I know it is late but better late that never. Here’s my favorite games of 2024 (in no particular order)
SUMMMERHOUSE
Simple to point gameplay. You build things and make it look nice. You have no timer, no goal, no plan. Just make things. Make a storefront. Make a park. Make a main street location. Just make it. Put on some music and just play around with it. I have enjoyed minute I spend with it. A palette cleanser between games or a nice little stress release (especially between Balatro runs).
Open Roads
This one was on my radar for a while and thanks to Game Pass, I was able to play this little indie gem. Set in 2003, this mystery walking sim about a mother and daughter road trip of discovery took me out of my comfort zone and had me on the end of my seat. Voice acting was superb and 2D hand drawn characters mixed into 3D backgrounds was an interesting twist. Had a bit of hokey Hallmark channel vibes (not a bad thing just explaining the story’s tone). It’s pretty short, you can get thru it in the span of one sitting or spread it out over a weekend.
Galacticare
Two Point Hospital but in Space is the best way I can explain what Galacticare is. Each level feel like a vignette (like a short story) of your journey of being the top hospital admin in the galaxy. Fun to play and so so funny. I still laugh every time I think about this game. If you have played a management/tycoon type game, you will love Galacticare. I can’t recommend it enough!
Peglin
I love a good roguelike (or roguelite) but Peglin really grabbed me. The Peggle-like gameplay meets RPG elements really speaks to me. It has been out for a while but it dropped its 1.0 release in 2024 so it counts!
Tavern Talk
DND meets Cheers. Being a unknown/unseen bartender talking to fantasy patrons while you make the perfect drink for them feels chill to me. If you love a good cozy visual novel. I highly recommend, perfect for those cold, rainy and cozy nights!
Reus 2
Never played the first game but I have always been fascinated with the Reus series. I had the pleasure of playing Reus 2 and it is a good time. You are tasked with building planets full of human, planet, and animal life. Use powerful but docile titans to set up ecosystems and give your populace what they need. Reminds me of the old Populous games of old, again, I recommend!
Eiyuden Chronicles: Hunderd Heroes
This is a combination of a spiritual successor to Suikoden and a love letter to old school JRPGs all in one. That mix of 2D sprites in 3D backgrounds and delightful voice acting really nails down the work that Rabbit and Bear Studios put into this game. I felt the opening hours to be a bit on slow side. However if you are a JRPGs or RPGs in general, I think you should give this game a look.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami
TL:DR, the game is good. You are a duck who solves crimes and has a bread addiction. A cast of very flawed and funny characters and wonderful voice acting in this whodunit about aged tubular meat thief. It’s a short one but if you got the time, I say do it!
Creatures of Ava
This has to be the most cozy monster hunting game I have played. Although, hunting might be a stretch. You really calm monsters. Creatures of Ava takes place on a planet on the verge of slow demise. You are Ava tasked to either evacuate the planet or save it from the plant-like corruption that is harming both flora and fauna. A good time for those who like saving animals.
Caravan Sandwitch
Interesting title, aside, you are Sauge who returning to their home planet on the hunt to find their lost sibling. You and your van travel across the arid dunes, rusty factories and dense jungle helping the populace in the process. Driving around feels so good to do. The story is light but with some twists and turns to keep you focused. Highly recommend.
Loco Motive
Now, I only played the demo but that demo was so jam-packed I had to put it on the list. A mystery point and click adventure inspired by the old Sierra/Lucasarts games. The pixel graphics are crisp and voice acting is so good. Set on the Reuss express, a murder has happened. You play the perspectives of 3 characters, as you figure who killed the heiress. A utter delight even in a demo.
Balatro
This game almost flew under my radar during the February steam next fest last year. Almost missed it. I played it the day the fest was ending. It had a high ranking in demo downloads. I bit. I downloaded the demo and was hooked instantly. When they sent me a key (full discourse, btw) I was hype. Now I have become a herald for this game. Everywhere I go, I sing the praises of this game. In a nutshell it is, poker roguelike game but this paragraph can barely do it justice. If you have Apple Arcade, try it. If you see it on Steam and you like deckbuilder roguelikes, buy it. I can’t say anymore about it, I gotta do a no pair run right now. Thank goodness, I beat the black deck. I need to finish up some challenges as well but I’ll do that after I unlock all the decks. Oh, man I’m still writing this. Yeah go buy it. It’s good.
Honorable Mention/Conclusion
It would be remiss of me not to mention the many, many games that I did play that didn’t make the favorite list.
- Surmount
- Boxes: Lost Fragments
- For The King II
- Spin Hero
- SteamWorld Heist II
- Frostpunk 2
- Amber Isle
- Until Then
- Botany Manor
- V Rising
- Rungore
- Marvel Rivals
- Deck of Souls
- Planetiles
- Shadowhand Solitaire
And that is that. My Favorite Games of 2024 list is done. I can’t wait to find some awesome gaming gems in 2025. I’ll keep you all posted.
