Astro Bot Blasts Past Elden Ring, Currently 2024's Highest-Rated Release

Home stretch

by · Push Square
Game Profile

https://images.pushsquare.com/ca681ce6fc874/astro-bot-cover.cover_small.jpg
Title:
Astro Bot
System:
PlayStation 5
Publisher:
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developer:
Team Asobi
Genre:
Platformer
Players:
1
Release Date:
PlayStation 5
https://static.pushsquare.com/themes/base/images/flags/us.gif 6th Sep 2024, $59.99
https://static.pushsquare.com/themes/base/images/flags/eu.gif 6th Sep 2024, £59.99
Series:
Astro Bot
Reviews:
Astro Bot (PS5) - One of the Greatest PlayStation Platformers of All Time
Guide:
Astro Bot Guide: Full Walkthrough and All Collectibles
Official Site:
playstation.com
Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org
Where to buy:
Buy on Amazon

Anyone who tells you that 2024 was a weak year for gaming is either extremely specific in the types of games they play or hilariously uninformed. As it is almost Game of the Year time once again, it seems the competition will be extremely close at awards shows like The Game Awards. But in terms of aggregate critical consensus, Astro Bot is the highest-rated release of 2024.

While far from scientific, sites like Metacritic and Opencritic remain useful tools for publishers and journalists to gauge public reaction to a product. While each aggregator's methodology is different, attempting to serve different audiences, the top four highest-rated games of 2024 have lined up across both and make for a very strong selection of games, even if one is not like the others.

  1. Astro Bot
  2. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
  3. Metaphor: ReFantazio
  4. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

Things deviate from there, with Metacritic's #5 spot occupied by retro collection UFO 50 and Opencritic's by a visual novel called Tsukihime - A Piece of Blue Glass Moon. Honestly, those four above make for a strong, surprisingly JRPG-heavy array of games that could keep the average player occupied for many blissful months.

Related Articles

News All The Game Awards 2024 Nominees Revealed, Astro Bot Up for 7 Awards

FF7 Rebirth also gets 7 nominations

News Vast Majority of Gamers Say Elden Ring DLC Should Never Have Been Nominated for Game of the Year

Effin and Geoffin

Have you played the four unanimously highest-rated games of 2024? Which was your favourite? Let us know in the comments section below.

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About Khayl Adam

Khayl Adam is Push Square's roving Australian correspondent, a reporter tasked with scouring the internet for the richest, most succulent PlayStation stories. With five years of experience as a freelance journalist and mercenary wordsmith, RPGs are his first great love, but strategy and tactics games are a close second, genres in which he is only too happy to specialize.

Comments 56

Deserved for Astro Bot! Shadow of the Erdtree was overrated by a pretty incredible margin for what was a 7/10 DLC.

I would really like to see AstroBot win the game of the year award. Sure, the Elden Ring DLC was awesome, but the game had its recognition and deservedly so last year, so it would be fair for another game to get a chance at this years award. I think the idea of a DLC winning Game of the Year is crazy though.. When The Last of Us Part 2 won the award a few years ago, by this years thinking, the game could have had a second bite at the award when the Grounded DLC was released, and that is just plain ridiculous thinking. What next, NG+ taking the award? 😅

Unrelated but y’all need to play UFO 50 if it ever gets on PlayStation. It is so creative, ambitious, fun and well made. The fact that Black Myth Wukong got a direction nomination over it is actually criminal.

@Deoxyr1bose I wish it was out on Playstation it sounds great. Heck, Animal Well, Lorelei, Prince of Persia etc were all better options.

Balatro better. (i still need to play Astro Bot and it looks wonderful)

Astro Bot is my pick for GOTY from all the games nominated, but my GOTY is Sonic x Shadow Generations. Still mad it got 0 nominations.

Astrobot is the 5th game in the series that uses alot of Nintendo's previous ideas and Elden ring DLC should not be up for game of the year.

I loved Astro Bot from start to finish. It's a reminder that games are meant to be fun and few games are as fun as Astro Bot is. Superb. 100% my game of the year

Well deserved for Astro Bot and i honestly don't care that much if the game didn't win GotY at TGA.

