Games came at us fast. While there may have been disappointing launches, there were also a lot of hits. Even, a long-awaited redemption. What many thought would be a weak year became a stellar showing for both Triple-As and indie gems.
We beat mythical Chinese gods, redefined our human potential in a robot's playroom, exterminated bugs in the name of democracy, and emerged as unlikely heroes in a world of injustice. All this took risk, but if roguelike poker taught us anything, it's that sometimes, we can defy all odds.
Let's kick things off with a bang! Of all the games this year, this game stood tall with an important message to impart. Take out the red carpet for…
Wherever you're playing, on consoles or mobile, 2024 has been raining great games far and wide. Let's check out the best of them:
Here are the winners of the numbers game. Ready your superlatives for the games that did the most this year.
It's time to go on a rollercoaster ride with 2024's gaming heroes and villains. Love 'em or hate 'em, these games have taken us through it all.
When Gaben said, 'Late is just for a little while, suck is forever.' Hello Games got an exemption. It took 8 years of hard work, unrivaled commitment to their players, and hundreds of updates, patches, and fixes. They finally did it, now, No Man's Sky's billions of planets are worthy of exploring.. And for that we offer this special award.
The game's baffling design choices drew flak as players expected more from the franchise after the successes of Stick of Truth and Fractured But Whole. Its multiplayer elements were fun for a short while, but the overall feel of this brawler felt so lackluster it does not feel like a game that Cartman, Stan, Kyle and Kenny would even enjoy.
Firewalk's ambitious hero-shooter was a high-profile blunder. It left an indelible stain on Sony's reputation and a big 400 million dollar hole in their pocket. Forever haunted by the ghost of this multiplayer FPS that came out a little too late to join and cash in on the genre's heights.
One contentious topic in gaming is the divide between critic and gamer opinions. Nowhere is this more obvious than in Homeworld 3. It received an average critic score of 7.6; meanwhile, the game sits at 38% on Steam. Yes, the game looks good but it lost the strategic depth of the first two releases. And don't even get me started on the campaign.
Balatro's nomination to the Game Awards surprised the community, many of whom hadn't even heard of the game. How can a card game be this good? The answer is the 150 Jokers that make Balatro an unpredictable stack of numbers. The game didn't care if you love or hate Poker, all it needed to do was to see how you react when numbers go up and up. And it worked.
It's hard not to show support for the second installment of one of the greatest games of all time. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth tightens the gap between Remake and the OG, signaling fans that it's time to prepare themselves for the imminent third entry. Even with all its busywork and bloated open-world content, Rebirth is a game built for the fans that saw through VII's evolution over the years.
Horror titles, strategy games, and cozy adventures, and more, all in one roof. Who won the crowns in our favorite categories? Let's find out
This deceptively simple card game is anything but ordinary. You know what makes it a true gem? LocalThunk made Balatro for himself, not some focus group. And its current success has and will inspire a new generation of indie developers.
An immersive masterpiece that whisks you away to a politically-charged epic, with stellar art direction and unforgettable characters. Whether you're a longtime fan of Persona or new to Atlus RPG, the 80-hour journey remains engaging from start to finish.
The game's combat is both fluid and fierce; plus it comes with a crazy amount of customization to tailor to your fighting style. And the boss battles? They're equally challenging and beautiful, and will push you to master the many skills in your arsenal.
Built on the foundations of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, Metaphor comes into its own with a perfect balance of combat, story, and social elements. All of it to deliver a bold statement on injustice and what it takes to fight it.
Its continued evolution has culminated into the new Heat system. This transforms matches into dynamic, high-stake battles. It's no surprise that it's this year's ultimate fighting game.
Developer Coffee Stain Studios took five years of early access feedback to release this perfectly-refined triumph. A base builder with a heart of a strategy game. It challenges you to overcome the difficulties faced on the production floor. And with multiplayer support, it's definitely more than…uhh…‘satisfactory.
Bloober Team has resurrected this classic and successfully delivered a truly disturbing experience. The story remains a twisted narrative of the darkest corners of the human psyche. This horror game won't just terrify you, it will scar you for life.
This is one crazy mix of old-school shooter and roguelike, with a good dose of 80s vibe. The gameplay is lightning fast, with tons of guns, combos, and special moves to master. It has a bloody, addictive gameplay loop that some say can get repetitive. But for the price, it's one helluva way to blast that fps itch.
Nothing else this year perfectly captured pure, nostalgic joy. A video game adaptation of Tove Jansson's book series, her iconic characters blend in well into this musical storybook adventure. Its magical atmosphere and heartwarming gameplay make it an unparalleled indie gem.
This is not just a fresh coat of paint to an acclaimed puzzle platformer, it comes with completely remastered visuals and hours of developer commentary. If you're a fan of the original or just looking for the ultimate platforming challenge… This is a must-play.
Compared to its free-to-play origins, this full release is one supersized adventure. The levels are packed with secrets and challenges that will make you feel like a kid again. Astro Bot is a tribute to the golden age of 3D platformers and a must-play for anyone who owns a PS5.
With all its cartoon simplicity, it takes the top spot thanks to its bite-sized squad battles. It only requires four minutes of your time to wow you with fantastic matches that require more cunning than you'd expect.
Just when we thought Elden Ring couldn't soar any higher, FROMSOFTWARE released this massive expansion that completely upends our mental image of the Lands Between. It came with a brand-new story-line, new weapons, skills, and lore. Shadow of the Erdtree has just set a new standard to DLCs, all thanks to Marika and FromSoft's blessings.
No matter what anyone says, it seems like the gaming world won't be running out of greatness any time soon. 2025 is just around the corner and we have so much to look forward to. Before you know it, we might finally live to see the release of GTA 6.