It’s hard to believe that we’re already 6 months into 2024 already. The age old adage “time flies when you’re having fun” seems to be ringing true, and oh boy we’ve had some fun with the games released so far in 2024. We’ve already had a raft of genuine ‘game of the year’ contenders that will be sure to be mentioned come December.
From battling away on Malevelon Creek, reopening some old wounds in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to exploring the quirky sandbox of Animal Well, this year has been delivering a series of bar-raising experiences. Reflecting on the year so far, we thought it would be fun to pick out our favourites of the games that have released in the first half of 2024. Without further ado, here are the games we think should be considered ‘The Best Games of 2024 So Far’.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown – by Sean Davies
2024 started with a bang thanks to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Tapping into the origins of the PoP series while simultaneously reinventing it, this title managed to pull off an incredible feat. It felt familiar, while wholly new at the same time.
Prince of Persia isn’t a series well known for its storylines, so the bar wasn’t particularly high for The Lost Crown. That said, this title managed to tell a winding, engrossing tale that continually has you questioning where it will be headed next. This is propped up by a new, far more interesting version of the Prince, Sargon, who’s thoroughly likeable and acts as an excellent proxy for the player.
What’s most impressive about The Lost Crown is how the story and game play is blended. Challenging boss battles have you asking questions about who’s the real villain. The time travelling mechanics of the moment-to-moment game play are mirrored expertly in the narrative. The ever evolving and incredibly designed platforming and combat sell the world of mythology and legend that you’re sliding and slicing your way through.
Coming out so early in the year, it’s unlikely that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will find itself in contention for GOTY come December time. January feels like a lifetime ago, and there have been so many quality games released so far in 2024. If you missed this earlier in 2024 however, and you enjoy platformers like Hollow Knight or Blasphemous, you owe it to yourself to pick it up and give it a try.
Animal Well – by Joshua Thompson
There has always been something alluring about Animal Well. Before playing it, I had the kind of expectations that would only be a recipe for disappointment. What do you do in Animal Well? What do you even play as? Why are the cold, despondent, yet eloquently analogue visuals asking me to explore its territory? It was all an enigma, one that I wanted to poke and prod until my curiosity was satiated.
After many a poke, prod, jump, yo-yo and even blowing of a couple hundred bubbles I had 100% completed Animal Well, receiving the true ending. If that sounds like something for you then skip to the next entry because the game’s magic is by virtue of knowing absolutely nothing. To be incredibly reductive, Animal Well is a Metroidvania puzzle solving collectathon and probably one of the best to ever do it.
After a subtle tutorial setting you up with how to play as well as how the game wants you to think, you are free to roam this gloomy kingdom. Your objective is to light the candles of four areas whilst collecting an assortment of eggs. The only thing stopping you from the objective is yourself, as the variety of items you will accrue and subsequently play around with offers so many avenues of traversal and puzzle solving that I was ecstatic with every new neat trick I discovered.
Animal Well has always looked understated and I guess that’s what drew me in, but the game’s simplicity quickly descends into complex puzzle solving, devilishly dexterous platforming and a dependency on childlike wonderment. It’s a technically flawless game with an astonishing presentation and all meticulously crafted by one person, Billy Basso. If I’m the bucket at the bottom of this well, don’t bother pulling me up, I like it here with the animals.
Stellar Blade – by Toby Andersen
I have been torn between two sublime video game experiences in the first half of 2024 and Final Fantasy Rebirth is already on this list. But the other needs to be covered, and covered in a way that is not just talking about jiggle physics. I am of course talking about Stellar Blade.
Stellar Blade is pitch-perfect peak third-person action gameplay. It’s precision controls, the sharpest graphics PS5 has to offer so far, and some of the most fun parry-based combat since Lies of P. It’s got some of the most interesting sci-fi concept art and locations since Death Stranding, some of the best monster designs since Elden Ring and Scarlet Nexus, the best character art and soundtrack of the year along with Rebirth itself, the coolest angelic ship design I think I’ve ever seen, and all seen through a remarkably fresh-feeling Korean lens.
It’s got a heartfelt and addictive story that kept me enthralled throughout, tasks and quests with meaning, hubs that you want to visit, collectibles I cared to collect, places I wanted to climb and explore, and moment-to-moment gameplay that just ticked every box. There was not a moment in the entire game that felt like filler, and all of it screamed gaming perfection.
And yet, somehow, the internet seems to think the only thing happening was bewbs.
