Table of Contents
- Astro Bot
- Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
- Metaphor: Refantazio
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- UFO50
- Animal Well
- Balatro
- Thank Goodness You're Here!
- Tekken 8
- Destiny 2: The Final Shape
- Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
- Tactical Breach Wizards
- ANTONBLAST
- KILL KNIGHT
- The Crimson Diamond
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Persona 3 Reload
- MadJack Mullet
- Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
- Minishoot' Adventures
- Neva
- Unicorn Overlord
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Silent Hill 2
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Dragon's Dogma 2
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- 1000xRESIST
- Dragon Quest III HD 2D Remake
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak
- Momodora: Moonlit Farewell
- Nine Suns
- The Brave Squire
- Super Mario Party Jamboree
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- Infinity Nikki
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
- Black MythWukong
The year 2024 was very positive for the gaming industry in terms of new titles, with releases that surprised with their creativity, technical quality and ability to engage players. From long-awaited sequels like Tekken 8, up to expansions with Shadow of the Erdtree and unexpected surprises like Astro Bot, Animal Well e Balatro, studios explored new limits of immersion and innovation this year. In this list, we've gathered the best games of 2024 that marked the year, highlighting what each one brought that was special to the industry and to fans. Check it out below.
Astro Bot
Platforms: PS5 | Release Date: September 6 | Metacritic Score: 94
Elected by The Game Awards as the best game of 2024, Astro Bot is a platform game that expands the universe of the adorable robot introduced as a mascot in the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 generations. In the game, players control Astro, who must rebuild his mothership in a PS5-inspired format after a space accident that scattered his crew across planets full of enigmas and dangers. With more than 50 planets to explore, Astro Bot combines action, puzzles and homages to PlayStation classics.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: June 21 | Metacritic Score: 94
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is the expansion of the award-winning action RPG that won hundreds of awards in 2023, including Game of the Year our The Game Awards. The title takes players back to the dark and fascinating universe of the Lands Between, further expanding the already rich and immersive world of the original game. The expansion introduces a new area full of mysteries, new dungeons, enemies and a wide range of weapons and equipment to discover. Although it is not a complete new game, it deserves a special place on our list of games of 2024.
Metaphor: Refantazio
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: October 11 | Metacritic Score: 94
Easily one of the best games released in 2024, Metaphor: Refantazio, from the creators of Persona 3, 4 and 5, transports players to a never-before-seen fantasy world. The protagonist, along with his fairy companion Gallica, must break the curse of a lost prince while facing fearsome enemies. With a focus on building bonds and exploring dungeons, time management is essential to strengthening relationships and progressing through the epic story of this mysterious kingdom.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Platforms: PS5, PC | Release Date: February 29 | Metacritic Score: 92
One of the most anticipated games of the year and which met fans' expectations was Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the sequel to the remake of the classic Final Fantasy VII. The story follows the journey of heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII, who have escaped the dystopian city of Midgar and now seek to face the mysterious and vengeful Sephiroth. For those who have not yet ventured into the game, according to the studio, the new release does not require players to have previous experience with Final Fantasy VII Remake or the original game PS1, making it accessible to everyone and one of the best gaming options released in 2024.
UFO50
Platforms: PC | Release Date: September 18 | Metacritic Score: 91
UFO50 is a collection of 50 games created by the developers of Spelunky, Downwell e Catacomb Kids. The collection explores a variety of genres, including platformers, shoot 'em ups, puzzles, roguelites and RPGs, featuring an 8-bit look and feel that blends with contemporary design. Each title offers a complete experience, ranging from arcade games to open-world adventures, and even includes a full-length JRPG.
Animal Well
Platforms: PS5, Switch, PC | Release Date: May 9 | Metacritic Score: 91
Animal Well is a game in which players explore a world full of creatures, secrets and challenges on an open map. The journey requires attention and creativity, with items that can be used in different ways to solve puzzles. The interactive environment hides mysteries that are revealed little by little, showing how small details can lead to new discoveries. The player lights the darkness with candles, explores the map without a fixed order and finds new paths.
Balatro
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC | Release Date: February 20 | Metacritic Score: 90
Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck-building game where the goal is to create strategic combinations and win big. Using unique wild cards, players can combine valid hands and exploit unique synergies to overcome increasing challenges. As players progress, they can unlock bonus decks, earn chips to take on tough blinds, and prepare for the final boss showdown. The game offers a deep experience with a campaign across 8 difficulties, as well as challenges, daily games, and competitive modes.
