2024 is all wrapped up, so it’s time for the inevitable end-of-year list.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of different things this year, so there are some additional awards alongside my top ten.
Enjoy!
10: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Like the man himself, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle makes it by the skin of its teeth! Despite my low hype for this one, Machine Games delivered. The game is undoubtedly the best Indy adventure since the original movies, with Troy Baker nailing the difficult task of living up to Harrison Ford. Like him or hate him, Baker proves why he’s one of the top voice actors in the industry in this game.
Before launch, I wasn’t sold on the hybrid first-person and third-person camera, but after finishing Indy’s journey, I’d give it a thumbs-up. Whipping an enemy, grabbing him by his collar, and knocking his lights out never gets old.
Even the diluted immersive sim elements fit with the tone of Indiana Jones. It’s not a game where you methodically work through an area. If your cover is blown, it’s all guns blazing. More often than not, you end up cracking your whip and smashing a few fascists in the face.
The Vatican may be the highlight, but each location has unique tombs and puzzles, some requiring considerable brain power. In particular, the jaunt to Gizah kept me on my toes–those scorpions are no joke. Indy’s travels are documented in his journal, including physical maps of each area. I love this trend of maps that aren’t resigned to menus–take note, devs!
It feels like Machine Games just scratched the surface of what can be done in an Indiana Jones game. I’d happily play another one of these in a few years with new places to explore, puzzles to solve, and household objects to throw at Nazis.
The success of this game also highlights the issue with having The Game Awards so early in December. Indy is eligible for the 2025 TGAs, but will it have enough people carrying the torch to nominate it? We’ll need to hope the PS5 port is well received.
9. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy is one of the most impactful video game series ever, but despite my love of RPGs, it’s been a blind spot for me. It took me multiple attempts to get into Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but this year, it finally clicked; I got it!
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is bigger and bolder than FF7 Remake and addresses some of the issues I had with it. You feel more in control of your party and can socialise with them; there are even team-up moves akin to Persona 5 Royal’s “showtime” abilities.
I’m not one to dive into every single mini-game, but Queen’s Blood is a phenomenal waste of time. I’m still waiting for Square Enix to create a mobile version that will consume me more.
The world of FF7 feels so much bigger than the dingy districts of Midgar – and I suppose that’s the point! Given the size of the game, it’s no surprise that the performance is shaky on a day-one PS5. It’s put me off returning to finish it, but I know I will. With a final FF7 remake planned, I need to see how the journey continues.
8. Astro Bot
Astro Bot is an essential video game, especially for PlayStation. We can only hope it learns the lesson that not every first-party exclusive needs to be a different flavour of the same third-person story-driven game. Not every AAA game has to have groundbreaking visuals. Sometimes, they can just be fun! And Asto Bot delivers plenty of that. I loved collecting every single cameo.
Yes, there’s something to be said about the game’s use of PlayStation IP and how poorly Sony/Playstation has treated its library over the last couple of generations, but that isn’t Team Asobi’s fault. It’s also hard to get upset about it when it’s so effective at making you smile.
Favourite Cameos: Pyramid Head, The Resident Evil Gang, Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, Joker, Aegis, and Teddy.
7. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes was on my radar after its June 2022 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase reveal. Its unmatched style caught my attention, and I didn’t care what type of game it was; I wanted to play it.
It turns out the game was right up my street, anyway! Its exploration and abstract storytelling evoke feelings of survival horror. Every new puzzle solved leads to further mysteries to discover.
Given its puzzling nature, it’s the perfect game for the Switch. I took it around the house, scribbling notes here and leaving post-it notes there. You will need to take notes for this game unless you’re a genius/masochist (delete as applicable). I covered the note-taking aspect of LatLE in startmenu’s 2024 awards. It’s not something I do for many games, but the novelty worked for me here.
6. Persona 3 Reload
Persona 3 is the only Hashino-era Persona game I hadn’t played, so with the long-running rumours of a remake, I decided to hold off and experience it fresh. Purists be damned!
