GameLuster’s 2024 Game of the Year Awards Nominations

Welcome one and all to the 2024 GameLuster Game of the Year Awards, known more familiarly as The Lusties! Every year, we like to draw attention to the best and brightest that gaming has to offer, stretching from solo developed indie games to massive AAA behemoths. Our staff votes with a point-buy system to select the nominees and winners each year. As the awards take place about midway through December, all games from December 8th-31st last year are also eligible for all categories. Each of these categories is presented in alphabetical order, not based on the voting ranks so far. Without further ado, we proudly present our nominees for The 2024 Lusties!

Best Game World

For a world that feels so fantastical, well-realized, and beautiful that we feel like we really went there. This can be a fictional world or a recreation of a real place, but these worlds are defined by immersion and attention to detail.

• Euchronia (Metaphor Re Fantazio)
• Land of Shadow (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
• New Eden (Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden)
• New Kunlun (Nine Sols)
• The Oil Rig (Still Wakes the Deep)
• The Planet (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)

Best Expansion

For a DLC or expansion that released this year that builds on what made the original game great while providing something innovative to mark a new and memorable experience.

• Alan Wake II: Night Springs
• Alan Wake II: The Lake House
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Fallout 76: Skyline Valley
• Vampire Survivors: Emergency Meeting
• Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader: Void Shadows

Best Animal Companion

For the best animal (or animal-like creature) that serves as a faithful companion for our heroes, standing with them through thick and thin.

• Assan (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
• Chocobo (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)
• Koromaru (Persona 3 Reload)
• Moo Deng (Real Life)
• Nancy (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
• Pooby (Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes)

Best Villain

For the most formidable and memorable villain in gaming this year, who either represented evil and chaos in a fresh way or made us sympathize with their plight.

• Eiji (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
• Miquella (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
• PlayStation 5 Pro
• Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)
• Tom Nook (Animal Crossing Pocket Camp Complete)
• Xbox (2024 Layoff Counter 2600)

Best Game Direction

For a game that is the plain result of a singular and focused vision, where every element comes together as it was envisioned. Good direction is marked by consistent tone and theming, pulling excellent performances from actors, ludonarrative harmony, and a strong identity that persists the entire way through the game.

• Animal Well
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Frostpunk 2
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metaphor Re Fantazio
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Best New IP

For the best new world filled with original characters and places that we just couldn’t stop exploring.

• Animal Well
• Another Crab’s Treasure
• Balatro
• Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Metaphor Re Fantazio

Best Soundtrack

For excellence in using score and soundtrack to capture and define moments and vibes.

• Beastiball
• Fallen Leaf
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Metaphor Re Fantazio
• Persona 3 Reload
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Biggest Disappointment

A game we had high hopes for that let us down one way or another. The winner of this award is forever banished to the Lustless Isles.

• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
• Concord
• Multiversus
• RKGK / Rakugaki
• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
• The Thamaturge

Best Dumbass

This character is lovable and fun despite being incompetent at a great many things. No town is complete without a village idiot.

• Harold (Harold Halibut)
• Ichiban (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
• Jack (Mullet Madjack)
• Junpei (Persona 3 Reload)
• Kuma (Tekken 8)
• Manfred (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)

What Year is It?

There’s been a recent uptick in new games that are designed both visually and mechanically to make players feel like they are retro games. These are the best games that made us question what year it was while playing and if we had homework due tomorrow.

• Animal Well
• Crow Country
• Dread Delusion
• Mouthwashing
• Pepper Grinder
• RetroRealms: Ash vs. Evil Dead

The Khajit Award for Excellence in Merchanting

Khajit has wares, if you have coin. For the best character that acts as a merchant, vendor, or otherwise helps upgrade equipment in game.

• Julie (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
• Kuafu (Nine Sols)
• Moore (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
• Nemma (Another Crab’s Treasure)
• Scrooge McDuck & Friends (Disney Dreamlight Valley)
• Tom Nook (Animal Crossing Pocket Camp Complete)

Technical Achievement

For a game that really, genuinely feels like it is taking advantage of all the current-gen tech at its disposal, whether that presents itself in graphics, mechanics, performance, or all of the above.

• Astro Bot
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Frostpunk 2
• Persona 3 Reload
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

The OTP Award for In-Game Couple

You know what, I think these crazy kids just might make it.

• Black Doom x Radical Highway (Sonic x Shadow Generations)
• Cloud x Tifa (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)
• Nancy x Olivia (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
• Robert x Chris (The Casting of Frank Stone)
• Stardust x Rhok’zan (Sucker for Love: A Date to Die For)
• Watcher x Fixer (1000xResist)

Best Lead Performance

The best performance by an actor or actress in a game this year, whether it’s just voice or full body motion capture. Characters that are on screen or in the party for the majority of the game would go here.

• Alec Newman – Caz (Still Wakes the Deep)
• Brianna White – Aerith (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)
• Kaiji Tang – Ichiban (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
• Melina Juergens – Senua (Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II)
• Stewart Clarke – Strohl (Metaphor Re Fantazio)
• Zuwie LeFou – Krill (Another Crab’s Treasure)

Best Supporting Performance

The best performance by an actor or actress in a game this year, whether it’s just voice or full body motion capture. Side characters who are not frequently on screen would go here.

