As 2023 wrapped up, I took a moment to gather my thoughts and jot down my top five games for the year. Another year has flown by, and I think making a list of favorites is going to be something I do annually from now on.
The gaming world in 2024 was bustling with activity. The year saw the release of countless phenomenal games, but it was also marked by various stories and trends that constantly captured our attention. As December rolled around, many of us joined the celebrations for the best games of the year, tuning into The Game Awards 2024. Not only did we see the winners, but we also got a tantalizing glimpse of what’s in store for 2025.
But right now, let’s delve into my personal game of the year list: a completely unbiased, definitive selection of the top games that graced Xbox and PC in 2024. Of course, this list is based on the games I personally played and conquered over the year. Sadly, I didn’t get around to all the stellar releases like Balatro, Astro Bot, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Silent Hill 2 (2024), and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Nonetheless, here are the standout games that captured my heart.
5. The "Purrfect Adventure" Award — Cat Quest III
This choice might raise some eyebrows, but I’m sticking with it. More than any of my honorable mentions, Cat Quest III emerged as one of the top games I enjoyed this year. It doesn’t boast the grandest scale, the most intricate design, or eye-popping visuals, but it more than makes up for it in sheer fun.
Cat Quest III is a charming, accessible isometric RPG that radiates cuteness and cheer. The tale is simple, filled with witty cat-themed puns, and the gameplay is straightforward but all this adds to its charm. At its essence, Cat Quest III invites you to have a joyous time without worrying too much about “balance.”
Reflecting on my Cat Quest III experience, I found it to be "a brief, approachable RPG with a modest open world and a simple narrative, yet it stands as one of the most enjoyable gaming journeys I’ve embarked on this year thanks to its delightful and surprisingly varied combat, adorable universe, and a charming roster of furred characters, all while supporting local two-player co-op."
I fully completed the game and still craved for more. Honestly, its only flaw is that it’s too short. But if you’re after 10 hours of RPG joy, Cat Quest III is absolutely delightful.
4. The “I Didn’t Break My Controller” Award — Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
The first game I reviewed this year turned out to be one of the best. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown took me by surprise and stands as one of the most outstanding Metroidvanias released in recent years. It reimagines the legendary Prince of Persia universe with such dedication and passion that it’s immediately noticeable.
Every element – from the storyline, level creating, acrobatics, combat, skill progression to innovative abilities – is executed brilliantly. Its precise mechanics and responsive nature make exploring the game a pure pleasure, ensuring challenges never feel unjust. Sure, there were some moments of frustration, but they were few and far between, sparing my controller from any danger.
At the end of my review for The Lost Crown, I expressed, "It’s not a direct sequel to previous Prince of Persia titles, but The Lost Crown is a remarkably fun, challenging, and intriguing Metroidvania 2D platformer. While it falters slightly in narrative and controls, it remains an excellent game that deserves a chance."
It breaks my heart that Ubisoft is not giving this team a chance to further this series because it’s one of their finest releases in a long time.
3. The “You Can Pet the Dog” Award — Neva
Amid a sea of visually stunning games, Nomada Studio has once again proven they’re a notch above with Neva and earlier with GRIS. This beautiful, emotional action-platformer captivates you with a lively world full of hand-drawn animations and wraps you in its poignant tale.
In a world overshadowed by darkness, you’re the beacon fighting back. By your side, a cub—the orphan of your devoted guardian—looks to you for guidance and protection. Through the changing seasons, you witness growth and renewal, watching Neva mature into a formidable wolf as your powers evolve. It’s a short journey, but one you won’t soon forget.
My review of Neva ended with, "Neva affirms Nomada Studio’s prowess in art and color, marrying incredible visuals with a moving, emotional story. The gameplay shows significant improvement over GRIS, featuring satisfying combat and platforming. My only real issue is that it’s over too quickly."
Neva isn’t just visually and emotionally compelling; it stands on the strength of its engaging combat and intriguing puzzles. Nomada Studio has truly outdone themselves, making Neva one of 2024’s highlights.
2. The “Punch All the Fascists” Award — Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Although the last game I played didn’t get a formal review from me, it entered this list just in the nick of time. I completed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle only recently, after an exciting 45-hour adventure that had me diving into exotic locations worldwide. I’m thrilled to have wrapped it up before the year ended, as it’s an absolute gem.
Honestly, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle came close to topping this list, though a few bugs and some irritating segments held it back. Ugh, there’s this one pesky photo glitch preventing me from a full completion despite having done everything else! Flaws notwithstanding, it’s a visually stunning game that runs exceptionally on the Xbox Series X, blending immersive simulation with a puzzle-rich adventure.
Summarized beautifully by my colleague, Samuel Tolbert, this game "captures the cinematic essence of the original films. With adventurous exploration, perilous puzzles, and some twists, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will please anyone thirsty for a nostalgic adventure."
