12 Best Games 2024

“Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” is a first-person, solo action-adventure game created by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks, which was released on December 8, 2024, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, with a PlayStation 5 edition planned for spring 2025. 

Occurring in 1937, the game is situated in the timeline between “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Last Crusade.” Players take on the role of the legendary archaeologist, Indiana Jones, setting off on a worldwide adventure to discover the mysteries of the Great Circle—an ancient force linked to holy locations across the globe. The story centers on defeating dark forces, such as Nazis, who aim to use this power for their wicked intentions. 

Gameplay focuses on exploration, solving puzzles, and utilizing stealth, remaining faithful to the essence of the Indiana Jones franchise. Gamers explore different unique locations, including Vatican City and Giza, participating in tasks such as stealth, climbing, and solving ancient enigmas. Combat exists but isn’t the main emphasis; rather, the game motivates players to use Indy’s cleverness and ingenuity to navigate challenges. 

The game has received accolades for its detailed portrayal of art history, incorporating a camera feature that enables players to capture and admire different artifacts, along with academic insights from Indy himself. This aspect enhances the character’s enthusiasm for archaeology and highlights the contrasting utilitarian perspective of the antagonists towards artifacts. 

“Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” has garnered favorable feedback from both players and reviewers. On Steam, it has a “Very Positive” rating, with 91% of the 6,852 user reviews being positive. 

In summary, the game provides an engaging experience that embodies the spirit of the Indiana Jones series, merging adventure, history, and narrative into a captivating interactive exploration. 

“Astro Bot” is a 3D platform game created by Team Asobi, launched solely for the PlayStation 5 in 2024. In this solo journey, players guide Astro, a delightful blue and white robot, on a quest to save his 300 crew members dispersed throughout the galaxy after their spaceship, resembling a PS5 console, is assaulted and destroyed by a giant alien. 

The game includes more than 80 stages distributed among six galaxies and 50 planets, each showcasing distinctive themes like jungles, volcanoes, and haunted areas. Gamers explore these colorful realms, participating in platforming tasks, unraveling puzzles, and fighting foes and bosses. During the adventure, Astro can collect different power-ups that provide unique skills, such as using a bulldog to leap over gaps or turning into a monkey to climb walls, which brings a delightful flair to the gameplay. 

A remarkable feature of “Astro Bot” is its homage to PlayStation’s legacy, showcasing more than 150 appearances called VIP Bots, which allude to legendary PlayStation characters and series. The inclusion of recognizable elements provides unique levels and abilities, creating a nostalgic link for gamers. 

The game has received praise for its creative design, captivating mechanics, and charming presentation. Critics have labeled it a masterpiece, emphasizing its lively worlds, clever level design, and the enjoyment it offers players. 

In summary, “Astro Bot” provides an imaginative and family-oriented platforming adventure that attracts both veteran PlayStation enthusiasts and new players. 

“Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” serves as the second part of Square Enix’s reimagined trilogy based on the classic 1997 role-playing game, “Final Fantasy VII.” Launched solely for the PlayStation 5, the game carries on the story from “Final Fantasy VII Remake,” tracking Cloud Strife and his friends as they journey outside the city of Midgar in search of the mysterious foe, Sephiroth.

The game presents a large open world, enabling players to investigate various settings, ranging from lively cities to wide natural vistas. This open-world layout presents a mix of primary narrative quests and additional missions, adding richness and diversity to the gaming experience.

Combat in “Rebirth” expands upon the hybrid system of its former title, merging real-time action with strategically focused command elements. Players are able to alternate between party members, each having distinct skills and gameplay styles, to successfully confront a diverse range of foes and challenging bosses.

The story explores the individual journeys of each character more profoundly, enhancing their connections and revealing backstories that add depth to the main plot. The game reinterprets significant moments from the original, adding fresh elements and viewpoints that improve the narrative.

Visually, “Rebirth” harnesses the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 to provide breathtaking graphics, making the environment and characters vibrant with outstanding detail and realism. The game’s music includes remastered pieces from the original along with new creations, enriching the immersive experience.

In summary, “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” provides a deep and vast continuation of the cherished narrative, combining nostalgia with contemporary gameplay advancements to engage both long-time fans and those new to the franchise.

“Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” is a significant expansion for the highly regarded action role-playing game “Elden Ring,” created by FromSoftware. Launched in 2024, this expansion immerses players in the Realm of Shadow, a fresh and unique region apart from the Lands Between. This world is filled with intrigue and danger, presenting a new story that explores more about the legend of the Erdtree and its mysterious shadows. 

The expansion boasts a completely new map, roughly the same size as Limgrave, teeming with varied landscapes, dangerous dungeons, and numerous new challenges. Gamers will face tough foes and bosses, each crafted to challenge their abilities and tactics. To assist with these challenges, the expansion introduces a variety of new content, featuring 70 weapons, 10 shields, 39 talismans, 14 sorceries, 28 incantations, 20 spirit ashes, 25 ashes of war, and 30 armor sets, as well as new consumables and craftable items. 

