2024 Game of the Year
After frantically squeezing in some of the latest releases — outstanding experiences like Sorry We’re Closed and Interstate 35 — it’s time to try make the final call. What are the top 10 games of 2024 for me?
To try and make this a little easier on myself, I’ve decided to have a few conditions for inclusion.
I need to have either completed or played enough of the game I feel like I have a strong sense of it as a whole (and I’ll indicate whether or not I’ve completed it just for clarity’s sake).
I’m going to rank games on my personal taste and preferences: NOT what I believe the industry or the vast majority of people believe would be the best selections.
Games must be at their 1.0 launch (so, no DLCs or Early Access)
Indies AND AAA are all fair game: I want to be comprehensive of my favorite experiences, regardless of budget, studio size, etc.
Every year, I say it’s nearly impossible to rank the games I’ve played, and this year is no different. I’m constantly amazed at the skill and heart that goes into making games, and know that for each of these titles I name, there are three or four additional games I wish I could include. But, I think the challenge of identifying some of the most impactful experiences and narrowing down that list is a fun exercise. So, without further ado! My top 10 games for 2024!
….actually wait. I lied. A couple of very quick superlatives:
Favorite Game to Revisit: Deltarune Chapter 1 & 2 (a la Geeks & Grounds)
Favorite Early Access: Fields of Mistria
Best Nostalgia Trip Even Though The Full Game Made No Sense To Me By The End: Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
Okay.
NOW, it is time. Top 10 games, here we gooooooooooo!
10. Balatro
Steam // LocalThunk, Playstack
This one took me a while. Originally, I actually had another title here, but in my final weeks of hopping into games and playing, I (surprisingly) kept coming back to Balatro.
7. Animal Well
6. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
5. Mouthwashing
4. Grunn
3. UFO 50
2. Metaphor ReFantazio
1. 1000xRESIST // sunset visitor
Surprising absolutely no one who talked with me about games this year, 1000xRESIST is my #1 title.
