VOTE: Noclip's Community GOTY 2024
Added 2024-11-22 14:00:14 +0000 UTCHey members, both free and paid!
This year for Game of the Year we're adding a bonus episode of the podcast. As is tradition we will be picking our top 10 games of the year and then assigning them custom awards over the course of December. But after that we're going to record a special podcast talking about YOUR favorite games of 2024.
So...how does this work?
HOW TO VOTE:
1) Post your favorite Game of the Year in the comments below. Please feel free to add some flavor explaining why if you want. People will probably post multiple games, but FYI that's going to make it less likely to win because...
2) "LIKE" the posts of other games you also think should win. If you see a single game written down and you think it's worth a Community GOTY, think click the like button.
It's remarkably unscientific, and we won't be ranking the games - but this type of broad feedback should give us an idea of the games that are at the top of the Noclip Communities list.
From the games submitted and voted for we will pick a Top 10, and read out your reasons for voting for them on the podcast. So keep those flavor comments short and sweet.
Oh and for our paid members, Our Patron Show for November is coming this weekend with loads of updates. See you then!
Danny
Comments
I just listened to the GOTY ep where this got mentioned, looked it up and it looks like a blast, downloading now. Had to find your comment to say thank ya!
joey farrell
2025-01-03 18:07:55 +0000 UTCMetaphor Refantazio, Atlus at the top of their game. Style out of the wazoo, impressive story and tackles some very modern feeling social issues.
Scott Drury
2024-12-18 19:40:10 +0000 UTCI would like to nominate Super South Tower (SNES) for the 2024 game of the year.
Russell Andlauer
2024-12-18 05:41:46 +0000 UTC"thank goodness you're here! I've been sucking on this pipe all morning!" "Give it a good reach around and pull. Just like in the navy" "You have a pie without meat. It's the second most important ingredient!" "Hellooo, I'm a worm!"
Oliver Cant
2024-12-17 18:59:23 +0000 UTCTales Of Kenzera: ZAU After careful consideration, I've decided to throw my hat in with Abubakar Salim's incredible indie gem. I was very close to choosing Echoes of Wisdom, but felt supporting indies was more important.
Oliver Cant
2024-12-17 18:51:06 +0000 UTCStar Wars: Outlaws ~ the world feels so authentic that I just like to slow-walk around in it... Also because this was given to me as a gift a week ago, and I'm so excited that I have an actually really good star wars game to play around Christmas time!
Truffles Mochaccino
2024-12-14 14:06:10 +0000 UTCMy personal GOTYS are Tormenture and Master Key. both adventure games in an NES Legend of Zelda tradition. They both boil down exploration to its most basic and keeps it very engaging. They also both use a very simple set of mechanics and keep them fresh by placing the trust in the player to figure them out. They both display great understanding of how zelda worked before 3D.
Juan Pablo Portilla
2024-12-14 04:22:25 +0000 UTCWhy nobody mentioned Poe 2? I'm so alone ๐ญ
Mikola
2024-12-13 18:32:05 +0000 UTCSilent Hill 2 was the best overall new game, but I also liked Mouthwashing a lot
Wren Davidson
2024-12-13 18:20:33 +0000 UTCI Am Your Beast I'm tied between 1000xRESIST and I Am Your Beast as my personal GOTY and as much as I love 1000xRESIST, I just think the style, the flare, the gameplay, the voice acting (god the voice acting is incredible) make I Am Your Beast a better whole.
McSmasher-00
2024-12-11 17:25:01 +0000 UTCStunt Derby
Joshua Enes
2024-12-10 09:39:06 +0000 UTCI posted Balatro earlier, but I need to jump in here and shout out Indiana Jones before itโs too late. Iโm about halfway through and the game is incredible.
Adam Hayes
2024-12-10 02:37:14 +0000 UTCIndiana Jones! Best Escape from Butcher Bay-like in years!!
Mike
2024-12-09 20:45:57 +0000 UTCI have cast my vote for another game on this list, but I want to call out Neva. Itโs a beautiful game that I think will go under the radar for most, with some great environmental storytelling and straight-forward gameplay (with a dedicated โcall the dogโ button).
Stephen
2024-12-09 19:29:47 +0000 UTCI have only played a couple of new games this year, but SOTE is without a doubt the game that has got me the most. It feels like a more refined version of the base game (which I also adore).
Stephen
2024-12-09 19:27:14 +0000 UTCNine Sols! First time a game that difficult really grabbed me and I feel as if every gaming outlet I listen to hasnโt talked about it. Great music, cool Tao-Punk vibes, and very fun to play.
Alex
2024-12-07 09:57:41 +0000 UTCMy game of the year is easily Balatro. And of course many Noclippers have Jesse and his diligent Next Fest investigative skills to thank for hours and hours of ooo-number-go-up fun. But I also have Jesse to thank for being part of my Group Chat of the Year on Discord entitled "Bala-Bros." This collection of friends from various parts of my life who all rallied behind Balatro and its many intricacies and synergies led to a ton of fun and "wow!" moments as each of us found new combos and reached for higher scores or more achievements. It's so rare to see a game shared by so many of my pals at once that we all want to keep talking about for the better part of a year. Balatro is more to me than a slick and refined deck builder. It was part of the foundation of some of the best conversations I've had with friends all year. โค๏ธ
Logan Johnson
2024-12-06 16:55:55 +0000 UTCWasn't out this year. Not sure you understand the concept though I do love both American and Euro Truck Simulator.
