2024 has been a fascinating year for video games, with some real highs - and lows - across all platforms.This year we saw a wonderful slate of AAA gamesenjoy their well-deserved praise and accolades, withFinal Fantasy VII Rebirthkicking off the year in style, all the way up to end-of-year hits likeSilent Hill 2remake, andIndiana Jones & The Great Circle. It’s also been a phenomenal year for indie games thanks to the surprise hits ofPalworld, along with instant classics likeNevaandBalatro.
Last year was largely dominated by the phenomenalBaldur’s Gate 3, which was a sure-fire win for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2023. This year, however, it was anyone’s game with nomineesMetaphor: ReFantazio,Astro Bot,Balatro,Black Myth: Wukong,Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, andElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.The award surprised viewers by going toAstro Bot-a well-deserved win, in our opinion.
Still, there are plenty of other games the editors here atScreen Ranthave dubbed worthy of the title of “best.” The following games have been selected by our Gaming editors, considering not just awards, accolades, general reception - plus our own review scores - butalso our own personal favorite candidates for games we’ve loved most throughout the year.
What it’s about: The opening chapter of the Worldsoul Saga and the 10thWorld of Warcraftexpansion,The War Withinchallenges players to explore beneath the surface of Azeroth.
World of Warcraftas a wholehas been a part of my lifefor almost 17 years now. The massive amount of abilities, different playstyles, and the sense of community that I get from my guild is something I will never forget. Ranking top dog in DPS, healing like no other in raids, and completing the new questline from the first expansion in the Saga always brings back those feelings of when I first started playing back in VanillaWoW.
Though times have changed drastically,the storyline and lore that is presented inTWWkeep me coming back for more.
- Written bySamantha Giambra-Plaisance, Gaming Editor.
After 20 Years, Is It Too Late To Start Playing World Of Warcraft?
World of Warcraft has been out for 20 years. With several expansion packs and constant updates, is it too late to start playing in 2024 and beyond?
What it’s about: Since the Great Dissolution three years ago, Ichiban Kasuga has been helping ex-Yakuza rehabilitate and rejoin society. Along with his companions, Kasuga is forced to uncover the truth behind a dangerous financial empire.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthimproves upon the many RPG systems introduced inYakuza: Like a Dragonand combines it with a fantastic story that fans of the franchise will cherish. Its turn-based combat system may initially feel awkward, but it blossoms into one of the most enjoyable and action-packedYakuzaexperiences.
With anarrative packed with drama, action, and comedy,Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthstands tall as one of the best games in the series.
What it’s about: Returning to the city he was born in,Persona 3Reload’s protagonist transfers to Gekkoukan High School and joins a strange dorm. The game follows a group of high school students who want to uncover the truth behind the mysterious Dark Hour and the concept of Death itself.
Persona 3 Reloadmay just be another remake from afar, but Atlus reimagined one of the most revered titles in the series with modern visuals, updated gameplay mechanics, and afully-voiced social links system, unlike the original. There’s no hiding thatPersona 3 Reloadgot the same treatment asPersona 5, with meaningful additions that make the remake a whole new experience for new and returning players.
Having said that,Persona 3 Reload’s fast-paced gameplay, revamped Tartarus, and brand-new social link activities make it one of the best RPGs to release in 2024.
What it’s about: Originally released in 2016,Stardew Valleyis a cozy farming simulator in which players take over their grandfather’s farm, building it up to turn a profit while exploring the town and befriending its villagers. Developer ConcernedApe has released several big game updates forStardew, including 2024’s major 1.6 expansion.
Stardew Valleymay not be a “new” game, but 2024’s 1.6 update introducedmore than enough new contentto justify a place on this list. From the new mastery system to the addition of a new farm type, the sheer breadth of new content that was added in 1.6 was just what I - and lots of players - needed to bring us back to Pelican Town after an extended hiatus from my farm.
ConcernedApe knows exactly how to make an update special, and booting up 1.6 for the first time felt just like playing an all-newStardew Valley.
