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Insider Gaming’s December 25, 2024 list named three games tied for the highest reported Metacritic score: Astro Bot, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Metaphor: ReFantazio, each at 94. Its 20 selections range from 88 to 94, but the list is a dated snapshot—not a universal ranking of every game released that year.
How to read this 2024 ranking
The scores and ordering below are as reported by Insider Gaming on December 25, 2024. The article calls its selection non-comprehensive. Metacritic’s 2024 browse page offers filters for platform, genre and release year, so results can depend on how a list is assembled. Insider Gaming does not specify its exact extraction date, a minimum review-count threshold, or how it treated expansions and remasters. The scores should not be read as verified values for every platform or as guaranteed current scores.
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Three entries share the top score of 94, and several other scores are tied. The ordering among titles with the same score is the order in Insider Gaming’s list, not evidence of a meaningful difference in their ratings. The list also spans different genres and release types, so a cross-genre score comparison cannot tell you which game best fits your tastes.
See the original Insider Gaming list and Metacritic’s 2024 Metascore browse page for their respective presentations of the scores and filters.
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The 20 games, in Insider Gaming’s reported order
| Order | Game | Reported score | Platform, genre and release type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astro Bot | 94 | PS5; 3D platformer; standalone game |
| 2 | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree | 94 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; expansion |
| 3 | Metaphor: ReFantazio | 94 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 4 | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | 92 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 5 | Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut | 92 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; expanded edition |
| 6 | UFO 50 | 91 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 7 | Animal Well | 91 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 8 | Satisfactory | 91 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 9 | Balatro | 90 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 10 | The Last of Us Part II Remastered | 90 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; remaster |
| 11 | Thank Goodness You’re Here! | 90 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 12 | Tekken 8 | 90 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 13 | Destiny 2: The Final Shape | 89 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; expansion |
| 14 | Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon | 89 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 15 | Horizon Forbidden West | 89 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; release type not specified |
| 16 | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | 89 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 17 | Castlevania Dominus Collection | 89 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; collection |
| 18 | Lorelei and the Laser Eyes | 88 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 19 | Tactical Breach Wizards | 88 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
| 20 | Kill Knight | 88 | Platform and genre not stated in the list; standalone game |
The original article’s list does not provide structured platform, genre or release-type details for every entry. Descriptions beyond the explicitly identified cases are not supplied here rather than inferred from the titles.
What the score means for a game you might play
A high score is a useful starting point, not a substitute for checking whether a game matches your preferred platform, genre or format. The list puts a major expansion and a remaster alongside standalone releases, which are not interchangeable purchase or play choices. Use Metacritic’s platform, genre and release-year filters to narrow its browse results, then check the individual game page for platform-specific details.
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Example: Astro Bot
Metacritic identifies Astro Bot as a PS5 3D platformer released September 6, 2024. Its title page shows a 94 Metascore based on 136 critic reviews, as accessed October 7, 2026; that review count can change. The 2024 browse page also lists Astro Bot at 94. See Metacritic’s Astro Bot page for its current page details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How this compares with Metacritic’s year-end recognition
Metacritic’s 2024 awards tracker likewise lists Astro Bot, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Metaphor: ReFantazio at 94. It describes its Metacritic Game of the Year designation as the overall highest Metascore. That independently aligns with the tie at the top of Insider Gaming’s list, but it does not turn the 20 entries into a comprehensive best-games selection. See the 2024 Video Game Awards Tracker.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