David Smith
2024-12-06 14:36:06 +0000 UTCSatisfactory in my opinion needs to be on the list somewhere. Amazing game.
David Smith
2024-12-06 14:33:48 +0000 UTCAlso shout out to ultros.
Jonathan Webster
2024-12-06 13:33:54 +0000 UTCIโve struggled with many aspects of the game itself and I totality i didnโt really enjoy the game but I do think Star Wars outlaws has the best typography of any game this year.
Jonathan Webster
2024-12-06 13:27:30 +0000 UTCAstro Bot
Sean van Zuidam
2024-12-05 15:48:33 +0000 UTCRivals of Aether 2 is the best platform fighter since Super Smash Bros. Melee over 20 years ago. GOTY for me.
Brainfreeze
2024-12-04 18:36:22 +0000 UTCDynowarz: The Destruction of Spondylus
Toastrytoaster
2024-12-03 22:34:10 +0000 UTCAnthology of the Killer
Thomas Keys
2024-12-03 21:26:43 +0000 UTCTactical Breach Wizards Extremely funny and compelling writing, great cast of characters, lots of cool world building and banger tactical gameplay.
Felipe Andrade
2024-12-03 18:17:06 +0000 UTCStalker 2 and Balatro have both completely ruined my life.
Ian Neeley
2024-12-02 21:30:49 +0000 UTCThis. And Costa Del Sol beach wear fan service.
Eamonn Slattery
2024-12-02 21:12:59 +0000 UTCFactorio: Space age - This game has consumed my entire being. I can't stop thinking about it even when I'm away from my computer. I've not felt like that about a video game for a LONG time. The original Factorio was already an insanely deep and beautiful automation/factory game, easily one of the giants in it's genre (arguably the best!). This expansion has added a huge amount of content. The feeling of leaving the planet for the first time and landing on a brand new fresh world to exploit relentlessly is just unforgettable.
Miles McGowan
2024-12-02 15:52:50 +0000 UTCEcho Point Nova, an outstanding small indie fast-paced FPS that went under the radar but deserves more visibility for sure. Played it during a game dev hiatus, and had to install and fire up Unreal Engine (it's made in UE) as soon as I finished it. Just when I thought I was out...
CASUAL MILK ENJOER
2024-12-02 10:50:54 +0000 UTCGOTY this, GOTY that. I like to shout out the overlooked bangers that are forgotten, if even acknowledged. Last year it was Gravity Circuit. This year? Victory Heat Rally!
Andrew O.
2024-12-02 03:49:29 +0000 UTCBalatro, Animal well
Onefatman
2024-12-02 03:13:41 +0000 UTCI know I already have a comment in here somewhere, but I don't think I included two of the very very best, which are Neva and 1000xRESIST. Neva is by Nomada Studio, and so is a no-brainer, easy win. 1000xRESIST is just so extremely well done. I put this one as my Steam Awards GOTY, so, like, yeah.
Dark Insanities
2024-12-01 23:52:58 +0000 UTCNot sure this will be a popular one but 7 Days To Die released into 1.0 this year and is by far my favourite zombie thing I've played.
Shutticus
2024-12-01 20:42:08 +0000 UTCTetrachroma : a falling block pizzler with a colour-matching mechanic where you can only clear rows if they are all the same colour. Atmosphere and music is on par with the best of Tetris (CDi, Effect, that one with the monkey?)
Catherine Broxton
2024-12-01 15:03:17 +0000 UTCI'll throw a curve ball / slap here, watch this trailer first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCH58e5sMVc It's Rose and Camellia Collection, a switch game that uses motion control to slap your opponent, there's a hilarious / insane story behind every fight, and every character is weird / absurd. It will not win any GOTY, but I want to bring your attention to it. It's one of the few games (collection) released this year that's actually funny, the writing is out there. The gameplay? It's tiring and I almost dislocated my shoulder while trying to slap frantically.
Saburo Okita
2024-12-01 04:24:39 +0000 UTCYakuza Infinite Wealth Frankly speaking the previous part (Yakuza Like a Dragon) , was my introduction to the series - this was like old jRPGs (You know the top-down Gameboy pokemon-like), but all of this in 3D it felt so fresh having this kind of combat, on top of it with wholesome story, funny side quests, plenty of mini-games, and even some game mechanics baked into the story - spoiler alert: Ichiban, the main protagonist have this problem of seeing enemies in the fight as different much crazier opponents - and then Inifinite Wealth elevated it even higher I was and still am surprised how great this game ended up. On top of it this game is so long, and it is able to swing from very serious tones all the way to being hilarious and over the top, with pretty fun RPG gameplay and interesting job mechanics. I also loved the locations, so nice to come back to:) And another spoiler alert you fight freaking enormous blood-thirsty animals, not mention huge list of enemies and pokemons mini-game parody:D This game is huge win in my book.
