Our individual Game of the Year articles allow our lovely team of writers and editors to share their own personal PS5 picks for 2024. Today, it's the turn of assistant editor Liam Croft.

5. Astro Bot

Astro Bot

While it didn’t land with me quite as much as it did with the rest of the PlayStation audience, Astro Bot is still easily one of my favourite experiences of 2024. Every single level is simply phenomenal, a lesson in enjoyable and pristine platforming mixed with the memorable (and some not so obvious) faces of the brand’s past.

I loved seeing all the Special Bots gathering together in the main hub area, and then the franchise-specific stages made for more highlights. I’ve never even played LocoRoco before, but that level was excellent.

Sony’s output this year has felt lacklustre, but Astro Bot was for sure something special — and would still be remembered the same even surrounded by stronger releases.

4. Metaphor: ReFantazio

Metaphor ReFantazio

Atlus had an absolutely outstanding 2024, and Metaphor: ReFantazio was the cream of its crop. This for me was an experience so much more about the story, characters, and scenery than the combat, as the turn-based battles eventually became a little dull for me.

Fuelling me was the fight to be king, and all the narrative twists that came with it. I did it for Maria, who has to be the loveliest character Atlus has ever made. I also did it for all the stunning scenes Neuras would stop the gauntlet runner for.

This for me was all about the group you built across a 70-hour playthrough, and how your relationships with each member flourished. It’s an excellent JRPG, but an even better game about people.

3. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth

The first game I reviewed this year stayed with me right until the very end; Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is utterly sublime. Easily the best the series has ever been, I was absolutely gripped by the storyline of Ichiban’s quest to find his mother, and all of the events happening around it.

The turn-based combat got better, the side stories got even funnier, and the frankly absurd amount of optional content on offer had me beating up dudes in sewers for more hours than I’d like to admit. RGG Studio knows how to start the year with a bang, and it certainly did so with Infinite Wealth.

I could play these games for an eternity; what a cracker.

2. Stellar Blade

Stellar Blade

I never, ever thought Stellar Blade would be making my top five list for the year, no less in second place, in the leadup to its launch. I had little interest in the game, and honestly wrote it off as something purely for pervs.

But then I played it. And then I kept playing it. And then I played it even more. I haven’t been addicted to any other game more than Stellar Blade this year, and that’s entirely down to its awesome combat system.

I loved the abilities you could equip, which combined with the Souls-like fights and fun platforming, made for a gameplay loop I could never put down.

I equipped Eve with a somewhat respectable outfit and went to town on Stellar Blade this year. A sequel immediately, please.

1. Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2

I’m the resident survival horror freak here on Push Square, and while I was definitely looking forward to Silent Hill 2, even I had my reservations about Bloober Team handling a remake of one of the genre’s greatest entries.

To say it knocked it out of the park is an understatement, though, providing a masterclass in how to remake a PS2 classic. From top to bottom, this is a masterpiece.

The developer faithfully brings back everything that was already great about the original and then respectfully expands on it in minor but meaningful ways, like new places to explore and additional endings.

Where it has made small adjustments is referenced in new collectibles, and the general facelift to combat, exploration, and gameplay overall forms a significantly better playing game.

It was game over for absolutely anything else when I rolled credits on Silent Hill 2; I’ve never been prouder to call something my Game of the Year. You did it, Bloober Team.


What do you think of Liam's personal Game of the Year picks? Feel free to agree wholeheartedly, or disagree politely, in the comments section below.