While 2025 is just about ready to light up our screens with thrilling new experiences, there’s still a moment to savor the excellent gaming moments from 2024. From innovative Bots and a wonderfully blocky LEGO universe to epic fantasy tales and gorgeously revamped classics, there was something to captivate every type of gaming enthusiast this past year.
### A Year of Expansive RPGs
2024 was truly magical for fans of expansive worlds filled with spell-casting heroes, elfin characters, and sky-high towns. The creators of Persona, Atlas, ventured into a captivating new universe with Metaphor ReFantazio, drawing heaps of well-earned acclaim for its thoughtful combat mechanics, sleek presentation, and catchy battle themes.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth faced the daunting task of reimagining a legendary RPG while sustaining the high bar set by the previous installment, Final Fantasy VII Remake. Granblue Fantasy: Relink offered eager fans fast-paced action and co-op combat alongside an engaging storyline, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard wrapped up the year with a compelling quest and an emotionally charged soundtrack by renowned composers Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.
For those leaning towards a more grounded, albeit still fantastical experience, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth brought a fresh punch to the genre, offering an exciting combat system and expanding the rich narrative tapestry of the Yakuza universe.
### A Year of Classic Remasters
The year wasn’t just about new releases; classic games made a powerful comeback, enhanced with more than just a graphical update. Disney’s Epic Mickey returned with new powers, beautifully updated visuals, and more than a splash of nostalgia.
Lara Croft’s fans rejoiced with the remastered Tomb Raider I–III, while Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged reignited the classic adventure’s narrative in vivid 4K, bringing George Stobbart and Nico Collard back to life as they chased the secrets of the Knights Templar.
Across galaxies, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition brought fresh energy to sci-fi adventures. Fan-favorite genre offerings didn’t disappoint with Grandia HD Collection and Persona 3 Reload. And let’s not forget the restless zombie action of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, which ambled back onto our screens, packing a set of brainy upgrades.
### A Year of Horror and Retro-Inspired Scares
While some remasters warmed our hearts, others aimed to send a chill down the spine. A standout was the Silent Hill 2 remake, which reemerged from the fog, even more terrifying than before, thanks to its high-definition visuals and familiar nightmare-inducing Pyramid Head.
A slew of spine-tingling new titles also made their mark. Crow Country mixed timeless survival horror with nostalgic 90s PlayStation graphics, while Fear the Spotlight added an edge to its eerie narrative with an old-school vibe. The dark humor and asymmetrical multiplayer chaos of Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game, inspired by the 1988 cult movie, made the ’80s feel fresh again.
For a contemporary jolt, Still Wakes the Deep provided chilling psychological and cosmic horror, while VR title Alien: Rogue Incursion delivered in-your-face frights that left players screaming right in their living rooms.
### A Year of Character Platformers
Crafting a standout platformer isn’t a simple feat, yet 2024 delivered hits that set a high bar for future titles. Astro Bot was a flagship example, with its imaginative levels, clever use of the DualSense controller, and cameos that players won’t soon forget.
In the world of hidden gems, Another Crab’s Treasure introduced the aquatic Soulslike action adventure of Kril, the feisty hermit crab, wielding discarded junk as weapons and armor. Then there was Penny’s Big Breakaway, a vibrant platformer throwing players into a fast-paced, comedic quest led by a protagonist on the run from Emperor Eddie’s penguin army.
### A Year of Creative Art Design
Lastly, 2024 showcased visually striking games that stood out not just for their aesthetics, but also their engaging gameplay. Harold Halibut, with its handcrafted stop-motion appearance, represented a decade-long labor of love, transforming physical dioramas into a uniquely charming visual style.
Titles like Neva popped with vivid color and contrast in their puzzle platforming, while the slapstick adventure of Thank Goodness You’re Here! brought a cartoonish, British comic book style to life, oozing with absurd humor.
LEGO Horizon Adventures took inspiration to another level, showing off a world where the epic machines could be constructed with real LEGO bricks, combining the creativity of LEGO with the epicness of Horizon Zero Dawn.
Which games and their fascinating trends captured your heart in 2024?
