with excitement about what could be his next masterpiece.
5. Hazelight’s Split Fiction: A Co-Op Journey Like No Other
Hazelight Studios, known for their work on It Takes Two and A Way Out, is back with yet another co-op gem—Split Fiction. In this upcoming adventure, players will control two young writers, Mio and Zoe, who get trapped inside the sci-fi and fantasy stories they create. The premise is clever, and you can expect plenty of mind-bending puzzles and cooperative gameplay as the two writers struggle to escape their own narratives. If you loved It Takes Two, this one’s bound to tug at your heartstrings, too.
6. Borderlands 4: Bigger, Better, and Bolder
The Borderlands franchise is known for its insane weapons, wacky humor, and chaotic action, and Borderlands 4 is looking to take all of that to the next level. The new game introduces a brand-new planet, Kairos, ruled by the tyrannical Timekeeper. Players will once again be able to choose from four Vault Hunters and embark on an epic looter-shooter journey to stop the Timekeeper’s reign. As always, expect to find billions of weapons and hordes of enemies to annihilate, with the option for up to four players to team up and take on the mayhem together.
7. A Yakuza Spinoff in 1915: Project Century
The Yakuza/ Like a Dragon series has always been known for its over-the-top action and absurd humor, but Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is shaking things up with Project Century. Set in 1915, the new game looks like a return to the series’ roots, with intense hand-to-hand combat and a new historical backdrop. The shift to the early 20th century promises a fresh perspective, and we can’t wait to see how the series’ signature style meshes with this intriguing new setting.
8. Onimusha is Back After 20 Years
Longtime fans of Capcom’s Onimusha series rejoiced when it was announced that a new entry is finally coming after a 20-year hiatus. Onimusha: Way of the Sword will transport players back to early Edo-period Kyoto, where they’ll engage in epic sword combat once again. Fans of the series can expect the same intense, action-packed gameplay that made Onimusha a cult classic. It’s been a long time coming, but it looks like the wait was worth it.
9. Okami Sequel: A Long-Awaited Return
Capcom dropped another bombshell when they announced the return of Okami, nearly 20 years after the original’s release. Okami fans have been clamoring for a sequel, and it’s finally happening. Hideki Kamiya, the director of the original game, is back at the helm. If you loved the beautiful, cel-shaded art style and the captivating gameplay of the first game, this sequel promises to deliver more of the same, but with modern upgrades. The journey of Amaterasu continues, and we couldn’t be happier.
10. Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic Adventure: The Heretic Prophet
After a decade spent perfecting Uncharted and The Last of Us, Naughty Dog has finally unveiled a brand-new project—Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This sci-fi adventure takes you to the distant planet of Sempiria, where you play as Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on a world that lost contact with the outside universe centuries ago. The game features a gripping narrative and has Tati Gabrielle as the protagonist, with a haunting score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It’s a bold new direction for the studio, and fans of their storytelling are in for a treat.
A Night of Unforgettable Reveals : The Game Awards 2024 proved once again why it’s the premier event for gamers worldwide. From brand-new IPs to the return of beloved franchises, this year’s show was a rollercoaster of excitement. We’ve got a lot to look forward to in the coming years, with sequels, spinoffs, and fresh new adventures on the horizon. Whether you’re a Witcher fan, a Borderlands aficionado, or simply love experiencing the latest in gaming innovation, The Game Awards 2024 showcased a promising future for the industry.
