As the holiday season approaches, the race for the coveted Game of the Year title is heating up, and the pressure is on to finalize the nominees. Just like the stress of organizing a family Christmas, compiling year-end game lists can be daunting. Every November, I revisit all the acclaimed titles I’ve missed, consider underground gems, and attempt to recall my favorites from earlier in the year, only to find I’ve overlooked a few.

The Game Awards have revealed the nominations for their annual ceremony, set for December 12 in Los Angeles. With the anticipation building, I’m excited to see Astro Bot lead the nominations this year with seven, alongside Final Fantasy VII Rebirth with six; the latter being praised for its nostalgic fan service. Despite numerous attempts, I’ve found it challenging to become a fan of the Final Fantasy series.

In the running for the prestigious Game of the Year award are several exciting contenders: Balatro, a card game addictive enough to monopolize my time since January; Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, a celebrated expansion of the 2022 RPG phenomenon; Metaphor: ReFantazio, an elegant RPG from Atlus; and Black Myth: Wukong, which captured the gaming community's attention this summer amid some controversies surrounding its development.

While the competition is fierce, my prediction for the winner is Shadow of the Erdtree due to the critical acclaim it has garnered, though I would be thrilled to see Astro Bot take home the prize. There’s also a chance for Balatro to surprise everyone; its initial charm had me hooked, although it fizzled out for me once I mastered it. With a public vote accounting for 10% of the weighting, Black Myth: Wukong could benefit significantly from its strong fanbase, particularly in China.

On another note, Neva, which tells a touching story about a warrior and her wolf, received nominations for best art direction, best independent game, and for the perplexing "Games for Impact" category, which seems to encompass any game that evokes an emotional response rather than having a clear pro-social message. This year’s nominees are all worthy contenders, yet I find myself questioning the coherence of this category's criteria.

Adding to the mix is Indika, a haunting game featuring a 19th-century nun that critiques the Russian Orthodox church, and Hellblade II, which explores the protagonist’s journey through psychosis. Titles like Tales of Kenzera: Zau and Closer the Distance also delve into profound themes of grief, reflecting their creators' personal narratives. However, I struggle to identify any social commentary in Life Is Strange: Double Exposure within this context.

Surprise nominees are scarce, but I was pleased to see Animal Well, an eerie puzzle game, and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, a gripping mystery, included in the best independent game category. Pacific Drive, a narrative-driven road trip with an element of horror, also made the debut game list, showcasing diversity in the gaming landscape. While Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown deserves its acknowledgment in the best action game category, many hoped Dragon’s Dogma II would secure a nod for best RPG.

On the mobile front, the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is competing for best mobile game, a title I’ve been devoting hours to daily in hopes of catching a shiny Articuno.

For those disenchanted by the commercial aspect of traditional awards, a new Indie Game Awards show is slated to debut this year, focusing on creativity and innovation in smaller-scale gaming. Prominent nominees include Mouthwashing, a horror game set aboard a space freighter, and Nine Sols, an action title blending elements from bestsellers like Hollow Knight and Sekiro, which I've been meaning to check out.

With the year drawing to a close, I invite readers to share their favorite games of 2024 for a special feature in the upcoming newsletter. Please include a few lines about what made these games special to you.

What to Play:

I’m currently captivated by "The Rise of the Golden Idol," a unique detective game that melds logic puzzles, fill-in-the-blank clues, and hidden object challenges. It presents crimes through animated tableaus, imbuing a narrative steeped in corruption and deception. Even though I often find myself baffled by names and details, the distinct challenges it poses keep me engaged, making it a genuinely refreshing experience.

Upcoming Excitements:

Celebrating the anniversary of World of Warcraft, Blizzard revived Warcraft and Warcraft II with updated graphics, though the response has been mixed. In contrast, Valve’s anniversary update for Half-Life 2 has been met with enthusiasm, breaking player records on Steam.

And for theme park enthusiasts, a Minecraft-themed park is set to open in the UK by 2026 or 2027. Anticipating the crowd frenzy, I can't help but feel anxious about navigating the excitement.

These developments signal an ever-evolving landscape in gaming, and as we approach the new year, anticipation grows for which titles will ultimately be crowned the best. Stay tuned for a thrilling Game Awards ceremony and let the games begin!