The 25 best games of 2024

GamesThe 25 best games of 2024When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesThe 25 best games of 2024When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Future)

Jump to:Game of the Year 2024

Jump to:Game of the Year 2024

To think, there was a time where we thought that 2024 was going to be a quiet period for the video game industry. 2023 was a generation-defining year, with titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, Spider-Man 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom raising the bar for their respective genres to seemingly unreachable heights. But if last year set high expectations, 2024 subverted each and every one of them. This year’s titles delivered in ways that surprised and delighted at every turn, with the best games of 2024 speaking to the reasons we all fell in love with gaming to begin with.

There’s been experiences like Astro Bot, certifying PlayStation’s new mascot just in time for PlayStation' 30th anniversary. Helldivers 2 proved that there’s still promise in the live-service model yet, a raucous multiplayer shooter that demonstrates the power of online multiplayer. A salvo of excellent RPGs highlight that the genre still has plenty of room to grow, while Final Fantasy, Persona, and Silent Hill revivals showed that the past can have a hand in shaping the future. The independent development scene continues to deliver formative works, and… honestly, I could go on and on.

The truth is, it’s been another banner year. Whether you’re playing on PC or PS5, Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch, there’s truly something for everybody to invest their time and attention into in 2024. As this console generation crosses the halfway point (and as the Switch prepares to make way for a new Nintendo console) it’s clear that there’s still plenty of life in these systems yet.

Over the past few weeks, the GamesRadar+ staff have voted and deliberated this ranking, with the team nominating over 80 games for potential inclusion. And yes, it was difficult to narrow it down to just 25. We considered new video games which were released in 2024, excluding expansions and early access launches (we’ll tackle those in separate lists, set to run as part of our wider Year in Review which will run throughout December). It’s worth noting that we had an eligibility cutoff for consideration of November 30 – meaning games likeIndiana Jones and the Great CircleandMarvel Rivalswill be considered alongside thenew games of 2025for next year’s list, should they be worthy. Now with all of that out of the way, here’s our pick of the 25 best games of 2024.

Game of the Year 2024

25. Black Myth: Wukong

(Image credit: GameScience)

24. Unicorn Overlord

(Image credit: Vanillaware)

Developer: Vanillaware |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X

For those people that developer Vanillaware’s Unicorn Overlord speaks to, it practically shouts. A punishing tactical role-playing game and throwback to classic titles from the 1990s with gorgeous, vibrant art and significant mechanical depth, Unicorn Overlord is as much chess as it is a Rube Goldberg machine with entirely different design sensibilities to most modern video games. Though it makes the game difficult to compare, it also makes it singular.

Second Opinion"Unicorn Overlord’s secret sauce is how your characters play off of each other. It is a bunch of beautiful systems interacting beautifully. The game strikes the perfect balance of motivating challenge and sandbox freedom, and I think that’s why I played it for over 40 hours in just five days," says Austin Wood, author of thislove letter to Unicorn Overlord.

Second Opinion

“Unicorn Overlord’s secret sauce is how your characters play off of each other. It is a bunch of beautiful systems interacting beautifully. The game strikes the perfect balance of motivating challenge and sandbox freedom, and I think that’s why I played it for over 40 hours in just five days,” says Austin Wood, author of thislove letter to Unicorn Overlord.

“Unicorn Overlord’s secret sauce is how your characters play off of each other. It is a bunch of beautiful systems interacting beautifully. The game strikes the perfect balance of motivating challenge and sandbox freedom, and I think that’s why I played it for over 40 hours in just five days,” says Austin Wood, author of thislove letter to Unicorn Overlord.

For years, there has been a distinct lack of something akin to Final Fantasy Tactics. There have been plenty of tactical RPGs, sure – Fire Emblem is still a going concern, for example – but few manage to come close to effectively combining the “just one more battle” impulse of moment-to-moment gameplay with a meaningful overarching plot, captivating characters, and incredible art direction. And, because this is Vanillaware, it goes without saying that all of the digital food also looks good enough to eat –the literal cherry on top.

23. Silent Hill 2 Remake

(Image credit: Konami)

Developer: Bloober Team |Platform(s): PC, PS5

Given the success Capcom has enjoyed over the past five years with its string of sublime Resident Evil remakes, it always seemed likely that Konami would want in on the action eventually. Perhaps Silent Hill would be revived for a new generation; Silent Hill 3 or The Room reinterpreted with new technology. After the collapse of Kojima Productions' Silent Hills, there was always this sense that anything was possible –exceptfor the return ofSilent Hill 2, a single-player horror adventure that is widely considered sacrosanct.

Second Opinion"However you approach it, Silent Hill 2 is an atmospheric and rewarding horror game up there with the Resident Evil remakes for reinventing a classic. While its strict adherence to the past can feel a little constrained at times, it nails the feel of the original well," says Leon Hurley, author of ourSilent Hill 2 review.

Second Opinion

“However you approach it, Silent Hill 2 is an atmospheric and rewarding horror game up there with the Resident Evil remakes for reinventing a classic. While its strict adherence to the past can feel a little constrained at times, it nails the feel of the original well,” says Leon Hurley, author of ourSilent Hill 2 review.

“However you approach it, Silent Hill 2 is an atmospheric and rewarding horror game up there with the Resident Evil remakes for reinventing a classic. While its strict adherence to the past can feel a little constrained at times, it nails the feel of the original well,” says Leon Hurley, author of ourSilent Hill 2 review.

And yet here we are. What’s impressive is how well developer Bloober Team preserved the overbearing, sickly atmosphere – a sad crawl into bloodied, unknowable depths. Bloober demonstrates a keen understanding of when to expand the scope and when to pull back to the blueprint, impressing with overhauled combat systems and dense puzzle design. Whether you were traumatized two decades ago or only now discovering that some scares leave a permanent scar, Silent Hill 2 is as mesmerizing as it ever was.

