As we stand on the brink of 2025 with its exciting new releases just moments away from hitting our screens, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the gaming marvels 2024 brought us. This past year was a delightful mixed bag of inventive robots in a blocky LEGO universe, sprawling fantasy tales, and cherished classics brought back to life. Indeed, 2024 had something special for every kind of gamer.
A Year of Expansive RPGs
The past twelve months have been a magical journey through grand, otherworldly realms filled with spell-casting heroes, mythical creatures, and cities that soar through the skies. The creators behind Persona, Atlas, ushered us into a new fantastical domain with Metaphor ReFantazio, earning heaps of applause for its engaging combat systems, stylish visuals, and unforgettable soundtrack.
In the same vein, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth tackled the colossal task of reimagining one of gaming’s most revered RPGs, retaining the immense success of its predecessor, the Final Fantasy VII Remake. Meanwhile, Granblue Fantasy: Relink thrilled fans with its fast-paced co-op combat and expansive storyline, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard closed out the year with a gripping narrative complemented by a rousing score from legends Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.
Bringing us back down to earth — at least a little — Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth provided an exhilarating escape for RPG enthusiasts who favor street-level brawls over magic-fueled mayhem, expanding the beloved Yakuza universe with its lively combat mechanics.
A Year of Classic Remasters
Not to be overshadowed by a tidal wave of new titles, 2024 saw a remarkable lineup of classic games reimagined with more than just aesthetic upgrades. Disney’s Epic Mickey was a standout, bringing the iconic mouse back with updated visuals and fresh abilities.
Fans of Lara Croft had a field day with Tomb Raider I–III Remastered, while George Stobbart and Nico Collard returned in Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged, delivering a 4K adventure steeped in mystery and intrigue.
For those who prefer their adventures among the stars, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition offered sci-fi fans their dose of interstellar escapades. Nostalgia aficionados enjoyed revitalized favorites like Grandia HD Collection and Persona 3 Reload. And for a mashing of the undead, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster groaned and staggered back with smart updates that sharpened its zombie-slaying action.
A Year of Horror and Retro-Inspired Scares
Not all comebacks warmed the heart; some aimed to send shivers down the spine. Silent Hill 2 emerged from the fog looking scarier and sharper than ever, rekindling our love for its dread-filled terror with Pyramid Head.
Meanwhile, new titles like Crow Country leaned into retro horror vibes, encapsulating that 1990s PlayStation style. Fear the Spotlight embraced an old-school aesthetic, crafting a chilling narrative, while Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game provided offbeat, asymmetrical multiplayer thrills that harked back to the cult classic movie from 1988.
Seeking modern frights? Still Wakes the Deep plunged into psychological horror territory with gripping cosmic twists, whereas Alien: Rogue Incursion brought VR nightmares vividly closer, ensuring your living room could indeed hear you scream.
A Year of Character Platformers
Forging new trails in the platform genre is no simple feat, yet 2024 crafted a legacy that others will aim to follow. Leading the charge was Astro Bot, the delightfully creative adventure from Team Asobi, boasting imaginative levels, clever use of the DualSense controller, and memorable cameos.
But 2024 didn’t just shine with big names. Another Crab’s Treasure introduced us to Kril, a feisty hermit crab in a Soulslike setting where scavenged refuse becomes your armor and weapon. On a lighter note, Penny’s Big Breakaway took us on a zany journey, mixing bright colors with frenetic action as the titular hero raced against Emperor Eddie’s manic penguins, delivering all the craziness one might expect.
A Year of Creative Art Design
2024 was also marked by visually stunning games that married unique art with engaging gameplay. Harold Halibut captivated with its painstakingly created stop-motion look, resulting from a decade of development and real-world dioramas brought to digital life.
The puzzle-driven platformer Neva wowed players with vivid use of color and contrast. Meanwhile, Thank Goodness You’re Here! indulged in absurdist comedy with a style reflecting its influences from classic British comics.
Joining in the creative flair was LEGO Horizon Adventures, offering a whimsical twist on Horizon Zero Dawn. This visual marvel delighted in revealing that every detail, even the impressive machines, could be crafted from actual LEGO bricks.
With an array of iconic games and defining trends, which ones left the biggest imprint on you in 2024?
