The 5 finest video games of 2024 from GamesBeat author Rachel Kaser

We’re about to tug again the curtain on 2024 – an advanced yr that gave us some nice video games however which I actually hope will likely be remembered as “troubled” by the business as an entire. We have had over 14,000 layoffs, a declining marketplace for three growing older consoles, skyrocketing subscription prices, and the (partial) collapse of the reside service style. However now we have the primary weeks of January 2025 to reward the occasions of the yr. As an alternative, that is it: It is time to speak about our favourite video games that we loved probably the most this yr.

Dean has already been revealed his favorite games of the year…so now it’s my flip. Simply to be clear, these video games are those I personally loved probably the most and located to be probably the most elegant general experiences. I hope I could make an extended listing sooner or later in 2025 – my listing of video games performed in 2024 shouldn’t be as long as it was last year (though on the identical notice, I am higher rested than a yr in the past), however for now, listed here are my high 5 video games of this yr.

5. Lorelei and the laser eyes

Yearly on these lists, I like to incorporate not less than one sport that qualifies as a darkish horse in my Prime 5 – a smaller title whose inclusion satisfies solely me. Lorelei and the laser eyes it might have come out early sufficient within the yr that it was then overshadowed, however I by no means forgot it. Its surreal and stylized inventive design could be sufficient to stay in my reminiscence, however Lorelei is finally rather more than that.

Lorelei is the sort of sport that challenges the participant. Your complete time you play, it appears like the sport is locking you right into a battle of wits, and whereas it offers you all the things it’s essential resolve its multitude of puzzles, it will not hold you no hand. Even the sport’s diegetic interface and so-called “trace” methods appear extra supposed to place the participant behind than to assist them. And thoughts matching with a sport will not be everybody’s cup of tea – it is not at all times my cup both – however typically it is what I would like and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes do it so nicely.

2024 has been a good yr for RPGs, all issues thought of – Baldur’s Gate 3 is a tricky act to observe. However we have had a surprisingly full yr. And one RPG rose to the highest because of its distinctive, critical story and enjoyable, fast-paced gameplay: Atlus’s Metaphor: ReFantazio. For me, RPGs reside and die by how a lot they make me really feel really a part of the world round me, and Metaphor’s world, nasty and nasty and laden with unjust social methods, felt actual to me – the struggles of his individuals had been felt essential.

Metaphor: ReFantazio manages to keep away from most of the pacing pitfalls which have befallen different RPGs this yr (not naming names, however IYKYK) by retaining you tied to an in-game timeline heading in direction of a serious world occasion – a refinement on the Atlus staple. time administration mechanics. In truth, virtually each factor of Metaphor appears like a extra compelling model of one thing Atlus has executed earlier than, from the artwork design to the turn-based fight. Although the story is a bit more sober and critical, it’s instructed with such conviction and with such a robust message that you just by no means get bored.

3. Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle

Nicely, look who now we have right here. MachineGames’ licensed journey sport that includes everybody’s favourite whip-wielding archaeologist arrived within the final month of the yr and shot virtually to the highest of the listing. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is without doubt one of the finest journey video games – and, surprisingly, probably the greatest stealth video games – that I’ve performed not solely in 2024, however within the final 5 years. Troy Baker’s efficiency as Dr. Jones goes to this point past mere mimicry that it elevates the whole sport into my Prime 3.

Nice Circle virtually completely imitates the appeal of the unique Indiana Jones movies (notice that I say “unique” with particular intentions) whereas paying homage to the basic point-and-click journey video games that preceded it. MachineGames managed to seize the humor and enjoyable of the sequence, its sense of not taking itself too critically, and the satisfaction of beating Nazis (a topic they need to be very accustomed to after the Wolfenstein titles). Plus, one of many villains is performed by the late Tony Todd, and it is simply good to see him once more.

2. AstroBot

As an expert gamer, it is typically tempting to over-explain or over-complicate my very own opinion. So whereas I may give a protracted, drawn out clarification of why Astro Bot’s platforming is so rewarding, or how its story is compelling regardless of its simplistic nature… for example it in fewer phrases : Astrobot is on this listing as a result of it is amusing. It is enjoyable, entertaining and nicely executed and provides the participant precisely what they need.

Okay, so as to add slightly extra complexity in my view: Astro Bot is a platform sport polished to a diamond shine with coronary heart and a humorousness. The number of gameplay retains it contemporary, and the sport would not put on out its welcome by stretching its ranges too skinny or overplaying any of its gimmicks. It is also simply the fitting size to maintain its PlayStation aspect from feeling an excessive amount of like an advert (though it does come shut a couple of times). There are numerous video games I play that I really like as an grownup gamer – few that I play that I do know I’d have beloved as a child.

1. Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown

To be sincere, my finest sport this yr even stunned me. Till the final moments of penning this, I used to be going to present it to Astro Bot. However then I critically seemed on the dozens of video games I’ve performed to this point this yr and considered which sport had introduced me probably the most happiness whereas enjoying. And perhaps it has been fairly a very long time – virtually a yr now – that my reminiscence has turned rosy, however I bear in mind my sport of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown with a heat I’ve felt for nothing else this yr.

The Misplaced Crown has all the things I would like in a sport: it provides strong gameplay that evolves as the sport progresses, wonderful pacing, a wide range of platforms, a narrative and artwork design that pays homage actual world historical past and mythology whereas mixing in fantasy, an fascinating range and solid of characters and a lot extra magnificence that simply enjoying it typically takes my breath away. There have been so many video games between its launch in January and now, and but it nonetheless managed to stick with me till the tip of the yr.