Uncovering the Best of 2024 in the Video Game Realm

Video Game Industry Overview

In 2024, the video game industry faced a unique set of circumstances. Highly anticipated blockbuster games were fewer in number and spread out, with a significant pile-up occurring in the fall. This led to a focus on finding rewarding experiences rather than just the perfect games. Additionally, the industry witnessed a record number of layoffs, with major companies like Sony Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft Gaming, Bungie, Riot Games, and EA suffering cuts. Corporate capitalism and efforts to please investors played a significant role in these layoffs, as companies refocused on popular IP and MMO games. However, the hunt for loot-based games continued, with execs hoping to keep players engaged over the long term.

The proliferation of AI also became a major concern in the industry. SAG-AFTRA actors went on strike in July over video game developers using their voice and likeness without consent. By September, 80 video game developers agreed to the union's terms, highlighting the ongoing battle over AI usage. Elon Musk even entered the fray, seeking to start an AI game studio to "make games great again."

Notable Video Game Events

Treasured magazine Game Informer was shut down by GameStop after 33 years, marking a sad day for gamers. However, PlayStation celebrated its 30th anniversary, going from a massive gamble to the most successful brand in video gaming. This was a significant milestone for the industry.

On the film and television side, video game adaptations had a mixed year. Eli Roth's Borderlands was a critical and commercial failure despite a notable cast. However, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is set to release on December 20 and has the potential to break records. The Sonic spin-off miniseries Knuckles became the most-watched Paramount+ original series, and Netflix's Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft received positive reception and was renewed for a second season. Prime Video's Fallout was nominated for 16 Emmys and is currently in production for a second season.

Finally, Secret Level, an animated anthology series from Prime Video, is set to release this month. It features different animators telling stories in familiar and re-imagined video game worlds, with a star-studded voice cast.

Top Games of 2024

Helldivers 2

Gamers had a blast with Helldivers 2, a cooperative third-person shooter from Arrowhead Game Studios. It became PlayStation's fastest-selling title, but server overloads due to the overwhelming number of enemies caused frustration. The game's satirical military propaganda and gameplay based on killing or being killed kept players engaged. Despite the challenges, it proved to be a hit among adrenaline-seeking gamers.

Available on PlayStation 5 and Windows.

Lego Horizon Adventures

Horizon's popularity led to the creation of Lego Horizon Adventures, which offered a fun and worthwhile experience. It retold the story of Horizon: Zero Dawn with humor and pop culture references, making it a hit across generations. The game's co-op feature was beneficial for family-style play, and it found a balance between softening the world and providing engaging gameplay.

Available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Windows.

Star Wars Outlaws

Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft took gamers to the seedy underside of the Star Wars universe with Star Wars Outlaws. As Kay Vess, players engaged in various activities like shootouts, heists, and lockpicking. Despite some initial bugs, the game offered a new experience and rewarded different play styles. There was plenty to explore, from familiar faces to upgrading Kay's ship.

Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.

Black Myth: Wukong

Game Science's Black Myth: Wukong made history as the first AAA game in the Chinese video game industry. Inspired by Journey to the West, the game had amazing art design and a bold interpretation of mythological beings. While some gamers found the combat challenging, it was easy to see why it was a favorite among many. The game filled in details and provided a glossary to help understand the narrative.

Available on PlayStation 5 and Windows.

Alan Wake 2: Night Springs and The Lake House

Alan Wake 2 returned with two expansions, Night Springs and The Lake House. Night Springs contained self-contained episodic narratives with familiar characters traversing their private nightmares. The Lake House continued to explore the connection between Alan Wake and Remedy's other franchise, Control. Both expansions offered a cold dread and showcased the game's narrative capabilities.

Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.

Neva

Nomada Studio and Devolver Digital's Neva was a standout indie game. It followed Alba and her wolf companion Neva as they fought off a growing darkness. The game's dialogue-free nature and emotionally moving score by Berlinist added to its charm. Simple combat and puzzle-solving took on a new sense of grandeur through its animated visuals.

Available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, macOS, and Windows.

Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 faced high expectations but managed to surprise with its haunting atmosphere and updated gameplay. While the overall narrative remained similar to the original, new wrinkles and locations added to the experience. The original composer and excellent sound design made it a perfect showcase of the current generation of gaming systems.

Available on PlayStation 5 and Windows.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continued the story after the original remake. With a lot of lore and fast-paced combat, the game required patience. The expanded open world and added features like side quests and interactions deepened the world and its characters. It's shaping up to be one of the all-time great game sagas.

Available on PlayStation 5.

Astro Bot

Astro Bot from Team Asobi offered a pure sense of fun. Using the PS5 controller to its fullest, players took Astro Bot on a journey through four different galaxies and 90 planets. Inspired by classic video games, it had creative gameplay and an earworm of a soundtrack. It was a great family game that allowed new gamers to get a feel for the controller.

Available on PlayStation 5.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

After a decade, Dragon Age returned with a bang. The advanced character creation system allowed gamers to customize their characters in detail. The narrative took place a decade after Inquisition and featured impressive combat and traversal features. The companions added depth to the game, and the attention to character traits made the connections more exciting.

Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.