A reader argues that Astro Bot didn’t should win Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024 however that its sequel could also be a contender.
I would by no means have made it over to L.A. to see E3, as I’d at all times wished to, however I really feel staying up until 4am to look at The Game Awards, after I’ve bought to get to work at 8am the subsequent morning, presents an identical stage of exclusivity. In that few individuals are as silly as me, as to wish to do it.
I nearly didn’t, truly, as final 12 months’s actually wasn’t well worth the effort and if it hadn’t been for the rumours of this being a superb one, I wouldn’t have bothered. I’m nonetheless not fairly positive what the 2 large ‘holy s***’ moments had been meant to be, however I felt there have been fairly a number of moderately shocking ones (very when it got here to Ōkami 2) and I used to be glad by the top of it.
Not solely did we get quite a lot of fascinating and sudden recreation reveals however nearly all of them confirmed gameplay and the one essential one which didn’t, The Witcher 4, had the excuse of being years away and making an vital level about who the primary character is (I’m not going to spoil the shock if GC gained’t). But general: 9/10, would watch once more – not the identical one, however definitely subsequent 12 months.
As everybody is aware of, the sport award a part of the showcase is a surprisingly small a part of the general occasion, with greater than half the winners being introduced and forgotten nearly earlier than you realise they’re being talked about. I typically marvel why they trouble with the award facet in any respect, however they do make a fuss about a few of them, particularly the Game of the Year award.
Like many, I felt there was no apparent favorite this 12 months, with my private desire being Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. I wouldn’t have objected to any of them successful, though I’ve not performed Black Myth: Wukong or Balatro, however I actually didn’t really feel Astro Bot was Game of the Year materials.
It’s a superb recreation, that I loved, however for me it’s not likely any greater than an 8/10. It’s simply too spinoff of 3D Mario video games, whereas on the similar time having a lot easier gameplay, which makes it way more repetitive regardless that it’s a lot shorter than any comparable Nintendo recreation.
I’d put Astro Bot: Rescue Mission a number of notches above it, because the novelty of VR managed to compensate for the rampant copycatting. I’m additionally unsure I didn’t take pleasure in Astro’s Playroom extra too. It definitely had higher songs and I felt the mixing of PlayStation cameos was significantly better. The manner the cameo characters labored made extra sense in context and the ultimate battle was much more enjoyable (admittedly it did deplete the very best concept for a last boss, however nonetheless).
But because the evening went on, and Astro Bot gained many of the awards it was up for, it turned apparent it was going to win Game of the Year and that simply felt improper to me. I assumed this 12 months had been good for video games, however Astro Bot can under no circumstances stand in the identical firm as video games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Elden Ring.
Not as a result of it’s not severe or epic however as a result of it’s simply an current concept not executed fairly as properly. I get it… coming anyplace near the standard of a Nintendo platformer is an actual achievement, however that alone is just not cause sufficient to be throwing across the phrase Game of the Year.
I’m not bitter about this, I get that some folks simply didn’t like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s open world sections, and I’m not going to say it’s an ideal recreation – nevertheless it’s my opinion that Astro Bot was already overrated and now I feel it’s much more so. But hey, if it results in Sony and others making extra 3D platformers than perhaps it’s for the very best.
What I’ll say is I cherished the acceptance speech which became a bizarre love letter to Nintendo, and I believe was an admission on the a part of the director that he knew Astro Bot was nonetheless the learner and Mario was the grasp.
There is a major problem with overrating video games although, that I really feel is underappreciated, and that’s should you begin speaking a few good however not nice recreation as being the GOAT then all of the sudden you haven’t bought a correct body of reference for the place to go subsequent. Being higher than Astro Bot gained’t make you a Game of the Year contender it’ll simply make you equal to or higher to eight/10.
I do really feel Team Asobi perceive this although and I sit up for their subsequent recreation very a lot. Maybe that can be a real Game of the Year winner, however I don’t really feel Astro Bot is.
By reader Gordo
The reader’s options don’t essentially signify the views of GameCentral or Metro.
You can submit your personal 500 to 600-word reader characteristic at any time, which if used can be printed within the subsequent acceptable weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff web page and also you gained’t have to ship an electronic mail.
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