But at least Astro Bot already proved to SIE higher ups that they doesn't always need to chase live service trend or spend hundreds of millions to create a well received and beloved game who also sold well.

@trev666 What are these "Nintendo ideas" that Astro Bot used and why Nintendo didn't copyright it so they can used it to sue Sony, just like they did with Palworld?

@MeanBeanEgg I’d say that remasters in general shouldn’t be up for these things but there’s a high chance that a DLC will win… so why not.

@Deoxyr1bose Yeah, UFO50 is definitely one of the best games released this year.

Astro Bot fully deserves that rating as well, for me personally it was a better platformer than Mario has been for years, just sheer joy to play.

@trev666 Astrobot is the 5th game in the series

There's been 2 tech demos and two games, get it right atleast.

It's a really fun game so I totally get it! I couldn't stop smiling while playing it, except for that one super difficult level, then I was not smiling, at all. Overall great game! Highly recommended.

@UltimateOtaku91

the playroom
the playroom VR
astrobot rescue mission
astros playroom
astrobot

get it right at least

As much as not into Elden Ring eh Astro Bot to me just isn't it even as a platformer fan I hate it and what it offers, like Rift Apart I hate what it stands for for either studios.

As if remakes aren't a sign IP/branding over quality/actual design, emotionally stupidity comes to mind and whatever nonsense ways for people to get what their bad messaging is.

Akimbot is just as Ratchet/Jak inspired boring. As 5th gen inspired Indies are. Empty, basics, no stand out, can't even match their inspiration because not skilled and that's fine. But when B and AA grades are more reachable for inspiration too and they make bland games still that's when I get annoyed I can do research and be inspired to not copy paste but get ideas from seeing what other games do. That's why I get annoyed.

If a nostalgia milking game gets a level design award I know people are a joke there. You want old games tribute level design to be a sign of a level design award, what sorto message does that give journalists a bad one.

I am broad in my genres playing and 2024 sucks. I beat 20 old games and one modern one being Splatoon 2. I beat platformers of 6th gen, shooters of 7th gen, and many more.

When I seek mechanics I am very critical for a reason and why modern gaming bores me. As if Diofield was weak while Valkyrie Elysium was fun. Aka 2 Square 2022 titles that probably didn't sell well, I cared about and both showed fair design. Diofield being weak to do anything good in the tactics genre besides it fair first impressions while Valkyria Chronicles 4 from 2018 shows Diofield up of even if not as good as 1 from 2010 has tasks and balance of its design, it makes Diofield look dull, besides it's real time elements the boring spamming attacks and 2 character switch ups the bets part of the game and the only depth it does of change up which is hilarious how dull and downhill it goes, the bonuses/tasks/grind were pathetic and repetitive. Plantinumed like intended but bland.

So yes I am very critical of platformers, shooters and racing the past trends with better competition in the past for mechanical depth. Where competition these days is lazy. Playing 20 year old games for research of better game design is not nostalgia I never played them before. It's just better design then those who don't go back or didn't play AA/AAA left behind games with better ideas.

How the creative were supposed to make me go oh it's still worth a PS5 when to me I hate them even more then the other audience ones they push so much that bored me and I skipped on PS4 becaude their niche onesa re all I liked on PS4 so less and hating them on PS5 I have no reason for the console and their lazy game design. So it annoying me with their weak creativity though is very easy to do for them it seems.

The cameos in Playroom was fine, the PlayStation products is fine but I didn't want more nostalgia/museum milking from Sony, Nintendo does it but I feel it fits the gameplay, Won't goes let's shove it it and it it's so weak. I have no interest in Mario Odyssey or most big Nintendo IPs I care for their niche ones and was a PS/Xbox starter Nintendo later, but I feel the 2D segments fit, not just nostalgia milking, Astro Bot is weak, so to me this game sucks, the extent of level designs are bland, cosmetics versus abilities for them or execution of things in levels.

@trev666 So still only two Astro Bot games in the series, and three tech demos.

Of all the scores that make sense this year, Metaphor isn't one of them. Crazy that it scored higher than Rebirth. A great game don't get me wrong but it's got far too much holding it back for me.