Helldivers 2 – by Miles Thompson
For what felt like the longest time, it seemed that I was one of the only ones genuinely excited for Helldivers 2 prior to its release. The switch to over-the-shoulder 3rd person perspective was met with muted response. It was supposed to be just another generic live service shooter. But then it launched. Amongst the throngs of bug limbs and automaton scrapheaps, a movement had begun.
Helldivers 2 isn’t the best game of 2024 so far because it’s better mechanically than everything else (though it is exceptionally good in this regard). Instead, it’s become the community’s game. Tales of Malevelon Creek have ascended into mythical status. Endless memes, clips and moments captured, from a bro embrace at the top of a spire that’s about to experience real democracy in airstrike, to unleashing the last of a Helldiver’s clip before succumbing to a horde, and of course, bashing your mates off cliffs.
Helldivers 2 has it all. It’s an example of a live service done right. It’s tone is hilarious and even more apt in 2024 even compared to when the original released. But most of all, it gave me memories. The gunplay is tight and challenging, Super-Earth’s enemies are brutal and brilliant, and calling in a MOAB is just pure addictive spectacle. I couldn’t be more pleased to see the series hit the mainstream and deliver its thrills to the masses of an adoring gaming audience.
It deserves the acclaim and the success. Afterall, this is all in the name of FREEDOM. Now how about another six months of sipping liber-tea?
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth – by Ross Keniston
As someone who hadn’t played a single Final Fantasy title until he jumped on the hype train of Final Fantasy VII Remake with a last minute ticket, it’s quite something that I’m so completely in love with this new iteration of a classic that I’m considering it as a GOTY contender. It speaks volumes of the quality of these games that they are instantly and immediately accessible to anyone who wants to have a go, whilst simultaneously blowing the minds of those who are already deep in the lore of Cloud, Sephiroth and their adventures.
Rebirth came right out of the gate and immediately drew me in, in the same way Remake did. What I love about Rebirth the most perhaps is that it wastes no time at all in getting the game going, setting a dark, tragic scene and catching up with Cloud and the gang damn near where we left them at the end of Remake. I know the ending of the first game left some legacy players a little cold, but me – not knowing anything else – was absolutely starving for Rebirth and to say it did not disappoint is quite the understatement.
And it’s not really in the details, it’s a complete package of masterful game design, instantly likeable characters, absolutely stunning environments and music that soars like a million symphonies ascending to Valhalla. Seriously, not playing this game in headphones is leaving a hugely important part of the experience behind as you progress.
It’s a breathtaking part two. Hilarious, dark, uplifting, heart shattering and utterly, utterly captivating.
I couldn’t have asked for more.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered – by Kat Bullock
Okay, okay, I get it. It is a bit odd to pick a very old game as ‘The best game of the year so far in 2024’. However, if you have listened to me on the Podcast, you know this was a pipedream of mine for many years. In every single conversation of ‘What would you like to see next?’ ‘Which game should get a remaster?’, I always picked this one and 2024 FINALLY delivered. Plus, look at this banging list we already have full of 2024 game goodness.
A trip down nostalgia avenue, and an experience to behold having to get used to the controls once again. To hear the very voice lines I grew up on. All in (almost) shiny HD, the remaster is exactly what I wanted and every essence and pixel has been kept to bring an old classic back to life. It has been just a few years shy of 30 since the original Tomb Raider and now all three games are here for taking. The remaster boasts a new control scheme if you wish, shinier graphics and a few small aids to help with navigation; such as exclamation marks when Lara comes across a well needed medipak in a dark corner, or access to a secret door. Replay your favourite adventure, which ever game it was, right now.
Best. Valentines. Gift. Ever. (Sorry, Miles).
Tekken 8 – by Greg Hicks
It seems weird to pick a fighting game, given how linear they normally are, but there’s good reason for it. One, I’ve barely played any new games this year and two, I think I’m one of the few that didn’t like Rebirth. Sue me.
Anyway, I can’t really say anything about Tekken 8 that I didn’t in my review, but to recap: it’s bloody awesome. For too long fighters have been muddying the waters, diluting what makes them great for the sake of “innovation” at the sake of their core. Tekken 8 doesn’t, and that’s why I love it.
It is basically Tekken in all its Tekken-y goodness. It plays extremely well, it’s roster is still great and varied, and the newer Rage moves are implemented well. Outside of fighting, it does have a fun little arcade romp with miniature characters, but it’s not invasive. In short: it didn’t bother me, and I didn’t bother with it.
In summary, Tekken 8 is my Game of the First Half of the Year because it’s just Tekken, in its finest form. If you’re old enough to remember how good they were, this is the best place to pick it up.
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