As we stand on the brink of 2025, ready to embrace a whole new set of adventures, there’s still a moment to reflect on the incredible gaming experiences 2024 delivered. This past year has offered something special for every kind of player—from intricate worlds of fantastical RPGs to classic favorites brought back to life with stunning remasters.
A Year of Boundless RPGs
The last twelve months have been a delight for enthusiasts of sprawling, magical realms filled with spellbinding heroes and towering, sky-high fortresses. Atlus, known for the Persona series, ventured into new territories with Metaphor ReFantazio, earning applause for its engaging combat system and polished presentation, not to mention that memorable battle theme.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continued the legacy of its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII Remake, maintaining its status as a beloved RPG. And amongst the fast-paced RPGs, Granblue Fantasy: Relink offered thrilling co-op combat, while Dragon Age: The Veilguard engrossed players in a captivating quest accompanied by a stirring soundtrack from the legendary Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.
For those favoring a grittier narrative, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth delivered thrilling street battles instead of enchanted quests, adding another exciting chapter to the Yakuza universe with engaging gameplay.
A Year of Classic Remasters
New adventures weren’t the only highlights; 2024 also celebrated the return of timeless classics, given a modern polish. Disney’s Epic Mickey returned, showcasing not only beautifully revamped visuals but also enhanced abilities for our favorite mouse icon.
Fans of Tomb Raider were treated to the thrilling escapades of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. Meanwhile, Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged revived the adventurous pursuit of Templar secrets in a stunning 4K version.
Moving to galaxies far, far away, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition brought sci-fi joy across FPS and action-adventure genres. Meanwhile, the Grandia HD Collection and Persona 3 Reload delivered nostalgic delights. Capcom, on the other hand, catered to zombie aficionados with Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, offering fresh, brainy improvements in its zombie-slaying action.
A Year of Horror and Retro-Inspired Thrills
While many remasters brought excitement, some were designed to send chills down our spines. The stunning remake of Silent Hill 2 took players back into its haunting world, enhanced by modern graphical fidelity that only amplified the storytelling.
New titles also managed to evoke spine-tingling nostalgia, like Crow Country, which offered classic survival horror infused with a 1990s visual style. Likewise, Fear the Spotlight mixed old-school aesthetics for a thrilling narrative experience. Meanwhile, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game summoned the quirky terror of the 1988 cult classic, now designed as an asymmetrical multiplayer experience.
For thrill-seekers preferring modern scares, Still Wakes the Deep delivered a truly chilling narrative with cosmic elements, while VR game Alien: Rogue Incursion brought up-close-and-personal horror adventure. Remember, in VR, everyone can hear you scream.
A Year of Platforming Heroes
2024 set a new bar in the world of platformers, led by the endlessly inventive Astro Bot. Team Asobi’s creation charmed players with its creative level designs, the distinctive features of the DualSense controller, and delightful surprise cameos.
Several sleeper hits also left an impression. Another Crab’s Treasure allowed us to navigate the quirky world of Kril, a resourceful crab fashioning discarded items into formidable gear. Meanwhile, Penny’s Big Breakaway revisited the vibrant, fast-paced charm of classic platformers with its lively plot and crazy penguin minions.
A Year of Innovative Art Design
Throughout 2024, visually striking games emerged, each with a distinct artistic flair. Harold Halibut fascinated with its unique, stop-motion style, the result of years of painstaking craftsmanship, capturing players with its charming adventure narrative.
Neva captivated us with its stunning use of color and contrast, framing a beautiful puzzle-driven story. Meanwhile, Thank Goodness You’re Here! embraced a bold comic style, reminiscent of classic British comedy.
In the playful spirit of creativity, LEGO Horizon Adventures offered gamers a whimsical take on Horizon Zero Dawn, where everything, from landscapes to formidable machines, was crafted entirely out of LEGO bricks, inviting players to imagine and construct their own in-game experiences.
So, what games or trends in 2024 topped your list?
