The GamingTrend staff’s “Top Games of 2024” list

As obvious as it is, not everyone’s favorite games make the cut when awards season rolls around. We recently released our “Trendsetter” awards (which you can view here), but we like to go a step further. With quite a few amazing games dropping in 2024, our staff took to the keys to share a few of their favorites. Check these out below, and

Ron Burke’s Top Games

It’s good to be the boss. I don’t have to listen to anyone, and I frequently don’t. There are a few games that I feel can’t be missed this year, and for various reasons. They might not be the highest scoring games, but they are certainly the best in their category. Let’s talk about…

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – I don’t mind that the team at SquareEnix is splitting this into three outings as they honestly feel like three complete and separate games, each with their own strengths. The lessons learned from the first title have carried into Rebirth, and that trend will undoubtedly continue into the third installment. You never get to step into the same river twice, but this is as close as we’ll ever get. Fantastic combat, a fun story with a few updates for today’s audience, and more than enough nostalgic moments viewed through a new lens are sure to bring back fans of the original, while introducing whole new audiences.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered – I’d long since given up hope on every returning to Nosgoth, but wow did Aspyr deliver on this remaster. Sure, it has a few bugs at launch, but you’d be hard pressed to find a more compelling vortex of storyline, setting, and incredible voicework talent than Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered. The team at Aspyr also brought to life content that only the most stalwart of hackers have ever seen. Could this spell a refresh in the future for Defiance? Or dare I dream once again – a sequel? I just know that I voraciously consumed these two games all over again and can’t wait to see what the future holds once more.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Another game many had given up hope ever seeing a sequel for, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 somehow outdoes the already-awesome original. With an absolutely awesome lore-perfect storyline with one of the most badass endings I’ve seen in recent memory, an awesome multiplayer campaign that keeps you coming back for more, and a roadmap with yet more content on the horizon, this game is jam packed. Best of all, it sold really well, paving the way for a return to the grimdark world of 40K for Space Marine 3.

Expansions –

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred – The team at Blizzard have really outdone themselves with Diablo IV. Not afraid to overhaul systems, they’ve already retooled damage and loot to make it more rewarding for players, and now with Vessel of Hatred, they have also expanded the lore and introduced a brand new character class in the Spiritborn. Undoubtedly we’ll see more from the world of Sanctuary, with fresh takes on our favorite character classes, and more of the expanded universe as this expansion ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.

Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader – Void Shadows – Another Warhammer game? Yep, only this time it’s an incredible CRPG from the masters at Owlcat. Their world of Pathfinder games are already lore-rich, tactical, and challenging RPGs, so that made transitioning to the complex world of 40K a no-brainer. While the base game came out in December of 2023, this expansion came out in 2024, so I’m adding both to this list. Even if you aren’t a Warhammer fan, the game brings you along for the ride, introducing you to the grim world of 40K and all without drowning you. This expansion folds beautifully into the main game, imperceptible as to where it begins and ends. If you are an RPG fan you owe it to yourself to grab em both and get started. Once this game gets its hooks into you, there’s no turning back.

Honorable Mentions –

Balatro – It’s just a little card game, right? Yeah, I thought that over 100 hours ago, and I’m still hopelessly wired to Balatro. It’s a cozy and comfortable card game on the surface, but there are so many strategies to uncover as you figure out all of the ways to break this game. It’s available on everything including your phone, so prepare to end up buying this one more than once. It’s the only game on my phone I’ve played this year – it’s that good.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard – The Bioware team put a lot on the line with this one. Their last few games haven’t exactly gone according to plan, and many had written them off as their time had passed. Dragon Age: The Veilguard isn’t perfect by any means, but it has what matters – the soul of Bioware that we all missed. If anything, we can all now hope they take the decisions in The Veilguard even further, upping the stakes and returning to a time where losing a character was not only a possibility, but likely if you didn’t prepare. One thing all of us can agree on, though – nobody saw that ending coming. Also, Manfred is amazing and must be protected at all costs. HISS!

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – It’s odd to put this one on the list as the launch has been, in a word, messy. Long load times, messed up textures odd issues with physics. So why is it here? Put simply, there’s still nothing else quite like it. When things are working, the game is an absolute masterpiece, offering an experience of flying in VR that frankly can’t be beat. Pair it with flight surfaces and it’s as close as you’ll get without your own PPL.

