GamesBeat author Rachel Kaser’s Prime 5 Video games of 2024

We’re about to attract the shroud over 2024 — a sophisticated yr that gave us glorious video games however which I absolutely count on to be remembered as “troubled” by the trade at giant. We’ve had over 14,000 layoffs, a withering marketplace for three getting older consoles, ballooning subscription prices and the (partial) collapse of the stay service style. However we now have the primary few weeks of January 2025 to eulogize the yr’s occasions. As a substitute, it’s that point: Time to speak about our favourite video games that we loved essentially the most this yr.

Dean’s already revealed his favourite video games for the yr… so now it’s my flip. Simply to be clear, these video games are those that I personally loved essentially the most and located to be essentially the most elegant total experiences. Hopefully I’ll have the ability to do an extended record sooner or later in 2025 — my record of video games performed in 2024 isn’t so long as it was final yr (although in associated information, I’m higher rested than I used to be one yr in the past), however for now, listed below are my high 5 video games of this yr.

5. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

Yearly on these lists, I like to incorporate at the least one recreation that qualifies as a darkish horse in my Prime 5 — a smaller title whose inclusion satisfies solely me. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes might have come out early sufficient within the yr that it’s subsequently been overshadowed, however I by no means forgot about it. Its surreal, stylized artwork design could be sufficient to stay in my reminiscence, however Lorelei is in the end a lot greater than this.

Lorelei is the form of recreation that challenges the participant. All the time you’re enjoying, you’re feeling as if the sport has you locked in a battle of wits, and whereas it provides you every part you have to resolve its multitude of puzzles, it’s not going to carry your hand. Even the sport’s diegetic interface and so-called “clue” methods appear extra geared toward placing the participant on the backfoot than serving to. And matching wits with a recreation might not be everybody’s cup of tea — it’s not all the time my cup, both — however generally it’s what I want and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes does that so properly.

2024 was an honest yr for RPGs, all issues thought-about — Baldur’s Gate 3 is a troublesome act to observe. However we had a surprisingly full yr. And one RPG rose to the highest with its distinctive, earnest story and enjoyable, quick gameplay: Atlus’s Metaphor: ReFantazio. For me, RPGs stay and die by how a lot they make me really feel like I’m actually part of the world round me, and the world of Metaphor, disagreeable and nasty and fraught with unfair social methods although it was, felt actual — the struggles of its individuals felt necessary.

Metaphor: ReFantazio manages to keep away from a number of the pacing pitfalls that befell different RPGs this yr (not naming any names, however IYKYK) by protecting you tied to an in-game calendar ticking down in the direction of a serious world occasion — a refinement on Atlus’s staple time-management mechanics. Actually, nearly each piece of Metaphor appears like a extra compelling model of one thing Atlus has carried out earlier than, from the artwork design to the turn-based fight. Whereas the story is a little more sober and severe, it’s informed with such conviction and with such a robust message that it’s by no means as soon as boring.

3. Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle

Effectively, look who we now have right here. MachineGames’ licensed journey recreation starring everybody’s favourite whip-wielding archaeologist has are available in on the final month of the yr and risen nearly to the very high of the record. Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle is likely one of the finest journey video games — and, surprisingly, the most effective stealth video games — I’ve performed in not simply 2024, however the final 5 years. Troy Baker’s efficiency as Dr. Jones goes to date past mere mimicry that it elevates the entire recreation into my Prime 3.

Nice Circle near-perfectly imitates the allure of the unique Indiana Jones movies (notice that I say “authentic” with particular intentions) whereas additionally paying homage to the traditional point-and-click journey video games that precede it. MachineGames has managed to seize the sequence’ humor and swashbuckling enjoyable, its sense that its not taking itself too severely, and the satisfaction of beating the crap out of Nazis (a topic with which they need to be very acquainted after the Wolfenstein titles). Additionally, one of many villains is performed by the late Tony Todd, and it’s simply good to see him once more.

2. Astro Bot

As somebody who performs video games professionally, it’s tempting generally to overexplain or overcomplicate my very own opinion. So whereas I may give an extended, drawn-out rationalization for why Astro Bot’s platforming feels so rewarding, or how its story is compelling regardless of its simplistic nature … let’s put it in fewer phrases: Astro Bot is on this record as a result of it’s enjoyable. It’s enjoyable and entertaining and well-made and provides the participant exactly what they’re anticipating.

Okay, to sprinkle in a little bit extra complexity into my opinion: Astro Bot is a platformer polished to a diamond sheen with coronary heart and a humorousness. The number of gameplay retains it contemporary, and the sport doesn’t put on out its welcome by overstretching its ranges or overplaying any of its gimmicks. It’s additionally simply the fitting size to maintain its PlayStation-ness from seeming an excessive amount of like an commercial (although admittedly it does come shut one or two instances). Many are the video games that I play and love as an grownup gamer — few are those that I play and know I’d have liked as a toddler.

1. Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown

Being sincere, my high recreation this yr shocked even me. Till the ultimate moments I used to be scripting this, I used to be going to present it to Astro Bot. However then I severely regarded on the dozens of video games I’ve performed to date this yr, and thought of which recreation it was that truly introduced me essentially the most happiness whereas enjoying. And maybe it’s been lengthy sufficient — nearly a yr now — that my reminiscence has gone rosy, however I keep in mind my playthrough of Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown with a heat I’ve felt for little else this yr.

The Misplaced Crown has every part I need in a recreation: It has strong gameplay that evolves as the sport progresses, glorious pacing, platforming selection, story and artwork design that pay homage to historical past and real-world mythology whereas mixing in fantasy, a various and attention-grabbing forged of characters and a lot magnificence that simply enjoying it generally leaves me breathless. There have been so many video games between its January launch and now, and but it nonetheless managed to stick with me all the way in which to the tip of the yr.