Game Of The Year Editor’s Pick, 2024

This year had me engrossed in a wide variety of games, but the best of them held strong RPG elements. From fan favorite remakes to original titles and sequels, every entry on this list is a treasured experience for me, and it can be for you, too!

Narrowing down to just ten games wasn’t easy, but these are the titles that captured my attention the most throughout the year. You should give them a try, otherwise you’re missing out. We wouldn’t want that. If you don’t agree with my picks, it’s a good thing that every editor at TheGamer does their own list, and you can check them out here!

10

Persona 3 Reload

Persona 3 is a core memory for me, sitting in the back seat of my parent’s car clutching my PSP as I fought off shadows. Persona 3 Reload is a faithful remake, though I’ll never forgive the exclusion of the female protagonist, especially since her influence echoes through every hangout opportunity with your teammates. But otherwise, this remake is stellar.

Revamping old mechanics to allow direct control over party members, refreshing the graphics and music, and retelling a tale about the meaning of life and death when facing the end of the world all come together to make Persona 3 Reload a worthy start to my GOTY list.

9

The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom

A Zelda game with Zelda at the helm? Sign me up. The adorable character models scrambling around in the chaos was enough to grab me, but the platformer puzzles and innovative solutions kept me engaged. Why not solve every problem with a Boarblin or a bomb?

From the moment that Link is forced to take a backseat, everything changes. Zelda takes hold of her destiny, allowing her to be the hero Hyrule needs while chugging smoothies and making nice with the fashionable Great Fairy. Though Zelda is a silent protagonist this time, her loud personality and ambitions make her a heroic princess worthy of a spot on my GOTY list.

8

Lightyear Frontier

Lightyear Frontier blends the daily upkeep of a space ranch with uncovering the secrets of an ancient civilization. There’s plenty to discover as you clean up the toxic goo poisoning the various regions of your own personal planet.

It’s a peaceful existence for sure, and I spent hours mowing the lawn and caring for my planet. Every day is a new adventure, and there’s no need to worry about monsters coming for your crops. Everything is at your own pace, and while it’s not much, it’s honest work. I’d take a farming sim in space over a dungeon delving jump scare any day.

7

Fields Of Mistria

Farming sims have become vastly more popular in recent years, but Fields of Mistria is everything I could ask for from the genre.

From the small-town vibes to the magic spells I can learn, the vibes are reminiscent of early Harvest Moon titles–but more whimsical and modern with fantasy charm. There’s more than romance to be found in Mistria, and I intend to uncover every secret.

It also let me give my darling fluffy cow a halo and crown, play spectate tabletop games on Friday nights at the tavern, and gave me the ability to stay out as late as I want without having to lose items or pay a doctor for help. Finally, I can pass out in the mines in peace.

6

Little Kitty, Big City

I fully embraced every chaotic minute of being a cat in this short and sweet adventure. Though the story and mechanics are simple, it’s what you can do with them that makes this game so special. Stealing cellphones from passersby or wreaking havoc at a local market stall? Purrfect.

There’s a lot to do as a little kitty in the big city, from helping your new friends to collecting every hat from vending machines. If you’ve got a few hours, don’t miss the chance to explore the city and see all that it has to offer.

5

Dungeons Of Hinterberg

Puzzles? Check. Dungeons? Check. Corporate greed ruining the environment? Check. I didn’t know what to expect when I saw Dungeons of Hinterberg pop up on Steam, but I’m forever grateful for it.

Every dungeon is full of puzzles and challenges, while the town of Hinterberg offers plenty of ways to build relationships that I love to see in cozy games like this. The unique art style makes it stand out even more so, allowing it to make a name for itself among the sea of similar experiences.

4

Palworld

This controversial title had me in a vice grip for the better part of the year. Though I never got into Pokemon as a kid, I can only imagine this is what it felt like to be young and in love with pocket monsters.

Of course the first thing I tried to do was catch a human, and it worked! From then on, I made it my mission to build a village. Naturally it involved poaching pals from the different sanctuaries and running from the police, but that’s what makes Palworld so exciting. It’s the GTA of monster collecting, and I’d be a fool to leave it off my GOTY list.

3

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

With stunning graphics and a gripping story, The Veilguard managed to engross me despite falling short of the games that came before. Its roleplaying falters at times, but there were still countless moments that made me feel the consequences of my actions.

While the removal of world states is a bummer, The Veilguard still delivers rich gameplay while embracing the best parts of BioWare’s long dormant property–like fighting blighted monsters and challenging the gods. And of course, there are the romances I’m overly fond of that define my playthroughs.

2

Astro Bot

As a hardcore PlayStation fan girl, how could Astro Bot not make my GOTY list? The complexity of the platformer’s level design challenged my inner completionist while delighting me with its cuteness at every turn. Astro Bot pushed me to be a completionist, forcing me to spend my time in the different galaxies to collect every lost friend he had (and every puzzle piece).

Playroom was a tease of what this little guy can do, and its follow-up is everything a modern platformer should be. Each level has new mechanics that don’t get old, and there are hundreds of secrets to find. Move aside, Sackboy. PlayStation has a new mascot, and he’s adorable.

1

Infinity Nikki

The moment I got my hands on the closed beta, I was hooked and couldn’t pull myself away from Miraland for anything. The vast wardrobe selection appealed to my younger self who loved dress up and Barbie while the soul of the story and its melancholy themes of whether wishes were worth making tugged at my heartstrings.

At first, I didn’t know what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t a land where the gods are dead and conflicts are solved through fashion shows. The previous Nikki games on mobile walked in ten inch heels so Infinity Nikki could run. Infinity Nikki raises the bar on what cozy games should look like, perfectly blending platformer dungeons with Stylist challenges and cute critters.