Thank Goodness You're Here!
Platforms: PS5, Switch, PC | Release Date: August 1 | Metacritic Score: 90
Tired of games that lack originality? Then play Thank Goodness You're Here!. This title is a platform game set in the peculiar town of Barnsworth, where a traveling salesman, upon arriving early for a meeting with the mayor, begins to fulfill increasingly strange requests from the locals. With each task completed, new areas of the town are unlocked, leading the player to face unusual challenges such as mowing lawns, baking pies or even crossing the astral plane in a comedy game full of hilarious moments.
Tekken 8
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: January 26 | Metacritic Score: 90
Tekken 8 was certainly the most important release for fighting game fans in 2024. The game marks a new generation of one of the biggest franchises in the genre and delivered a lot of quality, pleasing longtime fans and new players. In its narrative, the story begins by continuing the drama of the Mishima and Kazama families. The conflict between father and son, which threatens to shake the world, begins six months after the last battle marked by revenge. In the gameplay, the innovative combat system Heat takes the fighting experience to an extreme level, maintaining the series' characteristic gameplay and adding a dynamic of destructible scenarios.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: June 4 | Metacritic Score: 89
Destiny 2: The Final Shape ou The Final Form features an epic campaign where players face the threat of the calcification of reality. Explore a challenging new destination as the Traveler, facing enemies in environments that defy time and space. The new Prismatic subclass allows players to customize their abilities by combining Solar, Arc, Void, Stasis, and Filament elements, and master powerful supers such as Arc Hunters, Void Titans, and Solar Arcanes. Additionally, players can collect new weapons and armor in this, one of the largest expansions in the franchise Destiny.
Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Switch | Release Date: June 27 | Metacritic Score: 89
Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon is a visual novel that retells the story of Shiki Tohno, a seriously injured young man who, after the death of his father, returns to his family's mansion. There, he reunites with his sister Akiha and begins to adapt to the life of luxury, but soon fragments of the past and disturbing visions begin to emerge. The plot unfolds with Shiki's encounter with a monstrous creature, triggering a series of events. The work, initially released in 1999, was reworked to revive the two central tales of the original: Arcueid's scenario, "Princess of the Moon", and Ciel's, "Rainbow of the Night".
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: January 26 | Metacritic Score: 89
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the newest chapter in the franchise Yakuza ( Like a Dragon), which takes the series' protagonists on a new adventure filled with intrigue between factions and many battles. The game is the 9th main title in the saga and is a direct sequel to Like a Dragon (2020) and the spin-off Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023). The game follows former Tojo clan members Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu as they embark on a new journey through Isezaki Ijincho and Honolulu. Following a lead from an old ally, Kasuga travels to Honolulu in search of his biological mother, Akane Kishida, whom he believed to have died many years ago.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Platforms: PS5, Switch, PC | Release Date: May 16 | Metacritic Score: 88
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a mystery adventure set in an old hotel in Central Europe. A woman is summoned by an eccentric man to participate in a mysterious project at this location, where she finds herself immersed in a game of increasingly dangerous and surreal illusions. Players embark on a journey full of challenges and enigmas, being presented with new puzzles at every step, which help to unravel the fascinating mystery that surrounds the game.
Tactical Breach Wizards
Platforms: PC | Release Date: August 22 | Metacritic Score: 88
Tactical Breach Wizards is a turn-based tactical strategy game where you command a team of renegade mages, equipped with Kevlar vests, to unmask a modern-day conspiracy. Combine unique spells in creative ways or go back in time to test different strategies.
ANTONBLAST
Platforms: Switch, PC | Release Date: December 3 | Metacritic Score: 88
Announced during Indie World in April, ANTONBLAST is an action platformer that lets players take on the role of the furious Dynamite Anton or his co-worker, Annie, as they use the mighty Hammer to demolish worlds, face screen-spanning bosses, and recover the Spirits of Satan, which were stolen by the devil himself. The game is fast-paced and one of the best games of 2024 for lovers of quality platformers.
KILL KNIGHT
Platforms: PS5, PC | Release Date: October 2 | Metacritic Score: 88
KILL KNIGHT is a fast-paced, responsive, arcade-inspired isometric shooter. After being condemned to eternal suffering in a terrifying arena, you must use a powerful arsenal to destroy hordes of supernatural monsters and control the demon within.
