IGN's Game Scoop!: IGN's Game of the Year 2024 Revealed – Detailed Summary

Release Date: December 20, 2024

In this special edition of Game Scoop!, host Damon Hatfield, alongside a panel of esteemed IGN staff members—Jada Griffin, Destin Legarie, and Tom Marks—delivers an in-depth analysis and reveal of IGN's Game of the Year (GOTY) 2024. The episode meticulously navigates through various award categories, offering insights, predictions, and reactions from the panelists. Below is a comprehensive summary of the discussions and outcomes from each category.

1. Best Xbox Game

Nominees:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Dungeons of Hinterberg
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
• Senua Saga
• Hellblade 2
• Soccer 2: Heart of Chernobyl

Discussion: Damon Hatfield opens the segment by highlighting the last-minute addition of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, pondering its chances against seasoned titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Hellblade 2. Destin Legarie favors Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, praising its "great job" and "countless hours in zombies" mode (03:30). Tom Marks echoes this sentiment, lauding the franchise's ability to "knock people's socks off" after a down year (03:58). However, another panelist expresses strong support for Stalker 2, emphasizing its polished gameplay post-patch (04:14).

Winner:

• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Reactions: The panel celebrates the unexpected triumph of Indiana Jones, with Tom Marks applauding Machine Games for successfully pivoting from Wolfenstein to an Indiana Jones title. The acceptance speech from the Machine Games team underscores their gratitude and excitement for the community’s reception (06:29).

2. Best PC Game

Nominees:

• Animal: Well, Blotro
• Heck Yeah
• Blotro 1000X
• Resist
• Satisfactory: The Rise of the Golden Idol
• UFO 50

Discussion: The panel notes the competitive nature of the PC category, distinguishing it from platform-specific nominations. Tom Marks points out that PC often serves as a "multi-platform category," accommodating diverse game types from Black Myth, Wukong to Satisfactory (07:47). Destin Legarie champions Balatro, describing it as "one of my favorite PC games of last year" and commends its engaging roguelike mechanics (10:10).

Winner:

• Heck Yeah: Balatro

Reactions: Mark praises Balatro for its "marvel of game design" and addictive gameplay loop, while Legarie shares personal enthusiasm, recounting his extensive playtime and love for the game's mechanics (10:28).

3. Best PlayStation Game

Nominees:

• Astrobot: Rescue Mission
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Helldivers 2
• Silent Hill 2
• Stellar Blade

Discussion: Destin Legarie expresses his preference for Metaphor Refantazio, though it's not among the final nominees. He highlights its "great storyline" and "incredible style and presentation" (13:27). Tom Marks and Damon Hatfield back Astrobot: Rescue Mission, comparing its quality to top-tier Nintendo platformers and praising its "joyous" gameplay (14:07, 14:50).

Winner:

• Astrobot: Rescue Mission

Reactions: Despite Destin's personal pick, the panel unanimously celebrates Astrobot's success, with Mark noting its homage to classic PlayStation titles and Hammering its place as a standout 3D platformer (15:03).

4. Best RPG

Nominees:

• Dragon: The Veil Guard
• Dragon's Dogma 2
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth
• Metaphor Refantazio
• Unicorn Overlord

Discussion: The panel acknowledges the exceptional quality of RPGs this year, with Tom Marks labeling it an "S Tier RPG year" due to the plethora of outstanding titles (16:40). Destin Legarie champions Metaphor Refantazio, praising its "relevant" storyline and the depth of its character relationships (17:16). The discussion delves into how Metaphor successfully balances innovative mechanics with a compelling narrative (18:01).

Winner:

• Metaphor Refantazio

Reactions: All panelists concur that Metaphor Refantazio earned its win through its intelligent evolution of RPG mechanics and emotionally resonant storytelling. Tom Marks emphasizes its status as a "feather in their cap" for Sega and Atlus, cementing their reputation in the RPG genre (37:17).

