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As the year comes to a close, I wanted to take some time to reflect upon and talk about the best games that were released in 2024 that I had the privilege of playing. I played over 70 different games during the course of the year. Of that 70, here are the top 10 that have left a positive impression on me.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
The first game to make the list comes with a caveat - I have not finished the game. In my defense, it is very long. It is also very, very good. This turn-based RPG features an eclectic cast of characters, each with their own purpose and ideals, that drive the game forward at every turn. It’s a deeply interesting game to look at, has an excellent soundtrack, and features a well-told story that at least attempts to impart deeper ideas and understanding to the audience.
Made by the same people who make the Persona games at Atlus, there are a ton of familiar game mechanics and design philosophies you’ll encounter throughout the journey, but this is more than just a fantasy Persona.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
I had a lot of thoughts about this one, both as I played and long after, but I think my quote here sums it up nicely:
“The truth is that this is a hard game to put a number on. The things it does well (exploration and combat) it does exceptionally well. It is a best-in-class experience on those fronts, creating a sense of adventure rarely seen in games.”
Dragon’s Dogma 2 comes up short in a few ways, but shines in so many of the ways that matter.
1000xRESIST
1000xRESIST is an excellent narrative adventure game with a lot to say, but not so much to do. Despite its lack of interactivity, the game delivers on its great characters, story, and music. Positioning itself as an examination of the realities of existing within an immigrant diaspora, 1000xRESIST strikes at the heart of what it means to be human.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an exciting, beautiful, and captivating ride through Thedas. As another sprawling adventure on the list, there’s a lot to do and I had a ton of fun doing it. The combat is fast and flashy, and the characters are beautiful - visually and otherwise. Bursting with both bombastic setpieces and heartfelt moments, the game is a wonder to look at. Thankfully, it also runs like a dream and all of those big moments go off without a hitch. I go into a lot more detail in my review, but this game has a lot of heart.
I am Your Beast
The latest game from Strange Scaffold had me singing its praises in my review:
“I Am Your Beast is a visceral, exciting, and often silly first-person shooter that is worth every bit of your time and then some. Responsive controls, a unique visual flair, and an enthralling pace create a joyous experience that gives you just as much as you are willing to put into it.”
I was blown away by I am Your Beast and its beautiful simplicity. There’s only so much you as the player can do, mechanically speaking, but the open mission design and different weapons offer a lot of space for the player to both be creative and efficient.
Unicorn Overlord
It's not often that I find high fantasy RPG games refreshing, but Unicorn Overlord scratched just the right itch. With a heavy narrative focus on the characters, the game tells its story through your interactions with the people along the way, just as much or more than it does in more standard ways like expository dialogue. There’s so much to love about this game - stunning visuals, varied and deep combat, interesting characters - all of it serves to paint a picture of a world torn by war. The game has a strong emphasis on your relationships with your party and that carries through every facet of the game. Definitely worth a look if you like strategy RPGs at all.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
An excellent Action RPG that satisfies both the number-cruncher and “cool guy” enjoyer in my soul. Boasting a cast of 22 unique playable characters and a large array of encounters to participate in, Granblue Fantasy: Relink has a colossal amount of things to preoccupy yourself with.
Thankfully, it’s not just about how much you can do in the game - it’s impossibly fun to play, as well. The combat is fast-paced and fun, offering players multiple options per character in terms of how you build their movesets and gear. Additionally, the story, art, and cutscenes are major positives for me, even if it is very straightforward in terms of presentation.
Astro Bot
Astro Bot remains one of the most creative platformers I’ve ever played, and I think my time away from it has only improved my thoughts on it. It’s another one I reviewed here, so I urge you to check that out, but the short version is: tight controls and great level design can really carry a game to great heights. In spite of its slavish devotion to PlayStation brand sentimentalism, Astro Bot feels like a real love letter to Platformers and great games of Sony’s past.
It has a killer soundtrack and cute characters, too - perfect for spending time gaming with the little ones.
Balatro
At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, Balatro may actually be the most satisfying game I’ve ever played. There’s always a compulsion to start just one more round before bed, at work, or on the couch. Seeing all of your deck building and joker hunting culminate in massive numbers to crush the “blinds” is endlessly gratifying.
While the core concept is deceptively simple - play poker hands to beat the target score - the breadth and depth of your deck building options creates a nearly infinite number of combinations to mess around with. Its simple controls and clean UI make it the perfect mobile game.
Slay The Princess – The Pristine Cut
In my review of Slay the Princess - The Pristine Cut, I called it a “masterwork of storytelling and visual design.” I’ll stand on that ‘til the day I die. This is a game that has it all: excellent artwork, a top-notch soundtrack, and an excellent story - all told within a winding and mind-blowing narrative framework.
A visual novel / horror hybrid, Slay the Princess is at times terrifying, and at others deeply moving. Despite being a combination of two genres I don’t frequently engage with, this game is a testament to the medium’s ability to deliver true artistic experiences.
Each of these games has something to them that I believe makes them special, and I hope you give them a chance if you haven’t yet. 2024 was a big year for games and there were quite a few I didn’t get to. I’m excited to play more of the ones I missed that came out and I’m looking forward to 2025 titles like Avowed, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Slay the Spire 2. If you have suggestions or would like to see a specific game reviewed, you can submit it using the form here.
Thank you to all of my readers and have a happy 2025!
Image Credits: All image credits to Taylor Rioux, unless otherwise noted.
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