Another year, another chance for the editorial team at TheGamer (and resident social media jester, that’s me) to gather our top games of the year and arrive at the mathematically correct Game of the Year. This is my entry. If you’re looking for deep-cutting critiques, this is the wrong place. My top priority is how much fun I can have with a group of friends (or a solid RPG experience).
10
Helldivers 2 (but my friends aren’t online)
Helldivers 2 is the most action-packed game of 2024, and even when my friends aren’t available to play it’s still incredible jumping into quick-matches and slaughtering bugs or bots. No game comes close to this sense of scale.
9
Stellar Blade
Nier Automata is one of the best hack-and-slash games of all time. Stellar Blade may not match its heights, but the spiritual successor still earns a spot on my list, if only for the soundtrack alone.
8
Dragon’s Dogma 2
No polish is necessary if the adventure is as epic as this.
7
Lockdown Protocol
Among us but with real-time decision-making instead of meetings. And guns, lots of guns.
6
Call of Duty Black Ops 6
I’m too old to keep up with the movement system anymore, but I can still hit a shot. Deep down, that love born from Modern Warfare 2 never really leaves you.
5
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Ichiban.
4
Harold Halibut
Some say Harold Halibut barely qualifies as a game. In the traditional sense, they may be right. Harold Halibut can be completed with only three buttons, and I love every bit of it. The game’s humor and atmosphere are second to none in 2024 and I’ll gladly retrace every step next year when I feel the call of the Fedora 1.
3
Marvel Rivals
As a 2000-hour Overwatch veteran who’s long been seeking refuge, Marvel Rivals may finally provide me a new safe haven. It will never feel as clean or polished as Overwatch, but being a living tree on the frontlines of a 6v6 battle spoke to me during the beta. I am Groot.
2
Dale and Dawson Stationary Supplies
Another social deduction game! The sandbox provided by this ‘90s-era office brought some of the best laughs with friends this year, as you spend the game trying to be an exemplary employee or slack off from your tasks bringing value to the shareholders. The manager holds the ultimate say over who stays and who goes, so smooth talking is the highest value skill you can have, much like a real office.
1
Helldivers 2 (but my friends are online)
Next
Game Of The Year Editor’s Pick, 2024 – Andrew King
A weak year for triple-A shifted the spotlight to incredible indies.