Luk
2024-11-30 18:05:16 +0000 UTCMouthwashing for the โBest Short Storyโ or the โPlay it in One Dayโ award. These are easily the two things I loved most about the game. No excessive padding. The story lasts as long as it makes sense, and then itโs over. And you can reflect.
Nick
2024-11-30 14:22:04 +0000 UTCBest witch friends and randoms :)
Marcin Ptaszynski
2024-11-30 09:57:22 +0000 UTCSo glad someone shouts this out :) games from my country (Austria) are rare and this one is an absolute gem!
MKFreigeist
2024-11-30 09:03:14 +0000 UTCUFO 50. Tbh the only game that really blew me away this year was Inscryption, which I played for the first time but doesn't count. There were a lot of good current ones but none that still stick with me that way. That said, UFO 50 is an incredibly smart and creative achievement and holds plenty of surprises and a few of the games I really want more of.
MKFreigeist
2024-11-30 09:02:14 +0000 UTCStalker 2, it's like DayZ and Fallout had a baby.. I know that doesn't make sense in a game dev timeline, but it's got the vibes! Absolutely loving the jank of it. It feels like a GAME in the way a lot of releases don't in the modern day!
Bucketinabag
2024-11-30 07:10:34 +0000 UTCPersona 3 Reload, Objectively Metaphor has refined gameplay however I didnโt emotionally resonate with any game this year like I did with P3R. The way the story dissects death and the empty space left by its wake absolutely floored me. 10/10.
GBC
2024-11-30 05:04:25 +0000 UTCEcho Point Nova
Erban
2024-11-29 21:18:43 +0000 UTCStar Wars Outlaws just gets better the more you play it.
Nicholas Terence Ferguson
2024-11-29 20:32:02 +0000 UTCNine Sols
Shmeliot
2024-11-29 19:48:22 +0000 UTCIf there had to be one game I've played that was released this year it would be Selaco. This game is truly amazing and I really love the retro graphics. And the fact that it runs on a open source fork of the Doom engine is even more amazing.
Wolfy
2024-11-29 19:34:08 +0000 UTCAstro Bot for me. Pretty much the only new game from this year that I really clicked with. Can't remember the last time a game made me smile this much or surprised me with its game design quite like Astro Bot did. Others: Played the System Shock remake when it came to consoles this year, but it grew kinda tedious and I fell off it. Hated Hellblade II, which sucked caused I loved the first one. Never finished Still Wakes the Deep, the yellow paint sign posting bored me to death. Sparking Zero had too much going on for me, I just went back to DBFZ. The Black Ops 6 campaign was surprisingly good, tho I won't touch the MP. And I guess The Finals came out last December, but my friends and I fell off that pretty quick. So yea, pretty much just Astro Bot lol. And a whole bunch of backlog stuff. Excited for Indiana Jones and the remaster of The Thing tho.
ctg867
2024-11-29 18:50:05 +0000 UTCBalatro. They manage to distribute Crack through Steam, what else is needed to say.
Brikanian
2024-11-29 18:37:54 +0000 UTCI would put in a serious argument for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Combat is enjoyable, the companions are fantastic, and Veilguard refreshed and reinvigorated the Dragon Age IP.
Tyler Boyce
2024-11-29 18:23:40 +0000 UTCBeyond Galaxyland is my pick. It's a great turn based side scrolling RPG about bouncing around the galaxy with your gun toting guinea pig sidekick Boom Boom. It's got a nice style and it's short, at around 12 hours. Solid game.
Ryan Schindler
2024-11-29 15:01:17 +0000 UTCThis year Stalker 2 looks really exciting to me!
Danil Shtangeev
2024-11-29 11:50:30 +0000 UTCReus 2, one of the most enjoyable puzzle game I've ever played, and I don't like puzzle games. Also incredible on the Steam Deck.
Stef Nijenhuis
2024-11-29 11:34:13 +0000 UTCDungeons of Hinterberg is my pick. Brilliant game with amazing dungeons, brilliant Persona-style social time style RPGing, and fun combat and upgrades, and built into a really cool concept of a monster hunting style questing as a tourist in a modern day world. Looks great, sounds even better, and plays great. Certainly worth checking out. Nice 20 hour RPG.
The Monday Graveyard with Mark Shields
2024-11-29 11:16:05 +0000 UTCFrostpunk 2! everything I didn't even know I wanted from a frostpunk sequel
Lorenzo Ignone
2024-11-29 11:16:04 +0000 UTCBalatro and UFO50 for me!
Devon Buckley
2024-11-29 06:14:22 +0000 UTCKunitsu Gami: Path of the Goddess Find me another game thatโs as unique, stylish and fun to play this year. Itโs dedication to Japanese folklore is just the strawberry on top of what is unarguably a deliciously stressful game.
Big H
2024-11-28 07:12:33 +0000 UTCCrow Country for me. Amazing RE2 style gameplay and vibes with a very nicely done story and puzzles, made even more fascinating for being made by only two brothers, the same duo that made Snipperclips
Maene Erinys
2024-11-28 00:44:27 +0000 UTCPacific Drive. Extraction driving game.. Sign me up.
Connor Capes
2024-11-27 21:54:56 +0000 UTCShit I forgot about Xenosphere!! This one you can play right now and it's free and it's only 30 minutes and it *will* be one of the best experience you'll have with a game. Can't say much more.
