The Tournament Overview
This year has seen the release of an impressive array of video games, and we wanted to find out which title resonated the most with players. Partnering with Truth, we curated a list of 64 of the top games of 2024 and set them against each other in an exciting tournament format. After six intense rounds of voting, during which over 1 million votes were cast, one game emerged as the undisputed champion: Black Myth: Wukong.
Introducing Black Myth: Wukong
Developed by Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong is an action-packed game inspired by the beloved Chinese literary classic, Journey to the West. Players assume the role of the Destined One, an anthropomorphic monkey inspired by the legendary Sun Wukong from the novel. The game features dynamic combat where players wield a mystical staff, utilize a variety of spells, and even transform into defeated enemies, adding a unique twist to gameplay.
Critical Acclaim and Gameplay Highlights
IGN’s review praised Black Myth: Wukong for its exhilarating combat mechanics, breathtaking environments, and intricately designed bosses. While it doesn’t fall into the soulslike category, its combat presents a formidable challenge that demands quick reflexes, strategic resource management, and a diverse array of attacks to conquer its numerous bosses.
Path to Victory in the Tournament
Black Myth: Wukong dominated the fan-voted tournament from the outset, ultimately defeating Marvel Rivals in the finals with a commanding 59% of the votes. Along the way, it faced tough contenders, including Harry Potter: Quidditch Championship, Star Wars Outlaws, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, Stellar Blade, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, winning each match with at least 67% of the vote.
Marvel Rivals: A Challenging Journey
In contrast, Marvel Rivals faced a more tumultuous path to the finals. It narrowly claimed victory against the Silent Hill 2 remake in the semifinals and squeaked past Astro Bot in one of the tournament’s closest matchups, with only a 960-vote margin out of over 50,000 votes cast. Prior to reaching the semifinals, Marvel Rivals had already triumphed over formidable opponents like World of Warcraft: The War Within and Batman: Arkham Shadow.
Notable Exits and Surprises
Interestingly, IGN’s pick for the Best Game of 2024, Metaphor: ReFantazio, did not advance past the first round of the People’s Choice Tournament, falling to Mario & Luigi: Brothership before it eventually succumbed to Black Myth: Wukong. Another notable title, the indie favorite Balatro, also had an unexpectedly brief run, defeating Still Wakes the Deep in the opening round but receiving only 26% of the vote against Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 in Round 2.
Strong Contenders in the Final Four
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 showcased an impressive performance throughout the tournament, overcoming several heavyweights on its journey to the Final Four, including victories over Balatro, Sons of the Forest, Dragon’s Dogma 2, and Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth. Meanwhile, Silent Hill 2, recognized as IGN’s Best Horror Game of 2024, advanced past contenders like Life Is Strange: Double Exposure and Helldivers 2 to reach the semifinals.
Gratitude to the Gaming Community
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s People’s Choice Tournament by casting their votes. We invite you to share your thoughts on the outcome in the comments below. If you disagree with the champion, which game would you have selected? Here’s to an exciting year ahead in gaming as we look forward to 2025!