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Developer: GSC Game World |Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X

Second Opinion

21: Thank Goodness You’re Here

(Image credit: Coal Supper)

Developer: Coal Supper |Platform(s): PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch

Second Opinion"I’m still giggling at the thought of Matt Berry’s deathmatch with a mole, a number of characters' cartoonish facial animations, and the poor soot-stained man whose living room I kept wrecking. Whether you’re from Up Norf or not, Thank Goodness You’re Here is a wildly funny misadventure that’s well worth the few hours of your life," says Andrew Brown,author of this whimsical op-ed.

Second Opinion

“I’m still giggling at the thought of Matt Berry’s deathmatch with a mole, a number of characters' cartoonish facial animations, and the poor soot-stained man whose living room I kept wrecking. Whether you’re from Up Norf or not, Thank Goodness You’re Here is a wildly funny misadventure that’s well worth the few hours of your life,” says Andrew Brown,author of this whimsical op-ed.

“I’m still giggling at the thought of Matt Berry’s deathmatch with a mole, a number of characters' cartoonish facial animations, and the poor soot-stained man whose living room I kept wrecking. Whether you’re from Up Norf or not, Thank Goodness You’re Here is a wildly funny misadventure that’s well worth the few hours of your life,” says Andrew Brown,author of this whimsical op-ed.

Putting humor first, the plot follows our small hero performing odd jobs for Barnsworth residents, all of which are either surreally delightful or a setup for a pun. The comedic writing, visual jokes, and brilliant voice acting become more chaotic as you complete tasks. But still, everything blends seamlessly together here, creating one of the most polished gaming experiences of the year. Thank Goodness You’re Here is genuinely clever, creative, and manages to balance its weird ideas with laughter in a stroke of Monty Python-esque genius.

20. Satisfactory

(Image credit: Coffee Stain Publishing)

19. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

(Image credit: Sega)

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

Second Opinion"Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the best RPGs I’ve played in years. Kiryu and Ichiban’s intertwining stories make for a compelling tale and combat absolutely sings on every level, making each battle over dozens of hours feel fresh and exciting," says Hirun Cryer, author of ourLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review.

Second Opinion

“Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the best RPGs I’ve played in years. Kiryu and Ichiban’s intertwining stories make for a compelling tale and combat absolutely sings on every level, making each battle over dozens of hours feel fresh and exciting,” says Hirun Cryer, author of ourLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review.

“Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the best RPGs I’ve played in years. Kiryu and Ichiban’s intertwining stories make for a compelling tale and combat absolutely sings on every level, making each battle over dozens of hours feel fresh and exciting,” says Hirun Cryer, author of ourLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review.

The shift towards turn-based combat continues to impress, so too the ways RGG Studio shatters the model when it sees fit. Absorbing character studies help bring together a narrative delicately threading past and present, and an undeniably ridiculous array of set-piece encounters ensure that you’re never left without something to gawk at. Lush new settings, refined mechanics, and a dedication to distraction are just some of the ways Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is able to separate itself in a crowded year.

18. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

(Image credit: Activision)

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

For all the success of the revived Modern Warfare framework, it’s been difficult to ignore this sense that Call of Duty had lost its way with recent games struggling to innovate after blowback to both historical and futuristic endeavours, and suffocating under the weight of serving the wider interconnected ecosystem. It’s impressive then thatCall of Duty: Black Ops 6feels like such a breath of fresh air. There’s the expansive single-player campaign which looks beyond the greatest hits, a reanimated zombies offering which finds pure co-operative thrills, and a delightfully robust multiplayer offering.

Second Opinion"With the best Call of Duty campaign in years, and a tweaked movement system that really springs to life in multiplayer and zombies, Black Ops 6 is both a return to form and a great entry point for new or lapsed players coming to the series through Xbox Game Pass," says Luke Kemp, author of ourBlack Ops 6 review.

Second Opinion

“With the best Call of Duty campaign in years, and a tweaked movement system that really springs to life in multiplayer and zombies, Black Ops 6 is both a return to form and a great entry point for new or lapsed players coming to the series through Xbox Game Pass,” says Luke Kemp, author of ourBlack Ops 6 review.

“With the best Call of Duty campaign in years, and a tweaked movement system that really springs to life in multiplayer and zombies, Black Ops 6 is both a return to form and a great entry point for new or lapsed players coming to the series through Xbox Game Pass,” says Luke Kemp, author of ourBlack Ops 6 review.

17. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

(Image credit: Simogo)

Developer: Simogo |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch

There’s a puzzle exceptionally early into Lorelei and the Laser Eyes that made me put down my Switch, shake my head, and smile. See a static screenshot and the mesmerizing, haunting visual identity will be immediately apparent; see it in motion, perhaps you’ll tune into its unconventional wavelength, an oddly unsettling experience; but the only way to truly grasp at the brilliance of Lorelei and the Laser Eyes' underlying design is to dive into it yourself with a pen and paper close at hand. A thing of pure beauty.

Second Opinion"Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is an intricate puzzle box of interconnected parts. At times it can feel overwhelming, but ultimately this stylish noir’s captivating puzzle design anthology and spellbinding story feels like an entirely new and contemporary kind of puzzle game from Simogo," says Rachel Watts, author of ourLorelei and the Laser Eyes review.

Second Opinion

“Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is an intricate puzzle box of interconnected parts. At times it can feel overwhelming, but ultimately this stylish noir’s captivating puzzle design anthology and spellbinding story feels like an entirely new and contemporary kind of puzzle game from Simogo,” says Rachel Watts, author of ourLorelei and the Laser Eyes review.

“Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is an intricate puzzle box of interconnected parts. At times it can feel overwhelming, but ultimately this stylish noir’s captivating puzzle design anthology and spellbinding story feels like an entirely new and contemporary kind of puzzle game from Simogo,” says Rachel Watts, author of ourLorelei and the Laser Eyes review.

16. Frostpunk 2

(Image credit: 11 Bit Studios)

Developer: 11 Bit Studios |Platform(s): PC

Death comes for us all. That’s the principal message developer 11 Bit Studios seeks to convey in Frostpunk 2, an often destructive and frequently nihilistic city-building survival game where you’re left to desperately manage a civilization always on the brink of collapsing. Perhaps the freezing temperatures will do it this time and a famine the next; another run ended due to uncontainable illnesses here, and another because of shattered faction alliances there. Frostpunk 2 is beautifully, brilliantly brutal in the best possible sense.

