After how strong 2023 was for games, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from 2024. Going in, I only had a few games on my radar. Two of those ended up being disappointments, and you might be able to figure out which ones they were after reading this list! Still, this year had plenty of pleasant surprises in store.
Although I tend to gravitate toward action and racing titles, I like to play a bit of everything! I’m sure you’ll find that reflected below. So, without further ado, here are the top ten games I played in 2024.
10. Black Myth: Wukong
This is the only game on this list I don’t particularly care for very much. I know, not the best start, but no one can deny that Black Myth: Wukong is an impressive achievement. The amount of time and effort Game Science invested into this title is very much apparent.
It’s an adventure full of spectacle, gorgeous locations, and flashy action. Unfortunately, that’s all it primarily has going for it. The game suffers from some truly atrocious level design and the combat gets old pretty quickly.
Perhaps a sequel can achieve something much greater, but for now, I award Black Myth: Wukong with my utmost apathy of the year. No other title I have played recently has made me feel as close to nothing as this game has. It makes for perfectly acceptable entertainment, but that’s all it is. I strongly suspect that I will not be sad to forget this one.
9. Islands of Insight
Islands of Insight is the first game I had the opportunity to review this year. It’s a wonderfully relaxing time with a nearly bottomless pit of puzzles to solve. This one is a teensy bit outside my usual gaming diet, but I’m glad I took the chance to check it out.
Sadly, my positive impressions were soured with some incredibly egregious technical issues. This game originally launched as an online-only experience for no good reason. My concerns surrounding this aspect would soon be realized as I lost all my save data. As such, recommending this game was difficult.
Thankfully, an offline mode appears to have been introduced since July, making this a much easier sell. If you’re looking for something more calming, Islands of Insight has a lot to offer. While it is a somewhat repetitive experience, there is enough variety in challenges to keep one engaged. It probably isn’t the best title in the genre, but it deserves some recognition.
8. Dragon’s Dogma 2
Let’s face it, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the biggest letdown from Capcom since the Resident Evil 3 remake. However, that’s not to say it still can’t be fun as hell to play. The combat mechanics here are nothing short of sublime, with some really satisfying physics to add to the thrill of bashing the head of a cyclops.
Regrettably, much of this combat is wasted on a severe lack of enemy variety. Making matters worse, the game is missing substantial content, resulting in an experience that doesn’t feel complete. Moments of brilliance are what keep Dragon’s Dogma 2 from devolving into something much more painfully mediocre.
Considering that this is the only big RPG I got to play this year, it appears that I made the wrong decision. That being said, this is a game with tons of potential and I truly hope that Capcom doesn’t abandon it. There’s an amazing game buried underneath all its problems.
7. Berserk Boy
Berserk Boy is a charming side-scroller taking inspiration from Mega Man and Sonic the Hedgehog. It’s colorful, fast-paced, and has some fun mechanics to master. A few metroidvania elements are sprinkled in as well, although you should expect a primarily linear experience.
The level design tends to be a bit more simplistic than desired, but the sense of momentum makes up for that. It’s a blast to navigate stages as quickly as possible. The boss encounters are likely the weakest aspect, but they barely impacted my enjoyment. While the game isn’t perfect by any means, it isn’t trying to be.
With a soundtrack by Tee Lopes, Berserk Boy is full of energetic tunes that will keep any player pushing forward. As a fan of action platformers, this is a title that provided much of what I would look for. This is a solid addition to any indie collection, and I’d be excited to see more from this developer.
6. Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
I can’t say I was expecting to enjoy Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble as much as I did, but I’m always happy about a nice surprise. Don’t be fooled by the cute art style, as this game can get gruesomely challenging. Despite this, the experience never becomes truly tedious. Conquering a stage never feels impossible.
That being said, the main campaign does a great job of easing new players in. Most should be able to complete the game. However, the EX levels are where the game’s true meat lies and will push your skills to the limit.
Banana Rumble is deceptively simple with tons of hidden depth, just as a Super Monkey Ball game should be. It makes for solid entertainment no matter what age you are. This is a fantastic family game, especially considering the inclusion of multiplayer game modes. If you have yet to experience the magic of this series, I can’t recommend this one enough.
