Favourite games of 2024

[dwwaino]

Since we don't have the traffic that we used to in order to do a worthwhile GOTY thread, for the sake of it just drop what was your favourite game/s of the year. Also any disappointments and any other random thoughts about gaming for the year if you have any.


For me I think it was one of the strongest years we've had in a long time. Last year was good too and it feels like we're getting back on track to more regular quality releases.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was always going to be my highlight. Black Myth Wukong really surprised me as I didn't think I'd get into it anywhere near as much as I did. I feared the worst for Stalker 2 but it would comfortably feature in my top 3 if I were doing one. It also launched after the cut off for most game awards so given the support it has received since launch and the support it is planned to continue to receive don't be surprised to see it creep in a few official awards next year. Metaphor is another that came out of nowhere for me. I have been anticipating a new Persona for so long that I didn't even see this coming.

I have finally bought Balatro after everyone's recommendations but still need to get around to it which I should this holidays. My indie (Playside are still technically indie) pick was Kill Knight.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Didn't play a lot of new stuff this year (I'm on leave most of Jan so I'll hopefully get stuck into 2024 stuff then), but so far for me it's Selaco.

 

[eDPS]

Astrobot was my game of the year with Metaphor my second favourite with a bit of a gap after them. Enjoyed the remakes of Persona 3 and Paper Mario:TTYD and I never played the originals. I didn’t mind FF7 Rebirth but I couldn’t finish it I was sick to death of all the different mini games and way preferred Remake.

The new Zelda game didn’t really do it for me and it just came out but a mod for Pokemon Emerald called Pokemon Emerald Legacy has been very fun doing a great job of improving on the original

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

Didn’t play a heap of new games this year, but my top 3 would be:

1. Indiana Jones & the great circle
2. Stalker 2
3. Dragons Dogma 2

 

[Struggle]

1. Metaphor Refantazio
2. Helldivers 2
3. Marvel rivals
4. FF7 part 2

If Shadow of the Erdtree counted it would slip into 2nd place

 

[T2B_]

I feel like mine are almost default because I think the only actual 2024 games I played were:

1. Stalker 2
2. Persona 3 Reloaded

Stalker would be up there in any list for me in its own right. Persona was good, albeit a suped up version of an older game. For that I wouldn't be thinking it would be award material but it was a very good experience.

 

[dexter_]

I rarely play new releases anymore but these are the three that I most enjoyed

Halls of Torment
Dragons Dogma 2
Indiana Jones

 

[Sixpence]

LAD Infinite Wealth by a mile.

Then Black Myth Wukong, Star Wars Outlaws and Persona 3 Reload.

The rest of the games I played were older games - A Plague's Tale Requiem, Fallout 4, Persona 5, Cricket 22.

 

[AFDogs]

Probably Rebirth but I never finished it.

Enjoyed Wukong but also didn’t finish that. Copped massive burnout when the game started throwing impossible bosses at me in Chapter 4.

I did however finish Astrobot but it’s not better than the two I mentioned above.

Only a few hours into Metaphor and I’ve parked it until I’m off work. Enjoyed the first 10 hours or so.

 

[omgfridge]

Game of the Year - Balatro

This game is literally crack with its fun addicting design. Once you play more, you realise how intricate it really is. Perfect for a quick sesh but I've also dropped some serious hours into this game. Currently trying to win with every deck on every individual difficulty. Mrs also an addict, she was using my steamdeck but such is our addiction, she ended up buying it on her phone.

Honorable Mentions

2. Astro Bot

Pure bliss and an absolute blast. Filled with nostalgia but it's also the best platformer since Super Mario Odyssey. The soundtrack also kicks ass. Was an instant hit for me with any reference to Ape Escape.

3. Helldivers II

My favourite game with the boys all year. I'm yet to play the latest update but can't wait. Just so intense and filled with character. Just typing about it now makes me keen to jump in for a match. Liberty!

4. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

I'm definitely in the minority but this is the style of Zelda I prefer. Know it didn't score amazing in reviews but I feel bad enough putting it 4th, I ****ing loved it. Scrolling for echoes is a bit poo but I forgive it with how much fun I have with them. Peahats are my goat.

5. Metaphor: ReFantazio

Will start that I haven't finished it (or am close) but have put enough time to know I really like it. Have found it more accessible than Persona 5 which I'm also playing for the first time this year. Very excited to get more time into it (a focus over the holidays).

6. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

While shorter than the above, I still need to wrap this one up too but its definitely a game I like a lot. Just epic in scale and when it's in full swing, I've sat there enjoying the hell out of it. Never collected Warhammers but man I enjoy the games (Total War, Verminitide & Darktide).

Random thoughts on stuff I've played

Stalker 2 - A long with Metaphor, this is the game I want to play more of. I am a big stan of this series but I'm way too early days to comment. Veyr likely to be on of my favourites.

Marvel Rivals - Has dragged the eye from Fortnite, Verminitide 2 and I guess even Helldivers. Was never an Overwatch guy but this has been hitting the right notes.

Animal Well - Good game but it hasn't quite hooked me like similar games. Will keep on the deck rotation though.

UFO 50 - Only recently got in Steam sales but seems a lot deeper/fun than it initially looks.

Satisfactory - Put 30+ hours into this with mates but also my 2 mates who do play it, got fully addicted so I was always playing catch up with whatever they were now doing. Enjoy logging in to see what they've got up to.

Mario/Luigi - Another I need to play more of. It's one of my favourite series so I'll love it no matter what.

Pacific Drive - Gives me Dredge vibes (my number 2 game from last year). Keen to play more.

Black Myth Wukong - Played it a bit but I feel these games are just not quite my thing. Opening was mint but.

Super Mario Party Jamboree - Just nice to have a new Mario Party and it's very good.

FC25 - Technically my fifth most played Steam game. It's fine, I have to make Tottenham not shit somehow, I purely play career mode.

SW: Outlaws - This game is actually decent. Ubisoft gets a lot of hate but had fun, only stopped as was playing back log/newer games.

Own but havent played yet - not much to add but bought these fairly recently

Tekken 8

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

New Prince of Persia

Games I'm yet to buy but want to

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - My current PC would run it a bit above on minimum settings. May wait for PS5 port less I upgrade. have heap of backlog anyway.

Rebirth - still need to play part one

New Yakuza Like a Dragon - I've been playing the OG like a dragon in passing

Backlog

Too many to mention but a lot throughout the year. Besides the usual my retro emulators do not help this.

 

[Long Live HFC]

STALKER 2
space marine 2

Not a lot of new titles for me this year.