Dec 24, 2024
Dec 17,2024
In 2024, the gaming industry delivered some of the finest stories and innovations in the entertainment industry.
And each month, we were treated to new heroes, villains, worlds, and experiences to fall in love with.
Below is a blend of the best video games of 2024, across every genre and platform...
Astro Bot (PS5)
Astro Bot is a game made of pure magic. Full of charm and wit, this platformer will delight gamers of all ages from beginning to end. Playing as the titular robot, you'll journey through endless galaxies to recover the PlayStation 5's technology from a menacing alien.
Scattered in each level are your fellow BOT crew, which double as adorable collectables from past PlayStation games. You'll search the length and breadth of every level to keep your collection of characters rising.
The game also pushes the true potential of the PS5's DualSense controller, giving players an incredibly tactile experience. You can physically steer Astro's ship with your own hands. Blowing on the controller helps you activate fans. Climbing with special monkey arms means you have to – you guessed it – climb with your controller.
Astro Bot continues to get better with every passing level, and your sense of wonder will never stop. The game will paint a permanent smile on your face, both during play and long after those closing credits.
Read our full review of Astro Bot here.
Star Wars Outlaws (PS5, Xbox X/S, PC)
Star Wars Outlaws is an open-world adventure of intergalactic proportions. Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the galaxy has plunged into a period of lawlessness and corruption. With no Jedi in sight, the criminal underbelly rises to the surface to seize control.
You play as space scoundrel Kay Vess, a petty criminal barely getting by. A series of events leads her to be branded with a Death Mark, placing her high on bounty lists across the galaxy.
To buy her freedom back, Kay must pull off the ultimate heist. She enlists the help of a cookie band of like-minded thieves, each with unique skills to help her cause. Think Ocean's 11, but chockful of droids, stormtroopers, and high-speed spaceship chases.
Every inch of the galaxy teems with life. Whether walking through downtrodden cities, exploring lush jungles, or uncovering secrets from long-forgotten ruins, you will always be fully immersed in what feels like a quintessential Star Wars experience.
All the while, you'll be kept on your toes with the four big criminal gangs of the galaxy. Annoy one or all of them enough, and a simple joyride through open plains can turn into an epic blockbuster scene as they hunt you relentlessly for your bounty.
Read our full review of Star Wars Outlaws here.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)
Without hesitation, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is my game of the year. It is a tour-de-force in nostalgia, elevating the original from 1997 into a modern-day masterpiece. Jaw-dropping graphics and a sophisticated combat system, all set to a captivating world of magic, make this game the best example of high fantasy gaming in recent memory.
As the second instalment of a planned trilogy, the juiciest parts of the original storyline unfold here. War is imminent. Cloud and friends are wanted fugitives on the run. And the Shinra Electric Power Company continue to harvest the planet's life force without concern.
But all these problems pale in comparison to the chilling return of Sephiroth, one of gaming's most iconic villains. His promise to destroy the planet drives this epic story into overdrive. Discovering the origins of his creation and his shared past with protagonist Cloud is an epic marathon that will command your full attention.
As a 'remake', key plot points of Rebirth are twisted in unique ways. This keeps veteran fans on their toes, second-guessing what can happen in a story we have all grown up with. For newcomers to the series, I am beyond jealous that you get to experience this rich storyline for the first time.
Read our full review of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth here.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo switch)
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a side-scrolling action-adventure game with lightning-fast combat, intricate puzzles, and gorgeous mythology throughout. If you're hungry for high-octane fun with a rich story, this should be a compulsory buy.
You play as Sargon, a legendary warrior from the Immortals clan. After defending the Persian empire from a brutal attack, he is tasked with journeying to the cursed city of Mount Oaf to rescue a kidnapped Prince. There, plenty of new enemies and magical beings await him.
Luckily for you, Sargon is a highly skilled fighter and acrobat. And with just the simplest button, you can duck, dive, hack and slash at anything standing before you. Combat is very engaging, and rarely are you allowed to stay idle for too long.
A constant slew of new skills and weapons means you're always adapting to the twists and turns the game brings you through. Some of these tap into the signature time system of the franchise and are so satisfying when pulled off.
Read our full review of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown here.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is easily the strongest release from the signature franchise in recent memory. It offers a highly polished single-player campaign and an equally impressive multiplayer spread.
The single-player campaign is a tour-de-force of action and stealth. Set in the early 1990s, the political upheaval of the Gulf War serves as the backdrop to the game. A new terror organisation, Parthenon, is vying for power. Throughout the story, plenty of twists, turns and corrupted operatives will keep you second-guessing everything.