Fachewachewa
2024-11-27 04:49:40 +0000 UTCUltros is the game I haven't been able to stop thinking about since I beat it earlier this year. Gorgeous art with a novel bite-sizing of search action and a wonderfully affecting story. It has the biggest "oohhhhhhh" moment for me in a game this year and the farming/platforming challenges on the back end is a fantastic way to reuse and transform a map. Astounding game that I hope gets more attention over time.
JC
2024-11-26 23:10:48 +0000 UTCThank Goodness You're Here - hands down the funniest, most demented game I've played in years. The love for Northern England with which it was crafted is obvious, and the characters are all exceptionally drawn and voiced. "It's not a watering can, it's a watering can't" makes me cackle to this day.
Kieran Lister
2024-11-26 13:59:19 +0000 UTCOkay hear me out: Chroma Zero. Yeah it's only out Dec. 12 but even just the demo (which was still 5h) was probably the best game I've played this year. If you've ever wanted a mechanically similar game to Outer Wilds (the metroidbrainia stuff), this is it.
Fachewachewa
2024-11-26 02:55:13 +0000 UTCBalatro โ ๏ธโฅ๏ธโฃ๏ธโฆ๏ธ
Sam Jones
2024-11-25 20:15:40 +0000 UTCDiceomancer - Great deckbuilder that allows for some really innovative gameplay and all handdrawn looking graphics! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2501600/DICEOMANCER/
Discrete
2024-11-25 17:04:33 +0000 UTCFinal Fantasy VII Rebirth babyy
Adam Skrzypkowski
2024-11-25 13:39:49 +0000 UTCS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2โค๏ธ
King of Sweden
2024-11-25 08:28:34 +0000 UTCI'm just glad Void Crew and Abiotic Factor got releases pushed back to next year. This year is stacked.
Ashley Bradshaw
2024-11-25 07:47:17 +0000 UTCAnimal Well
Alexandre Moreira
2024-11-25 07:09:30 +0000 UTCBalatro
Mitch0712
2024-11-25 03:20:59 +0000 UTCSuper slick gameplay and progression
Gerard Delaney
2024-11-24 23:11:01 +0000 UTCAnimal Well!! It's everything I look forward to in a game. I don't even have to gush about it's game design and sense of mistery/wonder since it's a given when talking about it, but every aspect of it, from it's visuals, to music, sound effects, atmosphere, etc, are all top tier, wholly unique and deeply captivating. It's the sort of game that engraves deeply within your mind (even more with all it's secrets and the way it's made to actively engage a community), and I'm sure it will become a recurring point of reference for games to come, just like people talk about Outer Wilds when discussing Animal Well.
Lorenzo Hernandes
2024-11-24 20:13:50 +0000 UTCMetaphor: ReFantazio - It's really up there for one of the best jrpg of our time.
icezolation
2024-11-24 20:11:27 +0000 UTCAmerican Truck Simulator. A handful of my friends picked this one up earlier this year on sale. We played it for a few silly sessions but I never really stopped. I became hooked on the simple premise of trucking across the US and have been impressed by how quickly they have added states. My local state is coming early next year and I can't wait!
Skyler Manley
2024-11-24 19:47:57 +0000 UTCAnother Crab's Treasure, and Dread Delusion. Another Crab's Treasure because it is both a surprisingly competent souls-like, and actually does something interesting/touching with its narrative. Danny, not sure if you'll see this, but based on how you've talked about your experiences with depression in the past, I playing this game through to the end will be worthwhile for you. Dread Delusion, because I haven't seen writing that compelling/well done in a while. The short stories/books around the world are actual pieces of art, not just some extra flavor text to deliver some exposition. Truly scratches an old school Bethesda itch. Just an incredible world to learn about, so carefully and thoughtfully constructed that just learning about it is a worthwhile experience on its own.
Aidan Walsh
2024-11-24 18:27:11 +0000 UTCMullet Mad Jack and it's not even close.
Ciaran
2024-11-24 18:23:35 +0000 UTCKunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess or Dragons Dogma 2
Colin
2024-11-24 17:38:13 +0000 UTCAbsolutely agree, I played it months ago and still think about the different characters their motivations and behaviour at different points in the story. What does it mean to resist? Hekki Grace!
Ian Baker
2024-11-24 17:35:21 +0000 UTCArco
Alfredo Barraza
2024-11-24 15:37:46 +0000 UTCBalatro supremacy
Johnny Amizich
2024-11-24 14:26:51 +0000 UTCBalatro, hands down ๐๐ป Simplistic, addictive and fun. It's eaten up the most of my video game hours this year so far at least, that's for sure ๐
Erik Lidman
2024-11-24 11:20:21 +0000 UTCSelaco โ a game Danny wasn't too hot on but I think it's the best FPS since Half-Life 2. The A.I. and sheer feedback from shooting surpasses F.E.A.R. and whether it's putting a metal chair into an MRI machine or shooting a ceiling fan so it decapitates a passing enemy, there's a seldom peered fastidiousness to interactivity and the environment.
TyroneSlothrop
2024-11-24 05:47:20 +0000 UTCNova Drift (please check it out), Animal Well, Satisfactory
Taco Wizard
2024-11-24 04:53:52 +0000 UTC100% agree. I wish more people knew about this game because they would love it.
