Astro Bot, the charming PlayStation platformer, triumphed at this year’s Game Awards, taking home the coveted Game of the Year prize. It outshone major contenders like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Black Myth: Wukong, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and Balatro.
Accepting the award, Nicolas Doucet, head of developer Team Asobi, gave a speech that seemed to honour rival Nintendo. Astro Bot wasn’t done there—it also won Best Family Game, Best Action/Adventure, and Best Game Direction.
Indie sensation Balatro, a poker-themed card game, also had a successful evening, winning three awards, including Best Mobile Game. Meanwhile, Metaphor: ReFantazio, a role-playing game, matched that total, continuing a strong showing for Japanese developers.
Black Myth: Wukong, inspired by Chinese legends, delighted fans and won the Player’s Voice Award, the only category voted entirely by fans. It was a tougher night for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which secured just one award for Best Music, despite seven nominations.
The event wasn’t just about awards. Highlights included a new project announcement from Naughty Dog, creators of The Last of Us. Their upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, debuted with a striking trailer set to Pet Shop Boys’ “It’s a Sin.”
The ceremony also introduced the Game Changers Award, recognising Amir Satvat for aiding laid-off game developers. He delivered a heartfelt speech, inspiring a reflective moment amid an industry grappling with widespread layoffs and growing debates over AI and working conditions.
The full list of winners can be found on The Game Awards website.