Second Opinion"Frostpunk 2 successfully expands on everything that the original brutal city builder had, and its larger scale, great story campaign, and new faction system are as “fun” as a calamity reduction simulator can get," says Jarrett Green, author of ourFrostpunk 2 review.

Second Opinion

“Frostpunk 2 successfully expands on everything that the original brutal city builder had, and its larger scale, great story campaign, and new faction system are as “fun” as a calamity reduction simulator can get,” says Jarrett Green, author of ourFrostpunk 2 review.

“Frostpunk 2 successfully expands on everything that the original brutal city builder had, and its larger scale, great story campaign, and new faction system are as “fun” as a calamity reduction simulator can get,” says Jarrett Green, author of ourFrostpunk 2 review.

15. Persona 3 Reload

(Image credit: Atlus)

14. Tactical Breach Wizards

(Image credit: Suspicious Developments)

Developer: Suspicious Developments |Platform(s): PC

Reinventing turn-based strategy is no easy feat in 2024, which is perhaps why Tactical Breach Wizards wears its inspirations so firmly on its sleeve. There’s plenty of Into the Breach’s impeccable, tight-knit problem solving in its push-and-shove combat, a dash of XCOM’s tightly militaristic setting, and the joy of defenestration that came from Suspicious Developments' previous games. But for all the ways that Tactical Breach Wizards hopes to borrow from some of its genre’s greatest hits, it’s also constantly prepared to be its own thing.

Second Opinion

Silly but rarely outright foolish, it’s extremely funny, a real genuine sense of ownership running through it that lets you stay grounded in its comedic slant on the precursor to World War 5. And as much as it’s an homage to some of those genre giants, it’s willing to acknowledge where their staple mechanics don’t fit. That willingness to adapt to its own needs, whether narrative or mechanical, is a big part of what turns Tactical Breach Wizards from just another strategy game into one of this year’s hidden gems.

13. Tekken 8

(Image credit: Bandai Namco Studios)

Developer: Bandai Namco Studios |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

With both Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter returning to fine fighting form last year, there was an immense amount of pressure on Bandai Namco Entertainment to deliver a worthy competitor. The returning King of Iron Fist tournament has been nothing short of a masterclass, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned combatant or are only just taking your first steps into the arena. Tekken 8 doesn’t just build on solid franchise foundations, it evolves them in ways that frequently surprise and delight.

Second Opinion"Bandai Namco has delivered the best Tekken to date, proving once and for all that that plenty of depth makes for a vibrant fighter, justifying its current-gen exclusivity to deliver a skull-thrasher that really feels like an evolution rather than a simple update," says Oscar Taylor-Kent, author of ourTekken 8 review.

Second Opinion

“Bandai Namco has delivered the best Tekken to date, proving once and for all that that plenty of depth makes for a vibrant fighter, justifying its current-gen exclusivity to deliver a skull-thrasher that really feels like an evolution rather than a simple update,” says Oscar Taylor-Kent, author of ourTekken 8 review.

“Bandai Namco has delivered the best Tekken to date, proving once and for all that that plenty of depth makes for a vibrant fighter, justifying its current-gen exclusivity to deliver a skull-thrasher that really feels like an evolution rather than a simple update,” says Oscar Taylor-Kent, author of ourTekken 8 review.

12. Dragon’s Dogma 2

(Image credit: Capcom)

Developer: Capcom |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

Over the years, we’ve seen a lot of the RPG genre’s rougher edges sanded down in favor of simplicity. Clearly, someone at Capcom didn’t get the memo.Dragon’s Dogma 2is an ode to journeys that beat the destination, with its combination of limited fast travel and monster-ridden roads making for some truly unpredictable adventures across the nations of Vermund and Battahl. Capcom refuses to hold your hand, but your party of player-made Pawns – creations that range from astounding to horrifying – offer all the company you need.

Second Opinion"Dragon’s Dogma 2 excels when you’re out in its open world with your pawn allies – finding hidden caves and treasure, fighting monsters, and generally losing track of time. A somewhat conservative sequel, then, but one that retains its predecessor’s charm," says Jon Bailes, author of ourDragon’s Dogma 2 review.

Second Opinion

“Dragon’s Dogma 2 excels when you’re out in its open world with your pawn allies – finding hidden caves and treasure, fighting monsters, and generally losing track of time. A somewhat conservative sequel, then, but one that retains its predecessor’s charm,” says Jon Bailes, author of ourDragon’s Dogma 2 review.

“Dragon’s Dogma 2 excels when you’re out in its open world with your pawn allies – finding hidden caves and treasure, fighting monsters, and generally losing track of time. A somewhat conservative sequel, then, but one that retains its predecessor’s charm,” says Jon Bailes, author of ourDragon’s Dogma 2 review.

But best of all are all the seemingly small touches that bring Dragon’s Dogma 2 to life. Greatest is the ability to grab enemies – even those who can fly halfway across the world while you cling on for dear life – but things like destructible bridges, which take time to repair even if they’re essential to your route, create a living, breathing world that refuses to bend for players. Sprinkle in phenomenal combat (did I mention you can grab people?) and you’ve got the makings of an all-timer RPG.

11. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

(Image credit: Ninja Theory)

Developer: Ninja Theory |Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X

It’s been a long time since an Xbox Game Studios production really felt as if it were at the cutting edge of interactive entertainment. Perhaps that’s why Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 seems so revelatory, with developer Ninja Theory delivering what should be considered one of the best-looking and best-sounding video games of the generation so far. It’s a visual and auditory assault on the senses, a world of uncomfortable illusions and hallucinatory rituals enveloping Senua as she faces new threats inland.