The story of “Shadow of the Erdtree” takes place in the Realm of Shadow, a location hidden by the Erdtree, where the goddess Marika first arrived. This territory, cleansed in a silent conflict and ignited by Messmer’s fire, is where Miquella left, relinquishing his body, power, and heritage. Currently, Miquella is anticipating the arrival of his vowed Lord. 

Reviewers have lauded the expansion for its abundant content and difficult gameplay. “Shadow of the Erdtree” has been characterized as an incredibly substantial expansion to an already vast game, filled with stunning new locations, varied new weapons and abilities, and formidable bosses. Nevertheless, some have pointed out that the heightened challenge might detract from the enjoyment for certain players. 

In general, “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” delivers a significant and engaging experience that builds on the original game, offering players fresh challenges, richer lore, and a plethora of new content to discover.

“Batman: Arkham Shadow” is an engaging virtual reality (VR) action-adventure game created by Camouflaj and published by Oculus Studios, launched solely for the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets. Located in the renowned Arkham universe, the game occurs shortly after “Batman: Arkham Origins,” allowing players to assume the role of a younger Batman.

In this story-filled adventure, Gotham City encounters a fresh menace from a character called the Rat King, who, together with his followers, intends to wreak havoc on the Fourth of July. Gamers need to employ Batman’s investigative abilities, fighting skills, and various gadgets to prevent this looming catastrophe.

The game includes a 10-15 hour storyline that integrates stealth, combat, and exploration, all shown from a first-person viewpoint. Players can actively participate in activities like extending their hands to seize opponents, using gadgets, and tapping the headset to enable Detective Mode for analyzing clues. Combat is fluid, enabling VR-specific actions such as performing uppercuts and other close-range attacks.

Critics have lauded “Batman: Arkham Shadow” for its engaging gameplay and accurate transition of the Arkham series into VR. The game is characterized as a remarkable addition that embodies the essence of Rocksteady’s titles while introducing innovations tailored for VR.

It is regarded as one of the best instances of VR gaming, providing an exhilarating experience despite slight visual constraints present in existing VR technology.

Overall, “Batman: Arkham Shadow” represents a major leap in VR gaming, offering players an immersive and captivating superhero adventure that highlights the possibilities of virtual reality beyond simple novelty.

“Silent Hill 2” is a survival horror video game created by Konami’s Team Silent and first launched in 2001 for the PlayStation 2. The story centers on James Sunderland as he navigates the haunting town of Silent Hill after getting a letter from his late wife, Mary. As James explores the mist-covered town more thoroughly, he faces horrifying beings and reveals unsettling realities about his history. 

In October 2024, a renewed version of “Silent Hill 2” was launched for PlayStation 5 and PC. Created by Bloober Team, this iteration presents a refreshed experience featuring a new storyline, extra narrative components, different endings, and revised puzzles and gameplay mechanics. The remake includes upgraded visuals and audio, with a re-recorded score by original composer Akira Yamaoka, and presents an over-the-shoulder camera viewpoint, larger sections of the town, and refined combat mechanics. 

The 2024 remake has garnered varying opinions. Certain critics commend its updated gameplay and loyal representation of the original’s psychological horror aspects, while some believe it doesn’t entirely embody the essence that rendered the original a classic. 

In summary, “Silent Hill 2” continues to be an important game in the survival horror category, recognized for its profound psychological story and immersive atmosphere.

“Helldivers 2” is a cooperative third-person squad shooter created by Arrowhead Game Studios, accessible on PlayStation 5 and PC. In this game, participants take on the roles of top soldiers called Helldivers, who are responsible for protecting Super Earth from different alien dangers. 

The game highlights collaboration and tactical preparation, enabling as many as four players to work together on missions in dangerous extraterrestrial realms. Gamers can utilize a variety of weapons, such as pistols, machine guns, and flamethrowers, along with tactics like turrets and airstrikes to fight against alien foes. 

“Helldivers 2” has been lauded for its captivating multiplayer experience and lively combat systems. Critics have emphasized its precise gameplay, plentiful feedback, and fun sci-fi action, establishing it as a notable entry in the co-op shooter category. 

The game provides several missions and goals, necessitating players to collaborate closely to attain success. The focus on teamwork and tactics offers a fulfilling experience for individuals who appreciate team-oriented shooters. 

In summary, “Helldivers 2” offers an exhilarating and fun cooperative shooting experience, enhancing the qualities of its predecessor while adding fresh features and upgrades.

“Tekken 8” is the newest version in the famous fighting game franchise created by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Launching on January 26, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the game advances the enduring tale of the Mishima and Kazama families. 

Plot: The tale focuses on the fierce competition between father and son, Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima. Taking place six months after the last game, Jin aims to face his fate and put an end to the ongoing turmoil within his family. 

Gameplay and Features: “Tekken 8” brings several innovative mechanics and improvements: 

Heat System: This innovative element incentivizes players for bold playstyles, promoting ongoing engagement and tactical offense. 

