Alongside our Game of the Year top 10 list and personal picks from the Push Square editorial team, we are recognising the best PS5 games of 2024 in select categories. Today is the turn of the best PS5 developer of 2024.
Bronze Trophy: Team Asobi (Astro Bot)
After honing its already magnificent platforming craft in Astro Bot Rescue Mission and Astro's Playroom, Team Asobi went big with Astro Bot. In doing so, it created one of the best PlayStation platformers ever made and paid tribute to so many of the famous characters that have helped the brand become one of the industry's most iconic throughout its 30-year history. Astro Bot is one of the best games of 2024, but Team Asobi didn't stop there: since its release, the studio has put out free speedrunning levels to keep you coming back for more. Astro Bot can now properly be considered one of the PlayStation mascots with an industry-leading game under his belt — a true champ!
Silver Trophy: Bloober Team (Silent Hill 2)
Based on its previous work creating everything from Layers of Fear and Observer to The Medium, it is pretty fair to say most people doubted Bloober Team would be able to fashion a Silent Hill 2 remake into something special. The footage released prior to release reinforced those concerns, leaving most fans presuming it would be a disappointing letdown.
But then the extremely promising previews were published (including our own), and then the reviews hit (also including our own). Despite the doubters, Bloober Team managed to pull off one of the greatest video game remakes of all time, faithfully restoring a horror masterpiece. Based on the final product, it's a wonder why anyone doubted the team in the first place — the Polish developer well and truly knocked the project out of the park. We've never been more delighted to be so very, very wrong.
Gold Trophy: Arrowhead Studios (Helldivers 2)
One of the biggest stories of the year, Arrowhead Studios turned what was a niche, relatively unknown IP in Helldivers into one of the biggest multiplayer games in existence with the sequel. Nobody expected it to happen, but more than 12 million sales later, it's the fastest-selling game in PlayStation history. In the 10 months since its release, there have been bumps in the road — like the PSN account kerfuffle on PC — but overall, Arrowhead Studios has transformed its online efforts and attracted a dedicated community of Helldivers.
It could be argued that the game probably should have received a proper expansion by now, but the in-universe social media chatter from the studio and constant smaller updates have kept players coming back. Helldivers 2 has been a phenomenon in 2024, and Arrowhead Studios has been at the forefront of it all.
Platinum Trophy: Atlus (Metaphor ReFantazio, Persona 3 Reload, and SMT V: Vengeance)
It feels like Atlus is always kind of on a JRPG hot streak, but 2024 saw its efforts launch into the stratosphere. It created a new IP and Game of the Year contender in Metaphor: ReFantazio, remade a classic in Persona 3 Reload, and even put out an enhanced version of Shin Megami Tensei V for a wider audience. That's an impressive number of releases, all of which come at such a high quality. Persona 3 Reload even got an Episode Aigis expansion a few months after release!
You always know you are in for something truly great whenever Atlus is attached, and the Japanese outfit delivered on all fronts across 2024, with its releases spread out enough to where you could essentially chain them from one to the next and not play much else this year. There's no redemption story here, no significant post-launch support; Atlus came with banger after banger in 2024 of the finest JRPG quality — for that it deserves true recognition.
Do you agree with our picks for the best PS5 developer of 2024? Share your thoughts in the comments below and check out more of our Game of the Year coverage through the link.
Who was your favourite PS5 developer of 2024? (407 votes)
- Arrowhead Studios (Helldivers 2)
- Atlus (Metaphor, Persona 3 Reload, SMT V)
- Bloober Team (Silent Hill 2)
- Game Science (Black Myth: Wukong)
- LocalThunk (Balatro)
- Shift Up (Stellar Blade)
- Team Asobi (Astro Bot)
- Other
Comments 38
Game Science is the GOAT!
Atlus definitely deserves it, with team Asobi not far behind. But in third place for me is Falcom, they hit it out the park with Trails Through Daybreak and YS X.
@Wolfgar On PC maybe but its laughable they haven't been crucified for the PS5 version of Black Myth, even the Pro update was lackluster as well.
Given Atlus's high output rate and substantial quality, it's really hard to argue with, and they'd be my pick. Having said that, quite a few devs had an excellent year. There really aren't that many truly bad games made anymore above the shovelware garbage space.
Team asobi should have been number one.
Asobi is the best for me. Atlus had a good year but at the same time P3 was an unfinished remake that demanded more money to finish it and Metaphor while a good is basically just another Persona game just minus the actual Persona's and romance options. SMTV is the highlight from Atlus this year by far despite it being an enhanced port of a years old Switch game.
1. Asobi
2. Shift up
3. Bioware
4. Not 100% sure, maybe arrowhead or 1 of the teams who issued excellent Pro patches
Capcom for me.
Team Asobi for simply putting the fun back into gaming again.
For me:
1. Team Asobi
2. Bloober Team
3. From Software
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio followed by Atlus. I'd say Ubisoft third just for Prince of Persia.
@ApostateMage agreed. They have really outdone themselves lately with the resident evil franchise. Looking forward to what else they have up their sleave.
Astro boy is a fine example of hurd mentality.
