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The Game Awards 2024 opened with The Witcher IV and closed with Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, with major franchise returns in between. This is an editorial selection—not an official event ranking—based on franchise significance, novelty, trailer impact, and how much each reveal told viewers.
1. The Witcher IV puts Ciri at the center of a new saga
CD PROJEKT RED opened the show with The Witcher IV, calling it the first game in a new Witcher saga and confirming Ciri as its protagonist. The studio describes it as a single-player, open-world RPG built with Unreal Engine 5. Game Director Sebastian Kalemba summed up the change in focus: “We’re kicking off a brand-new Witcher saga, this time with Ciri as the heart of the story!” (CD PROJEKT RED’s announcement.)
The nearly six-minute reveal is a cinematic, not gameplay footage. CD PROJEKT RED says it was pre-rendered in a custom Unreal Engine 5 build on an unannounced NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU. Its story glimpse follows Ciri taking a witcher contract in a remote village where a monster has demanded ritual sacrifice for generations. Those scenes establish a premise and tone, not a complete account of the finished game’s systems. (The Witcher IV cinematic reveal.)
2. Borderlands 4 shows its first gameplay
Borderlands 4 brought a different kind of reveal: GameSpot reports that Randy Pitchford presented the game’s first gameplay trailer. The footage also offered glimpses of a story involving familiar bandits and an invading force, setting up a large-scale conflict without spelling out its full details. (GameSpot’s The Game Awards 2024 roundup.)
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
That makes the reveal notable for showing gameplay rather than relying only on a cinematic tease. The available account supports that distinction and the broad story glimpse; it does not establish a complete feature list or a final picture of the game.
3. Elden Ring: Nightreign turns the setting toward co-op action
Elden Ring: Nightreign stood out as a substantial change of format for a familiar world. Contemporary coverage described it as a standalone spin-off centered on co-op action, rather than simply presenting it as another mainline Elden Ring installment. (PC Gamer’s announcement roundup; Engadget’s recap.)
Rank #2
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Bandai Namco’s official site currently lists a Collector’s Edition with the base game, The Forsaken Hollows DLC, a Wylder statue, steelbook, Nightfarer cards, hardcover artbook, digital soundtrack, and collector’s box. That edition is a later product detail, not evidence of what the initial reveal trailer showed. (Bandai Namco’s official site.)
4. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet introduces a new Naughty Dog universe
Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was among the show’s closing reveals. Engadget describes its trailer as cinematic and identifies protagonist Jordan A. Mun as a bounty hunter. As a new property rather than another entry in a previously established Naughty Dog series, it offered a different kind of promise from the returning franchises elsewhere in this roundup. (Engadget’s recap.)
The Tool Desk
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- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
- 【Innovative Intelligent Interactive Screen】Manba One V2 wireless game controllers create a new era of controller screens; Equipped with a 2-inch display, no App & software needed, you can set the pc controller directly through the screen visualization, More convenient operation
- 【Micro Switch Button】Manba One wireless controller has Micro Switch Button and ALPS Bumper; The 6-axis gyroscope function makes switch games more immersive
- 【Customize Your Own Controller】The intelligent interactive screen allows you to easily set vibrations, buttons, joysticks,lights, etc., without the need for complex key combinations; 4 configurations can be saved to unlock your own gameplay for different games; The 4 back keys support macro definition settings, and you can activate the set character's ultimate move with one click
There is a naming discrepancy in the event’s own recap: The Game Awards page writes the subtitle as “The Heretic Prophecy.” The game title used by Engadget and in current franchise usage is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. (The Game Awards’ 2024 recap.)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Onimusha: Way of the Sword revives a long-dormant series
Capcom’s Onimusha: Way of the Sword earns the final spot for the significance of its return: Engadget reported that it was the first new Onimusha game since the original debuted on PlayStation 2 in 2001. That long gap makes the announcement meaningful to series fans, even though the cited roundup provides less reveal detail than it does for The Witcher IV or Borderlands 4. (Engadget’s recap.)
Rank #4
- RGB Cool Lightning Bolt & Long Battery Life: Switch controller with lightening bolt style and 9-color LED looks really cool; 4 light modes: solid lights, breathing lights, RGB strobe led light and led off; Fully charged: 3-4 hours, Runtime: 10-15 hours
- Widly Compatible & One-key Pairing/Wake Up: The switch pro controller is compatible with Switch/Lite/OLED/PC Windows 7/8/10 (only wrok for pc under wired connection); 2 pairing ways; Support one key to wake up your switch console
- Programmable Button & 3 Speeds Turbo: Switch controllers has simplify complex skill operations with M1/M2 key; Support single and multiple mapping; 3 adjustable burst: 5 shots/s, 12 shots/s and 20 shots/s; Programming and Turbo will maximize game play
- Sensitive Motion Control & 4-Level Nice Vibration: 6-axis gyro sensor help you react quickly, enhance experience in sports games; Buttons and joysticks are responsive, no lag; Dual vibration motors with 4-level feedback: Strong, Medium, Weak and None
- Great Gift For All People: This cool switch controller will be great gifts for women, men, girl, boy, family and friends; Packing list: 1 X Wireless switch controller, 1 X Type-C cable, 1 X Detailed user manual, 1 X Cool gift box
Why these five made the list
The Game Awards’ official retrospective identifies highlights, but it does not publish an authoritative top-five ranking. These selections balance a new direction for a major RPG series, the first gameplay look at a returning shooter, a co-op spin-off, a new Naughty Dog property, and the revival of a dormant franchise. The reveal formats and amount of detail varied, so the trailers should be read as announcements—not as proof of every feature the finished games would include. (The Game Awards’ 2024 recap.)
Quick Recap
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