David Burdette’s Top Games

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – There’s the saying about journeys and the friends you made along the way. I can’t remember exactly how it goes. But, I can tell you with certainty that the journey you take in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is incredible because of the friends you grow with along the way. This character driven remake is passionate and endearing in its second chapter. Pairing this with an expansive world and outstanding combat, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more captivating video game in 2024.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – I love me some Call of Duty. Even so, as a package they’ve lacked some of the bite we’ve seen in previous entries. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has made me not know what part of it to play, and that’s because I’m enjoying each section so much. Whether it’s the fantastic campaign, the intense multiplayer, ferocious Zombies, or frenetic Warzone mode, I find myself always wanting to play just one more match. There are things that need fixing and tweaking, as per usual, but the foundation of gunplay and fun is there for all to see.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – I remember trying Yakuza 7 for the first time, and I fell in love with Like a Dragon. Infinite Wealth pulls you in even more, with a preposterous narrative that works because you connect with the characters. It’s over the top in all the best ways, and a ton of gameplay mechanics to enjoy. Whether you’re fighting street gangs in Hawaii, going on dates via the Miss Match app, or building your own Animal Crossing style island, there’s something here for you.

Honorable Mention –

Batman: Arkham Shadow – As fun as VR can be, there’s an additional weariness that comes from getting under the headset. Playing something in VR has to be worth it to me, and I’ve never wanted to stay in VR as much as I have while playing Batman: Arkham Shadow. In what may be the best translation of a flat screen to VR game yet, Shadow exhibits all the Arkham mainstay mechanics, perfectly formed for the Meta Quest 3. If you want a phenomenal and immersive experience, choose Batman: Arkham Shadow.

Richard Allen’s Top Games

Rise of the Ronin – Rise of the Ronin was my most played game of the year and one of the few games I have ever taken the time to platinum. Ronin is an ambitious tale which spans countless years and allows you to change your loyalties on a whim, while also providing fantastic combat, difficult bosses, a ton of optional missions and items to find, and a tough-as-nails end game mode. Rise of the Ronin got off to a rocky start and suffered a bit in the public eye due to it, but any rough edges were long ago polished out, and what now remains is one of the most compelling campaigns of the year.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown – While the remake of Sands of Time keeps getting pushed back, The Lost Crown came out and showcased how much steam the Prince of Persia series still has. A compelling mix of combat, platforming, and puzzle solving, The Lost Crown successfully transferred the Prince of Persia series into one of the best Motroidvania’s in years. It’s a shame this release never quite obtained the popularity it deserved, but that just means you can pick this up at a great price now, so grab it and enjoy one of the best titles of the year!

RetroRealms: Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead – RetroRealms’s unique idea to create an intertwined world full of horror icons each with their own side scrolling action games may sound risky on paper, but ended up a home run. Currently both Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead have their own stand alone campaigns which allow you to play as multiple characters from each series, but the real magic occurs when you purchase both titles and begin playing as Michael Myers in Ash’s world and vice versa. Counting DLC, there are a total of eight different campaigns to play through, with each character boasting their own unique style of play and with each playthrough having its own dialogue to keep things from becoming stale. The plan is to add more titles to the line up in the future, with each title allowing for more crossplay, and I can’t wait to see which horror icon comes next!

Honorable Mention –

Trombone Champ: Unflattened (PSVR2) – Trombone Champ is the most fun you can have in VR and quite possibly the funniest game to release in years, at least in terms of pure hilarious spectacle. Your friends, family, or significant other is in for a treat as they watch you helplessly flail about attempting to master your trombone tooting skills. This game is worth every penny of its cheap asking price and I highly recommend you pick it up if you have a PVSR2.

David Flynn’s Top Games

Metaphor: ReFantazio – I said it in our review, but I’ll say it again – Metaphor: ReFantazio is the best game ATLUS has ever made. The combat system takes the best of both Persona and Shin Megami Tensei to make something incredibly satisfying to master, in boss fights and normal encounters. It’s incredibly well written, with an explicitly political message, and characters that continue to matter throughout the story. The tunes might not be as catchy as Persona 3 Reload, a game that came very close to being on this list as my favorite Persona title, but the battle theme is always a treat to listen to. It’s an amazing game all around, with a team of artists working at the top of their game.