It’s just another game with no story or plot and really just average overall. Yet somehow marketing suggested its some game of the year contender and the band wagon jumped on board. Now we have this outperforming much better game based on money and gullibility.
Spoiler alert I’ve played it and it’s just another game nothing all that special tbh!
I feel Arrowhead is my favorite due to how much love they've been giving to Helldivers 2 this year, with Asobi next due to how much charm Astro Bot has.
Arrowhead gets my vote.
@Lup I agree that RGG is the best of the year so far. They are pulling so many great games derived from the Yakuza IP, they are more innovative than Atlus rebaking the same formula ever and ever.
Gotta go with Team Asobi.
Atlus, Falcom, and Shift Up would be my top 3
Team Asobi, for sure. They brought an extremely polished experience that is packed to the brim with fantastic gameplay and so much joy. Most of all, Astrobot has filled a void in PlayStation’s recent catalog; it was very much needed, for new and old PlayStation fans alike. Standing ovation for Team Asobi!
I'm absolutely shocked you didn't give it to Naughty Dog just for existing.
@Mincey0 what is a “hurd”?
@Mincey0 "Yet somehow marketing suggested its some game of the year contender"
You should probably replace contender with winner! (Multiple awards so far) 🙂
Are you really implying that the 94 metacritic with the 9.2 user reviews are just publications and players falling for some genius Sony marketing? Why didn't Sony deploy this incredible super marketing with Concord?
I really don't get the fuss about Atlus, I played Persona 5 Royal and it was a poor experience for me, it just seemed really boring and it was a massive slog to complete similar in ways to Shenmue 1 & 2. Maybe I missed something and the life simulator aspect wasn't really for me, it's a shame as they seem to be very popular on this site but I just can't comprehend it. Really looking forward to Astro bot mind.
I'm not hugely bothered by this particular vote but curious why Game Science was a nominee and the game didn't even enter the top 10 of game of the year and RGG isn't there.
@Mincey0 - Herd not Hurd, unless it's a vague critique of Margaret Thatcher's former Home Secretary.
I haven't played it but, for what it's worth, Astro Bot is unanimously considered a brilliant game by pretty much every respectable gaming publication going. I'm curious what game you like that is not an example of herd mentality
@Kiryu-Chan Oh Jesus you really not seen a typo before! I’m not even gonna discuss with someone like you!
@Mincey0 - I wasn't the only person to mention the typo and yep seen plenty, now I'm curious to know what game is not an example of herd mentality from your perspective?
@Kiryu-Chan yes I’m aware, you criticise a child game the children attack with that only thing they know. It’s logical and understandable behaviour.
Oh the fact it’s so shinny and for kids kinda help with the appeal, Mario wonder also had great reviews doesn’t mean we all flock to it.
Not saying it’s a bad game just it’s nothing special and I really don’t understand the appeal. I’m being overall critical and a d*** though, so I’ll concede and say maybe it’s just not for me, although I still enjoy it to some extent.
@Mincey0 - I'm not looking to argue with you. I haven't played Astro Bot. I will based on all the positive feedback I've heard from gaming sites, people etc which is obviously hard to ignore, that said like most films that win oscars, they're rarely the best films out that year. So I do want to know what games aren't herd mentality from your perspective and what your top games of 2024 are. Maybe there's something I've not encountered that's worth playing.
@Mincey0
You obviously don’t like Astro Bot. But guess what? Millions do! It’s no mentality whatsoever. It’s a fantastic game. I love it, my son loves it, my daughter loves it and my wife love it. It’s a game for everyone. The controls, graphics, audio and gameplay elements are all top notch as well. I’ve been gaming since around -85, and all the classic PlayStation easter eggs and bots really hit home for me.
The game is a home run (not for everyone though, obviously, like with every game on the planet ever released and will ever release).
It’s Sony’s own ”Mario game”, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Yeah atlus got this.word up son
Bloober, they totally exceeded my expectations!
> Astro Bot won GotY, Metaphor 2nd
> Push Square: Team Asobi only deserved bronze trophy but Atlus deserved Platinum trophy
I'm sorry to say this but i just don't get the logic behind this list.
@PuppetMaster The logic is very sound. While Asobi did make one amazing game in Astro Bot (ranked at #1), Atlus made three amazing games (two of them ranked at #2 and #10).
Considering how challenging it is to release just one great game, releasing three of them in the same calendar year is an extraordinary feat, one deserving of winning best developer of 2024.
I would give it to Arrowhead but can't argue with this as a top 4. because of my persona taste I would have swapped Atlus out for Capcom (not first though).
@Foxhound If team Asobi has many staff as Atlus, i'm sure they can released multiple great games in a year just like Atlus.
My problem is i don't get the logic behind team Asobi who produced GotY only got "Bronze trophy" aka the lowest achievement in this list.
@UltimateOtaku91 I haven't tried 10 yet but Dana and Monstrum are pretty great. I would think they would have to step up the polish though to be contenders.
Atlus' output this year was nuts.
Absolute queens of the JRPG genre.
Atlus were on a roll this year. Hoping 2025 is more of the same!
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