Tornado Strikes: An innovative feature that introduces dynamic aspects to battles, permitting more seamless and powerful strikes. 

Arcade Quest Mode: An online feature that includes tournaments, customizable characters, and a unique in-game currency, enriching the multiplayer experience. 

The game utilizes Unreal Engine 5, delivering improved visuals and more fluid gameplay. It provides distinct character episodes, allowing players to gain a better understanding of individual narratives. 

Reception: “Tekken 8” has been lauded for its equitable gameplay and ease of access for beginners, all while providing intricacy for experienced players. Critics have emphasized its captivating combat system and the effective incorporation of new features. 

In general, “Tekken 8” rejuvenates the franchise with fresh elements and an engaging storyline, reinforcing its position in the fighting game category.

“Metaphor: ReFantazio” is an RPG crafted by Atlus’ Studio Zero, overseen by Katsura Hashino, recognized for his contributions to the “Persona” series. Launched on October 11, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and PC, the game signifies Atlus’ initial venture into a high-fantasy environment, contrasting with the modern settings of their earlier releases. 

Setting and Narrative: Located in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, a fantasy realm inspired by medieval Europe, players set off on a quest to remove a curse from the kingdom’s vanished prince. The story explores themes of social hierarchy, class conflicts, and individual development, featuring characters dealing with their internal fears and societal challenges like inequality and discrimination. 

Gameplay: The game incorporates a turn-based combat system similar to the “Persona” series, introducing a fresh risk-reward mechanic that enhances the traditional format. Players can awaken “Archetypes,” gaining the power to access and merge distinctive job class skills. Exploration plays a vital role, as players navigate various terrains, participate in the Royal Tournament, and develop bonds with a group of allies. 

Visuals and Audio: “Metaphor: ReFantazio” is celebrated for its breathtaking visual artistry, merging anime-inspired cutscenes with captivating surroundings. The soundtrack of the game enhances the fantastical environment, enriching the overall experience. 

Reception: The game has been commended by critics for its heartfelt story, creative gameplay mechanics, and refined execution. It is regarded as a major advancement in the RPG genre, enhancing Atlus’ legacy while adding new features that engage both newcomers and experienced players. 

Overall, “Metaphor: ReFantazio” presents an engaging mix of narrative, tactical warfare, and intricate world creation, establishing it as a notable entry in contemporary role-playing games.

“Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2” is a third-person shooter developed by Saber Interactive and released by Focus Entertainment. Launched on September 9, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, it acts as a follow-up to the 2011 original, furthering the tale of the Ultramarines in the dark universe of Warhammer 40,000. 

Plot: Gamers take on the character of Lieutenant Titus, an Ultramarine who comes back to battle after a century-long hiatus. The Imperium encounters a significant danger from the Tyranid hordes, and Titus has to spearhead the effort to shield humanity from extinction. 

Gameplay: The game prioritizes intense, rapid combat, motivating players to confront foes directly instead of depending on cover-based strategies. Gamers can wield an assortment of weapons, such as the famous chainsword and bolter, to annihilate swarms of Tyranids. The combat system incentivizes aggressive gameplay, linking health recovery to performing melee strikes on foes. 

Methods: 

* Campaign: Engage with the story alone or join friends in a cooperative mode accommodating up to three players. 

* Multiplayer: Participate in player-versus-environment (PvE) and player-versus-player (PvP) modes, providing various challenges and competitive gaming experiences. 

Reception: The game has been lauded for its accurate depiction of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, offering exhilarating combat and an engaging depiction of Space Marine battles. Critics have observed that although the campaign provides a simple experience, it truly excels when played in cooperation. 

In summary, “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2” offers a thrilling and immersive experience, embodying the spirit of the Warhammer 40K universe while providing enjoyable combat mechanics for both single-player and cooperative modes.

“S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl” is a first-person shooter created by GSC Game World, set to launch on November 20, 2024, for PC and Xbox Series X/S. Taking place in an alternate-history version of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, referred to as “The Zone,” the game merges survival horror and immersive simulation elements. 

Gameplay and Environment: 

Players take on the role of a solitary stalker exploring a seamless open world measuring 64 square kilometers. The surroundings are intricately designed, providing an assortment of post-apocalyptic scenes that amplify the game’s unsettling ambiance. The gameplay focuses on survival elements, demanding players to handle resources, fight against hostile creatures, and maneuver through environmental dangers. 

Narrative: 

The game includes a non-linear narrative where player decisions result in both short-term effects and lasting results, promoting exploration and several playthroughs. 

Growth and Response: 

Created by the Kyiv-based studio GSC Game World, the game’s development encountered major hurdles stemming from geopolitical issues, notably the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In spite of these challenges, the creators provided an engaging experience that embodies the spirit of the original series. Critics have lauded the game for its beautiful graphics and engaging environment, although a few have pointed out technical problems that impact performance. 

In general, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl” provides a chilling and engaging experience in a precisely designed post-apocalyptic setting, attracting enthusiasts of survival horror and story-oriented games.