The Crimson Diamond
Platforms: PC | Release Date: August 15 | Metacritic Score: 88
The Crimson Diamond is a retro mystery game where you follow amateur geologist and reluctant detective Nancy Maple to the ghost town of Crimson, Ontario. There, she investigates the discovery of a massive diamond, unraveling mysteries while interacting with the environment through text commands.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: May 23 | Metacritic Score: 88
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door takes players on a charming adventure in a paper world where Mario must find a mysterious treasure before the villainous X-Nauts. With the help of characters like Goombella and Koops, players will explore fascinating environments, hone unique combat skills, and discover surprising stories involving Peach and Bowser.
Persona 3 Reload
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: February 2 | Metacritic Score: 87
One of the most anticipated games of the year, the remake of 3 person arrived on current and last generation consoles, bringing a remodeled version of the original experience, with influences from 5 person, Shin Megami Tensei V and other recent Atlus games. Originally released in 2006 for the Playstation 2, the game follows a group of high school students who discover the ability to summon Personas, manifestations of their psychological aspects, to fight mysterious creatures called Shadows.
MadJack Mullet
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 15 | Metacritic Score: 88
MadJack Mullet is a fast-paced first-person shooter set in a VCR-era anime. The goal is to level up your character and reach the top floor as quickly as possible. Test your reflexes and skills to get the best time or try again, as here haste is crucial to perfection.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC | Release Date: June 14 | Metacritic Score: 87
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance expands the acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei V with a new story, adding new locations, demons and impactful choices. Players dive into two complete narratives, with the new route being Canon of Vengeance a dramatic plot centered on revenge, with new characters and enigmatic demons called Qadištu, who have their own plans beyond the war between order and chaos.
Minishoot' Adventures
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 2 | Metacritic Score: 87
Minishoot' Adventures it's a game of the genre shoot 'em up (or popularly known in Brazil as navinha game) where players take control of a ship in a hand-drawn world. The game combines beautiful aesthetics with fluid gameplay, challenging players to face enemies and bosses in intense battles in the style of bullet hell.
Neva
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC | Release Date: October 15 | Metacritic Score: 86
Neva is an action game developed by the team responsible for GREY. The story follows Alba, a young woman who, after a traumatic encounter with dark forces, forms a bond with a wolf cub. Together, they traverse a world in decay, facing dangers as their relationship evolves.
Unicorn Overlord
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch | Release Date: March 8 | Metacritic Score: 86
Unicorn Overlord is the new game created by the studios of ATLUS and Vanillaware, known for their hits such as 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim e Odin Sphere. The game is a tactical fantasy RPG that promises an exciting journey of rebellion against destiny, as you join loyal allies on an epic quest to save the kingdom from imminent ruin.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: December 9 | Metacritic Score: 86
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle takes players on an epic first-person adventure set between the events of the films Raiders of the Lost Ark e The Last Crusade. Set in 1937, the game puts the player in the role of Indiana Jones as he battles sinister forces in a search for the secret of an ancient power related to the mysterious Great Circle.
Silent Hill 2
Platforms: PS5, PC | Release Date: October 8 | Metacritic Score: 86
The remake of Silent Hill 2 brings back the iconic psychological horror with cutting-edge graphics and more realistic sound. James, guided by a letter from his late wife, returns to Silent Hill in search of answers and encounters Maria, a woman who looks eerily like her. Using ray tracing and other gameplay innovations, the town of Silent Hill comes to life with an unprecedented level of realism.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC | Release Date: January 18 | Metacritic Score: 86
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was one of the most anticipated games of 2024 and one of the most beloved by the public, bringing back a franchise much loved by gamers from a new perspective. In a game in the style Metroidvania adventure and platform game, the new title in the franchise is set in a mythological Persian world, where the limits of time and space are at the mercy of the player.
Dragon's Dogma 2
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: March 22 | Metacritic Score: 86
Dragon's Dogma II is a game developed by Capcom that once again raises the bar set by its predecessor for open-world games, offering a completely free-form and customizable action RPG experience. From the very beginning, players will be encouraged to shape their own journey, from creating their character's look to choosing their vocations and allies in a very unique game.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: September 26 | Metacritic Score: 85
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom puts Princess Zelda at the center of the action as she tries to save Hyrule from strange rifts that threaten the kingdom. With the help of Tri, an ethereal being, Zelda uses Tri's scepter to create echoes from objects in the environment. These echoes can be recreated to solve puzzles and defeat enemies, such as blocks of water to reach heights, bridges with beds, or even monsters to fight alongside her.