Part 2:
I'd play a museum collection title of Atari 50 instead of I did for the Jaguar/Lynx games and fair history coverage besides research outside the game then what story they want to push.

Or a advergaming racing game, the desitis original but it's a car museum of a brand. Like a Astro's Playroom in a way brand but not too far id my point.

So how they are used it, is lacking depth of ideas and the nostalgia museum aspects it has. It's just terrible. I hate Indies being inspired in lazy ways why would I a AAA Sony product.

Nostalgia is a thing they have been targeting with games/merch and badly and this is even more desperate then the last times doing it.

So Indies skills being lower is understandable but I want better besides their low skills, I have low skills then they have yet they don't try hard enough or are modern design bland of emptiness of ideas so basic.

For them it's harsh I know because of their talent/team size but they could prototype something a bit more. When 1 mechanic is exciting even for how simple I don't mind even if I am picky still about them.

Like my Foamstars mode ideas no matter how average they still use the mechanics well then 2 modes tweaked yet found in other games, points or Biomutant ones of the past. I say them for a reason. Lacking ideas, weak ideas, basic ideas for people to understand and not exciting or pushing the creativity of the medium and their skills aren't really being tested just trend following or weak to push further with their ideas. Money or casual design so boring and forgettable. 9th gen is so forgettable of game design.

I don't expect vehicles or much change up that's a bit too far but some AA/B grades of the past impress me more then the AAs/popular remembered titles that peotare inspired by.

That Astro Bot was nostalgically ripping off and trying to play tribute too too closely which is why I hate it. Put originality further in there then some moments of that and reskins/recreations so unnecessary.

It's like recreating a real life city then a playground feel to it or a fictional one/level in other games, I don't care for them, I need them do better. Stop playing tribute the lazy way Sony/Asobi.

I'd take a game inspired differently or more so a non Inspired game because I'm sick to death of heavily inspired weak game that can't push their creativity further or a Ford Racing type museum advergaming title over Astro Bot and those are even lower quality but how they handle content is better.

@Cloud39472 I kinda agree, whilst I enjoyed the game I do feel it's visuals, dungeon design, and time restricts let it down. Some of the music used as well was just down right annoying and even the enemy designs (apart from the humans) were a bit bland. The story and game mechanics saved it for me.

I’m surprised how many children must have PS5’s.

That said, I don’t consider the other titles mainstream blockbusters, but rather a little niche in nature.

@trev666

Only Nintendo should be allowed a GOTY contender in the 3D platformer space.

Also, 3 of those games are tech demos and while they're as good as full fledged games, they're still tech demos.

I would say it's not that hard to find someone who doesn't like 3D platformers nor Soulslikes.

Well deserved Astro Bot.
Hoping for some story DLC in 2025.

All fingers crossed for Astro.

@TeiGekiLord that's the dumbest thing I read this week. Why should Nintendo only be allowed to have contenders for platformers.

That's like saying Metroid prime 4 should not be allowed for next year because only Microsoft is allowed to have contenders with first person games.

My disc drive turns up this morning for Pro.
Just looking online at some games.
The couple I want I save in total £18 over buying digital and that is with BF digital store price reductions.
I never knew there was such a price saving to be had with physical.

@UltimateOtaku91 Those are exactly the things I mean. Enemy design/variety and dungeon design, as well as the somewhat repetitive gameplay loop let it down for me. The combat system and story were definitely the highlights.

I still think it deserves its nomination and I don't think there's anything I'd replace it with but I don't think it deserves to win against the other nominees (besides Erdtree) but that's just how I see it.

REBIRTH

Metacritic > 92
PUSHSQUARE > 8

Still ridiculous

I would've loved astro bot if it wasn't so ridiculously easy. I love platformers, but astro was more interactive screensaver than a video game.

@1UP-HUSKY "Why should Nintendo only be allowed to have contenders for platformers"

Teigeki made a sarcastic comment about how Nintendo fanboys act that only Nintendo who has original and creative ideas while other company can only steal from them.

@PuppetMaster thanks for clearing that up. My sarcasm radar isn't working this morning, time for the weekend to begin I guess.

