As we stand on the cusp of welcoming the much-anticipated thrills of 2025, it’s the perfect moment to savor the remarkable gaming triumphs of 2024. This year has been a veritable feast, offering everything from imaginative LEGO worlds and ingenious Bots to breathtaking epic fantasy journeys and rejuvenated classics—truly something to captivate every gaming enthusiast’s heart.
### A Year of Expansive RPGs
2024 proved to be magical for role-playing aficionados. We were transported to enchanted realms brimming with spell-casting heroes, elven legends, and towns that seemed to touch the sky. Atlus, renowned for the Persona series, boldly introduced Metaphor ReFantazio, drawing rightfully earned accolades for its strategic combat mechanics, stylish visuals, and captivating battle themes.
On a similar note, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth accomplished the challenging feat of reimagining the legendary RPG, maintaining the electrifying momentum set by its predecessor, the acclaimed Final Fantasy VII Remake. Granblue Fantasy: Relink offered riveting co-op action amidst a sprawling narrative, while Dragon Age: The Veilguard ended the year with an absorbing storyline, elevated by a majestic soundtrack from musical maestros Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.
Meanwhile, veering into more grounded territory, albeit still filled with fantasy, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth entertained RPG enthusiasts with its street-smart combat style, expanding the compelling Yakuza universe in delightful ways.
### A Year of Classic Remasters
Not allowing the shiny new titles to overshadow them, several beloved classics made a triumphant return with stunning enhancements. Disney’s Epic Mickey, for instance, charmed audiences once more as the iconic mouse showcased newfound abilities alongside dazzling updated graphics.
For Lara Croft fans, the Tomb Raider I–III Remastered collection unearthed nostalgic treasures while Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged reminded us of George Stobbart and Nico Collard’s riveting quest, now beautifully enhanced in 4K, to unravel the secrets of the Knights Templar.
In the realm of science fiction, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition reinvigorated the FPS and action-adventure genres, respectively—each appealing to fans old and new. RPG devotees were also treated to the Grandia HD Collection and Persona 3 Reload, while Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster provided zombie enthusiasts with its own brand of revamped undead chaos, courtesy of Capcom.
### A Year of Horror and Retro-Inspired Scares
While most remasters charmed and delighted, a few aimed to send chills down our spines. The eerie return of Silent Hill 2 thrilled and terrified simultaneously, rejuvenating its chilling encounters with Pyramid Head through spectacular graphical enhancements that deepened the harrowing narrative.
A bevy of fresh titles continued to stir the genre with spine-tingling dread. Crow Country wove classic survival horror with nostalgic ’90s PlayStation visuals, while Fear the Spotlight leveraged an old-school look to enhance its eerie storytelling. Meanwhile, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game induced shivers with its quirky ‘80s-inspired multiplayer experience, grounded in the cult film.
For those seeking more contemporary scares, Still Wakes the Deep delivered psychological horror laced with cosmic intrigue—a genuinely haunting narrative experience. Meanwhile, the VR thriller Alien: Rogue Incursion showcased nerve-shredding action, proving that when it comes to fear, subtlety isn’t always key.
### A Year of Character Platformers
While platforming isn’t the easiest genre to innovate in, 2024 set a standard future titles would be wise to emulate. Astro Bot, crafted by Team Asobi, emerged as a standout, thanks to its ingenious level design and clever use of the DualSense controller, along with delightful cameos that embedded it in our hearts as an instant classic.
This year wasn’t just about the blockbusters, though. Hidden gems like Another Crab’s Treasure introduced us to a unique Soulslike underwater adventure with Kril, the armoured hermit crab, while Penny’s Big Breakaway offered a nostalgic nod to energetic platformers of yesteryear, complete with its crazy penguin adversaries.
### A Year of Creative Art Design
2024 was also marked by unforgettable visual artistry that enhanced gameplay. Harold Halibut took us on a decade-long journey of development with its breathtaking stop-motion animation crafted from real-world dioramas, resulting in a distinct and enchanting charm.
Neva captivated players with its striking interplay of color and contrast in its puzzle-platforming world, while Thank Goodness You’re Here! embraced humor and vibrant design reminiscent of classic British comic strips. LEGO Horizon Adventures rounded off these artistic triumphs with its imaginative and playful approach, allowing players to construct on-screen wonders with actual LEGO sets.
These games ensured that 2024 will be remembered as a hallmark year for remarkable artistry and creativity. So, which titles and trends caught your imagination in this unforgettable year?
