On Metacritic’s 2024 all-platform chart, Astro Bot is ordered first with a Metascore of 94, tied with Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Metaphor: ReFantazio. That is one clear answer to “best-reviewed,” but it is not the only one: Metacritic aggregates critic scores, while year-end lists from the Associated Press and TIME reflect each publication’s own editorial choices.
What does “best-reviewed” mean?
It depends on the measure. An aggregate chart orders games by combined critic scores; an editorial list ranks the titles a publication’s writers chose to recommend. These approaches can produce different leaders without contradicting one another. Metacritic is a useful score-based benchmark, while AP and TIME offer distinct editorial perspectives.
The figures below reflect Metacritic’s all-platform 2024 chart as accessed on October 4, 2026. It displayed 466 results at that time; this is the chart’s displayed result count, not a count of every game released worldwide. Because the chart is dynamic, its scores and ordering can change.
Which games lead Metacritic’s all-platform chart?
Metacritic’s all-platform chart orders Astro Bot first at 94. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Metaphor: ReFantazio also display a 94. These are Metascore values, not percentages; the shared score means it is most accurate to call Astro Bot first by the chart’s ordering, rather than the sole game with the top score.
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| Game | Metascore shown | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Astro Bot | 94 | Ordered first on the all-platform chart; Metacritic identifies it as exclusive to PS5 consoles. Rated E10+. |
| Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree | 94 | A major expansion rather than a standalone game. Rated M. |
| Metaphor: ReFantazio | 94 | Also designated Metacritic’s Best New PC Game of 2024 on its PC year-end list. |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | 92 | Another high-ranking entry on the all-platform chart. |
| UFO 50 | 91 | Another high-ranking entry on the all-platform chart. |
Including an expansion changes what a “best games” chart represents. Metacritic’s all-platform chart places Shadow of the Erdtree alongside full releases, so readers looking specifically for standalone games should treat that distinction as part of the comparison.
Which PC games impressed reviewers most?
Metacritic’s PC year-end list is a separate, platform-specific ranking. Its published eligibility rule covers games with release dates from January 1 through December 31, 2024, and requires at least seven professional critic reviews. That threshold is stated for this PC list; it should not be assumed to govern every Metacritic chart.
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In the PC top 20, published December 31, 2024, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree ranks first at 92 and is labeled “Best Overall PC Game of 2024.” Metaphor: ReFantazio is labeled “Best New PC Game of 2024.” The PC list’s 92 for Shadow of the Erdtree is distinct from the 94 it displays on the current all-platform chart: these are different lists with different platform scopes and publication contexts.
How do AP and TIME’s favorites differ?
The Associated Press: an ordered top ten
Lou Kesten’s AP list, published December 13, 2024, leads with Metaphor: ReFantazio, followed by Animal Well, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Astro Bot. The remaining choices, in AP’s order, are Dungeons of Hinterberg, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Balatro and UFO 50. This is AP’s editorial ranking, not an aggregate score chart.
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TIME: a set of editorial favorites
TIME’s “The 10 Best Video Games of 2024” includes Helldivers 2, Lego Horizon Adventures, Star Wars Outlaws, Black Myth: Wukong, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Astro Bot and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. TIME describes these games from its own editorial perspective. Its selections should be read as the publication’s favorites, not as a universal consensus or a directly comparable Metascore ranking.
The lists overlap on games such as Astro Bot, but they do not produce a single shared ordering. AP’s top spot is Metaphor: ReFantazio; Metacritic’s current all-platform chart orders Astro Bot first; and TIME offers its own selection. The right list depends on whether you want a score aggregate or a critic’s curated recommendations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose a highly reviewed game that fits you
A strong review score tells you about critical reception, not whether a game suits your preferences. Before choosing, compare the details that affect your own play:
Quick Recap
- Platform: Check which systems you own or plan to use. For example, Metacritic describes Astro Bot as a PS5-console exclusive.
- Format: Decide whether you want a standalone release or are interested in an expansion. Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion.
- Genre and play style: Compare the kind of experience you want rather than treating a higher score as a guarantee of personal fit.
- Age rating: Use the rating relevant to your region and household. Metacritic lists Astro Bot as E10+ and Shadow of the Erdtree as M.
- What the ranking measures: Separate an aggregate score from a named outlet’s editorial choices; they answer different questions.
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