Game of the year 2024

[INSTG8R]

Astrobot on ps5, the immersion of the dualsense controller is just unbelievable. its truly a shame more companies didn't use all the dualsense features properly.

Not gonna lie it definitely sold me on the Dual Sense and the game was fun too

 

[mama]

Baldurs Gate 3 is the gift that keeps on giving. Seriously fun replay value - but not 2024.

 

[iameatingjam]

1. I know this isn't the year ff16 came out... but it was the year I played it.... and I think it was reallly good, I really loved it. The graphics are amazing, I really liked the story and characters, the weapons probably could have used more variety but still I think out of all the games I've played this year, ff16 had me the most hooked.

2. Runner up would probably be Eiyuden chronicles. Especially when you consider it was made by a small indie studio funded by a kickstarter. Considering how most kickstarters turn out ( very badly, when they even deliver at all) and even though this one wasn't perfect, I thought the end result was very very good given the conditions. Felt very much like an old school jrpg. I was hoping it would be kind of octopath traveller but have a more focused narrative, and I feel like thats exactly what I got. So I was happy.

Those who wanted to relive their first playthrough of Suikoden II, I think, had their expectations a little too high. I think even Suikoden II would have trouble competing with our memories of suikoden II just because its been so firmly planted in the ground as this amazing game, and it is. But I do still think its just a game, and try not to let any game get too big in my head because, well, they are never perfect and we have a tendency to romanticize the past. I loved my playthrough of suikoden II. I also loved my playthrough of Eiyuden Chronicles. They are different games, and if you take them as such, I think you will like them both....

if you are okay with letting go of some modern QOL features that is, as the game did make several old skool design decisions. Which I was fine with. I'm talking things like limited bag space, limitted mana, no fast travel when you start the game. You can lessen these problems as the game goes on but I thought it was really nice to have resource management in a jrpg again. I can't remember the last time I'm sweating deciding if I can afford to use a healing herb I don't need so I have room to open a chest.


3. Also liked Veilguard, but haven't finished it yet... something is wrong with my safe file and I can't finish some quests and can't start others. They aren't vital or anything its just... I put a lot of time into doing every quest so getting stopped from finishing the heart of corruption side quest and ALL of lucanis' companion quests after he was hardened.... was kinda discouraging. So I'm just taking a break. I'll get over it. And then my next quest is the point of no return so I think things should go pretty quick from there, and then I'll have a reason to replay it later on. Maybe it was from one save going through so many updates idk. Damn though, the textures in that game, are some of the best I've ever seen. Here's an example:

I mean look at that.... looks like a photograph. If I didn't know any better... and didn't look too close, I would totally think it was.

EDIT: Forgot a couple honourable mentions!
4. Unicorn overlord
5. Sand Land

 

[AusWolf]

Space Marine 2 for me, although I'm looking forward to a discount on the Indiana Jones title.

 

[Bomby569]

there are a few I have really liked this year, but none really GOTY.

GOTY doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just best game of the year, that's what it means.

 

[leonavis]

I've just checked. Have not played a single game that was released in 24. Hades2? Gotta finish 1 first. Frostpunk2? Still plenty to do in the 1st part.

Then again, I'm getting old. Working all day I'm happy to play anything at all. Just started God of War on my SteamDeck. Fun game! Maybe not 2024.

 

[kony]

Drova and Elin are great. I am yet to play Skald. Stalker 2 was a huge disappointment.

 

[80-watt Hamster]

GOTY doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just best game of the year, that's what it means.

I'd argue that it doesn't even strictly need to be the best, but potentially the most significant or impactful in some way.

 

[FoulOnWhite]

Drova and Elin are great. I am yet to play Skald. Stalker 2 was a huge disappointment.

I have Drova, it's pretty good.

 

[Artas1984]

From what i see in YouTube (critics, reviewers and fans), it is Alan Wake 2 - Remedy's biggest achievement and most accomplished title.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Would have to be Shadow of War or Horizon Zero Dawn for me.

Yeah they didn't release this year but I don't care, fight me.

 

[Vario]

My vote is for Helldivers 2, good game, though really buggy.

 

[Macro Device]

I'm literally 24.5 hours away from 2025 and I played zero games released in 2024. The newest title I touched was the Hogwarts Legacy. For benchmarking purposes only, because I hate the Harry Potter universe xD

Not done butchering ancient shit. Maybe will play something from '24 in '27... Who knows.

 

[Fouquin]

Helldivers 2 just because it brought on the strongest community aspect of multiplayer PvE games that has been missing since the days of Left 4 Dead, or the original ArmA2 DayZ. It had some serious issues which detracted from the experience quite a lot, but to their credit Arrowhead took a step back, listened to their players, and made the appropriate changes. Sony has yet to reverse their side of the bullshit, but that's nothing Arrowhead can change. The game itself is incredibly tight, the world(s) respond to the player appropriately, the tools and weapons are punchy and satisfying, and the jank of being built on an EOL game engine from 2018 mostly delivers humor instead of rage.

Balatro is a close second because number go up dopamine hit.

