As the excitement of 2025 looms on the horizon, it’s still a fantastic moment to relish the memorable gaming experiences 2024 has graciously gifted us. From the clever Bots to the imaginative LEGO landscapes, epic fantasies, and revitalized classics, last year left no stone unturned in satisfying every gamer’s taste.
Immersive RPG Worlds
This year was a dream come true for fans of expansive role-playing games filled with magical landscapes and spell-weaving heroes. The creators of Persona, Atlus, ventured into the mesmerizing world of Metaphor ReFantazio, garnering well-deserved acclaim for its thoughtful combat systems and stylish presentation, not to mention a captivating battle soundtrack that had everyone talking.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth took on the challenge of reinventing a beloved classic, maintaining the energetic spirit of its predecessor, the wildly popular Final Fantasy VII Remake. Granblue Fantasy: Relink brought dynamic co-op combat to its adventurous saga, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard closed the year with an engaging narrative, all set to the powerful compositions of Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.
For those seeking a more grounded experience, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth delivered action-packed RPG antics for fans who prefer gritty streets over fantasy realms, expanding the already rich Yakuza universe with its entertaining battles.
Resurrecting Classic Gems
While fresh titles stirred imaginations anew, 2024 also saw classics reemerging, polished and ready for a new audience. Disney’s Epic Mickey returned, offering the iconic mouse new abilities to go with its stunning visual makeover.
Meanwhile, Tomb Raider I–III Remastered invited Lara Croft fans to explore familiar relics, and George Stobbart’s quest in Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged returned in breathtaking 4K, allowing players to dive back into the mystery of the Knights Templar.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition brought sci-fi excitement to both first-person shooters and action-adventure genres. Fantastic RPG experiences thrived with Grandia HD Collection and Persona 3 Reload, while Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster offered all the zombie action one could wish for, complete with smarter enhancements.
Reviving Horrors and Retro Thrills
Amid these relaunches came horror titles intent on quickening pulses. Silent Hill 2 reemerged from the shadows with a breathtaking makeover, ensuring Pyramid Head’s legacy of terror continued with beautifully enhanced visuals.
In a nod to retro horror, Crow Country embodied old-school survival with a 1990s aesthetic, while Fear the Spotlight infused a nostalgic narrative with chilling undertones. Additionally, the ’80s struck back with Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game, delivering asymmetrical multiplayer chaos inspired by the 1988 movie.
For a modern twist on scares, Still Wakes the Deep offered a well-crafted psychological horror with hints of cosmic dread, while Alien: Rogue Incursion took the horror up a notch, thrusting players into a VR nightmare that echoes through living rooms.
Defining Platformer Adventures
Despite challenges, 2024 provided standout platformers destined to inspire. Leading the charge, Astro Bot, from Team Asobi, captivated audiences with its inventive levels and clever use of the DualSense controller, complemented by delightful cameos.
Adding to the mix, Another Crab’s Treasure introduced a world where a crab wielded discarded items as tools. Meanwhile, Penny’s Big Breakaway dived into nostalgic charm, following the hero’s madcap run from Emperor Eddie’s eccentric penguin army.
Artful Creations in Gaming
Visually, 2024 was an explosion of creativity. The painstakingly detailed stop-motion of Harold Halibut highlighted its decade-long journey from physical dioramas to a visually captivating graphic adventure.
Colorful mastery defined Neva’s puzzle-platforming journey, while Thank Goodness You’re Here! embraced slapstick comedy with vibrant visuals reminiscent of classic British humor comics. Last but not least, LEGO Horizon Adventures reinvented Horizon Zero Dawn, adding playful twists by enabling players to construct its dynamic world from real-life LEGO sets.
What were your gaming highlights of 2024, and which trends captured your imagination?