It was worth holding off. Persona 3 Reload is terrific: the music, the vibes, the story, the slick UI. It has everything you’d want from a modern Persona game. Well, almost everything. Some of the social links are a bit naff, and the omission of Persona 3 Portable’s female main character is disappointing, but overall, Reload is a meaty package.
Tartarus can be a bit of a slog, but I enjoyed working through each area. The only way to avoid reusing it would have been to overhaul the story, which would have taken a lot of work and additionally pissed off every single fan. Having an area to chip away at, like Tartarus or Persona 5’s Momentos, is vital for Persona.
It’s unfortunate that Metaphor: Refantazio launched in the same year, as it ate Persona 3 Reload’s lunch. Both games are fantastic and emphasise the screamer of a year Atlus and SEGA have had in 2024. With Persona 6 on the horizon, the success will surely continue.
5. Black Ops 6
Black Ops 6 was a contender for the top spot at launch, but recent developments regarding recasts have soured my experience a little. Don’t get me wrong, Black Ops 6 is on course to surpass Black Ops Cold War as my favourite Call of Duty of the modern era. The campaign is an absolute blast; omnimovement makes multiplayer feel nice and arcady, and Zombies is in the best state it’s been in for years! If only I weren’t so exhausted holding my nose to avoid the stench of modern Call of Duty’s aberrations.
As soon as the teasers begin for the DLC2 Zombies map, I’ll be right back on the hype train for my next hit of Zombies, but for now, I’m vocally concerned by the trajectory of Call of Duty. I still love the series; It’s my primary live service game. It’s just a shame that the powers that be continue to push the franchise down a path of no return.
4. Metaphor: Refantazio
Metaphor: Refantazio, in typical Atlus fashion, is gigantic. As a result, I’ve barely scratched the surface despite being 25 hours in. I imagine this could have easily pierced the top three, but there are only so many hours in the day.
This type of fantasy isn’t usually my thing, but it’s been easy to get into thanks to Metaphor’s use of Persona’s calendar and social link systems as a framework (it spent the lunch money wisely).
I have a patience limit when it comes to turn-based RPGs. I can only suffer so many random encounters in one session (I blame the grass in the Pokemon games from my youth). Metaphor adding some real-time combat–even if it’s just a basic hack-and-slash–is such a relief.
The central premise is strong, and the social links are memorable. In a time of worldwide political turmoil, Metaphor is the perfect antidote. With Persona 5 (Shido, in particular) also ageing exceedingly well, Studio Zero has either mastered time travel, or we are all doomed to repeat history again and again.
3. Emio: The Smiling Man
2024 was a year too far for me when it came to Nintendo. The Switch is still doing great business, but look at 2024’s first-party output compared to 2023’s, and you might see why I’m impatient for new hardware. Thankfully, the long-ending Switch 2 saga looks to be coming to a close in 2025, but it meant most of my time on Switch in 2024 was indie games and third parties, with one notable exception.
Emio: The Smiling Man is the first new title in the Famicom Detective Club series in 27 years. In an unexpected move for Nintendo, it was announced following a creepy viral marketing teaser. Many were disappointed the result was a Famicom Detective Club game, but not me! I love horror, and I love a visual novel.
In anticipation of Emio, I played through the remakes of the previous Famicom Detective Club games. While not necessary, I’d say it enhanced my playthrough. (The Girl Who Stands Behind > The Missing Heir, IMO, but both were good).
I don’t want to ruin the experience for anyone, so I hesitate to go into detail. Emio gets quite dark for a Nintendo-published title and touches upon some sensitive subjects, though never for the shock factor. It all serves the mystery of The Smiling Man Killings.
Lead writer Yoshio Sakamoto described Emio as the culmination of everything he and his colleagues had learned throughout their careers, from the original Famicom Detective Club titles to Metroid and beyond–It’s hard to disagree. From the first frame to the last, Emio is a thrill. It has many twists and turns, with one unexpected element blowing me away. It is a must-play for fans of the genre, and if you’ve never played a visual novel before, I can’t recommend it enough.
Another tick in the “video games are art” column!
2. Sonic x Shadow Generations
The Year of Shadow felt like The Year of Luigi until things picked up in the last quarter of 2024. The combination of Sonic x Shadow Generations and Sonic Movie 3 has generated Shadow Fever across the planet. You love to see it!