 

[Kapone33]

Helldivers 2 just because it brought on the strongest community aspect of multiplayer PvE games that has been missing since the days of Left 4 Dead, or the original ArmA2 DayZ. It had some serious issues which detracted from the experience quite a lot, but to their credit Arrowhead took a step back, listened to their players, and made the appropriate changes. Sony has yet to reverse their side of the bullshit, but that's nothing Arrowhead can change. The game itself is incredibly tight, the world(s) respond to the player appropriately, the tools and weapons are punchy and satisfying, and the jank of being built on an EOL game engine from 2018 mostly delivers humor instead of rage.

Balatro is a close second because number go up dopamine hit.

Friends of mine that were all DOTA 2 fans were all playing Helldivers2 by May.

 

[nomdeplume]

Fast coming around to the retrogrouch solution of choosing and older game.

Fireworks Mania - An Explosive Simulator on Steam

FIREWORKS MANIA is a small casual explosive simulator game where you play around with fireworks, create beautiful firework shows or just blow stuff up.

store.steampowered.com

 

[freeagent]

I was just looking at some new games, the new Stalker and Indiana Jones are on my list right now. Leaning towards Indy because of the hardware requirements.. not a fan of the price though

 

[KrazyT]

Damn, I don't think I've played a 2024 game :/
Ok, stay tuned to this topic, I'll give a definitive answer in 5 or 6 years ...

 

[Kapone33]

SpaceMarine 2 should get at least a mention. That Game did live up to all the hype. The Combat can be mindless but for fans of Warhammer especially more story is always welcome. They did a great job with Missions though as they are very meaty. It is no Elden Ring and it is not pure Arcade either so I guess it is in it's own genre. I mean in Odyssey you had to get good with your character, same thing in Shadow of War.

 

[Vayra86]

From what i see in YouTube (critics, reviewers and fans), it is Alan Wake 2 - Remedy's biggest achievement and most accomplished title.

And Im like okay... what a snorefest

Helldivers 2 just because it brought on the strongest community aspect of multiplayer PvE games that has been missing since the days of Left 4 Dead, or the original ArmA2 DayZ. It had some serious issues which detracted from the experience quite a lot, but to their credit Arrowhead took a step back, listened to their players, and made the appropriate changes. Sony has yet to reverse their side of the bullshit, but that's nothing Arrowhead can change. The game itself is incredibly tight, the world(s) respond to the player appropriately, the tools and weapons are punchy and satisfying, and the jank of being built on an EOL game engine from 2018 mostly delivers humor instead of rage.

Balatro is a close second because number go up dopamine hit.

I think Helldivers 2, for all it does well... is still also a pretty limited scope online service game that will die horribly sooner or later. Poof goes the investment. You have no control. You burned some additional dollars on the extra unlocks because you had to. All just dust in the wind whenever Arrowhead or Sony feels like it.

IMHO that type of clusterfuck has no business being greatest of anything. I play it from time to time... lots of meh moments. Trouble matchmaking. Server instability. Just not finding a team. Etc. When it works its nice. Quite often, It doesnt. The human factor is also a blessing and a curse.

 

[Kapone33]

And Im like okay... what a snorefest


I think Helldivers 2, for all it does well... is still also a pretty limited scope online service game that will die horribly sooner or later. Poof goes the investment. You have no control. You burned some additional dollars on the extra unlocks because you had to. All just dust in the wind whenever Arrowhead or Sony feels like it.

IMHO that type of clusterfuck has no business being greatest of anything. I play it from time to time... lots of meh moments. Trouble matchmaking. Server instability. Just not finding a team. Etc. When it works its nice. Quite often, It doesnt. The human factor is also a blessing and a curse.

Even with all of that it is still a great experience if you play enough to Level up and get the better perks. The Missions are not easy depending on what you do either.

 

[Vayra86]

Even with all of that it is still a great experience if you play enough to Level up and get the better perks. The Missions are not easy depending on what you do either.

I agree! That's what makes it so annoying. Its a great experience... but its only there for X time. As long as online service games do not have a regulation saying they will be made available when they go EOL, its just such a hard sell. I've been in that space, where a game that you loved gets discontinued and you're just out of luck. That sucks, man. Especially because in business things can go 180 degrees overnight.

 

[Veseleil]

That's why online games without dedicated server feature suck donkey balls...

 

[kilo]

Intravenous 2 was the only new game I bought in 2024. So that gets my pick.

 

[Fouquin]

I think Helldivers 2, for all it does well... is still also a pretty limited scope online service game that will die horribly sooner or later. Poof goes the investment. You have no control. You burned some additional dollars on the extra unlocks because you had to. All just dust in the wind whenever Arrowhead or Sony feels like it.

Patently false. I've spent zero extra dollars on the game since initial purchase and have unlocked every single premium warbond. At no point are you ever in a position that you have to spend more money on unlocks. The premium currency is available in-game through normal discovery, and it's extremely easy to farm. I'll be sad when it dies, no doubt, because the game itself is incredibly tight and fun to play. I'll miss playing it when it's gone, but I won't be missing any extra dollars.