Taco Wizard
2024-11-24 04:51:57 +0000 UTCNot sure if it's my *favorite* game of the year but it is one that doesn't have enough love so I want to shout out Steamworld Heist 2. A really clever evolution of the first game and the only game besides Xcom to really capture that xcom feel. I do think it wears out its welcome a bit toward the end but still an incredibly captivating tactics game.
Connor McNamara
2024-11-24 01:20:52 +0000 UTCDefinitely Animal Well. It had the sense of mystery, wonder and awe that Outer Wilds and Tunic had, with even more creative mechanics and many many secrets hidden beneath the surface.
Bruno Machado
2024-11-24 00:56:49 +0000 UTCHelldivers 2. Through the ups and downs, it brought together so many people. It's a solid game that will have a good future.
JayRey85
2024-11-23 19:54:29 +0000 UTCYeah Iโve been super impressed with the triple AAA offerings this year. My runners up were Astro Bot and Silent Hill 2. Been meaning to check out Animal Well and Lorelei. I fear Balatro will consume my life now it is on phones too
MrChrystal
2024-11-23 18:50:15 +0000 UTCThere were so many diamonds this year like Animal Well, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Banishers, Balatro, and many more. But... nothing gave me more "holy shit" moments than FF7 Rebirth. I'm almost impressed by any AAA game that makes it to market given the money and sheer fortitude it takes to see one through. But FF7 Rebirth, while not perfect, is just next-level in just about all areas.
RobToEarth
2024-11-23 18:18:47 +0000 UTCWhile not my GOTY, this is the game I wish all developers would note. Discounting mechanical puzzles, if you want puzzles in your game, they should be... well... puzzling. (For a AAA (AA?) title, Silent Hill 2 Remake on hard *almost* got there a couple of times, which was nice.)
RobToEarth
2024-11-23 18:11:22 +0000 UTCAnimal Well is my favorite game of this year. The retro art style is enchanting. The lack of any direction leading to open ended exploration led to at least five times where my mind was blown with โahaโ moments. The lack of combat has great moments especially with the borderline horror elements for the dog boss and final boss. Itโs genuinely such a tight and deceivingly complex game.
errribbb
2024-11-23 17:37:44 +0000 UTCPersona 3 Reload is the best remake of any game Iโve played (and Iโve played my fair share). To delicately capture the essence of something old and very PS2 and repackage it for a modern audience that is used to the style and swagger of Persona 5 is sublimely done here.
Simon Johnson
2024-11-23 14:41:42 +0000 UTCTactical Breach Wizards. Endlessly charming and inventive. This game pulls off 4-5 incredible narrative-gameplay moments when most games might have 1. I was constantly delighted by this game.
Michael Stoop
2024-11-23 14:09:57 +0000 UTCYeah such a great world. Love the varied topics of haunted cases too from alcholism to that woman doesn't share her recipes which is why I'm dead.
Jack Mayo
2024-11-23 14:09:33 +0000 UTCFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth for sure. It's probably the most impressive RPG I've ever played.
Jay Feezor
2024-11-23 14:07:49 +0000 UTCHi, Starstruck: Hands of Time https://store.steampowered.com/app/1054950/Starstruck_Hands_of_Time/ I am copypasting this from the steam store page. But this is a game I have been championing since I have found it and think every member of the Noclip crew will find something to enjoy in it. Also itโs not too long. Starstruck is an interesting game that defies understanding. The beginning of the game makes you think it's a mind-bending, suspenseful, time-traveling sci-fi story. But only after playing through the whole game will you realize that Starstruck is a philosophical work that uses cross-dimensional rhetoric to explain the importance of maintaining your true identity, both in art and life.โ indienova
Ett
2024-11-23 14:06:56 +0000 UTCHair to Hair, sister
Eli
2024-11-23 13:54:56 +0000 UTC1000 x Resist A high bar but for me this is the best story ever written in games. Its a heartfelt sci-fi roller-coaster that is wholly unique. Some of the best voice acting and character writing i have experienced in any medium. It is criminally underrated this year and I hope similar to Signalis and Inscryption its popularity grows over the next few years because it truly deserves higher recognition.
Eli
2024-11-23 13:53:25 +0000 UTCAstro Bot. The moment a platformer starts getting mentioned in the same quality level as a Mario title, you know theirs something special there.
MikeyLove
2024-11-23 11:29:09 +0000 UTCBanishers are my runner up for GOTY. The lore is so good
Jan Sovis
2024-11-23 11:02:13 +0000 UTCI think there should be a category for Gamer dad's with newborns. Two games pulled me through this year with a baby who has trouble sleeping. Short rounds to clear your mind: Hades 2 Helldivers 2 #GamerDadsUnite
Jan Sovis
2024-11-23 11:01:24 +0000 UTCEverspace 2. Diablo in Space with a dash of Freelancer, but much more detailed worlds and interactivity. Technically not a 2024 game (came out on consoles this year though), but my most played by far. 100 hours and they're still adding content.
