Exploring the Best Games of 2024 (So Far): A Deep Dive into Must-Play Titles
Having watched the comprehensive overview in the video above, one might ask: “Were the games released in 2024 truly able to live up to the monumental year that 2023 was for gaming?” It is acknowledged that 2023 was a truly exceptional period, marked by numerous critically acclaimed titles, with IGN notably awarding 83 games a review score of 8 or higher, including five perfect 10s for groundbreaking titles such as *Baldur’s Gate 3* and *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom*. However, while this current year may not have quite matched those historic highs, a remarkable collection of experiences has nevertheless emerged, proving that innovation and excitement are still very much alive in the gaming world. This article aims to delve deeper into these standout titles, offering further insights into why they have captured the attention of players and critics alike, making them some of the **best 2024 games so far** that are absolutely worth your consideration.
Expanding Universes: Noteworthy DLCs and Expansions
Rather than simply offering new content, a truly great expansion is often found to elevate an already beloved game, providing players with fresh perspectives and challenges. This year has seen several excellent examples of existing universes being enriched.
Alan Wake 2: Night Springs
For fans of Remedy’s unique brand of psychological horror and multiversal madness, *Alan Wake 2: Night Springs* provided a welcome return. This first DLC for *Alan Wake 2* is a collection of standalone stories, offering a compact yet potent dose of the unsettling atmosphere and entertainingly violent shootouts that characterize the main game. While it has been observed that gameplay mechanics were not drastically altered, the sheer “batshit craziness” that makes Remedy’s universe so absorbing was undeniably present. Imagine if you could step into the shoes of iconic characters, albeit with some surprising limitations, and experience short, sharp bursts of narrative brilliance. The high points of these bite-sized adventures were widely felt to outweigh any minor shortcomings, leaving players eager for more side stories from this twisted reality.
Splatoon 3: Side Order
The vibrant, ink-filled world of *Splatoon 3* was enhanced by its *Side Order* DLC, which introduces a roguelike game mode perfectly suited to the game’s intense combat and varied weapon arsenal. It is often regarded as one of the most enjoyable additions to the *Splatoon* experience, largely due to outstanding new enemies and powerful new abilities that shift how battles are approached. Although some elements of its roguelike implementation, such as occasional repetitive boss fights or pacing issues, were noticed, the overall experience is considered a blast. The potential for endless fun through randomized runs, where tactics must be continually adapted, ensures that this DLC is a compelling reason to dive back into the Splatlands.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape
After seven years of evolution, *Destiny 2* finally realized much of its potential with *The Final Shape*. This concluding expansion to the Light and Darkness saga succeeded in delivering a satisfying ending, a monumental task for any long-running narrative. The raid, for instance, was lauded as both brutal and epic, pushing players to their limits. Furthermore, the introduction of Prismatic subclasses breathed fresh life into combat encounters, allowing for unprecedented customization and strategic depth. A new enemy faction also helped to diversify the endless hours of shooting that players have come to expect. It is true that the game’s avalanche of confusing RPG systems, currencies, and storylines can be a barrier for new players; however, for the first time in a considerable while, pushing through that complexity is enthusiastically recommended, as a bright and beaming light is now perceived at the end of the long tunnel.
Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree
FromSoftware’s *Shadow of the Erdtree* expansion for *Elden Ring* has been proclaimed as arguably one of the best DLCs ever created, a high bar indeed. Given that it is understood to be the only expansion the original game will receive, it thoughtfully condenses everything loved about *Elden Ring* into an incredibly dense package, comparable in size to many standalone games. This expansion is absolutely teeming with secrets, valuable treasures, brutally challenging boss battles, and horrific monstrosities. New weapons, spells, Ashes of War, spirit ashes, and talismans were introduced, offering novel ways to tackle its memorably brutal encounters. Beyond the gameplay, rich lore revelations, spectacular visual design, and stellar music continue to define this epic fantasy world, solidifying *Shadow of the Erdtree*’s place as an essential gaming experience for fans of the original.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
The latest *Final Fantasy XIV* expansion, *Dawntrail*, experienced some initial growing pains and noticeable lulls as it endeavored to establish a new era for the beloved MMORPG. Nevertheless, the compelling cultures of the Tural region were robust enough to carry the narrative to its greater moments. While the main story required some time to build momentum, once it reached its peak, it was considered among the best the series has ever delivered. *Dawntrail* leaves fans awe-struck by its unique sense of self-reflection and stunned by spectacular combat encounters. It serves as a worthy extension of *Final Fantasy XIV*, opening a world of fascinating possibilities for the future, but crucially, it never forgets its roots as a *Final Fantasy* story, expertly tying its past, present, and future together for incredible, uplifting moments.
