The video game industry is in a state of flux. Studios haven't eased up on the mass layoffs that began in 2023, pointless microtransactions still exist (adding unnecessary extra costs to already full-priced games), and physical games The future of media is difficult. Unclear. (Just to be clear, I'm the type of gamer who buys as much physical media as possible.)
But on the other hand, the game itself is also important. For the gamer, his first three months of 2024 were fruitful. From the long-awaited return to the world of Final Fantasy VII to a surprise hit that can only be described as a video game homage to Starship Troopers, gamers have plenty of options worth their time (and money) .
Here are some highlights of some of my favorite titles so far this year.
Final Fantasy VII Reverse
price: $69.99
evaluation: T is for Teen, blood, language, mildly suggestive themes, alcohol and tobacco use, violence
Available on: playstation 5
This massive sequel to 2020's Final Fantasy VII Remake (the second part of a planned trilogy) follows players as protagonist Cloud and his friends race to save the world from Sephiroth's malevolence. It continues to lead you on a journey that is both familiar and fresh. Rebirth is similar to the remake in many ways, including combat, visuals, exploration, and music (which is very, very good!). What's new here is the story. The remake's conclusion leaves Cloud and his companions on a different path than the one they took in his 1997 original game. Rebirth continues on that path, and while many of his story beats will be familiar to FFVII fans, there's plenty more to be pleasantly surprised by. , worth dozens of hours of gameplay. It remains to be seen what Cloud will do next in the final part of this trilogy, and there's no release date for that game yet, but the great thing about Remake and Rebirth is that it's an exciting and satisfying conclusion to this epic journey. suggests.
Helldivers II
price: $39.99
evaluation: M stands for Mature, Blood and Gore, Violent Violence
Available on: PS5, PC
I'm calling this game a 2024 sleeper hit for now. My friend and I spent hours engrossed in the first game. The game was a cooperative shooter that pitted military characters against alien bugs. The core of Arrowhead Game Studios' sequel is still about you and your friends shooting big bugs. But it's cranked up to 11 and showered with all the satirical patriotism of Starship Troopers, with a piping hot libel. tea. Mechanically, this third-person shooter is simply the best. The weapons feel great, the bugs (and robots) are menacing, the co-op works great, and the story…see, we're saving Super Earth. That's all that matters, okay? And if that means having to deal with the guts of obnoxious (but visually stunning) bugs, that's the price you pay for freedom.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
price: $69.99
evaluation: M stands for Mature, Blood, Strong Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language.
Available on: PS5/4, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Before its release, I was a little apprehensive about Infinite Wealth. The previous game in the series, Ryu ga Gotoku: Yakuza, struggled to move away from long-time series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and focus on new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga. However, we knew that Kiryu would return and play a key role in this sequel. If you are going to make such a big change, I think you should stick with it. But this high-octane adventure to Hawaii (the first in the series to leave Japan) more than assuaged my fears. From an improved combat system to amazing mini-games (Crazy Taxi, anyone?) to another well-written story that tempers the game's outrageous shenanigans, Infinite Wealth is a great addition to the Like a Dragon series. A very fun entry.
If you would like to consider some more new video games, may I suggest the following?
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: A worthwhile, if slightly overlong, return to Ubisoft's Prince of Persia series. (PS5/4, XSX/S, Nintendo Switch, PC)
- Unicorn Overlord: If you're looking for a tactical RPG that will keep you hooked (and for dozens of hours), look no further than Vanillaware's latest title. (PS5/4, XSX/S, Nintendo Switch)
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered: If you haven't played the game yet, the remaster offers the perfect opportunity to dive into Naughty Dog's captivating sequel. (PS5)