If you’re a twenty-something like me, you likely have a history with Sonic the Hedgehog. SEGA shrewdly chose to repackage Sonic Generations, a greatest hits compilation-of-sorts, with a brand new Shadow the Hedgehog experience.
Sonic Generations lets you speed around classic stages as either the original Sonic or his 3D counterpart. It hasn’t aged perfectly, but is still a competent adventure through the blue blur’s past.
The real draw is Shadow Generations. No hate to Sonic, but I’ve always been a Shadow the Hedgehog guy. I was about nine or ten when I first played Shadow’s solo game, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever: shooting aliens as a red and black hedgehog soundtracked to the angsty lyrics of “I AM (ALL I AM).”
Although no guns are in sight, Shadow Generations is still a must-play. It perfects the Boost gameplay that modern 3D Sonic games use and takes great strides in iterating on the open-zone formula of Sonic Frontiers.
In fact, I’d say the hub world of Shadow Generations surpasses Frontiers entirely. It feels like a Tony Hawk game! You can get lost in the motions of zooming around the arena, chaining together grinds and moves. I hope SEGA continues to develop this type of Sonic game. Give us three or four Shadow Generations-sized hub worlds and a cast of Sonic characters with unique moves, and let us go nuts!
The secret to Shadow Generations’ success is the mutually beneficial relationship between the two gameplay types. Detailed and complex boost levels take a lot of time to develop, but players can speed through them in two or three minutes! Having a hub world for players to explore ensures the game is well-paced. The boost levels then help mix up the freeform exploration of the hub world. By completing boost levels, Shadow unlocks new abilities that let him access new map areas–Metroidvania style.
The Year of Shadow is almost over, but given its success, it won’t be the last we see of everyone’s favourite edgy Hedgehog. Perhaps SEGA will even let him have a gun in the next game…
1. Silent Hill 2
A remake at the top spot? You better believe it.
While the gameplay of Bloober Team’s past titles never resonated with me, I’ve always appreciated how well the studio can create an atmosphere. The woods of Blair Witch felt right out of the movie, and walking around the desolate resort of The Medium gave me big Silent Hill vibes.
Despite the internet’s outrage at Konami’s decision to appoint Bloober Team, I had faith in the Polish development studio to nail the setting, and it’s no surprise that it delivered heavily in this department. Walking around the fog-filled haze of South Vale is an out-of-this-world experience, enhanced by some quality sound design and original composer Akira Yamaoka’s reworked score.
I was pleasantly surprised at how competent the survival horror gameplay was for Bloober Team’s first attempt. The puzzles are logic-based and challenging; the map modernises the originals’ charm, and the combat is an improvement (if slightly basic).
The story of Silent Hill 2, along with all of its ambiguous intricacies, is intact. Detractors will say, “Of course the story was good; it’s already been written for them,” but it’s not as simple as that. Bloober shuffled some dialogue around and created new interactions between characters. Two new endings also make beautiful additions to James’ story, and lore from throughout the series is fleshed out across the nooks and crannies of Silent Hill.
I imagine Konami will be looking for Bloober Team to return to Silent Hill in the future. I’d love a remake of the first game, but an original title would also be exciting. After this remake, it’s deserved! Bloober Team’s next project is the new IP “Cronos: The New Dawn”. While not developed by the same team that worked on Silent Hill 2, the studio is firing on all cylinders, and I’m excited to see how it capitalises on the remake’s success.
The Silent Hill 2 remake is a triumph. It faithfully recreates the devastation of the original and confidently spices up the gameplay with improved combat and top-tier survival horror puzzles. It adds new encounters and character moments while never seeking to erase what has come before.
Despite how good the remake is, I’d still recommend playing the original at some point. That is the beauty of what Bloober Team has achieved. Silent Hill 2 feels different from other video game remakes. It’s not trying to be the definitive edition of the original. It’s an interpretation of Team Silent’s 2001 masterpiece; a folk tale passed down to future generations, not by the fireside, but by a controller.