Second Opinion

But Hellblade 2 is far more than a showcase of Ninja Theory’s prowess with Unreal Engine 5 and advancing motion-capture techniques. It’s a solemn descent into the depths of Senua’s psychosis, as solitary as it is loudly overwhelming. Internal battles remain a focus, but external challenges have been considerably improved – the adventure imbued with faster, more frenetic combat; every battle a desperate struggle to survive, one cinematic sword swing at a time. Hellblade 2 is a journey well worth taking.

10. Animal Well

(Image credit: Shared Memory)

Developer: Shared Memory |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series XSpend an hour in the company of Animal Well and you may wonder why this seemingly simplistic 2D exploration game has ranked so highly on this list of GOTY contenders. There’s no combat, no direction given, and exceptionally basic puzzles to solve. A lo-fi Metroidvania with a stripped-back pixelated visual style. Spend five hours with Animal Well and you’ll be up to your neck in its brilliance, struggling to comprehend the complexities hidden deep within the depths of this darkened world.It’s best if you take Animal Well on its own terms. It’s not that dissimilar to games like Fez, Outer Wilds, and Tunic in that respect, really delivering if you’re able to resist the urge to seek guidance. This is a game of discovery, after all; an astonishing achievement from a solitary developer. Loops around the world blur together, gadgets transform into tools to decrypt complex, cryptic environments, and every inch of progression a new mystery to solve in an otherworldly puzzle box. As we said in ourAnimal Well review, it’s a pure, singular delight.

Developer: Shared Memory |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series XSpend an hour in the company of Animal Well and you may wonder why this seemingly simplistic 2D exploration game has ranked so highly on this list of GOTY contenders. There’s no combat, no direction given, and exceptionally basic puzzles to solve. A lo-fi Metroidvania with a stripped-back pixelated visual style. Spend five hours with Animal Well and you’ll be up to your neck in its brilliance, struggling to comprehend the complexities hidden deep within the depths of this darkened world.It’s best if you take Animal Well on its own terms. It’s not that dissimilar to games like Fez, Outer Wilds, and Tunic in that respect, really delivering if you’re able to resist the urge to seek guidance. This is a game of discovery, after all; an astonishing achievement from a solitary developer. Loops around the world blur together, gadgets transform into tools to decrypt complex, cryptic environments, and every inch of progression a new mystery to solve in an otherworldly puzzle box. As we said in ourAnimal Well review, it’s a pure, singular delight.

Developer: Shared Memory |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series XSpend an hour in the company of Animal Well and you may wonder why this seemingly simplistic 2D exploration game has ranked so highly on this list of GOTY contenders. There’s no combat, no direction given, and exceptionally basic puzzles to solve. A lo-fi Metroidvania with a stripped-back pixelated visual style. Spend five hours with Animal Well and you’ll be up to your neck in its brilliance, struggling to comprehend the complexities hidden deep within the depths of this darkened world.It’s best if you take Animal Well on its own terms. It’s not that dissimilar to games like Fez, Outer Wilds, and Tunic in that respect, really delivering if you’re able to resist the urge to seek guidance. This is a game of discovery, after all; an astonishing achievement from a solitary developer. Loops around the world blur together, gadgets transform into tools to decrypt complex, cryptic environments, and every inch of progression a new mystery to solve in an otherworldly puzzle box. As we said in ourAnimal Well review, it’s a pure, singular delight.

Developer: Shared Memory |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series XSpend an hour in the company of Animal Well and you may wonder why this seemingly simplistic 2D exploration game has ranked so highly on this list of GOTY contenders. There’s no combat, no direction given, and exceptionally basic puzzles to solve. A lo-fi Metroidvania with a stripped-back pixelated visual style. Spend five hours with Animal Well and you’ll be up to your neck in its brilliance, struggling to comprehend the complexities hidden deep within the depths of this darkened world.It’s best if you take Animal Well on its own terms. It’s not that dissimilar to games like Fez, Outer Wilds, and Tunic in that respect, really delivering if you’re able to resist the urge to seek guidance. This is a game of discovery, after all; an astonishing achievement from a solitary developer. Loops around the world blur together, gadgets transform into tools to decrypt complex, cryptic environments, and every inch of progression a new mystery to solve in an otherworldly puzzle box. As we said in ourAnimal Well review, it’s a pure, singular delight.

Developer: Shared Memory |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series XSpend an hour in the company of Animal Well and you may wonder why this seemingly simplistic 2D exploration game has ranked so highly on this list of GOTY contenders. There’s no combat, no direction given, and exceptionally basic puzzles to solve. A lo-fi Metroidvania with a stripped-back pixelated visual style. Spend five hours with Animal Well and you’ll be up to your neck in its brilliance, struggling to comprehend the complexities hidden deep within the depths of this darkened world.It’s best if you take Animal Well on its own terms. It’s not that dissimilar to games like Fez, Outer Wilds, and Tunic in that respect, really delivering if you’re able to resist the urge to seek guidance. This is a game of discovery, after all; an astonishing achievement from a solitary developer. Loops around the world blur together, gadgets transform into tools to decrypt complex, cryptic environments, and every inch of progression a new mystery to solve in an otherworldly puzzle box. As we said in ourAnimal Well review, it’s a pure, singular delight.

Developer: Shared Memory |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series XSpend an hour in the company of Animal Well and you may wonder why this seemingly simplistic 2D exploration game has ranked so highly on this list of GOTY contenders. There’s no combat, no direction given, and exceptionally basic puzzles to solve. A lo-fi Metroidvania with a stripped-back pixelated visual style. Spend five hours with Animal Well and you’ll be up to your neck in its brilliance, struggling to comprehend the complexities hidden deep within the depths of this darkened world.It’s best if you take Animal Well on its own terms. It’s not that dissimilar to games like Fez, Outer Wilds, and Tunic in that respect, really delivering if you’re able to resist the urge to seek guidance. This is a game of discovery, after all; an astonishing achievement from a solitary developer. Loops around the world blur together, gadgets transform into tools to decrypt complex, cryptic environments, and every inch of progression a new mystery to solve in an otherworldly puzzle box. As we said in ourAnimal Well review, it’s a pure, singular delight.

9. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Developer: Nintendo EPD, Grezzo |Platform(s): Switch

With every ambitious step forward Nintendo takes with its 3D Legend of Zelda games, each rewarded with the sort of financial success that is sure to make department heads at PlayStation and Xbox jealous, I’m struck with this fear that the 2D titles which ushered the legendary series to life will one day be left behind. It’s one of the reasons Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is such a delightful surprise, the first original 2D single-player Legend of Zelda adventure since 2013’s A Link Between Worlds.

Second Opinion"The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a refreshing, albeit brief, series experimentation that blends modern and classic series elements. Using brand-new magic to battle and solve puzzles fits neatly into the top-down Zelda formula," says Sam Machkovech, author of ourZelda: Echoes of Wisdom review.

Second Opinion

“The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a refreshing, albeit brief, series experimentation that blends modern and classic series elements. Using brand-new magic to battle and solve puzzles fits neatly into the top-down Zelda formula,” says Sam Machkovech, author of ourZelda: Echoes of Wisdom review.

“The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a refreshing, albeit brief, series experimentation that blends modern and classic series elements. Using brand-new magic to battle and solve puzzles fits neatly into the top-down Zelda formula,” says Sam Machkovech, author of ourZelda: Echoes of Wisdom review.

8. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X

Second Opinion

There’s more to The Lost Crown than a few neat tricks, mind. It’s an exceedingly enjoyable experience that does well to weigh its challenge between scintillating combat encounters and intuitive puzzle design, all of it draped in an arresting visual presentation. Shifting focus away from the titular prince proved controversial for Ubisoft Montpellier, but it paid off in the end – giving the studio space to both pay homage to the series' origins and carry the torch forward for the wider Metroidvania revival.

7. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Developer: Square Enix |Platform(s): PS5

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is where it all could have fallen apart for Square Enix. In the second installment of a planned trilogy, the developer was faced with the undeniably difficult task of threading nostalgia into a reimagined tapestry; balancing the legacy of an identity reveal and weight of a character’s death with a desire to deliver something fresh for a new generation of players. That Rebirth is such a resounding success only speaks to the quality of its production.

Second Opinion"It’s a rare thing to see Square Enix make a direct sequel and it’s been made to count here with a second act that meaningfully improves the past and charts a course for an explosive finale. How to modernize Final Fantasy is a question Square Enix has long pondered, and the answer may well be found within Rebirth," says Iain Harris, author of ourFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth review.

Second Opinion

“It’s a rare thing to see Square Enix make a direct sequel and it’s been made to count here with a second act that meaningfully improves the past and charts a course for an explosive finale. How to modernize Final Fantasy is a question Square Enix has long pondered, and the answer may well be found within Rebirth,” says Iain Harris, author of ourFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth review.

“It’s a rare thing to see Square Enix make a direct sequel and it’s been made to count here with a second act that meaningfully improves the past and charts a course for an explosive finale. How to modernize Final Fantasy is a question Square Enix has long pondered, and the answer may well be found within Rebirth,” says Iain Harris, author of ourFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth review.

6. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

(Image credit: Saber Interactive)

Developer: Saber Interactive |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

Here’s a hyperbolic statement that still somehow gets to the heart of whyWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2works as well as it does: It’s almost as if developer Saber Interactive staged an exceptionally elaborate Warhammer 40K tabletop campaign, shrunk you and two buddies down to miniature size, willed the entire setup into existence, and then threw you into the thick of it all. It’s the scale of the experience which sells it, the massive environments having this almost toybox quality which ignites the imagination.

Second Opinion"Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is an exceptional, larger than life shooter that raises the bar for all Warhammer adaptations. A dizzying sense of scale, along with some of the slickest combat around, will leave you often breathless but always grinning," says Andrew Brown, author of ourSpace Marine 2 review.

Second Opinion

“Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is an exceptional, larger than life shooter that raises the bar for all Warhammer adaptations. A dizzying sense of scale, along with some of the slickest combat around, will leave you often breathless but always grinning,” says Andrew Brown, author of ourSpace Marine 2 review.

“Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is an exceptional, larger than life shooter that raises the bar for all Warhammer adaptations. A dizzying sense of scale, along with some of the slickest combat around, will leave you often breathless but always grinning,” says Andrew Brown, author of ourSpace Marine 2 review.

That you spend time trudging around these blood-drenched spaces whilst battling thousands of enemies, crawling across everything in sight, only adds to the power fantasy. Space Marine 2 feels like the modernization of a third-person shooter formula which died in an older console generation. Action is kinetic, weighted, and a little silly as you shred and tear through one foe after the other. Space Marine 2 is not only one of the best shooters of 2024; it’s one of thebest Warhammer games.

5. Balatro

(Image credit: LocalThunk)

Developer: LocalThunk |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, SwitchTaking a standard pack of playing cards and the scoring system of poker, Balatro ingeniously plays with this innate knowledge to create a roguelike that’s all about bending the rules. New cards can be shoved into your deck wholesale and upgraded with Tarot cards – making a Four of a Kind is a lot easier with 10 aces, after all. Planet cards, meanwhile, increase your scorecard for each hand, meaning careful play can result in a Pair outsourcing a Full House in no time.Then there are the Jokers. Each has a unique rule that completely changes how you play, and developer LocalThunk is constantly adding new ones. From allowing you to skip numbers in a Straight, to sacrificing other cards to increase a Multiplier, and many, many more, they’re powerful on their own, but become exponentially more game-breaking when used in concert. You’ve always the option to use winnings to tweak and adjust your strategy between rounds, and Balatro is constantly tempting you to retool your plan, making you feel like a true King when your new idea pays off.

Developer: LocalThunk |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, SwitchTaking a standard pack of playing cards and the scoring system of poker, Balatro ingeniously plays with this innate knowledge to create a roguelike that’s all about bending the rules. New cards can be shoved into your deck wholesale and upgraded with Tarot cards – making a Four of a Kind is a lot easier with 10 aces, after all. Planet cards, meanwhile, increase your scorecard for each hand, meaning careful play can result in a Pair outsourcing a Full House in no time.Then there are the Jokers. Each has a unique rule that completely changes how you play, and developer LocalThunk is constantly adding new ones. From allowing you to skip numbers in a Straight, to sacrificing other cards to increase a Multiplier, and many, many more, they’re powerful on their own, but become exponentially more game-breaking when used in concert. You’ve always the option to use winnings to tweak and adjust your strategy between rounds, and Balatro is constantly tempting you to retool your plan, making you feel like a true King when your new idea pays off.