1000xResist – As the debut title from Sunset Visitor, you wouldn’t think 1000xResist would be as good as it is, and yet it’s easily one of the best games of this year. If you missed out on it, go fix that right now, and come back later. It’s worth it, I promise. If you need a bit more convincing, the game is a masterfully written narrative adventure about a world in which a bratty high school girl became the last surviving human on earth. You play as one of her many clones that now comprise the entirety of civilization, and uncover a conspiracy by exploring, talking to other clones, and solving some light puzzles. The game has a beautiful message, and will keep you thinking long after you put the controller down. I played it back in May, and I’m STILL thinking about it.

Astro Bot – The PS5 may only have one or two exclusives at the moment, but Astro Bot might just make owning the console worth it. It’s simply a delightful platformer that is constantly trying to put a smile on the player’s face, either through cute visuals, inventive platforming, or the nostalgia of cameos. The entire Astro Bot series is just as delightful, though this might be the best of the lot as it doesn’t have the possibility of VR sickness of the original and is more fleshed out than the PS5’s pack-in title. It’s just joyful from start to finish, and I hope Team Asobi can keep making games like this. Maybe an Ape Escape next?

Honorable Mentions –

The Crimson Diamond – The Crimson Diamond is a retro style adventure game, complete with a text parser to negotiate all your interactions and conversations. It may seem intimidating at first, but the game invisibly guides you through it and, if you need that extra nudge, it even has a hint filled walkthrough included. The protagonist, Nancy Maple, is a delight, and solving the game’s central mystery is a blast. This is more than just a throwback, and it recaptures a lost era of games to great effect.

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle – I was hoping that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would be a combination of Tomb Raider and Wolfenstein going in, but I was happy to find that it also included Hitman in that mashup. The game feels like you’re living a lost film from the 80s, though you can stop and smell the roses to do side quests too. There’s a ton to discover here, even after the credits roll.

Mouthwashing – I’m not entirely sure why I think Mouthwashing deserves an honorable mention. I think I kinda hated what I experienced in it, but that’s also the point. It’s not a game for the faint of heart, I count myself among their number, but it IS a game that made me feel things so viscerally. A deep horror and disgust that I can’t get out of my mind. And I think that deserves a mention, at the very least.

Cassie Peterson’s Top Games

LEGO Horizon Adventures – LEGO Horizon Adventures was everything I’d hoped it would be. The whimsical retelling of a PlayStation classic in a way that only LEGO can achieve, this game had no shortage of laughs to give. To top it off, many almost all the characters are voiced by the original voice actors!

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – The continuation of Senua’s story was my most anticipated for 2024. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II isn’t as action packed as the first game, but it shines in how it tells the stories of humanity’s struggles. While the tones are darker, the world Senua explores (Iceland) is full of life and color, a stark contrast to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, which took place in Helheim.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden – Another game that uses creative storytelling to explore humanity’s struggles, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden takes place in colonial New England. How far would you go to save the soul of the one you love? You battle darkness and nightmares, condemning those whose crimes can’t be forgiven.

Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – I’ve never been a big Legend of Zelda person, but Echoes of Wisdom just happened to catch my attention. When rifts open up across Hyrule, swallowing everything and everyone it touches, it’s up to Princess Zelda to come to the rescue. It’s a welcome change, Link becomes the damsel in distress while the lady of the kingdom becomes the knight in shining armor. The Echoes are fun to play around with, though beds became the most useful resource throughout my adventures.

Adam Moreno’s Top Games

Star Wars Outlaws – Outlaws took everything that I loved about games such as Assassin’s Creed and Uncharted and crafted a game perfect for what I wanted from Star Wars at this time. You’re not a Jedi, you’re not fighting Sith. You’re a young scoundrel trying to make a name for yourself while flying or driving through some of the most breathtaking graphics Star Wars has had in video games. I enjoyed doing side quests to gain faction credit, main story for the new items, and collecting all of the clothing options. From flying to stealth missions, Outlaws was such a wonderful experience and truly a great time.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard – While I enjoyed the story and lore of the older Dragon Age titles, I never grew to enjoy the combat. Now, Veilguard had mashed the lore and story of a Dragon Age game, with a combat system I actually picked up quite quickly and have had a wonderful time. Two playthroughs in while also watching my partner play a playthrough, this is going to end up a top 10 game of all time for me personally.

EA Sports College Football 25 – After a 10 year hiatus, College Football returns to consoles with a game so good it’s already the highest grossing sports game of all time. This game not only reinvigorated my love of college football, it provided me with hours of gameplay with different teams in different conferences and more. I even made my own team based on the anime Jujutsu Kaisen and put it into the game to go up against the likes of Tennessee and Middle Tennessee State. If you love college football or are just looking for something different, College Football 25 has proven it was a good call.