Few things are as rewarding as taking down villains with a diverse arsenal while exploring stunning environments and racking up treasures. It may not be my personal top pick, but it’s definitely Xbox’s star of 2024.
1. The “Humans Are the Real Monsters” Award — Metaphor: ReFantazio
For those who know me, this comes as no surprise. I never could have foreseen Metaphor: ReFantazio ending up as my top pick of 2024 at the year’s start. Before this, my experience with Japanese RPGs was limited, and I’ve never dipped into the Persona series. Finding myself tasked with reviewing Metaphor: ReFantazio by mere chance, it’s remarkable how things turned out.
Perhaps destiny played a hand because Metaphor: ReFantazio is a dazzling masterpiece, fusing strategic turn-based RPG combat with thrilling third-person action-adventure elements in a mesmerizing world. It’s a compelling tale of magic and camaraderie, humanity, warfare, and a relentless clash of ideals.
As I wrote my Metaphor: ReFantazio review, the closing credits had just finished rolling. "Metaphor: ReFantazio emerges as the standout game of the year. While some may find the art style divisive or the gameplay stretches too long, this game makes a solid case for ‘game of the year’ with its heartfelt narrative, endearing characters, superb RPG mechanics, and awe-inspiring art."
It may not resonate with every gamer due to its art style and narrative-heavy design, but for me, this game reigned supreme in 2024, encapsulating exquisite art direction and storytelling.
Honorable mentions
I’d also like to shine a light on three other games that came close to cracking my top five. While they might not have made the cut, these titles remain dear to me, and I passionately champion them even though they weren’t the very best of 2024.
Star Wars Outlaws
In my early previews, I wasn’t entirely sold on this game. However, Star Wars Outlaws won me over once I played it. Set within the Star Wars universe, this open-world action game differs from expectations with its focus on the galaxy’s underbelly due to Ubisoft’s touch instead of EA’s influence. Lacking Jedi-centric arcs, it narrows in on the murkier side of things.
While not a contender for my game of the year, I stand by this offering. The common notion of "if it’s from Ubisoft, it’s bad" doesn’t apply here. Ubisoft carries its share of issues, yet they managed to deliver a remarkable game with Prince of Persia. I had a blast with Star Wars Outlaws despite its imperfections and hold no regret over the time spent.
My colleague Rebecca Spear echoed similar sentiments, observing a multitude of lovable features and a rich, immersive world-building despite some shortcomings.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Enter the latest installment in a series that rarely grazes "game of the year" considerations but certainly earned it this time. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 signifies a return to form for a franchise that’s endured rocky launches. This time around, Black Ops 6 rekindled my interest, holding me captive for hours on end.
And it’s not just about multiplayer, though it’s been polished to near perfection. This installment hosts my preferred campaign of all time, incorporating spy thriller elements into the classic gameplay Call of Duty is known for. Although not a die-hard Zombies fan, I’ve enjoyed the thrill of the mode this year.
Fellow tech writer Cole Martin praised Black Ops 6 across the board, and I agree wholeheartedly. If you’ve avoided the series for a while (understandably so, given the bumps since 2020), Black Ops 6 could well be the game that calls you back into the fold.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Lastly, here’s a title that almost slipped into my top five. Staying true to my initial impressions, however, left Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II just shy of the mark. But, to be clear, it’s still a remarkable experience and a work of art. Continuing Senua’s saga, this masterpiece boasts some of the most astonishing visuals and soundscapes I’ve seen.
Hellblade II is technically astounding and narratively compelling, delving deep into themes of trauma, mythology, and finding meaning amid chaos. With breathtaking scenery and mind-bending sequences, the cherry on top is an award-worthy performance by Melina Juergens, breathing life into Senua.
While its brief length kept it off my top five, its brilliance shines through — something I emphatically noted in my review.
Looking ahead to 2025
This year saw me complete 40 games, fewer than in 2023, largely due to the demands of work and some massive titles like Pillars of Eternity and Metaphor: ReFantazio that absorbed a good chunk of my time. Yet, despite my completions, my backlog has only grown. At least I managed to hit 150,000 gamerscore on Xbox thanks to Indiana Jones!
As 2025 approaches, I’m eagerly anticipating what’s on the horizon. It’s shaping up to be a big year for Xbox, provided Microsoft follows through on its promises. Avowed tops my list of anticipated games, alongside other titles like Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, and South of Midnight.
I’m also keen to dive into Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and perhaps explore more entries from series like Monster Hunter Wilds. The lineup for 2025 is already extensive, and I’m a bit anxious about how my backlog will burgeon. Will I even have the chance to make a dent in it? At this rate, it doesn’t look too promising.
