Who knew I was such an indie darling? 2024 was a year of silly little games that stole my heart. But let’s be real, I still have a soft spot for those big, budget-busting blockbusters. From cute coziness to heavier shooters, my list is as messy and fabulous as my gaming habits. Who needs vanilla when you’ve got a whole sundae bar?
I’ve consulted the gaming gods (or, more accurately, my own infallible judgement) and these are the chosen ones: my 2024 GOTYs.
10
Webfishing
Fishing games aren’t supposed to make my top ten. Yet here I am, praising Webfishing for capturing the magic of simple life and just casting lines. This game nailed that cozy, Animal Crossing-esque energy, making it a perfect hangout for catching up with a friend or zoning out solo.
Low stakes, high charm. Simply put, it hooked me.
9
Gourdlets
I can’t resist a good tiny world-building game (you’ll see two on this list), and Gourdlets is the absolute cute pinnacle of the genre. Its charm and endless creative possibilities transported me to a place where everything is cozy and delightful.
This is the game I kept coming back to, not because it demanded my attention but because it quietly whispered, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to build something adorable today?’
8
Cult Of The Lamb: Sins Of The Flesh
In an industry where free updates usually mean battle passes and overpriced skins, Cult of the Lamb delivered a free content drop so good it felt like a glitch in the system.
Sins of the Flesh didn’t just polish the cult management and roguelike loop, it deepened it with more fun, more sacrificial lambs (sorry, Greg), and more reasons to chant ‘one more run’ until sunrise. Between the new, uh, intimate mechanics and extra layers of cultism, this update was so good it practically converted me.
7
Once Human
I didn’t expect to sink 140 hours into this game, but here we are. Once Human scratched every itch I have for resource-collecting, base-building, and surviving in an apocalypse that feels both bleak and rewarding. I went into the apocalypse for survival and stayed for the interior decorating.
The short seasons eventually made me drop off, but the sheer amount of time I spent obsessing over my base earns it a spot on my list.
6
Tiny Glade
Wondering when the second tiny world-builder would show up? Well, here it is. If mindfulness were a video game, it’d be Tiny Glade. This game let me disconnect from reality and embrace the simple joy of building castles that would make my inner medieval architect swoon.
It’s the unique build mechanics that kept me glued, even as my creations bordered on abstract art. It’s beautiful, it’s calming, and it might just be the game equivalent of taking a deep breath.
5
Content Warning
No game made me laugh harder this year than Content Warning, a cooperative survival-horror that flips the genre on its head. Instead of fighting off monsters, you’re too busy risking life and limb to capture footage of them for your YouTube channel. Sacrificing safety for clout? Sounds like modern horror to me.
The absurd humor and meme-worthy characters, shoutout to Robert the Snail, created some of my favorite gaming moments of 2024. It’s the kind of game that turns into an instant inside joke with anyone who plays it.
4
Little Kitty, Big City
If you’ve ever wanted to abandon responsibility and live your best cat life, Little Kitty, Big City is here for you.
I adored this silly, short game. It turned me into a kitty agent, knocking over pots, climbing rooftops, and collecting treasures no human would value. It’s cute, it’s quirky, and it reminded me why video games are sometimes just plain fun.
3
Astro Bot
Confession: I’m not a platformer person. I usually look at precision jumping challenges the way cats look at baths: no thanks. But Astro Bot charmed its way into my heart.
The ingenious controller integration felt like the DualSense was holding my hand through every leap and land. It was joyful, intuitive, and surprisingly heartwarming. Did I become a platforming convert? No, but Astro Bot almost convinced me.
2
Marvel Rivals
Few games have captured the joy of team-based mayhem like Marvel Rivals. It took me back to the golden days of Overwatch in 2016 (yes, everyone’s making that comparison, but it fits), except now I can main Wanda Maximoff and serve hex-powered looks. I’m slaying with all the Marvel queens — and Jeff, naturally, because every girlboss squad needs a Jeff.
This game almost made my number one, but another shooter stole my heart…
1
Helldivers 2
The universe of Helldivers 2 is absurd in the best way possible. Its irreverent world-building pokes fun at the overly serious sci-fi shooter genre, while the gameplay nails cooperative hullabaloo. (Nothing brings friends together like bug-squashing… and accidentally killing each other at the same time.) Zapping bugs with friends very quickly became my weekend ritual, and even when I struggled to stay alive, the sheer, fresh fun of the game kept me coming back.
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Why Each Nominee Deserves Game Of The Year
We’re writing a piece every day for each of the six games nominated for the Game Of The Year award. This hub will keep track of them all.