Action-Packed Adventures: Thrills and Combat Excellence
For those who relish fast-paced combat and engaging narratives, 2024 has certainly delivered a substantial bounty of action games.
Another Crab’s Treasure
Billed as a “Souls-like,” *Another Crab’s Treasure* stands out with its colorful, irresistibly charming, and wholly unique aquatic veneer. It borrows effectively from the genre’s established playbook but injects a relentlessly cheerful mood that feels like a refreshing respite from more angsty titles. Imagine if a challenging combat system was wrapped in an adorable shell-swapping mechanic and a well-written story filled with memorable characters; that is precisely what is offered. Despite some minor “jank” and combat that might not be the deepest, its cleverness and wonderful ridiculousness make it absolutely worth exploring. For those unfamiliar, a “Souls-like” typically refers to games known for their high difficulty, deliberate combat, and often cryptic storytelling, a genre that *Another Crab’s Treasure* playfully reinterprets.
Black Myth: Wukong
While not strictly a Souls-like, *Black Myth: Wukong* is known for its formidable difficulty, proving to be as challenging as *Elden Ring* in its own right. This action game boasts fantastic combat, striking a superb balance between careful resource management and lightning-fast twitch reactions. Although some technical issues and localization challenges were present around its launch, the game’s strengths shine through. It features a plethora of exciting boss battles, a great variety of enemies, and a world that is a visual and auditory treat. A minor reliance on prior knowledge of *Journey to the West* for its story, and the absence of a map for exploration, are noted shortcomings, but its core combat and world design solidify its status as a great action game.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Shifting from cute and cozy to a cult classic reimagining, *Dragon’s Dogma 2* serves as a retelling and re-implementation of the wonderful ideas from the much-loved 2012 original. It presents an awesome dynamic world and some of the best combat found within the action RPG genre. While its ally AI can be somewhat finicky, climbing mechanics might feel clunky, and the frame rate occasionally choppy, this richly rewarding experience is incomparable to its contemporaries, making it easy to overlook these minor flaws. The game is designed to continually surprise players, encouraging exploration and emergent gameplay, ensuring that no two journeys are quite the same.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
*Granblue Fantasy: Relink* bucks the usual RPG trend of slow, long-paced stories by offering a tight and less bloated experience. The relative brevity of its campaign does not, however, compromise the quality of its storytelling. While its mobile game origins are sometimes apparent, causing it to feel a little thin in certain aspects, the excitement of questing with friends in multiplayer is undeniable. The lack of crossplay is a disappointing oversight, but the core combat and character interactions are widely enjoyed. Imagine forming a party of unique heroes and unleashing devastating combos against massive foes; this cooperative action is where *Relink* truly shines.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
For those patiently awaiting a *Sands of Time* remake, *Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown* not only captures what made the series so compelling but also cleverly addresses issues that plagued the 3D games by adopting a 2D perspective. This superb traditional Metroidvania title meticulously executes tried-and-true genre elements with precision. While the story may feel somewhat convoluted at times, the fast and fun combat system, tight and satisfying controls, and stylish presentation elevate Sargon’s journey, making *The Lost Crown* a worthy successor to the series’ best. It’s a game that respects its legacy while confidently forging its own path.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
*Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II* delivers a spell-binding adventure packed with cinematic spectacle and story surprises, maintaining a surging sense of forward momentum throughout its slender runtime. The combat manages to feel consistently intimidating and immediate, despite its mechanical simplicity, drawing players deeply into each brutal encounter. Its perspective-based puzzles, largely rehashed or re-worked concepts from Senua’s previous story, regularly provide cerebral challenges. This journey is as brutal as it is beautiful, presented with hardware-pushing visuals and persistently absorbing audio, creating a Viking-worthy feast for the senses that meets the high bar set by its predecessor, even if it does not drastically surpass it.