5. Best Nintendo Game

Nominees:

• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
• Paper: The Thousand Year Door
• Super Mario Party Jamboree
• Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• Unicorn Overlord

Discussion: Destin Legarie initially leans towards Unicorn Overlord due to its RPG depth and customization (26:17). However, Tom Marks advocates for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, highlighting its blend of traditional and innovative gameplay mechanics inspired by both classic and modern Zelda titles (27:45).

Winner:

• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Reactions: The panel lauds Zelda for its "unique art style" and seamless integration of homage and innovation, with Tom Marks noting its influence on the series’ future directions (28:32).

6. Best Downloadable Content (DLC)

Nominees:

• Alan Wake 2: Lake House
• Destiny 2: The Final Sheep
• Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
• World of the War Within

Discussion: The panel discusses the competitive nature of the DLC category, with particular emphasis on the standout expansions. Tom Marks acknowledges Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree as a front-runner but recognizes the quality across all nominees (31:22). They delve into how Destiny 2’s latest DLC serves as a fitting conclusion to its decade-long journey (32:02).

Winner:

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Reactions: The team celebrates Elden Ring's DLC for its depth and the seamless experience that rivals standalone games, with Tom Marks awarding it a rare 10 out of 10 (33:05).

7. Game of the Year (GOTY)

Nominees:

• Animal: Well, Balatro
• Astrobot: Rescue Mission
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Dragon: The Veil Guard
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Helldivers 2
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Infinity Nikki: Metaphor Refantazio
• Prince of the Lost Crown
• Silent Hill 2
• The Rise of the Golden Idol
• The Legend of Echoes of Wisdom

Discussion: As the climactic segment, the panel reflects on the diverse and high-quality pool of nominees. Destin Legarie votes for Metaphor Refantazio, while Tom Marks notes Black Myth: Wukong's popularity but ultimately aligns with Damon Hatfield and himself in supporting Metaphor Refantazio. Predictions vary, with some anticipating other titles like GTA 6 or Metroid Prime 4 to emerge victorious.

Winner:

• Metaphor Refantazio

Reactions: The announcement of Metaphor Refantazio as GOTY 2024 is met with unanimous approval from the panel. Damon Hatfield and Tom Marks express their excitement and validate the game's exceptional design and storytelling. Destin Legarie highlights the game's well-crafted characters and emotional depth, cementing its place as the standout title of the year (37:17).

Final Poll Results

• Should DLC be considered for Game of the Year?

  • 78.1% No

• Most Underrated Game of 2024:

  • Options included Star Wars Outlaws, Unicorn Overlord, Nine Souls, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, etc.

• Most Anticipated Game for 2025 Release:

  • GTA 6 with 47% of the votes

Conclusion

The Game Scoop! episode culminates with a celebration of Metaphor Refantazio's well-deserved recognition as both Best RPG and Game of the Year 2024. The panelists express their excitement for upcoming releases and reflect on the year's achievements in the gaming industry. Damon Hatfield wraps up the episode with warm holiday greetings, marking the end of a remarkable year for gaming enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes:

• Destin Legarie at 03:34: "For most of the year, for best Xbox was Hellblade 2 Cinema Saga. But Call of Duty: Black Ops 6... it’s firing on all cylinders."

• Tom Marks at 10:37: "Balatro is sort of just like a marvel of game design... so satisfying."

• Destin Legarie at 17:16: "Metaphor is just storyline. It’s kind of very relevant to today... fantastic game."

• Damon Hatfield at 28:32: "I’m excited to see what the studio does with their next Zelda game..."

• Tom Marks at 33:05: "The only completely new thing that came out in video games that we gave a 10 out of 10."

Conclusion

This episode of Game Scoop! offers a thorough exploration of the top gaming achievements of 2024, enriched by the panel's expert opinions and genuine enthusiasm. Whether you're a dedicated gamer or an industry follower, this summary encapsulates the essence of IGN's prestigious awards, highlighting the year's most impactful and beloved titles.