As we stand on the brink of an exciting 2025 gaming horizon, there’s still a moment to reflect on the vibrant offerings that 2024 blessed us with. From ingenious robotic sidekicks to a charmingly pixelated LEGO universe, the past year showered us with everything from spellbinding fantasy adventures to beautifully remastered classics. Essentially, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
A Year Rich with Expansive RPGs
The past twelve months took us on incredible journeys through sprawling, magical landscapes, populated by spell-casting heroes and mystical sky cities. Atlus, famed for creating Persona, ventured into new realms with Metaphor ReFantazio. This game captured players’ hearts with its thoughtful combat system, stunning visuals, and a soundtrack that made every battle a delight.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth took on the monumental task of breathing new life into one of the most iconic RPGs ever, following the success of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Meanwhile, Granblue Fantasy: Relink brought fast-paced action RPG and cooperative combat with gripping storytelling. As the year wound down, Dragon Age: The Veilguard captivated players with its epic quest, brought to life by the masterful compositions of Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.
Fans who favored a more gritty backdrop found a thrill with Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. It took RPG enthusiasts from enchanted territories to the mean streets, expanding the beloved Yakuza universe with its engaging combat and narrative.
A Year Celebrating Classic Remasters
While fresh titles were capturing imaginations, a wave of classic games returned, polished to perfection. Disney’s Epic Mickey reintroduced us to the iconic mouse with fresh abilities, enhanced visuals, and a sprinkle of nostalgic charm.
Lara Croft aficionados unearthed treasures anew with Tomb Raider I–III Remastered. Not to be left behind, George Stobbart and Nico Collard resumed their pursuit of secrets hidden by the Knights Templar in the visually striking 4K update of Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged.
In the realm of sci-fi, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition brought thrilling adventures back to the forefront. Fans of fantasy RPGs were spoiled with Grandia HD Collection and Persona 3 Reload. And for those hungry for undead chaos, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster shambled onto screens, ready to enliven our zombie cravings.
A Year of Horror and Retro Frights
While some remasters stole hearts, others brought us chilling vibes. A remake of Silent Hill 2 emerged from the fog, delivering the kind of nightmare-inducing experience only amplified by modern graphics.
Several new titles did justice to the horror genre. Crow Country immersed us in survival terror with a nostalgic nod to the 1990s PlayStation aesthetic. Fear the Spotlight played with retro styles for an extra layer of fright, while Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game brought ‘80s horror campiness to life with asymmetrical multiplayer fun.
For those seeking a more contemporary haunt, Still Wakes the Deep crafted an intense, claustrophobic narrative tinged with cosmic horror. Alien: Rogue Incursion ferried players into space terror, ensuring that at home, everyone could hear the screams.
A Year of Character Platformers
Creating impactful platformers is no small feat, yet 2024 managed to raise the bar convincingly. Astro Bot, thanks to Team Asobi, was a standout. Its imaginative levels and clever use of the DualSense controller made this game extraordinary.
But sleeper hits also had their say. Another Crab’s Treasure transported us to an undersea world where a cranky hermit crab wielded discarded items as weapons. Meanwhile, Penny’s Big Breakaway whisked players into a colorful, fast-paced chase, filled with eccentric escapades against a backdrop of zany penguins.
A Year of Creative Artistry
2024 will also be remembered for stunning visual artistry in gaming. Harold Halibut’s stop-motion animation underscored its decade-long development, offering a breathtaking graphical adventure experience.
Neva shone with its striking use of color and contrast, while the quirky and vivid visuals of Thank Goodness You’re Here! echoed its absurdly humorous tone akin to classic British comic antics.
And let’s not overlook LEGO Horizon Adventures. This playful adaptation of Horizon Zero Dawn invited gamers to imagine building vital game elements with physical LEGO bricks, showcasing groundbreaking creativity.
From RPGs, horror thrillers, remasters, and more, 2024 was nothing short of a gaming smorgasbord. Which titles and trends caught your attention this year?
