TheGamer’s Game Of The Year

We pick our Game of the Year mathematically here at TheGamer, which means it’s always right. Except when it disagrees with me, in which case it’s always wrong. Over the past few weeks, everyone at the site has been publishing their individual list with ten points going to their first pick, one point going to their tenth pick, and I’m sure you can work out the numbers in between. This list is the result of those lists, and thus is the official list of the best games of 2024.

Before we begin, spare a thought for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. It tied with our tenth place pick here on points, but ties are broken by most first place picks, of which The Lost Crown had zero to our number ten’s two. With that thought thoroughly spared, we go to the real deal.

10 Animal Well

This Metroidvania puzzle platformer is one of those experiences where the less you know going in, the better the experience is. Moving on.

9 Mouthwashing

Mouthwashing is a masterclass in non-linear storytelling. Sometimes that’s through loud noises in the dark. The crew each unravel in their own way, and in doing so reveal the darkness at the heart of human nature. That’s why I used this gimmick in my own list, and I’m reusing it here. All you know is fear. You feed body parts to crew members.

Sometimes it’s much more sinister, letting a creeping sense of dread sink into your bones. The indie horror game is only two hours long, and keeps you on edge the entire time. Named for the cargo you’re transporting, Mouthwashing takes place before and after a crash in space. Your mind starts to unravel. It grows more graphic as it goes on, and in some ways, more cruel. All you see is cartoon horses.

8 1000xResist

I described 1000xResist as “indescribable” in my own list, and now I face the challenge of describing it again. The sci-fi dystopia explores the ripple effects of generational trauma, the isolation of the diaspora, violent responses to a pandemic, as well as far more intimate issues like loneliness, bullying, and a sense of purpose.

It’s here for its stellar narrative, which allows it to stand toe to toe with triple-A giants that can boast more involved gameplay. If you are still hung up on arguments about whether games are art, you gained another soldier (or another Bang Bang Fire) in 1000xResist.

7 Dragon’s Dogma 2

Everyone has something different they love about Dragon’s Dogma 2. Maybe it’s the silliness of the pawns. Maybe it’s the bold design choices like Dragonsplague. Maybe it’s the open-world exploration. Maybe it’s the fact you can be picked up by a massive bird and flown halfway across the map. Maybe it’s the sphinx. Maybe it’s the fake-out ending, followed by the storm, followed by the real ending.

No one ever seems to pick the main story, but hey, nobody’s perfect.

6 Helldivers 2

The multiplayer event of the year, Helldivers 2 can get a bad rap because fans are always looking for the next thing. The next drop, the next nerf, the next event, the next update. It’s a genre in which players are rarely satisfied, and Helldivers 2 is no exception.

And yet, it is one of the definitive games of 2024 because of how gripped we all were for the fight for democracy, even if we didn’t all go the distance. Enough of TheGamers did, and this list would feel incomplete without it.

Political chicanery, a voice for the voiceless, people separated by ignorant social divides, giant surrealist paintings that attack you with magical powers, Metaphor: ReFantazio is the perfect mirror image to the turmoil of major elections happening all around the world in 2024. In a way, that makes it the definitive game of the year.

It also sees Atlus perfecting its formula as it goes fantasy, bringing in a host of new heroes with tragic storylines and perfectly deconstructed tropes. A must-play JRPG.

4 Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Infinite Wealth had the highest average score of every game here, racking up an average of 8.18 points from the lists it was included in. This sums up Like a Dragon’s legacy. Beloved by nearly everyone who comes into contact with its wholesome, yet tragic, yet completely wacky adult baby tickling narrative, it’s gaining momentum but still deserves a bigger audience.

Moving the series to Hawaii, it introduced some great new heroes and paid due respect to those of yesteryear – one of whom we may never see again. It also has a complete Animal Crossing game just buried inside of it.

3 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

The meat of Final Fantasy 7’s remake project sandwich, it sure was a meatier chunk than Remake. A bigger world, with more activities, a wider cast, more divergence from the original plot, and more depth offered to moments the original 1997 classic breezed over, Rebirth is the true Final Fantasy experience.

While its indulgence was not for everyone, this has always been a bold experiment of a game. Adding more ‘Final Fantasy’ into Final Fantasy 7 is a tough task, but as far as TheGamer goes, the team at Square Enix nailed it.

2 Balatro

The little indie that could almost made it right to the top. The ultimate Numbers Go Up game, it takes the numbers so high they turn into letters. Much like Metaphor, it can make a strong case as the game of 2024 overall – while most other games were played by the vast majority at launch then moved on from after a couple of weeks, Balatro is always there.

Spreading through word of mouth and its TGA nomination, Balatro has been a mainstay in 2024’s gaming culture from beginning to end. You play it in the house, you play it at the bar. You play it when you’re near, you play it when you’re far. You play it in the morning, you play it late at night. You play it when you’re feeling low, you play it when you’re alright.

1 Astro Bot

The eternal debate: is Game of the Year the game that most people love, feel moved by, connect to, resonate with (in our list’s case, Infinite Wealth)? Or is it the game that is simply liked by the most people? 23 out of the 36 editors who participated in Game of the Year had The Game Awards winner in their list somewhere, myself included, making it by far the most liked here.

As I saw its win forming, I started to wonder if it really deserved it over these games that seemed loved by more people but had been played by far fewer. Then the game dropped its Christmas level, Winter Wonder, and I was reminded that Astro Bot was magnificent, joyful, and a worthy Game of the Year winner if there ever was one.