What it’s about: TheBlack Ops 6campaign follows rogue CIA operatives as they look to uncover the secret behind a mysterious military group with ties to the organization. Meanwhile, the Zombies narrative sees favorites like Edward Richtofen return to further investigate the Dark Aether’s secrets. Then, the classicCall of Dutymultiplayer experience is back in full force asBO6cranks it up a notch with the new Omnimovement system.
Call of Dutyswung for the fences with its newOmnimovement system inBlack Ops 6and is reaping the rewards. Movement is smoother than ever and Treyarch’s fine-tuned gunplay is fresh and exciting. GivenWarzone’s recent dominance, I couldn’t imagineCall of DutyMultiplayer and Zombies wrestling back its status as the focal point of the franchise, but we seem to be barreling toward that outcome.
The polished core mechanics on display makeBlack Ops 6a worthy entry in the famed saga.
- Written byLuca Di Marzo, Gaming Editor.
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With Black Ops 6 re-introducing the classic prestige system, there are still plenty of tricks to progress through the ranks even faster than ever.
What it’s about:Crow Countryis a survival horror game set in the 1990s, players explore an abandoned theme park. The game is heavily inspired by PS1 classic horror games, and has been compared to the originalResident EvilandSilent Hillgames.
In a year of spectacular indie games likeLorelei and the Laser Eyes,UFO 50, andBalatro,Crow Countrycarves out a park-sized niche of its own. Iplayed through the game in one nightand found every step of the journey to be almost miraculously assured, smoothing over the erratic frustrations found in its PS1 inspirations without sanding off what made them so interesting.
Throwback stylings are all the rage, but it’s rare for something to understand late ‘90s game design so intimately and update it so effortlessly.
What it’s about: Set between the events ofThe Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi,Star Wars Outlawsis an open-world RPG, where players take on the role of thief Kay Vess. Unlike mostStar Warsreleases,Outlawsdoesn’t focus on the typical Jedi-centric storylines, offering something new to fans.
Star Wars Outlawsis a title I could go back and play over and over, if not only for thenostalgia of theStar Warsfranchise. While it may not have many of the characters I came to know and love, Kay made the game engaging, immersive, and just a lot of fun to play.
The different paths to go down cater to the “decision maker” in me, and that makes for even more replayability in my opinion.
What it’s about: A free-to-play hero-shooter that incorporates many iconic characters from the Marvel universe and pits them against each other in team-based battles.
An excellent multiplayer title needs to be fun and easy to pick up, and that’s preciselywhyMarvel Rivalshas been so successful. WhileMarvel Rivalsis heavily inspired byOverwatch, the game keeps things fresh with additional features such as Team-Up moves, interesting map designs, and unique character abilities.
With a diverse roster of iconic characters, chaotic fights, and intense matches,Marvel Rivalsis an excellent example of the hero-shooter genre that could leave its contemporaries behind.
What it’s about: As the Helldivers, players battle the enemies of Super Earth in a surprisingly lore-heavy squad-based shooter set in a futuristic dystopian world.
I had all but lost interest inHelldivers 2after getting more than my fill near the beginning of the year, but the emergence of the hostile Illuminate in the game’s recent update has me once again on the front lines defending Super Earth’s managed democracy. It’s an unadulterated power fantasy where being expendable is ahuge part of the appeal.
I still laugh every time a teammate’s orbital barrage sends my character’s limbs flying, or my lightning-shooting gun discharges through a couple enemies and inadvertently into another Helldiver, insta-killing them.
What it’s about: A short but sweet adventure,Nevafollows Alba and a wolf cub, Neva. Even though it takes just a few hours to beat, the game takes what made 2018’sGRISso magical and expands it even further in its storytelling and visuals.
Nevawas one of my most-anticipated games of 2024, and its beautiful world didn’t disappoint.GRISis one of my favorite indie games of all time, and the world and story ofNevaare just a beautiful, emotionally challenging, and inspiring. As our reviewer Leo Faierman put it inScreen Rant’s 9/10 review: “It’s no exaggeration to say that nearly any screenshot is worthy of framing.”
If you haven’t played this one yet, it should absolutely be on your radar.