@SuntannedDuck2 you ok?

@SuntannedDuck2

You must be the absolute life and soul of every party you attend

@SuntannedDuck2 Considering your name, I think you've been out in the sun too long.

Astro Bot has to be GOTY surely

I’m glad Astro Bot came out to remind Nintendo how to properly make a fun 3D platformer.

@JustCameHereToSay

Maybe it's just my general love for Mario games but I'd still argue that Super Mario Odyssey is the better game.

That's not taking anything away from Astro Bot as they're both 10 out of 10's in my opinion, but if I had to erase one from existence and could only keep one I'd definitely have to keep Mario Odyssey

Thankfully I'm speaking hypothetically and in reality should never have to make such a decision 🤣🤣

@Deoxyr1bose I think I am going to get UFO 50 in the steam sale this weekend to play on the deck. I was hoping for a slightly deeper discount but it looks well worth the price.

On topic out of the nominees Astrobot would probably clinch it for me. I’ve not played Wukong or Metaphor and despite Eldren Ring being my goat I disagree with a dlc being in the running no matter how big it is. My personal GOTY though is probably Unicorn Overlord.

@Member_the_game hey man, to each their own!

Astro bot is a instant classic.more platformers is always welcome.word up son

@1UP-HUSKY

I know it's the dumbest thing, I'm summing up what that user basically said.

I’ve played all of these except Metaphor (which is standing on my shelf, part of the ever growing backlog) and for me nothing beats Erdtree. Definitely the best DLC ever.
A strong second is Astro Bot. Gave me flashbacks to waving the Wiimote around in Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 back in the day.
FFVII:Rebirth was fun but for me it doesn’t belong in the top 5, maybe top 10 if I’m being nice. Too many minigames and too much running after map icons à la Ubisoft. I would place games like Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Silent Hill 2 Remake higher than FFVII:Rebirth

The big surprise for me was not seeing any Nintendo titles in the top 5. They usually subscribe to at least one position in the top and they did release a Zelda game this year (still on my shelf…). But I guess they’re gearing up for the Switch 2 release and are saving their big guns for then

@SuntannedDuck2 Jesus H my scrolling fingers fooked 😀

Gonna start it this evening. Cant wait to play astrobot.

I hope Astro Bot is the Rodri of these awards

”Hilariously uninformed”…

Or doesn’t like RPGs.

@Oxy The Zelda title released this year is the weakest since the OG DS titles, imo.

Four very strong contenders there. I’m currently working through both Metaphor and Rebirth but it’s Metaphor that’s giving Astro Bot a run for its money as my locked in game of the year. I still don’t see it topping what is pretty well as close to perfect as a game can get.

Good game and I thoroughly enjoyed it ...but overhyped massively

In comparison to similar games I would say it should be mid 80s on meta

@StylesT

absolutly agree with you, I do not understand the high ratings. I enjoyed the game for what it was, a polished game, but very short and barely any challenge.

Would have loved some museum or something like that, where you can see the bots and get some more information on the games they originated from.

All in all there was no game that toped them all this year, if Astro wins GOTY thats fair, Eldenring should not win, it should not even be in there.

Astro Bot has my full support. Blissful, joyous, fun, polished and optimised. It's sublime.

It takes two won the best game of the year and no one asked for it, And Astro bot is what everyone support for it. and i support it.

I'm sorry, but the fact that a 3D platformer and a DLC are the top two games of the year is proof enough that, yes, 2024 was kinda weak.

Don't get me wrong. Astrobot and Erdtree are fantastic, but they're not that "generation-defining" kind of title. 2024 has nothing up there in the Pantheon of history's greats such as Red Dead 2, GTA IV, The Last of US, God of War 2018, Bloodborne, or Elden Ring itself. It's not even close.

And the fact that two of the aforementioned games came out in 2018 along with Spider-Man gives you a good point of reference of what a strong year looks like.

Yes, 2024 is full of great titles. But it does feel weirdly empty all things considered.

Real gaming shines through, an actual videogaming gets the recognition it deserves. Hopefully the clowns at Sony might realise & take notice.

@Spedfrom couldn't agree more 👏

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