Developer: LocalThunk |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, SwitchTaking a standard pack of playing cards and the scoring system of poker, Balatro ingeniously plays with this innate knowledge to create a roguelike that’s all about bending the rules. New cards can be shoved into your deck wholesale and upgraded with Tarot cards – making a Four of a Kind is a lot easier with 10 aces, after all. Planet cards, meanwhile, increase your scorecard for each hand, meaning careful play can result in a Pair outsourcing a Full House in no time.Then there are the Jokers. Each has a unique rule that completely changes how you play, and developer LocalThunk is constantly adding new ones. From allowing you to skip numbers in a Straight, to sacrificing other cards to increase a Multiplier, and many, many more, they’re powerful on their own, but become exponentially more game-breaking when used in concert. You’ve always the option to use winnings to tweak and adjust your strategy between rounds, and Balatro is constantly tempting you to retool your plan, making you feel like a true King when your new idea pays off.

Developer: LocalThunk |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, SwitchTaking a standard pack of playing cards and the scoring system of poker, Balatro ingeniously plays with this innate knowledge to create a roguelike that’s all about bending the rules. New cards can be shoved into your deck wholesale and upgraded with Tarot cards – making a Four of a Kind is a lot easier with 10 aces, after all. Planet cards, meanwhile, increase your scorecard for each hand, meaning careful play can result in a Pair outsourcing a Full House in no time.Then there are the Jokers. Each has a unique rule that completely changes how you play, and developer LocalThunk is constantly adding new ones. From allowing you to skip numbers in a Straight, to sacrificing other cards to increase a Multiplier, and many, many more, they’re powerful on their own, but become exponentially more game-breaking when used in concert. You’ve always the option to use winnings to tweak and adjust your strategy between rounds, and Balatro is constantly tempting you to retool your plan, making you feel like a true King when your new idea pays off.

Developer: LocalThunk |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, SwitchTaking a standard pack of playing cards and the scoring system of poker, Balatro ingeniously plays with this innate knowledge to create a roguelike that’s all about bending the rules. New cards can be shoved into your deck wholesale and upgraded with Tarot cards – making a Four of a Kind is a lot easier with 10 aces, after all. Planet cards, meanwhile, increase your scorecard for each hand, meaning careful play can result in a Pair outsourcing a Full House in no time.Then there are the Jokers. Each has a unique rule that completely changes how you play, and developer LocalThunk is constantly adding new ones. From allowing you to skip numbers in a Straight, to sacrificing other cards to increase a Multiplier, and many, many more, they’re powerful on their own, but become exponentially more game-breaking when used in concert. You’ve always the option to use winnings to tweak and adjust your strategy between rounds, and Balatro is constantly tempting you to retool your plan, making you feel like a true King when your new idea pays off.

Developer: LocalThunk |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, SwitchTaking a standard pack of playing cards and the scoring system of poker, Balatro ingeniously plays with this innate knowledge to create a roguelike that’s all about bending the rules. New cards can be shoved into your deck wholesale and upgraded with Tarot cards – making a Four of a Kind is a lot easier with 10 aces, after all. Planet cards, meanwhile, increase your scorecard for each hand, meaning careful play can result in a Pair outsourcing a Full House in no time.Then there are the Jokers. Each has a unique rule that completely changes how you play, and developer LocalThunk is constantly adding new ones. From allowing you to skip numbers in a Straight, to sacrificing other cards to increase a Multiplier, and many, many more, they’re powerful on their own, but become exponentially more game-breaking when used in concert. You’ve always the option to use winnings to tweak and adjust your strategy between rounds, and Balatro is constantly tempting you to retool your plan, making you feel like a true King when your new idea pays off.

4. Metaphor: ReFantazio

(Image credit: Atlus)

Developer: Studio Zero |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

Who’d have thought that 2024 would be the year that we stopped pining after Persona 6? The last mainline installment to the beloved Atlus RPG-series is fast approaching its 10th anniversary, and yet here we have many of its key creative leads showcasing that the formula is ready to graduate from high school. Metaphor: ReFantazio kicks the modern setting to the curb in favor of a wondrous fantasy kingdom, Euchronia; home to a sprawling saga that’ll easily arrest your attention for some 100 hours of playtime.

Second Opinion

3. Dragon Age: The Veilguard

(Image credit: BioWare)

Developer: BioWare |Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

Second Opinion"Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an approachable, expansive action-oriented RPG and feels like a true end to whatever the franchise was before. The book’s not finished, but a significant chapter has closed," says Rollin Bishop, author of ourDragon Age: The Veilguard review.

Second Opinion

“Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an approachable, expansive action-oriented RPG and feels like a true end to whatever the franchise was before. The book’s not finished, but a significant chapter has closed,” says Rollin Bishop, author of ourDragon Age: The Veilguard review.

“Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an approachable, expansive action-oriented RPG and feels like a true end to whatever the franchise was before. The book’s not finished, but a significant chapter has closed,” says Rollin Bishop, author of ourDragon Age: The Veilguard review.

2. Astro Bot

(Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Developer: Team Asobi |Platform(s): PS5

2024 is the year that Sony beat Nintendo at its own game. It’s perhaps fitting that this should occur as Sony Interactive Entertainment celebrates the 30th anniversary of PlayStation – a platform which emerged almost out of spite in the aftermath of a failed collaboration between the two companies. Astro Bot is the nexus point for all of this, a wondrous celebration of the ways that PlayStation transformed the way that we play today and a mechanically pure platformer that rivals thebest Super Mario games.

Second Opinion"Astro Bot doesn’t just deliver on the promise and potential displayed in PS5 pack-in demo Astro’s Playroom, but soars above and beyond to serve up a near-perfect platformer to rival – and possibly surpass – the best of Super Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom romps," says Matt Cabral, author of ourAstro Bot review.