John Farrell’s Top Games

I did not play most of the bigger names this year, toiling as I have in the mines of older obscure indies. I did play Infinite Wealth, a game that started strong and drove its story, pacing, and characters into the ground by the end. The few I have gotten around to have impressed me with inventiveness and quality. The medium keeps innovating, and my favorites of the year didn’t need to push their graphics or developers to do so.

Balatro – Yes, it is that good.

Shogun Showdown – Slay the Spire fired a hunger for roguelike card games that has yet to be sated. Shogun Showdown’s addition of movement with light programming is exceptional. Your options are simple, the actions clear, and the puzzle they add up to is wonderful. This game rewards paying attention and learning its subsystems, with extreme options for experimentation with its different characters, cards, and run options.

Fantasian: Neo Dimension – Sneaking in at the end, Hiranobu Sakaguchi comes back with a RPG in classic form. Challenging, charming, containing exploration without gormless meandering, it was a pleasure to let his team bring this game from IOS to PC for those of us who don’t rely on hardware designed with planned obsolescence. It’s great to see them given free reign to fire on all cylinders and experiment with the genre more.

Corvo Rohwer’s Top Games

Balatro – It’s not every day you find a game so effortlessly addictive as Balatro, let alone one that is so much fun. Crafting outrageous synergies and building up millions of score is like a waterfall of dopamine, and always taunts me to just play one more round. Whether you’re going for a flush five build or going all in on high card, Jimbo’s always got something for you.

Harold Halibut – While I can see this game not making the top of many people’s lists this year, Harold Halibut continues to intrigue me months after completion. It’s such a marvel to play, with hand crafted environments and stop-motion aesthetics that I haven’t seen any other game come close to even emulating. It’s an easy going adventure under the sea, and one I think more people should absolutely give a try.

Helldivers 2 – Squashing bugs and scrapping bots with friends was a blast when Helldivers 2 released earlier this year. And now with the addition of the Illuminate, the game continues to be one of the most high-octane and explosive multiplayer experiences on the market. Every last-second extraction, every desperate stratagem, and of course, every accidental team kill compounds the joy of defending liberty to your last breath.

Martin Du’s Top Games

Persona 3 Reload – Persona 3 Reload was easily my most anticipated game this year. The original holds a special place in my heart for containing my favorite ending in all of fiction. A story and cast that present a bittersweet, but beautiful celebration of life.. Reload for the most part translates the original’s rejection of nihilism well. The added scenes stay true to Persona 3’s themes, the new actors are excellent at bringing to life the complexities of the broken characters, and the new songs and incorporations of Atlus’s signature visual flair makes the aesthetic feel sleek, but still rooted in its origins. However, it is the gameplay that had the biggest overhaul. I could not tolerate the original’s, but Reload thankfully addresses most of my criticisms by adding quality of life features from recent entities, as well as new gameplay and story additions to smooth the original’s rough edges. There’s still some PS2 jank embedded in the DNA of Persona 3, but this is the best playing version of a game with a timeless story. One with a message that reminds us that no matter how short it may last, venture life burn your dread.

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club – Out of all the games I played this year, Emio was the one I have gushed about the most. Nintendo and MAGES knocked it out of the park with this latest Famicom Detective Club entry, delivering a gripping murder mystery that manages to demonstrate the importance of Nintendo’s family friendly values. And as a fan of MAGES’s Science Adventure series, Emio in particular feels like the culmination of their talent. It perfects the visual style of Anonymous;Code, and the most emotionally devastating I felt playing a game since Chaos;Child, another gut wrenching whodunnit. The final few hours left me a sobbing mess, and solidified Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club as one of the best Nintendo games ever made.

Sonic x Shadow Generations – You know what’s better than one great game? Two great games in one. When Sonic x Shadow Generations was announced, I didn’t really think much about the Shadow side of the package. I expected it to be a small-scale, supplemental adventure. A bite sized campaign that gives this remaster of Sonic Generations more value, akin to what Bowser’s Fury was to Super Mario 3D World. Oh how happy I am to be wrong. Not only is Shadow’s campaign the same length as Sonic’s, but quality wise exceeds what was already my favorite Sonic game. Shadow Generations is the boost formula perfected, mixing in excellent level design and fun, new abilities Shadow can use to make the blistering speed and reaction based platforming a thrill.