Bjรถrn Vahle
2024-11-23 06:13:55 +0000 UTCAlso have to shout out the Riven remake. It's the perfect way to remake this narrative puzzle adventure classic. They expanded on the game in ways that deepen the lore and fit in perfectly and it's a treat for long time players and newcomers!
Jason Ruvinsky
2024-11-23 03:35:12 +0000 UTCThis game needs more recognition! It's terrific!
Jason Ruvinsky
2024-11-23 03:31:49 +0000 UTCWhy hadn't I heard about this one? It's going right on the steam wishlist
Jason Ruvinsky
2024-11-23 03:31:11 +0000 UTCMetaphor ReFantazio! It takes everyone that makes Persona games great, moves it out of high school, and tells a story that is really impactful!
Jason Ruvinsky
2024-11-23 03:26:12 +0000 UTCPrince of Persia: The Lost Crown
thisisMarkymoo
2024-11-23 02:32:49 +0000 UTCStar Wars Outlaws by far. I loved spending time in that world so much.
takeshikitano3
2024-11-23 02:11:03 +0000 UTCIndika is the most evocative and most wonderfully-weird-ass game of the year. The artistic oscillation between orthodox and trippy deserves its own "Tarkovsky feat. Jodorwski" award.
Andrey Grabelnikov
2024-11-23 02:02:29 +0000 UTCAnother Crab's Treasure! Such a joy to play and a surprisingly solid souls like. Also a great introduction to the genre with all the difficulty options
SaintSyche
2024-11-23 01:56:43 +0000 UTCI also posted this in discord earlier this week: A game documentary success story: I watched Archipel's Metaphor (can we just ignore the subtitle? ๐ ) documentary despite having no prior interest in the game (thanks YT algorithm). The documentary led me to try the demo, which I loved enough to buy the full game. As someone new to JRPGs and Persona-style games, I was impressed by the art direction, music and overall design: The engaging storytelling and natural tutorial integration were great. It's a refreshing contrast to Elden Ring's intentionally obscure style, which I endured but didnt enjoy. I have limited time to play games but really looking forward to chipping at it over the winter.
flaneurreveur
2024-11-23 01:17:44 +0000 UTCDragon's Dogma 2!!! It does everything the first Dragon's Dogma did better. The combat is expanded, and surprisingly works with how many interconnected systems there are. I will forever cherish my battle with a griffin that was way above my level that I encountered on top of a hill and fought tooth and nail down the hill like tales of old. The open world gracefully became an organic battlefield for this fight. Best open world in a long while, emergent and beautiful. A tough game to run on anything but when you do find the settings that work with RT, it looks gorgeous. The story is super barebones but hey, I'm just looking for that quest destination that will be my excuse to travel to the other side of the continent and have adventures on the way :)
Efe Vardarli
2024-11-23 00:54:59 +0000 UTCI want to shout out Echo Point Nova, it's an incredibly fluid movement shooter with so many traversal options. It's become my go-to podcast game in a year that I really needed one. It's pure dopamine.
Simon May
2024-11-23 00:48:23 +0000 UTCArranger is my GOTY. Itโs like solving puzzles on a deconstructed Rubikโs Cube. Perfectly tuned difficulty where no puzzle takes longer than 15 minutes . A gorgeous art style, lovely OST, charming and funny characters, and affecting story about how isolation destroys a community.
Eric S
2024-11-23 00:07:33 +0000 UTCWhile Balatro is probably the real pick, since itโs already well represented Iโll go for: Persona 3 Reload. This is the first version of P3 Iโve played and it was excellent. A very impactful story for me after losing a friend over the last year
Austin Waller
2024-11-23 00:07:31 +0000 UTCHelldivers 2, just absolutely brought me out of my shell and exploded with joy.
Artist Alex Robbie
2024-11-23 00:05:11 +0000 UTCIf remakes count then I would say Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door is my GOTY. This game has kept the same sense of joy and wonder that it possessed 20 years ago when I first played it. I haven't been able to play all the newest releases this year, but of what I have played this was my choice game 100%
Gon Zo
2024-11-22 23:30:02 +0000 UTC1-42 UFO 50 (except for those golf games it has, also the first one, and idk feel free to leave out some of the ones you don't dig as well) 43 Animal Well 44 Balatro
Arenow
2024-11-22 23:16:42 +0000 UTCTactical Breach Wizards
Andrei M Burke, P.E.
2024-11-22 22:47:51 +0000 UTCBalatro
Adam Hayes
2024-11-22 22:18:53 +0000 UTCBalatro. 500 hours, all thanks to watching Jesse and Danny play it in February. Thanks gents.
AJP
2024-11-22 22:18:35 +0000 UTCNine Sols has been completely overlooked IMO and it deserves way more attention.
ะขะพั, ะัะพ ะกะปะตะดัะตั ะะฐ ะะฐะทะฐั ะฐะผะธ
2024-11-22 21:54:55 +0000 UTCI ainโt readin all that, take my like
Tanner Santos
2024-11-22 21:49:23 +0000 UTCAbiotic Factor - "It feels like half-life." This one might be cheating as it's currently in early access, although to me it feels like a complete game already. Feature shootouts include a 6-player coop, powerpoint/cable crafting systems, fascinating facility to explore and secrets to uncover + it is set in the Australian Outback with horribly good voice acting of New Zealanders attempting Aussie slang.