And then there's the multiplayer, a mode where most players will set up a permanent camp. It brings back all the classic game modes like Deathmatch and Search & Destroy. And, of course, the highly addictive Zombies mode will pit you against hordes of undead monstrosities in the ultimate test of survival.
The new omnimovement may prove divisive for seasoned gunners – it's a new system that allows players to move in any direction they want. It does lead to more explosive, unpredictable fights – which, in a multiplayer shooter, is only a good thing.
Read our full review of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 here.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)
As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Twenty years after its original release on Gamecube, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is back with a remade experience to remind gamers of one of Mario's best spin-offs.
Playing as the world-famous plumber, your Herculean journey through the shady town of Rogueport to help Princess Peach feels as fresh and hilarious as ever. Slick animations and detailed illustrations make you feel like you're always playing through an interactive storybook at all times.
As an RPG game, this game has a charming turn-based battle system that can be as simple or in-depth as you want. Throughout your journey, you'll add new characters to your party, each with unique abilities.
Ultimately, Paper Mario is a textbook example of a remake done right. It irons out many frustrations found in the original while somehow still preserving its signature magic from twenty years ago. It looks, feels and plays more than just a fresh coat of ink.
Read our full review of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door here.
Stellar Blade (PS5)
If I were to pick one of the biggest surprises of 2024, it would be Stellar Blade. The game exceeded many expectations, providing one of the most action-orientated experiences of the year.
The game is set in an Apocalyptic world where a monstrous race known as the Naytibas has taken over. You play as Eve, a member of a specialised task force from a futuristic off-world colony. Returning to Earth, she is tasked with eradicating the enemy threat once and for all. But the monsters aren't going down without a fight...
From the beginning, players will easily underestimate Eve. But armed with a hairpin that transforms into an unbreakable sword, she is exactly who you want to defend you from impending doom.
Controlling her in the third person feels electric, as even the simplest button bash commands a gymnastic onslaught on-screen. A constant slew of new abilities will keep you up to speed with the ever-evolving dangers surrounding you. And her unquestionable beauty contrasts so well with the genuinely horrifying environments you'll be forced to investigate.
Read our full review of Stellar Blade here.
Helldivers 2 (PS5, PC)
Released back in February, Helldivers 2 is one of this year's best multiplayer experiences. This is thanks to its cinematic combat, zany cooperative gameplay, and satirical undertones.
Set in a world known as 'Super-Earth', you and three friends set out on a mission to spread your ideals of democracy to neighbouring planets. As elite super soldiers, you'll use a variety of guns, bombs and more to help deliver your 'peaceful message' by wiping races from existence.
Every mission throws your party into unfamiliar terrain, complete with new planetary hazards and discoverable weapons. This ensures you'll never get complacent, and every mission promises a brand-new experience. And with friendly fire on, expect plenty of apologising as you shoot both alien and ally with gusto.
Read our full review of Helldivers 2 here.
Metaphor: ReFantazio (PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
With a politically charged storyline and a twist on turn-based combat, Metaphor: ReFantazio has become one of this year's standout titles. The story takes place in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, a medieval-inspired land where the king has just been assassinated.
Amidst the chaos, a new Tournament for the Thrones is organised to find a worthy candidate. But, of course, it's favoured for the primary antagonist. To restore order and stability, players are tasked with breaking the curse of the legitimate heir of the throne, the prince.
As such, you embark on a story that tackles classism and inequality in a very open and direct way. The game features a brilliantly executed combat system, bouncing between classic turn-based battles and over-world action-led fights.
With over 80 hours of content and a distinct art style, it will no doubt leave a lasting impact on you long after the credits close.
Balatro (PS5, Nintendo Switch, Android, MacOS)
Never has an indie game taken the world by storm like Balatro has. It's a roguelike card game that reinvents poker with chaotic rules and absurd challenges. Its nomination for Game of the Year is no shock to the legion of fans who play it relentlessly.
Initially, games start very simple and straight - you must play your best hand to rack up as many points as possible. But between rounds, things get complicated. You have the choice to upgrade your deck with special bonuses and abilities. These include score multipliers, adding extra cards to your hand, modifying entire suits, and more.
As chaotic as the game might seem, you'll gradually get up to speed after a few rounds. And it is here that the game will sink its hook into you. There's always a new high score to try to beat. A new kind of deck or ability to build around. It's an unpredictable card game that has already become a cult classic.