Turnip Boy Robs a Bank
Following his previous escapades involving tax evasion, *Turnip Boy* now embarks on a bank robbery. This sequel has undergone a significant overhaul, changing genres from a dungeon crawler to an action roguelike, with massive improvements to combat facilitating this transition. While not much longer than its predecessor and sharing similar pacing problems towards the end, it offers more quests, jokes, and secrets to uncover, all while retaining the charm that defined the first game. Imagine a world where a literal turnip is a criminal mastermind, leading a quirky gang on a daring heist; it’s exactly as absurd and entertaining as it sounds.
Zenless Zone Zero
Leaning into early 2000s nostalgia while blending it with a stylish vision for the future, *Zenless Zone Zero* crafts an inimitable world that is easy to become invested in. Exploring New Eridu and interacting with its charming cast, both in and out of combat, provides a thrilling ride that can captivate players for hours. Although it may not possess the same depth as some of its gameplay inspirations, and occasional momentum-killing hack-and-puzzle sections can sour the mood, its exhilarating and approachable combat, combined with numerous extracurricular activities, makes it easy to be swept up in its unique charm.
Strategy & Tactics: Wielding Wit and Power
For players who prefer to engage their minds as much as their reflexes, 2024 has offered compelling strategy and tactics titles.
Capes
*Capes* is a clever and challenging tactics game, clearly inspired by a deep love for superhero comics. The game effectively emphasizes teamwork by showcasing action figure-like characters combining powers and supercharging diverse ultimate abilities. Chasing optional objectives in each mission provides players with much to consider, particularly when countering a wide range of enemy types. While stealth missions might not always land perfectly, they are mostly optional, and the entertainingly written story, heroes, and villains ensure the substantial campaign remains fun throughout.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Early Access
Even in its early access state, *Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor* feels polished and engaging. It masterfully translates the adventurous party-game spirit of its shooter big brother into a single-player roguelite. Imagine wielding a small arsenal of wonderfully punchy weapons while sprinting through critter-filled caverns on a murderous quest for loot and glory; this experience is enough to warm even the stoniest heart. While currently offering a limited number of modes and maps, it is already an enjoyable addition to the beloved franchise, demonstrating strong potential for future growth.
Homeworld 3
*Homeworld 3*’s campaign deliberately varies its mission styles as Imogen S’Jet searches for a missing Hiigaran fleet and confronts an unhinged enemy. Close-quarter scenarios involve guiding dozens of ships through eye-catching gauntlets of asteroids and enormous space stations, with dogfights and capital ship slugfests that are a sight to behold. Although its multiplayer might feel somewhat barebones, there is significant immediate thrill and long-term potential in the three-player Wargames mode, thanks to randomized upgrades that allow co-op partners to specialize their fleets and handle various threats.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
*Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess* is an exciting action-strategy hybrid that features a satisfying day-night structure, prompting players to lose track of time in pursuit of “just one more thing.” While base management can occasionally feel like busywork, and the game is not the most challenging, the strategy it demands is gratifying. Its interesting enemy designs and quiet yet effective storytelling are particularly memorable. Imagine a world where tactical decisions during the day directly impact your survival against mythical creatures at night; this duality is at the heart of its appeal.
Stargate: Timekeepers
For devoted fans of the classic television series, *Stargate: Timekeepers* offers a challenging and enjoyable stealth tactics game that lovingly pays homage to its inspiration. While the story and characters could benefit from greater depth, and some issues with enemy behavior and missing keyboard shortcuts are noted, the core experience is designed to delight *Stargate* enthusiasts. Given the rarity of new TV installments, this game provides a welcome “fix,” allowing players to engage with the universe in a tactical and immersive way.