Second Opinion

“Astro Bot doesn’t just deliver on the promise and potential displayed in PS5 pack-in demo Astro’s Playroom, but soars above and beyond to serve up a near-perfect platformer to rival – and possibly surpass – the best of Super Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom romps,” says Matt Cabral, author of ourAstro Bot review.

“Astro Bot doesn’t just deliver on the promise and potential displayed in PS5 pack-in demo Astro’s Playroom, but soars above and beyond to serve up a near-perfect platformer to rival – and possibly surpass – the best of Super Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom romps,” says Matt Cabral, author of ourAstro Bot review.

Astro Bot is a perfectly weighted experience, where every dash, jump, and dive must be carefully calculated amongst a fray of countless obstacles. It’s an exceptional system showcase for the PS5 too, this series once again demonstrating the unique draw of the DualSense controller. Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee and Rayman – these were the platformers which defined PlayStation’s past, and it is Astro Bot which so resoundingly reflects its future.

1. Helldivers 2 – Game of the Year 2024

(Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios |Platform(s): PC, PS5Helldivers 2has been a phenomenon. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios conscripted millions into the Super Earth Armed Forces, and a desperate battle against invading Automaton and Terminid armies has raged ever since. Helldivers 2 got people talking, and against all odds it kept them talking; a tall order in the modern era, where so many disparate live-service experiences are vying for our attention. Friendships shattered through hasty extractions, galaxy sectors won and lost to the whims of the community, stratagem commands punched in under a haze of grease and gore – together, we fought for managed democracy.When we awarded the game four out of five stars in our originalHelldivers 2 review, we failed to envision how this online shooter would evolve. How the Galactic Map, which tracks global playerbase progression, would so resoundingly enrapture our imaginations – a story which changes daily, battle orders engineered in real time across social media. It’s the community spirit which has proved transformative, elevating the physicality and ferocity so core to Helldiver 2’s underlying mechanical design to new heights. Whether you were battling bugs solo or wading into Automaton-controlled territories with friends, Helldivers 2 redefined the nature of play in 2024.

Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios |Platform(s): PC, PS5Helldivers 2has been a phenomenon. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios conscripted millions into the Super Earth Armed Forces, and a desperate battle against invading Automaton and Terminid armies has raged ever since. Helldivers 2 got people talking, and against all odds it kept them talking; a tall order in the modern era, where so many disparate live-service experiences are vying for our attention. Friendships shattered through hasty extractions, galaxy sectors won and lost to the whims of the community, stratagem commands punched in under a haze of grease and gore – together, we fought for managed democracy.When we awarded the game four out of five stars in our originalHelldivers 2 review, we failed to envision how this online shooter would evolve. How the Galactic Map, which tracks global playerbase progression, would so resoundingly enrapture our imaginations – a story which changes daily, battle orders engineered in real time across social media. It’s the community spirit which has proved transformative, elevating the physicality and ferocity so core to Helldiver 2’s underlying mechanical design to new heights. Whether you were battling bugs solo or wading into Automaton-controlled territories with friends, Helldivers 2 redefined the nature of play in 2024.

Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios |Platform(s): PC, PS5Helldivers 2has been a phenomenon. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios conscripted millions into the Super Earth Armed Forces, and a desperate battle against invading Automaton and Terminid armies has raged ever since. Helldivers 2 got people talking, and against all odds it kept them talking; a tall order in the modern era, where so many disparate live-service experiences are vying for our attention. Friendships shattered through hasty extractions, galaxy sectors won and lost to the whims of the community, stratagem commands punched in under a haze of grease and gore – together, we fought for managed democracy.When we awarded the game four out of five stars in our originalHelldivers 2 review, we failed to envision how this online shooter would evolve. How the Galactic Map, which tracks global playerbase progression, would so resoundingly enrapture our imaginations – a story which changes daily, battle orders engineered in real time across social media. It’s the community spirit which has proved transformative, elevating the physicality and ferocity so core to Helldiver 2’s underlying mechanical design to new heights. Whether you were battling bugs solo or wading into Automaton-controlled territories with friends, Helldivers 2 redefined the nature of play in 2024.

Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios |Platform(s): PC, PS5Helldivers 2has been a phenomenon. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios conscripted millions into the Super Earth Armed Forces, and a desperate battle against invading Automaton and Terminid armies has raged ever since. Helldivers 2 got people talking, and against all odds it kept them talking; a tall order in the modern era, where so many disparate live-service experiences are vying for our attention. Friendships shattered through hasty extractions, galaxy sectors won and lost to the whims of the community, stratagem commands punched in under a haze of grease and gore – together, we fought for managed democracy.When we awarded the game four out of five stars in our originalHelldivers 2 review, we failed to envision how this online shooter would evolve. How the Galactic Map, which tracks global playerbase progression, would so resoundingly enrapture our imaginations – a story which changes daily, battle orders engineered in real time across social media. It’s the community spirit which has proved transformative, elevating the physicality and ferocity so core to Helldiver 2’s underlying mechanical design to new heights. Whether you were battling bugs solo or wading into Automaton-controlled territories with friends, Helldivers 2 redefined the nature of play in 2024.

Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios |Platform(s): PC, PS5Helldivers 2has been a phenomenon. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios conscripted millions into the Super Earth Armed Forces, and a desperate battle against invading Automaton and Terminid armies has raged ever since. Helldivers 2 got people talking, and against all odds it kept them talking; a tall order in the modern era, where so many disparate live-service experiences are vying for our attention. Friendships shattered through hasty extractions, galaxy sectors won and lost to the whims of the community, stratagem commands punched in under a haze of grease and gore – together, we fought for managed democracy.When we awarded the game four out of five stars in our originalHelldivers 2 review, we failed to envision how this online shooter would evolve. How the Galactic Map, which tracks global playerbase progression, would so resoundingly enrapture our imaginations – a story which changes daily, battle orders engineered in real time across social media. It’s the community spirit which has proved transformative, elevating the physicality and ferocity so core to Helldiver 2’s underlying mechanical design to new heights. Whether you were battling bugs solo or wading into Automaton-controlled territories with friends, Helldivers 2 redefined the nature of play in 2024.

Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios |Platform(s): PC, PS5Helldivers 2has been a phenomenon. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios conscripted millions into the Super Earth Armed Forces, and a desperate battle against invading Automaton and Terminid armies has raged ever since. Helldivers 2 got people talking, and against all odds it kept them talking; a tall order in the modern era, where so many disparate live-service experiences are vying for our attention. Friendships shattered through hasty extractions, galaxy sectors won and lost to the whims of the community, stratagem commands punched in under a haze of grease and gore – together, we fought for managed democracy.When we awarded the game four out of five stars in our originalHelldivers 2 review, we failed to envision how this online shooter would evolve. How the Galactic Map, which tracks global playerbase progression, would so resoundingly enrapture our imaginations – a story which changes daily, battle orders engineered in real time across social media. It’s the community spirit which has proved transformative, elevating the physicality and ferocity so core to Helldiver 2’s underlying mechanical design to new heights. Whether you were battling bugs solo or wading into Automaton-controlled territories with friends, Helldivers 2 redefined the nature of play in 2024.

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to look back on the year. GamesRadar+ has launched its Year-in-Review for 2024, exploring all of the video games and entertainment that we haven’t been able to stop thinking about over the past 12 months. Let’s celebrate the good times, consider the bad, and maybe you’ll discover something new to tumble into along the way. We’ll be looking back all December, so be sure to come back for more in GR’s 2024 Year in Review.

See more Games Features

CATEGORIESPC GamingPS5Xbox Series XNintendo SwitchPlatformsPlayStationXboxNintendo

CATEGORIES

More about games"We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs": 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogsI’m fed up of pretending The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge isn’t a Christmas game, and a hauntingly good one at that

More about games

“We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs”: 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogsI’m fed up of pretending The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge isn’t a Christmas game, and a hauntingly good one at that

“We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs”: 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogs

“We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs”: 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogs

I’m fed up of pretending The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge isn’t a Christmas game, and a hauntingly good one at that

I’m fed up of pretending The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge isn’t a Christmas game, and a hauntingly good one at that

Latest

See more latest►

Most PopularPatton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics"Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s pastWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was the favorite shooter of the year, and it also made me fall even harder for my fiancé17 years on, Sam Barlow reflects on Silent Hill: Origins: “To pull it out of the bag with a seven-out-of-ten game was incredibly rewarding"Here’s our Black Ops 6 multiplayer playlist to keep you and your pals connected over ChristmasSpy x Family season 3: Everything we know so farOne of 2024’s best anime shows subverts all expectations, but that’s its biggest strengthHow Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth represents the best of Final Fantasy’s past while charting a course for the futureI’m proclaiming 2024 to be the year of outstanding indie puzzle gamesThe Inside Out 2 panic attack scene is one of the best depictions of anxiety ever – and something Pixar director Kelsey Mann is incredibly proud of: “I couldn’t be happier"Marvel Rivals has what it takes to shake up the PvP shooter genre if it can maintain its hero fantasy while also making balance changes

Most PopularPatton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics"Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s pastWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was the favorite shooter of the year, and it also made me fall even harder for my fiancé17 years on, Sam Barlow reflects on Silent Hill: Origins: “To pull it out of the bag with a seven-out-of-ten game was incredibly rewarding"Here’s our Black Ops 6 multiplayer playlist to keep you and your pals connected over ChristmasSpy x Family season 3: Everything we know so farOne of 2024’s best anime shows subverts all expectations, but that’s its biggest strengthHow Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth represents the best of Final Fantasy’s past while charting a course for the futureI’m proclaiming 2024 to be the year of outstanding indie puzzle gamesThe Inside Out 2 panic attack scene is one of the best depictions of anxiety ever – and something Pixar director Kelsey Mann is incredibly proud of: “I couldn’t be happier"Marvel Rivals has what it takes to shake up the PvP shooter genre if it can maintain its hero fantasy while also making balance changes

Most PopularPatton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics"Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s pastWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was the favorite shooter of the year, and it also made me fall even harder for my fiancé17 years on, Sam Barlow reflects on Silent Hill: Origins: “To pull it out of the bag with a seven-out-of-ten game was incredibly rewarding"Here’s our Black Ops 6 multiplayer playlist to keep you and your pals connected over ChristmasSpy x Family season 3: Everything we know so farOne of 2024’s best anime shows subverts all expectations, but that’s its biggest strengthHow Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth represents the best of Final Fantasy’s past while charting a course for the futureI’m proclaiming 2024 to be the year of outstanding indie puzzle gamesThe Inside Out 2 panic attack scene is one of the best depictions of anxiety ever – and something Pixar director Kelsey Mann is incredibly proud of: “I couldn’t be happier"Marvel Rivals has what it takes to shake up the PvP shooter genre if it can maintain its hero fantasy while also making balance changes

Most Popular

Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics”

Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s past

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was the favorite shooter of the year, and it also made me fall even harder for my fiancé

17 years on, Sam Barlow reflects on Silent Hill: Origins: “To pull it out of the bag with a seven-out-of-ten game was incredibly rewarding”

Here’s our Black Ops 6 multiplayer playlist to keep you and your pals connected over Christmas

Spy x Family season 3: Everything we know so far

One of 2024’s best anime shows subverts all expectations, but that’s its biggest strength

How Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth represents the best of Final Fantasy’s past while charting a course for the future

I’m proclaiming 2024 to be the year of outstanding indie puzzle games

The Inside Out 2 panic attack scene is one of the best depictions of anxiety ever – and something Pixar director Kelsey Mann is incredibly proud of: “I couldn’t be happier”

Marvel Rivals has what it takes to shake up the PvP shooter genre if it can maintain its hero fantasy while also making balance changes

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3

Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5

Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

1

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2

Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3

Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

1

Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2

Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3

Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5

Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”