• Erin Yvette – Perrielle (Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes)
• Matt Mercer – Vincent (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)
• Matthew Curtis – Byron Ford (I Am Your Beast)
• Nick Boraine – Emmerich (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
• Richard Lintern – Igon (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
• Silas Carson – The Devil (INDIKA)

Most Anticipated

The games we are most excited for that are currently slated for release in 2025. We will present the top 6 of these in order!

• Avowed
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• GTA VI
• Little Nightmares III
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
• South of Midnight

Excellence in Monke

For the best monkey, ape, or similar primate creature featured in a game this year. Reject gaming, return to monke.

• Ape Escape Apes (Astro Bot)
• Donkey Kong (Mario vs. Donkey Kong)
• Shadow Monkeys (Animal Well)
• Son Wukong (Black Myth: Wukong)
• Tanzee (Palworld)
• Thorg (Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland)

Innovation in Gameplay

For a game that surprised with innovative new gameplay we haven’t seen before, testing the limits of established game mechanics and introducing new mechanics we never thought possible.

• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Frostpunk 2
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Pacific Drive

Best Boss Fight

For the most memorable battle of the year. The winner will have multiple key elements such as an excellent villain, great design of the fight, and epic moments you still can’t get off your mind.

• Aleifr Godi (Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II)
• Dracula (Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania)
• Kiana the Forest Queen (Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown)
• Promised Consort (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
• Tiger King (Black Myth: Wukong)
• Tonberry King (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)

Best Evolving Game

For a game that has been receiving continual updates, expansions, and new content for at least a year and is better than ever. This game can be live service, early access, or perhaps just a regular game with constant feature updates.

• Animal Crossing Pocket Camp
• Disney Dreamlight Valley
• Dread Delusion
• No Man’s Sky
• Sons of the Forest
• Vampire Survivors

Best Little Guy

He’s just a little guy.

• Manfred (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
• Astro Bot (Astro Bot)
• Koromaru (Persona 3 Reload)
• Pooby (Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes)
• Hauntii (Hauntii)
• The Blob (Animal Well)

Excellence in Diversity

For stepping above the status quo in representing ethnic, gender, or sexual minorities in gaming as real, three dimensional characters.

• 30 Birds
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes
• I Am Your Beast
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metaphor Re Fantazio

Best Narrative

For outstanding storytelling, dialogue, and use of narrative that takes advantage of the gaming medium.

• Ace Attorney Investigations
• Alan Wake II: The Lake House
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metaphor Re Fantazio
• Mouthwashing

Excellence in Art Design

For a game that brings a notable art style, impressive theming, and visual cohesion to a world that makes you want to just keep taking it in.

• #BLUD
• 30 Birds
• Animal Well
• Metaphor Re Fantazio
• Nine Sols
• Persona 3 Reload

Best Minigame

It’s the game within the game!

• Dondoko Island (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
• Gachapon (Astro Bot)
• Queensblood (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)
• Run Wild: Free-for-All (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth)
• Speedrunning (Fallen Leaf)
• Sujimon (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)

Best With Buddies

For a game in which playing alongside friends, whether on the couch or online, elevates the experience to incredible new heights.

• Granblue Fantasy: Relink
• Helldivers II
• Marvel Rivals
• Tekken 8
• The Casting of Frank Stone
• Until Dawn Remake

Cozy Game of the Year

The game that just made us feel great this year and helped us escape the stress of the real world. Grab a mug of tea and a blanket to snuggle in to a good time.

• Beastieball
• Hauntii
• House Flipper 2
• Riven (Remake)
• Sheepy: A Short Adventure
• Tiny Glade

Stressful Game of the Year

I’m tired of all this coziness! This is a game that had us sweating hard and raised either our blood pressure or the hairs on our arms.

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Frostpunk 2
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
• Nine Sols
• Slave Zero X
• Tormenture

The Goldilocks Award for Excellence in AA Gaming

Goldilocks first tried the AAA porridge, and it was too big. She then tried the indie porridge, and it was too small. She then tried the AA porridge in the middle, and it was juuuuuust right. This is the best game this year that have budgets too high and dev teams too big to really be indie, but are smaller than AAA.

• Alone in the Dark
• Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
• Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes
• Frostpunk 2
• House Flipper 2
• Still Wakes the Deep

Indie Game of the Year

The best game from an independent developer with a smaller budget and team that stands up to and even surpasses the experiences AAA games can deliver.

• Animal Well
• Tactical Breach Wizards
• Balatro
• Mouthwashing
• 30 Birds
• Rise of the Golden Idol

Indie Dev of the Year

Game development is anywhere from hard to the most grueling experience of one’s life, and it’s 10x harder when you’re a small indie developer (especially a solo developer) with $9 in the bank for marketing. Here are some indie devs we want to shout out this year for making their dreams a reality and providing us with some amazing games, whether they’re new projects or massive updates to existing games!

• Billy Basso (Animal Well) [Solo Dev]
• ColorGray Games (Rise of the Golden Idol)
• Hello Games (No Man’s Sky)
• LocalThunk (Balatro) [Solo Dev]
• Lovely Hellplace (Dread Delusion)
• Massive Monster (Cult of the Lamb)
• Supergiant Games (Hades II)

Game of the Year

To celebrate the game this this year that showed the best gaming has to offer over any other; whether its innovative gameplay, a fantastic story, mastery of a genre or perhaps all of the above.

• Animal Well
• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metaphor Re Fantazio

What do you think of our nominees? See any snubs? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned on our social media for more on X and BlueSky, as well as our announcement of our winners next week on December 16!