While 2023 is championed as one of the best years in gaming history in terms of new game releases, 2024 was certainly no slouch. All year long, gamers were treated to all kinds of high-quality new game releases from a wide range of genres and platforms.
I played dozens of new games in 2024, with these 10 standing out as my favorites. In fact, some of these games have become part of my all-time favorites, and I can see myself coming back to them for years to come. Please keep in mind that this is myown personal top 10 list, and not reflective ofGame Rant’s official top 10 list.
- Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
1. Astro Bot
When it comes to 2024 games, few have quite the emotional impact ofNeva, an engrossing puzzle-platformer about a woman going on an epic adventure with her wolf to rid the world of evil.Neva’s gorgeous art styleand brilliant musical score combined with its heart-wrenching narrative made it impossible to put the controller down.Nevais a brief but incredible experience that has stuck with me in a way that few other games this year have. ButNevawasn’t the only amazing indie to release in 2024. Joining it isAnimal Well, the first game published by Dunkey’s Bigmode label. An eye-popping Metroidvania,Animal Well’s gadgets ensure that the gameplay is constantly evolving, giving players new ways to tackle its various platforming challenges.
As far as competitive multiplayer games go, I had a hard time choosing betweenCall of Duty: Black Ops 6andMarvel Rivalswhen putting together my list of favorite 2024 games, but I think I have to give the edge to the latter. I’m a huge fan ofOverwatchand have been playing it regularly for years, butMarvel Rivalsis the first game to really pull me away. It’s somewhat light on content right now in terms of maps and modes, butMarvel Rivals' huge roster of 33 playable heroesensures that there still hasn’t been a dull moment. It’s become my new go-to PvP shooter game, and I can see it being my most-played game of next year.
Another 2024 game I plan on revisiting in 2025 isMetaphor Re:Fantazio.Metaphor: ReFantaziopulled me into its game world and never let go throughout its entire runtime. A gigantic JRPG,Metaphor: ReFantaziotakes elements fromthePersonagames and applies them to a medieval fantasy setting, complete with political intrigue, plenty of surprise twists and turns, and all sorts of grotesque monsters.Metaphorhas become one of my favorite turn-based RPGs ever, and I can’t wait to dive back into its world.
Metaphorwas one of my favorite games to release in the back-half of the year, but 2024 didn’t wait long to put out bangers. One of the first major new releases of the year was MetroidvaniaPrince of Persia: The Lost Crown. A criminally underplayed Ubisoft game,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownfeatures some of the year’s best boss fights, brought to life with intense action and flashy visuals.
The Lost Crownwas an excellent new entry in one of gaming’s longest-running franchises, and so too wasEchoes of Wisdom.The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomwas, in my opinion, the best Switch exclusive release of 2024. Bringing back the cute diorama art style last seen in theLink’s Awakeningremake,Echoes of Wisdomfinally put Princess Zelda in the starring role.It also outfitted her with the Tri Rod, which lets her clone objects and enemies to solve puzzles and fight monsters. A short but sweetZeldaadventure,Echoes of Wisdomwas one of the most consistently engaging games I played all year.
The same goes for theSilent Hill 2remake. Like many otherSilent Hillfans, I was skeptical Bloober Team would be able to pull the remake off in a way that lived up to the high bar set by the original, but I was wrong. TheSilent Hill 2remake successfully brings the PS2 classic to modern standardswith its haunting game world, expanded areas, and simple yet brutal close-quarters combat. It’s now one of my favorite horror games and has left me incredibly excited about Bloober Team’s future projects.
I’ll also be keeping an eye on future games made by LocalThunk. The solo developer’sBalatro, a roguelike deck-builder that brilliantly leverages Poker elements, is one of the most addicting new games released this year.Nominated for a Game of the Year awardalongside giants likeFinal Fantasy 7 RebirthandElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree,Balatrohas a sort of timeless quality to it that reminds me of classic puzzle gameTetris.
Puzzle game fans had a lot of high-quality games to choose from in 2024, but none quite matchLorelei and the Laser Eyes.Lorelei and the Laser Eyespays homage to classic survival-horror gamesin terms of its structure and exploration, but trades combat and scares for brutally-difficult puzzles. It’s one of the most fascinating, unique games I have ever played and, while it’s certainly not for everybody, it’s one of my favorite gaming experiences all year.
But the game that is my favorite new release of 2024 is by farAstro Bot. WithAstro Bot, Team Asobi has delivered one of the best 3D platformers of all time, a game that can stand tall with theSuper Marios of the world.Astro Bot’s only goal is for the player to have fun, and in that, it excels.Astro Botis a masterclass of game design, taking full advantage of the PS5’s unique capabilities.Astro Bothas only gotten better since launch, with new updates that have added fresh levels for players to conquer, including speedrun levels and anadorable Christmas-themed stage.
2024 featured some amazing games, and2025 looks like it could be even better. Between the release ofGrand Theft Auto 6and the launch of the Switch 2, 2025 should be a tremendous year for the industry.
JOIN ASTRO IN A BRAND-NEW, SUPERSIZED SPACE ADVENTURE
The PS5® mothership has been wrecked, leaving ASTRO and the bot crew scattered all over the galaxies. Time to ride your trusty Dual Speeder across more than 50 planets full of fun, danger and surprises. On your journey, make the most of ASTRO’s new powers and reunite with many iconic heroes from the PlayStation universe!
Blast off on a supersized adventure
From sandy beaches to lush jungles and piping-hot volcanoes, explore a myriad of memorable planets in search of Astro’s lost crew!
Power up your platforming
With your new powers, battle out a whole new roster of quirky baddies and huge bosses. Feel every hop, punch and crack through your DualSense wireless controller.
Join the PlayStation celebration
Reunite with over 150 iconic PlayStation heroes and celebrate 30 years of PlayStation history!
