The awards have been given out, and the dust has settled, but not everyone is happy about Astro Bot's 2024 Game of the Year win at The Game Awards. Unfortunately, the reaction to Team Asobi’s platformer winning the top prize is very split. The idea is that Astro Bot is not viewed as a “serious” game. It's argued that Astro Bot’s fun and accessible nature make it less valuable than other games with deeper stories or more complex gameplay.

Some believed that since Astro Bot is designed for a wider audience, including kids, it lacked the artistic depth and serious themes often expected of a Game of the Year winner. However, looking more closely at what makes Astro Bot special is very important. What makes a game great isn't just that it was difficult or had better gameplay elements; it's that it lasted the test of time when pitted against another game.

Why Astro Bot's GOTY Win Was Controversial

People Can Disagree, But This Goes Far

After Astro Bot won Game of the Year at The Game Awards, there was a surprising amount of backlash from the gaming community, and it doesn't take long to find a Reddit post against the win. This brought up a bigger discussion about what makes a game deserving of such an honor. Many people criticized Astro Bot for being too simple and lacking a deep story compared to other nominees. They felt the award was an attack against more complex and mature games, like RPGs and Souls-like experiences, which are often seen as having richer themes.

Some argued on GameFaqs that Astro Bot's win favored nostalgia and accessibility instead of innovation and challenging gameplay. Many fans appreciate games that push creative boundaries or have intricate worlds and mechanics, so they see a family-friendly platformer as less worthy of recognition. It's also not common for family-oriented games not to get top awards.

Additionally, fans of other nominated games felt overlooked, particularly Black Myth: Wukong, which was an amazing game. However, even the producer felt upset about the loss (via Reddit). This disappointment, fueled by social media, quickly turned into criticism of Astro Bot's win instead of celebrating its achievements. There will never be a complete consensus that one game deserves to beat another, but every nominee is good enough to be given that crown.

Why Astro Bot Deserved To Win Game Of The Year At TGA

It's A Great Game That Is Also A Ton Of Fun

Astro Bot winning at the Game Awards wasn't just a nod to PlayStation's history or nostalgia. The win was a clear recognition of the game's outstanding qualities and its special role in gaming. Astro Bot really shone as a true example of fun and skillful design in a year filled with big letdowns like Concord. Its success didn't come from complicated stories or difficult mechanics but from perfectly executing the platforming genre with a lot of joy and creativity.

Unlike many other games, Astro Bot didn't try to innovate just for its own sake. The game concentrated on refining the core gameplay, delivering a polished, engaging experience that appealed to a wide audience. It was accessible for players of all ages and skill levels, allowing both experienced gamers and newcomers to enjoy its simple yet rewarding gameplay and numerous playful nods to PlayStation's history. While its technical achievements are impressive, Astro Bot offered more than just great visuals; it combined those graphics with smooth and responsive gameplay.

Astro Bot's focus is on fun, steering clear of live-service features and complicated monetization strategies that often dominate the industry. Providing a complete and satisfying experience with free post-launch content that adds value rather than exploiting players is a great example of how video games should prioritize enjoyment. Astro Bot reminds players that the essence of a good video game is the fun it brings, and it successfully delivers that with charm and polish, deserving the title of Game of the Year.

Also, the fact of the matter is that it was voted as Game of the Year. While it may seem like the host and his friends pick the winner, it is chosen by a voting jury of over 100 leading media outlets in the gaming industry (via The Game Awards). Every award show has voting , including the Oscars and Emmys. So basically, Astro Bot won by proving it deserved it, not by proving it to a specific person or their friends. That doesn't make any other game bad; getting nominated is a huge honor, and the developers of the nominees should feel that honor.

All The Ways Astro Bot Proved To Be GOTY

You Won't Regret Playing It

Critics have praised Astro Bot for its smooth gameplay, colorful graphics, and overall fun experience. Team Asobi worked hard to create a platformer that is easy for new players to pick up but still challenging for experienced gamers. It's not easy to get gamers today to say that the platformer genre is fun. That's like Telltale making adventure games fun again; it deserves a high amount of praise.

The game also pays tribute to the history of PlayStation with various collectible bots that represent characters from the last 30 years, which fans of the platform really appreciate. This nostalgic touch adds an emotional connection for long-time players beyond just the gameplay itself. It gives players the connection and feeling of awe and memories without making nostalgia the reason to buy. Astro Bot added just enough to give players that feeling without overdoing it in an industry of reboots trying to cash in on the nostalgia.

Additionally, the developers have shown their commitment to the game by offering free updates that add new levels and gameplay features after its release. In fact, the newest Winter Wonder update was made for the festive holiday season. Updates like those show real commitment to the player because developers care enough to keep giving content. This approach is refreshing compared to many other games that rely exclusively on paid content.

Astro Bot manages to capture the joy of classic games while also introducing new ideas with its creative power-ups and level designs. It's not just a remake of old games. It’s a modern take on 3D platforming, blending innovation with nostalgia. Just because it didn't make players question their morality doesn't mean it didn't stay with players long after they finished playing. That makes this worthy of the Game of the Year title.

Source: Reddit, GameFaqs, The Game Awards

In the interest of full disclosure and transparency, Screen Rant confirms it is on the judging at The Game Awards 2024. Our editorial process is separate from our contributions to judging, and as such, our inclusion does not compromise our journalistic integrity.