Honorable Mention –

Zenless Zone Zero – Gacha games aren’t really my thing with how predatory their monetization is (let’s go gambling anyone?). And while Zenless Zone Zero still has that gross element baked into its design, the actual game outside of that big hurdle is such a cozy package. Greater than the sum of its part is the best way to describe it. The character action combat is simple, but satisfying to pull off with the way it incorporates team based chain attacks and one of the most satisfying parries. The story isn’t anything to write home about, but it’s an entertaining romp filled with delightful (and extremely fruity) characters. All of this is propped up by a cozy, neo urban fantasy world that is a joy to explore. I have embarrassingly dropped 200 hours into this game, and will likely put in even more as each update only improves an already solid title.

Jack Zustiak’s Top Games

Metaphor: ReFantazio – If there was ever such a thing as a “game of the year,” it would be Metaphor. It resonates perfectly with this year’s events. Metaphor’s narrative parallels the state of society while also transcending it to say something deeper. The game mechanics use ideas from the past to create a genuinely forward-thinking game rather than one that settles for exploiting nostalgia for audience approval. Metaphor looks great, plays great, and says plenty of things that are worth saying, all while trusting the player to manage it all competently and come to their own conclusions.

Unicorn Overlord – Even when I am enjoying a game, I don’t always feel up to playing it after a long work day or when I have a lot going on in life. That wasn’t the case for Unicorn Overlord – I would go as far as saying that it was the easiest game for me to play this year. Its strategic battles and unit building systems immediately hook you in. They’re easy to use while leaving plenty of room for mastery. Beyond its core gameplay, Unicorn Overlord paces its twists, challenges, and additions to your crew so consistently that I was looking forward to seeing what’s next all the way to the end of its fairly long journey.

Devil Blade Reboot – I appreciate games that iterate on solid ideas as much as those that innovate, and Devil Blade Reboot executes on its premise about as well as you possibly can. Every aspect of the game oozes quality, from its detailed graphics, excellent soundtrack, and strong grasp on the fundamentals of an exciting SHMUP. It’s a game that just feels great to play: I love getting up close and personal on enemies, I love the way things explode, and I love the voice clips that play during boss fights. I spent a lot of time diving into this genre this year, and Devil Blade Reboot is one of the few newer SHMUPs that consistently kept me coming back.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 – For as popular as giant worlds in games have become, most of them fail to execute their worlds in ways I find interesting. I struggle to call a game that constantly tells you where to go and how to do things a genuine adventure. Dragon’s Dogma 2 makes its world feel alive in ways most of these giant games don’t: it’s obtuse, it’s mysterious, it’s full of things most players will never bother with, and occasionally it’s even a little frustrating. Most importantly, it feels like an adventure, and it’s one I enjoyed thoroughly.

Umbraclaw – Umbraclaw takes a lot of risks. The one-hit kills create an unusually harsh game design that emphasizes enemy avoidance, while the death and rebirth mechanics provide a compelling safety net to consider for players of all skill levels. Both stealthing around as a cat and tearing through levels as a monster are fun in their own right, which is good because the developers want you to play through the game arguably way too many times for all the endings. Not all of the risks Umbraclaw takes work out, but I respect its creative spirit and commitment to its oppressive atmosphere.

Henry Viola’s Top Games

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – A game that needs no introduction, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth takes front seat as my highlight game of the year. The amount of fanfare and production value gone into this title goes beyond just your run of the mill video game. This is also not to mention the extremely unique and satisfying hybrid combat system and characters that you’d bawl your eyes out over. I can’t wait for the 3rd installment to this remake trilogy!

Stellar Blade – As Shift Up’s first AAA game, Stellar Blade is an absolute masterpiece. This exhilarating action experience features a deeply satisfying and smooth combat system based on parrying along with a visually stunning main character. If you know you know. Not only is the gameplay fantastic, the game also features a compelling narrative about humanity’s fight to reclaim Earth. Don’t sleep on this title.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Two legendary characters unite in the newest Yakuza game from RGG Studios: Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth continues the story from Yakuza: Like a Dragon with a deeply compelling narrative and an infinite abundance of side activities. The game knows when to be funny and lighthearted, but also knows when to hit you in the feels. RGG Studio never misses!

A safe and happy new year to everyone! Enjoy all the many video games 2024 has brought with it!

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