Sega topped the charts as the highest-rated publisher of 2024, according to Metacritic—an esteemed platform that aggregates reviews and calculates average scores for games.
The rankings, which Metacritic released on Wednesday, shed light on which game publishers triumphed in scoring the highest average reviews throughout the year.
With a detailed points system, Metacritic evaluated publishers based on game reviews and awarded additional points for titles averaging a score of 90 or above.
Sega’s rise to the top was propelled by standout titles like "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth" and "Metaphor: ReFantazio," crafted by its Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Atlus subsidiaries, respectively.
As for the competition, Capcom was hot on Sega’s heels. The publisher, which claimed the top spot in 2023, stayed strong in 2024 thanks to impressive releases such as "Dragon’s Dogma 2."
Astro Bot played a crucial role in securing Sony’s fourth-place finish. (Image credit: Sony)
Sony clinched the fourth position, largely on the strength of Team Asobi’s "Astro Bot." This title didn’t just stop at commercial success; it bagged Game of the Year honors at both the Game Awards and the 28th D.I.C.E. Awards in 2024.
It’s essential to highlight that Sony’s ranking benefited from not just PlayStation Studios but also Bungie, which operates independently as a subsidiary.
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In ninth place, Microsoft showcased a solid lineup including "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" from MachineGames and "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6" from Treyarch and Raven Software.
Following a similar model to Sony, Microsoft’s ranking aggregated scores from its various subsidiaries, such as Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Publishing, and Blizzard Entertainment.
At #22, Nintendo found itself unusually low in the rankings, likely due to a relative drought in major releases. Speculation suggests this may be because the company is gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2, with bigger games on the horizon.
An Interesting Assortment to Look Through
While I approach review scores with a degree of caution—they simplify complex experiences into mere numbers—I admit these insights are entertaining to explore.
Sega is evidently on a roll with its Japanese brands, and the output from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is remarkable. They seem to produce a new "Like a Dragon" game annually, yet the quality remains consistently high.
Capcom, too, retains its momentum, a trend sparked in 2017 with "Resident Evil 7: Biohazard." The hits keep coming, as demonstrated by the recent success of "Monster Hunter Wilds."
Can Sega and Capcom maintain their momentum and seize the top two spots on Metacritic for 2025? That remains to be seen, but you’ll find me eagerly awaiting the results next year.