The original Silent Hill 2 is a work of art: a snapshot of the PS2 era and early 2000s horror. If only Konami would get the memo and do whatever it takes to make the 2001 masterpiece readily available.
Until then, thanks to Bloober Team, we can wait for it in our new special place.
Indie Game of the Year: Balatro / Animal Well (Tie)
Animal Well is loaded with secrets and rewards players for looking beneath the surface of its Metroidvania rooms. Balatro turns poker into an insanely replayable single-player roguelike. Two very different games, but I cannot choose a favourite! Developers Shared Memory and LocalThunk deserve a ton of credit.
Short Game of the Year: Still Wakes The Deep
Not every game has to be a 40+ hour monster. Sometimes, getting in, telling your story, and getting out is best. The Chinese Room’s Still Wakes The Deep does it perfectly. Set on a 1970s oil rig on the North Sea, a discovery changes the fate of the rig’s crew forever. Not only does the game look beautiful, but it also feels authentic, from dialogue to voices to what decorates the crew’s bunks. It’s one of the few games I never cringed at a Scottish accent (honestly, it deserves an award based on that alone!).
DLC of the Year: Alan Wake II: The Lake House
Alan Wake II was my Game of the Year in 2023. It was worth the wait, but I still wanted more. Thankfully, Remedy graced us with two additional experiences in 2024. While I enjoyed the novelty of the Night Springs expansion, The Lake House edges it with a more focused affair that ties up some loose ends from the main game. There’s some trademark Remedy mindfuckery and a pretty telling statement about the negative impact of trying to create art without artists. Huh.
Still no Barry, though… </3
Live Service Game of the Year: The Outlast Trials
The Outlast series is well known for its run-and-hide horror, charismatic enemies, and combat-free gameplay. Many, myself included, were sceptical about how these core features could translate into a cooperative multiplayer game. Our fears were unfounded, as The Outlast Trials is a spine-chilling escape room experience.
Focusing on the game ahead of any monetisation has made it clear to players what the studio’s priorities are. Build a fun game, and the players will come. Update a fun game and respect the players’ time; they will keep returning. They may not play the game like a full-time job, but they’ll always come back. Other publishers and development studios should take note.
Game I Still Need to Play Award: 1000xResist
I’ve heard so much about this game yet know so little. I need to address that pronto!
“Old” Game of the Year: PowerWash Simulator
I can’t stop playing PowerWash Simulator. I hope they never stop adding new things to clean. Don’t tell Futurlab, but I’d pay for every update; the free ones aren’t required at this stage! It’s a lovely gesture, though.
Movies of the Year: The Substance, Challengers, Sonic Movie 3, Kinds of Kindness
The Substance: Gruesome and, at times, hilarious. The Substance is a big, gory dream.
Challengers: I’m not sure anyone will ever make a better movie about Tennis.
Sonic 3: Seeing a Sonic Adventure 2 adaptation on the big screen blew my mind.
Kinds of Kindness: I love Yorgos Lanthimos’ work, especially when he gets a bit freaky.
Streamer of the Year: Limmy
Blahem.
Albums of the Year: Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Tyler The Creator, Charli XCX
I’ve had a heavy hip-hop year! It’s no surprise, following the events of 2024.
Top 3 Tracks:
GNX: luther, man at the garden, reincarnated
Alligator Bites Never Heal: Denial is a River, Death Roll, Slide
Chromokopia: Darling I, I Killed You, Balloon
Brat: 360, Sympathy is a Knife, Everything is Romantic
Honorable Mentions:
- Please Don’t Cry – Rapsody
- Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
- Dark Magic – Nothing, Nowhere
- I Want To Disappear – The Story So Far
- Blue Lips – ScHoolboy Q
Record of the Year: Euphoria – Kendrick Lamar
Not Like Us may have been the most memorable track from the war between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, but Euphoria is still my favourite. It was prophetic.
Match of the Year: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Hell in a Cell)
Wrestling isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you get it, you get it. CM Punk’s return to WWE has reinvigorated my love for the art of professional wrestling. His feud with Drew McIntyre was captivating from start to finish, and the blow-off Hell in a Cell match will go down as one of the greatest matches of the modern era.