Aaron Nielsen
2024-11-22 21:36:29 +0000 UTCKvark, HollowBody, Dread Delusion. I reckon Animal Well's going to be just fine without my representation. But the streak of so-dry-it's-basically-powder humour running straight through the middle of Kvark, the distilled dread of HollowBody and the demented inventiveness and extraordinary ambition of Dread Delusion really deserve some appreciation.
Ectunder
2024-11-22 21:35:31 +0000 UTCUFO50, Metaphor ReFantazio, Balatro
Missy
2024-11-22 21:28:06 +0000 UTCI really rather enjoyed Space Trucker. It's simple, chill, and relaxing, but you still have to pay attention to what's going on. Also, Hades 2, because, you know, Hades 2.
Dark Insanities
2024-11-22 21:05:57 +0000 UTCMetaphor
xk4l1br3
2024-11-22 20:43:07 +0000 UTCThis is the Balatro comment with the most votes, so I want to add to the part about a "simple premise, clever design." Balatro, to me, is one of the most skillfully designed games because it's working with abstractions. The cards are just values, right? And poker is just assembling certain patterns of values. That sounds super boring in theory, but the instantiation (specification? concretization? reification?) of playing cards makes it a lot more fun for reasons I can't quite put my finger on (maybe the fact that cards are tangible? Maybe culturally with, like, cowboys playing poker in Western movies?). But then to rework the rules of an existing game (Big Two) - which is already an incredibly difficult thing to do in game design - and riff on existing instantiations and even add new instantiations of abstract values (Tarot, Planets, Jokers) and use those instances to add flavor (the ethereal tarot cards, the cosmic planet cards, and I adore all the Joker designs), that's exceptional. Case in point is that this is a game that appeals to so many different types of people.
Connor 'Dirtbag Chimichonga' McDonald
2024-11-22 20:24:39 +0000 UTCDragon Age is good
Malford
2024-11-22 20:23:13 +0000 UTCUFO 50. Derek Yu, Jon Perry, Eirik Suhrke, Paul Hubans, Tyriq Plummer, Ojiro Fumoto. Each of these guys deserve a standing ovation. A masterclass in game design and wow, what a soundtrack! I yearn to one day grasp even just a shred of their individual skillsets. I hope they all never stop making games, because I'll play each and every single one of them.
D
2024-11-22 20:21:00 +0000 UTCI was waiting for someone to say ROTGI!!! Love this game so much, and I canโt wait for all the planned DLC. The art style is beautifully off-putting, and just the way they construct the story with interweaving plot lines is intriguing and satisfying. Iโm on the last chapter, and canโt wait to see how it wraps up.
Travis in Fargo
2024-11-22 20:16:29 +0000 UTCHelldivers 2 is my most played game of the year, and the most fun I think Iโve ever had playing PVE. I never save game clips, but I probably have 10 clips of ridiculous, silly, awe inspiring action from HD2 this year.
Travis in Fargo
2024-11-22 20:11:46 +0000 UTCAnimal Well
Julien Kaspar
2024-11-22 20:05:07 +0000 UTCI came here to add this exact same comment. I have only played the first 10 games or so, and even so I know there's no other possible answer. UFO50 is a miracle and a masterpiece, and at the same time it is incredibly fun to play. For all the recognition it's getting, it still deserves so much more!
Gonzalo Rodrรญguez Pรญriz
2024-11-22 20:02:16 +0000 UTCUFO 50, Arctic Eggs, Animal Well, Straftat, Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom
mingyjongo
2024-11-22 20:02:15 +0000 UTCHelldivers 2, Satisfactory
kiwidog
2024-11-22 20:00:38 +0000 UTCIt pleases me to see how much of the noclip audience loves UFO 50. I already liked all the UFO votes, but just for fun hereโs my Top 5:
mingyjongo
2024-11-22 20:00:25 +0000 UTCUFO50, that's the only right answer
Matias Ali
2024-11-22 19:52:57 +0000 UTCThe Crimson Diamond
resonanttoe
2024-11-22 19:45:57 +0000 UTCMinishoot' Adventures because it was just pure joy the entire time.
Brian R Belida
2024-11-22 19:44:36 +0000 UTCSatisfactory. Not once in my life have I found a game so effective at removing time from a day. You sit down on a Sunday morning, play for an hour or two, and now you're late for work on Monday.
Matthew Bell
2024-11-22 19:39:14 +0000 UTCCame here to make sure someone had mentioned UFO50 and of course they did. Hell yeah!
HylianSidekick
2024-11-22 19:36:10 +0000 UTCSnufkin: Melody of Moominvalley Does it offer masterfully innovative systems? Does it make you reconsider what a game can be? Well, no, but it is, imo, the perfect kid's game, and maybe the perfect "cozy" game, as much as those tend to be uncompelling. I played through it all in one sitting, and that's pretty rare for me these days. Wonderful presentation on every front as it walks you through a delightful world filled with delightful characters with great politics. Can't beat telling cops to fuck off as you tear down their imaginary borders.
eggwaffles
2024-11-22 19:32:43 +0000 UTCMouthwashing !!!
connor mccann
2024-11-22 19:30:30 +0000 UTCPacific Drive I generally don't enjoy survival-crafting games, driving games or roguelikes. But I really REALLY enjoyed this game.