SteamWorld Heist 2
*SteamWorld Heist 2* refines the original game’s clever turn-based combat with a flexible mix-and-match class system and handmade maps designed for teamwork and objective-based escapes. Beyond the battles, a light and entertaining real-time nautical exploration game serves as a palette cleanser, helping things stay fresh across its substantial length, which is more than twice the first game’s 15 hours. While occasional grinding may be necessary to unlock new areas, and the skill system can be punishing if not planned, the abundance of loot, amusingly off-kilter robot characters, and fantastic original folksy music make the journey highly enjoyable.
Tactical Breach Wizards
*Tactical Breach Wizards* is a turn-based tactics game infused with humor and character-focused missions. Each mission is packed with opportunities for intricate fiddling within limited space, encouraging creative loadouts and team combos. While it leans towards the easier side, this is not seen as a drawback, allowing players to experiment without undue pressure. Wrapped in a vibrant, quirky world with truly incredible writing, it is difficult not to be entranced by its spell. Imagine a world where magic and modern tactical operations collide, creating a unique blend of humor and strategic depth.
Puzzles and Cozy Escapes: Relax and Explore
Sometimes, the gaming experience sought is one of calm, curiosity, and charming exploration. This year provided some excellent options for those seeking a more relaxed pace.
Botany Manor
*Botany Manor* is a light-hearted first-person puzzler set against a charming old English backdrop. The core gameplay revolves around figuring out how to grow fantastical plants, keeping players engaged and providing a comforting sense of achievement as blossoming flora fills the herbarium with bright colors. While deciphering its puzzles is often more interesting than its somewhat one-note story conveyed through notes and letters, the variety of surreal seeds with unique traits in each new area creates an exciting cadence. It’s a laid-back game that asks little more than for players to grow strange plants and decompress, proving that sometimes, that’s exactly what is needed.
Animal Well
*Animal Well* presents a veritable feast of brain teasers, prioritizing intricate mental challenges over grueling platforming. Its visual appeal is undeniable, thanks to gorgeous pixel art and dynamic lighting, complemented by excellent use of haptics and well-tuned physics systems that make the game tactile and fun to interact with. The steadily unlocked “toybox” of tools thoroughly rewards play, curiosity, and experimentation for hours after the credits roll. While its late-game maze of mind teasers might occasionally frustrate, the massive “onion” of *Animal Well* secrets remains dense, clever, and thrilling, even after countless layers have been peeled back.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Although *Disney Dreamlight Valley* spent a considerable time in early access, its full release at the end of last year marked a significant moment. It is a wonderfully cozy game, featuring cartoonish and colorful areas to explore and a growing roster of charming Disney characters to meet and “hang out” with. Recent additions, such as Gaston, make returning to the valley an even more worthwhile adventure. While some shortcomings from its early access days, like cliffhanger stories, a noticeable grind, and persistent bugs, have not entirely vanished, there is an undeniable allure to chilling with Disney’s goofy oddballs and lovable tunes. Imagine if your favorite Disney characters needed your help to restore a magical valley, offering a blend of life simulation and adventure.
Enshrouded Early Access
For those who dream of building a magnificent castle in a fantastical, danger-filled world, *Enshrouded* is a perfect match. Its intuitive set of tools makes building both fun and easy. However, even if crafting isn’t a primary interest, the game’s solid RPG systems are robust enough to carry players through its open world for dozens of hours, with journeys often extending beyond 60 hours. While its story is vague, puzzles are forgettable, and combat and movement systems require fine-tuning, there is usually no pressure beyond the desire to unlock the next visually breathtaking area. This creates a smooth and engaging journey for players who prioritize exploration and base-building.
Harold Halibut
Despite being set at the bottom of the ocean on a distant alien planet, *Harold Halibut*’s story is profoundly human, both through its carefully hand-made environments and its strong emphasis on empathy towards its eccentric cast of characters. While more interactivity within its sub-aquatic setting might be desired, and Harold’s shuffling pace could benefit from a sprint option to reduce repeated backtracking, players are likely to remain captivated by its whimsical quest to unite its community and explore the spectacular surroundings of his sunken home. *Harold Halibut* is described as a wholesome, handcrafted adventure brimming with heart, making it a unique narrative experience.
