GamesBeat author Rachel Kaser’s Top 5 Games of 2024

We are about to draw 2024 – a difficult year that gave us some great games but I hope we will be remembered as “troubled” by many companies. We’ve had over 14,000 layoffs, a withering three-pronged aging market, ballooning subscription prices and a (slow) decline in quality of life. But we have the first few weeks of January 2025 to celebrate the year’s events. In fact, it’s that time: Time to talk about our favorite games of the year.

Dean has already been revealed His favorite game for a year…so now it’s my turn. Just to be clear, this game is my personal favorite and I found it to be a very successful experience. Hopefully I can make a longer list sometime in 2025 – my list of games played in 2024 is not. as long as it was last year (although in related news, I’m more rested than I was a year ago), but for now, here are my top five games of the year.

5. Lorelei and Laser Eyes

Every year in this list, I like to include one game that reaches as a dark horse in my Top 5 – a small title that is satisfying to me personally. Lorelei and Laser Eyes it may have come out early in the year it was later covered, but I haven’t forgotten about it. Its surreal, surreal style may be enough to remind me, but Lorelei is ultimately much more than that.

Lorelei is the type of game that challenges the player. The entire time you’re playing, you feel like the game is locking you into a tactical battle, and while it gives you everything you need to overcome the many challenges, it doesn’t hold your hand. Even the game features and so-called “clue” systems seem to want to put the player behind more than help. And juxtaposing wit and sport may not be everyone’s cup of tea – it’s not always my cup of tea, either – but sometimes that’s what I need and Lorelei and Laser Eyes do it very well.

2024 was a good year for RPGs, all things considered – Baldur’s Gate 3 is a hard act to follow. But we had an amazingly full year. And one RPG rose to the top with its unique, honest and fun, fast-paced story: Atlus’ Metaphor: ReFantazio. For me, RPGs live and die by the way they make me feel like I’m really part of the world around me, and the world of Metaphor, unpleasant and ugly and full of anti-social behavior, although it was real, the problems of its people felt important.

Example: ReFantazio can avoid many of the pitfalls that have befallen other RPGs this year (not naming names, but IYKYK) by tying the gaming calendar to a major global event – Atlus’ remastering. time management system. In fact, almost every part of Metaphor feels like the most compelling version of what Atlus has done before, from the art to the turn-based combat. Although the story is very disturbing, it is told with conviction and the message is so strong that it is never boring.

3. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Well, look who we have here. MachineGames’ official game featuring whip-wielding archaeologists came out last month of the year and rose to the top of the list. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one of the best fun games – and, surprisingly, one of the best games – I didn’t play in 2024, but in the last five years. Troy Baker’s performance as Dr. Jones goes beyond mere imitation which elevates the entire game to my Top 3.

The Great Circle almost-perfectly mimics the original charm Indiana Jones movies (note that I say “original” with real intentions) and also respect the classic games that lead to it. MachineGames has managed to capture the series’ sense of humor and fun gameplay, its not-so-self-important feel, and the satisfaction of beating the Nazis (a story they should have mastered after the Wolfenstein titles). Also, one of the villains is played by the late Tony Todd, and it’s great to see him again.

2. Astro Bot

As someone who plays professionally, it’s difficult at times to overextend or confuse my thoughts. So even if I could explain briefly why the Astro Bot platform is so profitable, or how its story is attractive despite its simplicity… let’s put it in a few words: Astro Bot is on this list because it is entertainment. It’s fun and exciting and well made and gives players exactly what they’re looking for.

Well, sprinkle it a little harder in my opinion: Astro Bot is a platform polished to a diamond shine with heart and humor. The variety of gameplay keeps it fresh, and the game never wears out its welcome by expanding its levels or playing any of its magic. It’s just long enough that its PlayStation-ness doesn’t come off as an advertisement (though admittedly it comes close once or twice). Most are games I played and loved as an adult – a few are games I know I would have loved as a kid.

1. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

To be honest, my top game this year surprised me again. Until the last time I write this, I am giving it to Astro Bot. But I took a deep look at the games I’ve played so far this year, and thought about the games that brought me the most joy while playing. And it may have been a long time – almost a year now – that my memory has been happy, but I remember my playing. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown it’s the heat I’ve had for this year.

The Lost Crown has everything I want in a game: It has solid gameplay that evolves as the game progresses, great pacing, diverse gameplay, story and art that pays homage to history and real-world legends while combining fantasy, diversity and diversity. interesting characters and more beauty that just playing it sometimes leaves me breathless. There have been a lot of games between the January launch and now, but they still managed to stay with me until the end of the year.