5. Tekken 8
I didn’t get as much time with Tekken 8 as I had hoped, otherwise this might be higher on the list. Anyway, what can I say about this that hasn’t already been said? If you want more Tekken, you’ll get it here. Otherwise, if it somehow isn’t your cup of tea, this is not going to suddenly win you over.
Still, I am glad to see this entry feature tons of casual content. The game’s story is completely ridiculous and stupid but makes for great popcorn material. Additionally, it’s amazing to see the return of Tekken Ball, which makes for a hilarious yet enjoyable game mode.
As much as I wish to play this more, it’s a massive time sink if you want to get the most out of it. From a casual perspective, however, Tekken 8 is still a great time and likely the fighting game option of 2024. If you enjoy fighting games and still haven’t checked this one out, what are you doing?
4. Sonic X Shadow Generations
While half of the Sonic X Shadow Generations package is a remaster, the Shadow portion is an entirely new game. As a lifelong Sonic fan, I can say that Shadow Generations contains some of the best 3D platforming the series has to offer. I’d even go as far to claim that it’s superior to Sonic’s portion included here.
The level design is a huge step up, with many branching paths and a great sense of verticality. I could spend countless hours optimizing my runs, as the game is just that much fun to play. Sure, the campaign itself only takes a few hours to complete, but the content here is incredibly replayable.
I really hope that Shadow Generations is a sign of things to come. If more Sonic games can match this level of quality, the series will be in an incredibly healthy place for the foreseeable future. By the way, Shadow is awesome.
3. Silent Hill 2
I can’t say I was always into the idea of a Silent Hill 2 remake. The original is likely among my top five favorites of all time, so it’s kind of sacred to me. The announcement that Bloober Team would be handling the remake didn’t make me any more enthusiastic. Historically, I haven’t exactly been an avid fan of their output, so my expectations were low.
I’m very happy to say that Bloober Team went above and beyond my expectations. The Silent Hill 2 remake is the best entry this series has seen in a long time. Does it replace the original for me? No, it was never going to. I love the Lynchian atmosphere of that game too much.
However, I am shocked by the quality of this title. It features some surprisingly engaging gameplay and perfectly captures a foreboding sense of dread. It drags on a tad too long for my tastes, but it’s otherwise a solid re-imagining of a horror classic. This is easily one of the best games of 2024.
2. Nine Sols
Nine Sols basically manifested out of thin air for me, but I am so glad it did. From the moment I started playing, my jaw dropped in awe of the game’s gorgeous art direction. This is one of the most visually striking titles I had the pleasure of playing this year.
While fancy visuals are nice, what about the gameplay? Well, it’s equally amazing. The game’s combat takes some obvious inspiration from Sekiro, but it doesn’t stumble in execution. There are some truly unforgettable boss fights that will make anyone feel like a badass for beating. Also, I can’t believe I almost forgot the Soundtrack! Oh, the soundtrack is so, so good.
Nine Sols is the most intense game about cat people I have ever played. Every aspect of this title is of an incredibly high quality. I can’t praise it enough. It would almost certainly be my game of the year if it wasn’t for the existence of one other title.
1. Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Is Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess really the best game of 2024? Probably not, to be honest, but this is my list! I’m choosing to highlight it because this game is woefully underappreciated. It’s also just so weird that I can’t help but absolutely adore it.
Kunitsu-Gami contains one of the most unique gameplay loops of the year. If you ever wanted to play Bloons TD with an action game twist and a melancholic atmosphere, this is the game for you. It might take some time to get used to, but it’s really not that hard once you get the hang of it.
It’s a game that plays around with its core concept in varied and interesting ways. Not every level is made equal, but it’s always exciting to see what the game throws in your path. This isn’t a game that overstays its welcome. To create the game’s distinct visual style, the developers scanned in real-world miniatures as 3D models. This results in an endearing diorama-like presentation that makes up for any shortcomings with the graphics. It’s also a perfect fit for the strategy and action gameplay blend.
Despite a simple narrative, Kunitsu-Gami is packed with emotion. It’s reminiscent of the experimental games you would find on the PS2. It’s pure art in video game form, and I can’t emphasize that enough. I want more titles with weird and original concepts, so please go and check this game out for me. Even if it’s a bit outside your comfort zone, you won’t soon forget your time with Kunitsu-Gami.