Once Human
*Once Human* offers a lot of fun, with survival crafting that is simple and accessible yet rewarding. Building a house, even if pieces aren’t always cooperative, provides amusement. While combat is generally basic, the grotesque weirdness of the monsters, especially when you gather a menagerie of your own strange creatures to fight alongside, more than compensates. Although the game would benefit from more creative quests and a flatter difficulty curve, players are still likely to have a great time with this unique blend of survival and creature collection.
Palworld Early Access
*Palworld* was undoubtedly one of the surprise hits of the year. Even in its early access state, it is amusingly irreverent, boasts a surprising amount of content, and features deep survival mechanics, making it absurdly difficult to put down. While its blatant borrowing of ideas and designs from *Pokémon* is impossible to overlook, and some unsurprising bugs and performance issues exist, along with the need for re-tuning base supply management, these blemishes fade away when one is, for instance, riding a flying dragon and shooting a blue duck with an assault rifle. This chaotic blend of creature collecting, crafting, and combat offers a distinct and highly addictive experience.
RPG Journeys: Epic Stories and Deep Systems
Role-playing games, with their expansive worlds and intricate character progression, continue to draw players in, and 2024 has showcased some excellent examples.
Last Epoch
*Last Epoch* is an impressive time-bending action RPG that marries rich customization with modern action. Mechanically, it is regarded as an important stepping stone between *Diablo* and *Path of Exile*, yet it competently stands on its own merits thanks to a flurry of unique, entertaining systems and a strong end game that makes it difficult to resist pouring an entire weekend into its endless loops. While its story is poorly told and a handful of bugs might be encountered, these issues should not discourage players from seeing this adventure through to the end of time. Imagine if you could customize every aspect of your character’s abilities, creating a truly unique build that tackles hordes of enemies.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak
Featuring a fresh cast of characters alongside familiar faces, *The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak* marks an exciting new beginning for the series. It is considered an excellent entry point for new fans while also rewarding veteran players for their return. Daybreak’s updated hybrid battle system, though having some kinks in its real-time elements, benefits from enhanced movement options and other impressive tweaks that make its turn-based aspects better than ever. This is all wrapped up in an engaging story filled with political drama and set in a compelling new setting, making *Daybreak* precisely what the *Trails* series needed to achieve new heights.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
*Vengeance* does not drastically improve upon the original *Shin Megami Tensei V*, but the new twists, fresh content, and quality-of-life upgrades are notable additions. Furthermore, the storyline exclusive to *Vengeance* is, in many opinions, marginally superior to the original. There has never been a more opportune moment to play this hard-nosed RPG, if not for its satisfying turn-based combat, then for its masterful execution of a uniquely demonic world. Imagine a challenging adventure where strategic demon recruitment and fusion are just as important as your combat prowess.
The Thaumaturge
*The Thaumaturge* is a slow, text-heavy caper that is often curious and sometimes captivating. It skillfully weaves revolutionary labor politics and mysticism together to forge a unique and charming piece of historical science fiction. While it exhibits characteristics of “Eurojank” – a term often used to describe games from European developers with unconventional design choices – its crisscrossing systems for gathering observations, Thaumaturgy abilities, and combat are all fun and engaging, despite occasionally hitchy controls, clunky conversations, and odd voiceovers that make the journey somewhat bumpy. Nevertheless, for those who enjoyed RPGs like *Vampire* or *The Witcher* despite their rough edges, this otherwise exciting ghost story is well worth the effort.
Sports and Simulation: Managing the Game
From the roar of the crowd to the intricate details of team management, sports and simulation games continue to offer deep, immersive experiences.
F1 Manager 2024
As the third installment in the *F1 Manager* series, *F1 Manager 2024* does not entirely escape the pitfalls of an annual release cycle; however, it remains a welcome addition due to evolutionary changes. New features, such as the ability to create your own team, offer robust customization options. Securing victories with a tailor-made team feels even more rewarding than simply building upon an existing one. While flaws like a tedious contract system and the sprint format could benefit from further refinement, this iteration is considered Frontier’s best take on a Formula 1 management simulator to date.
