As we stand on the brink of 2025, with thrilling new games ready to leap onto our screens, there’s still a moment to look back at all the spectacular offerings 2024 had in store. From ingenious bots to charming LEGO realms, epic fantasy landscapes to updated classics, last year truly catered to every gamer’s taste.
## A Year of Expansive RPGs
The past twelve months were a treat for fans of sprawling and magical worlds, where heroes wield spells and realms float among the clouds. The creators of Persona, Atlus, dared to tread new ground with their imaginative Metaphor ReFantazio, earning well-deserved accolades for its strategic combat, polished presentation, and unforgettable battle anthems.
Meanwhile, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth faced the daunting challenge of reinventing a legendary RPG classic, following in the impressive footsteps of its predecessor, the highly acclaimed Final Fantasy VII Remake. Another title, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, captured attention with its co-op combats woven into an expansive storyline, while Dragon Age: The Veilguard closed out the year with an engrossing quest and a rousing score by the legendary Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.
For those who craved a down-to-earth RPG experience, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth delivered intense street-level brawls, delighting fans of the gritty Yakuza universe with its robust combat and engaging narrative expansion.
## A Year of Classic Remasters
2024 wasn’t merely the year of fresh game releases—classics, too, reemerged with stunning upgrades. Disney’s Epic Mickey returned with an iconic mouse armed with newfound capabilities to match its vibrant visual overhaul.
Lara Croft enthusiasts unearthed treasures anew in the form of Tomb Raider I–III Remastered. But Lara wasn’t alone in her adventures—Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged revived George Stobbart and Nico Collard’s captivating journeys, reimagined in stunning 4K glory.
In more distant galaxies, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition stood out as gems for sci-fi lovers, providing rich experiences in both FPS and action-adventure formats. Fans of classic fantasy RPGs weren’t left wanting either, with Grandia HD Collection and Persona 3 Reload making triumphant returns, while Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster shambling back with smarter updates, ready to tackle any zombie cravings.
## A Year of Horror and Retro-Inspired Scares
Not every returning game settled for heartwarming nostalgia; some aimed to make your pulse race. Silent Hill 2 emerged from the mist with a breathtaking remake, delivering chilling reunions with the infamous Pyramid Head, all enhanced with stunning visual fidelity.
New titles also held their own on the scare scale. For fans of retro vibes, Crow Country fused classic survival horror gameplay with the nostalgic 1990s PlayStation aesthetic. Similarly, Fear the Spotlight took an old-school approach to deliver a gripping, eerie story, while Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game drew players into ‘80s-themed multiplayer mayhem, based on the 1988 cult classic film.
For a more contemporary fear factor, Still Wakes the Deep served a suspenseful, psychologically and cosmically-tinged horror story. And for those up for an in-your-face VR thrill, Alien: Rogue Incursion brought cosmic terror right into the living room—where everyone can, indeed, hear you scream.
## A Year of Character Platformers
Platformers can be hard to innovate within, but 2024 set a high benchmark for others to follow. Leading the charge was the endlessly inventive Astro Bot, whose adventure by Team Asobi quickly secured its place as a modern classic. With imaginative levels, exceptional DualSense integration, and memorable character cameos, it was a standout experience.
We can’t ignore the smaller surprises, though. Another Crab’s Treasure plunged us into a deep-sea world where an irritated hermit crab, Kril, used ocean junk as weapons and armor in a refreshing Soulslike journey. Meanwhile, Penny’s Big Breakaway took us back to a retro era of rapid, vibrant platformers, as Penny raced to clear her name against a zany backdrop of pursuing penguins—wildly entertaining to the core.
## A Year of Creative Art Design
The year was also a showcase for visually distinct games, offering both style and substance. Harold Halibut’s impressive stop-motion animation—a decade in the making—brought its charming adventure to life through intricate physical dioramas.
Neva shone with vivid color and contrast, while Thank Goodness You’re Here! dove into absurd humor and a bold style reminiscent of classic British comedy comics. LEGO Horizon Adventures added a playful spin to LEGO’s Visual World, daring players to recreate its impressive machines as seen in the game using real LEGO bricks.
So, as we eagerly await the gaming treasures of 2025, which 2024 games left a lasting mark on your favorites list? It’s been a remarkable year, with something to captivate everyone’s imagination.
