2024 has been a relatively quiet year for games, unless you’re a sicko like me who scoffs down JRPGs on the regular. While I haven’t played as many games as I usually do (thanks, Dawntrail), it was still pretty tough to narrow my list down to just ten. With that preamble out the way, here are some games I liked. No remakes, no remasters, no DLC, let’s do this.
If you find yourself disagreeing with my impeccable taste, never fear. There are several Game of the Year lists from my wonderful colleagues that you can check out here, along with the site’s overall list going up on December 18.
10
Caravan SandWitch
I’ve come to the realization this year that good vibes are an integral part of whether I like a game or not, and Caravan SandWitch has immaculate vibes.
While relatively simple from a gameplay perspective, cruising around in my little van, picking up debris, and talking to interesting characters put me in a zen-like state that made hours melt away. It also has a story about environmentalism and sticking it to the man, so it’s perfect.
9
Pacific Drive
If I had a nickel for every vehicle-focused indie game that isn’t a racer that appeared on my list this year, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.
Pacific Drive is the polar opposite of Caravan SandWitch in that it has vibes, but they make me want to cower behind my sofa. It’s an extremely tense survival game that has you and your plucky little car fending off supernatural phenomenons, with a dash of satisfying inventory management to boot. I cherished that car like my own family.
8
Hauntii
I love a game that can give me a good spectacle, and I love a game that has an interesting art style. Hauntii is the best of both worlds, whilst also mixing together elements of Super Mario Odyssey and bullet hell shooters to create something that feels wholly unique.
It sprinkles in some grand boss fights and tense set pieces to show off its one-of-a-kind art style, and it’s perfect if you’re looking for something a little different to do for a few hours.
7
Nine Sols
Nine Sols is not the game I thought it was going in. I saw the picture of a cute cat and thought I was in for a lovely little metroidvania, but what I got was one of the most deeply disturbing games I’ve played this year, with some of the most satisfying combat mechanics.
Its parry system is flawless, its platforming is tricky but fun, and its comic book aesthetic is very pleasing to the eye. All of those combined easily makes Nine Sols the best metroidvania released this year, even if it did upset me with its brutality once or twice.
6
Neva
A PlayStation trophy pop-up made me cry.
Honorable Mentions
5
Crow Country
Resident Evil is one of my favorite horror franchises ever, so any game that is a well-made love letter to the series is already in my good books. Crow Country goes one step further by being bloody brilliant as well, full of clever puzzles and witty dialogue that gave me a chuckle or two in between nervously skulking the grounds of a theme park from Hell.
It’s not often I play a whole game in one sitting anymore, but Crow Country really got its hooks in me, and didn’t let go until I rolled credits.
4
Astro Bot
Astro Bot is what you get when you set out to make a game that is just pure joy from start to finish. Did I feel a little sad when I came across Kat from Gravity Rush and remembered we’re never getting another? Absolutely, but I would rather her and PlayStation’s other forgotten heroes be celebrated in an endlessly inventive and creative platformer that rivals the best that even Nintendo can muster. It’s so good that it actually made an underwater level fun, and that alone makes it deserving of its place.
3
Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes
I’m about to begin what I call ‘the JRPG gauntlet’, because boy was 2024 a good year for the genre. Picking up the bronze is Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes, a criminally underrated title that somehow manages to stuff 120 characters into a single game and give them all fun personalities and their own stories.
There’s such a wide variety of people to meet, and just as many things to do, whether it be intense Beyblade matches or extravagant cooking competitions. To top it off, it’s all contained within one grand tale that is worth experiencing on its own, and I’m begging more JRPGs lovers out there to give it a go.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is everything I’ve wanted from Atlus for years. It removes the weirdly raunchy and slightly bigoted aspects of Persona, further builds upon the combat mechanics that have been tweaked and perfected over several titles, and throws in Final Fantasy 5’s job system for good measure.
It has the best cast of characters in an RPG possibly ever (shout out to my boy Basilio), and a story that is both distressingly relevant and inspiring at the same time. It would have easily taken top this year, if not for a certain frizzy-haired, absolute dork of a man.
1
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Yeah, there was no way the best Like A Dragon game ever made wasn’t topping my list this year. Kiryu and Ichiban are two of my favorite protagonists of all time, and Infinite Wealth was a beautiful send-off for the former, and another entertaining romp for the latter. I was skeptical about Ryu Ga Gotoku bringing Kiryu back yet again, but I am so glad it did.
On top of that, Infinite Wealth boasts one of the best turn-based battle systems I’ve ever experienced, a dizzying amount of variety in its side activities, and even more ridiculous and heartwarming side stories that I’ve come to love the series for. It’s the best game this year, and despite it feeling like an ending in many ways, I’m really excited about the future of the series.
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