1000xRESIST
Platforms: Switch, PC | Release Date: May 9 | Metacritic Score: 84
1000xRESIST is a science fiction adventure where a disease, caused by an alien invasion, forces humanity to live underground. You are the Watcher, who fulfills his mission to serve the ALLMOTHER, until he discovers a secret that changes everything.
Dragon Quest III HD 2D Remake
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC | Release Date: November 14 | Metacritic Score: 84
One of the most anticipated game releases of November, Dragon Quest III HD 2D Remake is a modern retelling of the classic that kicks off the Erdrick trilogy. The story follows Ortega's son, summoned by the king of Aliahan to complete his father's mission: defeat the Archdemon Baramos and save the world.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC | Release Date: July 5 | Metacritic Score: 84
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak is the latest addition to the renowned RPG series developed by Nihon Falcon, Trails. This title continues the series' tradition of delivering a well-written narrative and deeply developed characters, set in a fantasy world with rich history and political intrigue.
Momodora: Moonlit Farewell
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC | Release Date: January 11 | Metacritic Score: 84
Likes Metroidvania, pixel art beautiful and boss fights insane? Play the Brazilian game Momodora: Moonlit Farewell! The game ends the series Momodora and takes place 5 years after the events of Moody: Reverie Under the Moonlight. The series is set in a world inhabited by strange creatures and people, where dark and destructive forces threaten the inhabitants of the land.
Nine Suns
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC | Release Date: May 28 | Metacritic Score: 83
Nine Suns is a hand-drawn 2D action-platformer with a rich narrative and combat inspired by Sekiro. The player embarks on a journey through an Asian fantasy world, exploring lands of an ancient alien race. The goal is to help the hero defeat the 9 Suns, rulers of a forgotten kingdom, facing challenges and adversaries in a challenging experience.
The Brave Squire
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC | Release Date: September 17 | Metacritic Score: 83
The Plucky Squire ou The Brave Squire follows the magical journey of Pontinho and his friends, characters from a book who discover a three-dimensional world outside the pages. When the villain Enfezaldo, enraged by his fate as a perpetual loser, expels Pontinho from the book and alters history, the adventure begins in search of restoring balance.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Platforms: Switch | Release Date: October 17 | Metacritic Score: 82
Super Mario Party Jamboree brings more than 110 minigames and seven themed boards to guarantee fun with friends. Players can choose from 22 characters, including new additions like Pauline and Ninji, and compete for stars in settings like Goomba Island, Rainbow Mall, and the classics Wild West Village and Rainbow Castle. With varied minigames, such as carousel races and motion-controlled mini golf, the game delivers entertainment for all ages.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: October 31 | Metacritic Score: 82
Dragon Age: The Veilguard transports players back to the world of Thedas, filled with forests, shining cities, and hidden dangers. At the center of the story, two ancient and corrupted deities escape from the darkness, threatening to destroy the world.
Infinity Nikki
Platforms: PS5, PC, Android, iOS | Release Date: December 5 | Metacritic Score: 82
Infinity Nikki is the fifth game in the Nikki series, an open-world title developed by Infold Games that combines platforming, puzzles, and fashion mechanics. Players follow Nikki and Momo on a journey through several fantasy nations, each with their own cultures and magical creatures.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: October 11 | Metacritic Score: 81
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero brought back the intense gameplay of the series Budokai Tenkaichi, taking it to new heights with high-speed battles and massive destruction. With the largest roster of characters ever, the game features over 180 fighters from Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball GT and the films, each with unique abilities and transformations.
Black MythWukong
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Release Date: August 19 | Metacritic Score: 81
Black MythWukong is an action RPG inspired by the famous Chinese literary work Journey to the West, set in a rich world centered around the iconic character Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. The game offers stunning visuals and gameplay that stood out as one of the best of 2024, combining intense combat and magical abilities.
What were your favorite games of 2024? Let us know in the comments!
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reviewed by Gabriel Princessval in 31 / 12 / 2024
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