MLB The Show 24
*MLB The Show 24* continues to push the boundaries of what a baseball simulation can achieve, adding a profound respect for the history of the sport on top of its already excellent gameplay. The inclusion of women in “Road to the Show” and the emphasis on the Negro Leagues underscores Sony San Diego’s commitment to the idea that baseball is for everyone. It stands as the most comprehensive baseball game yet, even if its story mode is somewhat lackluster. Imagine stepping onto the field as a budding star, or even managing a legendary team from baseball’s rich past, with every swing and pitch feeling authentically reproduced.
WWE 2K24
*WWE 2K24* is clear evidence that 2K and Visual Concepts have found their rhythm in crafting great wrestling games. While it is not drastically different from previous games, enough new features have been added to every aspect of this iteration to make it well worth climbing back into the ring. Lingering flaws include a Showcase mode that has not evolved significantly and a “MyRise” mode that struggles with consistent tone and pacing. Furthermore, only the biggest superstars truly benefit from the game’s high visual fidelity, with newer wrestlers falling slightly short. Yet, even with these annoyances, *WWE 2K24* impressively caps a three-year run of quality wrestling games, demonstrating a consistent upward trajectory for the franchise.
Unique and Genre-Bending Experiences
Beyond traditional classifications, some games defy easy categorization, offering truly unique and memorable experiences.
1000xResist
*1000xResist* is lauded as a revolution in storytelling, constructing a complex and rich fiction that is beautifully written and spectacularly visualized. It paints a beautifully messy, often cruel, and brutally honest picture of human identity. It also serves as an invitation to witness a deeply personal and mature reflection of the Asian diaspora, dissecting the immigrant experience to reveal something far greater than simple representation. This sci-fi adventure is profound without ever being pretentious, unapologetically sentimental without excess, and bittersweet in its intimate moments, all while retaining sight of its radical politics. It is, in essence, a storytelling revolution that challenges perceptions and shows what it takes to shape our future.
Balatro
*Balatro* is remarkably approachable, yet it conceals complex systems that await those willing to lose themselves in its depths. It successfully assembles the infinitely fun gameplay loop that every great roguelike strives to create. The fundamentally simple nature of poker’s scoring hands is cleverly shuffled with deep mechanics that are not a chore to learn but are always thrilling to exploit. It is an endlessly satisfying deck-builder, the kind of fun that threatens to derail entire weekend plans as one stays awake far too late, drawn in by the temptation of “just one more run.” Imagine combining the strategic depth of poker with the unpredictable excitement of a roguelike, creating a truly addictive experience.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
With its substantially enhanced graphics and more flexible twin-stick control setup, *Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD* is undoubtedly the definitive version of Luigi’s second apparition-filled adventure. Newcomers to the series, or those working backward after playing *Luigi’s Mansion 3*, will discover plenty of ghost-busting and puzzle-solving fun across its five haunted houses. However, fans of the original Nintendo 3DS version hoping for dramatic gameplay changes or additions might be slightly disappointed. Furthermore, playing this remaster after the advancements of the third game may highlight its limitations unfavorably. Despite these considerations, *Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD* stands as a great installment in Nintendo’s specter-snaring series, even if it is not the very best available on the Switch.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
The reappearance of *Super Monkey Ball* in 2024 with *Banana Rumble* is a brilliant return to form. It features 200 fantastic courses, ranging from delightfully charming to devilishly challenging, all backed by tight mechanics and predictable physics that grant total control over the monkeys’ fate. This is not merely a “greatest hits” album; the new spin dash ability is considered a genius evolution of the franchise’s core ideas, and smartly implemented online play adds fresh layers of cooperation and strategy. While the underwhelming battle mode is its biggest disappointment, the sheer amount of optional objectives and replayability in its adventure mode makes it easy to overlook. It may not quite reach the heights of the amazing GameCube originals, but *Banana Rumble* is easily the **best Super Monkey Ball game in over 20 years**.
As we anticipate the upcoming holiday season, which promises a deluge of new releases, it is clear that 2024 has already delivered a strong lineup of compelling titles. These **best 2024 games so far** offer diverse and engaging gaming experiences, ensuring that there is something for almost every type of player, whether they prefer epic RPG journeys, tactical challenges, cozy explorations, or intense action.
