After 2023, which was full of generation-defining games, I feel that the economy may be even more sluggish in 2024. Outside of a busy first few months, there weren't many major new releases planned. grand theft auto 6 Conventional wisdom was that gamers were going to have a very weak year with few highlights.
As we reach the middle of this year, that couldn't be further from the truth.
In fact, 2024 has been just as exciting as 2023 so far, albeit in a more niche area of the industry. There aren't many big action-adventure games that appeal to mainstream audiences, but this year has been a historic one for RPGs and indie games in particular. This May alone saw some incredible indie releases that completely took over my own Best Games of the Year list in the making. To keep our readers informed, we've compiled an initial list of our favorite games of 2024 so far. We expect things to change a lot by the final list at the end of the year, but this should give you some idea of what we're enjoying so far. Play these games now before you struggle with a huge backlog later this year.
10. Indica
It's my belief that games don't always have to be traditionally fun. If your game deals with heavy subject matter, the gameplay should match those themes.That's why I don't feel bad indica It does a great job. This narrative adventure game follows a nun as she faces a crisis of faith. The nun tries to reason Christian logic out of the literal devil on her shoulder. How do you quantify sin? Is God really just? Is her dedication worth it? indica We present these challenging questions with sometimes adversarial gameplay. In one scene, a nun slowly fills a bucket of water over a period of nearly 20 minutes before she casually dumps it all out. This was all pointless work. Moments of conflict like this definitely make the game a polarizing one, but those willing to participate in theological discussions will be rewarded.
9. Animal Well
the first time you played Animal Well At Summer Game Fest many years ago, I immediately felt it was going to be a significant hit.It had the same charm Fes, offers players a detailed 2D world full of secrets. At the time, I had no idea how deep the rabbit hole would go. Even after spending over 20 hours, I still can't do it. This multi-layered platformer is a revelatory experience, bringing surprise back to the Metroidvania genre, which has been taken over by formulaic action platformers. If you want to get the most out of this experience, go into it knowing as little as possible. You won't be disappointed with what you find.
8. Mars After Midnight
When Playdate first launched two years ago, my expectations for the game were tempered. I thought it was a place with some fun, quirky curiosities worth purchasing. What I didn't expect was that it contained one of the most creatively designed games I've ever played this decade. mars at midnight This is a deduction game by Lucas Pope that plays like a kid's version of his heavier Papers, Please. In this game, the player is tasked with running his group of alien supports, ensuring the right creatures invade, and keeping his table clean of event snacks. All of this is made possible by the wonderfully creative Playdate controls, which take full advantage of the crank. This is closer to a killer app than Playdate ever imagined, so if you've been holding back, now's the time to get your hands on it.
7. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Like a Dragon was one of the series I admired from afar. I watched with interest from the sidelines as the zany gameplay video subverted my expectations for a hard-boiled crime series.I would like to finally dive into the great works of 2020. Ryu ga Gotoku: Ryu ga Gotoku From then on, I was hooked. Therefore, it would not be surprising if a sequel was released. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, I would catch it too. This sequel brought a much-needed shake-up to the franchise, with a Hawaiian setting, an entire Animal Crossing mini-game, and an emotional story that always left my eyes a little misty. It might not be the best entry point into the ongoing melodrama, but it's a hell of a chapter.
6.Hades 2
I didn't originally plan to include it, but hades 2 here. We tend not to consider early access games in lists like this until 1.0 is released. I was hoping for an early version of hades 2 I think it's great, but I don't think it's enough to make a judgment. After playing it, our thoughts quickly changed. Even in early access, hades 2 It feels like a complete roguelike.It builds on everything ever made hades It's very memorable, but it's layered with lots of new systems and a witchy tone that makes it feel unique. We're already hooked on this game as we take on Kronos in a shockingly authentic roguelike setting. I don't blame you if you wanted to wait for the full release, but you can also jump in now and feel like you've got the full game. And it was great. With future updates, I imagine it will be even higher on the list by the end of the year.
5. Helldivers 2
In an era where live service games last less than a year before being shut down; helldiver 2 It's the stability the industry needs. The top co-op shooter has made games-as-a-service popular thanks to its constantly evolving story and strong community support that brings players together. That completely changes before you even get into the actual gameplay. space warrior A collaborative comedy full of mistakes. It's a deceptively light-hearted shooter where someone ends up at the throat of their teammates after accidentally declaring a bomb.
4. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
when Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown When it was first announced, it was met with some understandable criticism. Some fans were disappointed with the return to 2D and were hoping for a full 3D return instead. I guess their players are still cleaning the egg off their faces.of lost crown is a top-notch Metroidvania that has mastered the 2D action-adventure formula (exactly animal well deviations from are equally successful). Combat is deep from the opening moments, the world is full of mystery, and it includes an excellent memory shard system that deserves to become the industry standard for all similar games. When it comes to revivals, it doesn't get any better than this.
3. Final Fantasy VII Reverse
Square Enix had an impossible task when they set out to create the second chapter of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. How can we make some of history's most shocking moments startling again? Instead of getting carried away by the challenge, Final Fantasy VII Reverse That's the whole point. Incredibly tense adventures that constantly toy with your emotions and lead you towards inevitable horror. Is it too late to change the future? Even if it were possible, would it really be possible? These questions create a thrilling RPG where self-doubt is the villain. And it's an even more ruthless enemy than fate. The result is a controversial but unforgettable sequel about learning to keep fighting in the face of grief.
2. Baratolo
I always find that my favorite games of the year are ones I've never heard of coming out that year.That's exactly what happened baratolo, an immersive roguelike poker game. This original game requires you to play poker hands to achieve the required score to clear the round. The bar gets raised every time, but you can expand the number of points your hand earns and its multiplier through Jokers with passive perks and card upgrades that enhance your deck's potential. The end result is the kind of game you can't put down. There are so many strategies you can experiment with that it feels rewarding every time you do it. My biggest accomplishments came from decks built around something completely unique. To find out how we did it, you'll have to try it yourself.
1. Lorelai and Laser Eyes
I wish I could forget everything I know Lorelai and laser eyes. What would I do if I could relive this miraculously designed puzzle game without knowing anything about its sinister solution? It's a rare feeling, one that has long been reserved for classics of the puzzle genre such as: witness and Return of Obra Dinn. Lorelai and laser eyes Not just to sit next to a great man, but to usurp the throne. A stylish, creative vision uses ever-changing, yet always genius puzzle logic to guide players through a winding hotel filled with moody secrets. Is the prize at the center of it all? A thoughtful meditation on the twisted relationship between fiction and reality.
Honorable mention: Persona 5 Reload, Granblue Fantasy Relink, Minishoot Adventure, Tekken 8, Vanishers: Ghost of New Eden, Unicorn Overlord, Berserk Boy, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, Children of the Sun, Box: Lost Fragments
Editor's picks