MaskedMango
2024-11-22 19:13:43 +0000 UTCUFO50 best game hands down. THE VALUE IS INCREDIBLE.
Zach
2024-11-22 19:04:13 +0000 UTCSatisfactory
Simon Mills
2024-11-22 19:00:20 +0000 UTCEnshrouded
Ben Glazebrook
2024-11-22 18:28:37 +0000 UTCThe ultimate value award shoe-in for sho!
Graham Walker
2024-11-22 18:25:48 +0000 UTCI think n this technically came out last year but came to console with the pristine cut this year, but yeah amazing ๐คฉ
Graham Walker
2024-11-22 18:25:07 +0000 UTCUntil you get to the end end end game anyway!
Graham Walker
2024-11-22 18:23:58 +0000 UTCShogun Showdown
Jan
2024-11-22 18:19:39 +0000 UTCHahaha ๐คฃ
Graham Walker
2024-11-22 18:14:10 +0000 UTCThis game completely highjacked my brain this year. Even when haven't been playing for a week or two, I still wake up in the middle of the night with my brain cranking on the 23 things I could do optimize my factory. Currently working on my endgame megafactory that will fix all of those issues (he said delusionally).
Evan Lewis
2024-11-22 18:09:58 +0000 UTC1000xResist is my GOTY. It is one of the most compelling, emotionally provocative, and profound narratives that I have ever experienced in a video game and is likewise one of the greatest science fiction tales ever told - across any medium. The deeper you get to know its characters and let yourself become immersed in this world, the more gut-wrenching, intriguing, and understandable the experience will be. It is not just a GOTY contender for 2024, but a game that could easily end up on my all-time indie game Mount Rushmore. Hekki Grace
AaronElWhite
2024-11-22 18:07:14 +0000 UTCSo the only game I've played from 2024 is Banishers : Ghosts Of New Eden so that's mine. Love the main characters, love the side quests as like seeing the impact of my actions on small communities. It is my second favourite GOTY though as my first is Disco Elysium. I somehow avoided/forgot spoilers too (the irony) so that wins my 'Better late than never award'
Jack Mayo
2024-11-22 17:54:10 +0000 UTCHelldivers 2. The first game I've ever seen where griefing is entertaining for everybody.
Adam C.
2024-11-22 17:53:40 +0000 UTCChildren of the Sun -- I don't have a lot of games that qualify for GoTY, but it was a fun experience and I wanted to give it a small shout out. - Short puzzle shooter, about connecting the dots. Semi-unique idea, and didn't overstay it's welcome
JumboFatCakes
2024-11-22 17:51:55 +0000 UTCLike a dragon infinite wealth
Vega
2024-11-22 17:43:28 +0000 UTCBlack myth wukong
Vega
2024-11-22 17:42:57 +0000 UTCI think Metaphor Refantazio is GOTY, it feels like the culmination of everything the devs from Studio P and Studio 0 learned from Persona 3 onward. The gameplay feels better than ever with a really great combat system and exploration that feels well scaled and beautiful environments. The story has a-lot of depth with really fleshed out characters and overarching themes which hit especially hard during the election cycle. The art direction is beautiful between the painted character portraits, huge landscapes, and all of the art in the UX (which is similarly stunning). Was just a fantastic experience from beginning to end.
Mason Addis
2024-11-22 17:40:22 +0000 UTCScrolled way too long to find this comment. Six to one.
rogbrte
2024-11-22 17:32:58 +0000 UTCBalatro I can't believe they made a video game adaptation of fentanyl
Kyle Siemens
2024-11-22 17:32:39 +0000 UTCAnimal Well. The consistent introduction of game changing gameplay elements, brilliant sound design, depth to the lore and mysteries within the world, and general beauty packed into every nook and cranny are overwhelming.
W. Fry
2024-11-22 17:30:26 +0000 UTCStill Wakes the Deep, its a great story, wonderful accents, beautifully designed, and manages to invoke John Carpenter, Lifeforce, Alien at times, and a bunch of other great sci-fi horror films that scared me to death as a kid. I don't think its just a walking simulator that managed to almost bring me to tears a few times.
Matt Pearson
2024-11-22 17:29:04 +0000 UTCBalatro. Never since hearthstone has a card game gotten me so hooked. Its easy fun at home or on the go.
Hunter Holmstrom (Vub)
2024-11-22 17:26:53 +0000 UTCTsukihime - A Piece of Blue Glass Moon It's a visual novel that has the best writing I've ever encountered in a video game, interesting characters, great graphics - it's just fantastic from start to finish.
silacoid
2024-11-22 17:15:10 +0000 UTCPenny's big breakaway
MoonBright
2024-11-22 17:14:25 +0000 UTCstellar blade. I freakin loved the combat and did all the side quests. it was non-trivial to figure out how to get ol' girl some pants though. would be nice to have that as an option from the start
Alex Epton
2024-11-22 17:05:15 +0000 UTCLOVE shadows of doubt, itโs pulling off things that are so unique and cool. Definitely among my favorites this year too
Grant Henry
2024-11-22 17:00:02 +0000 UTCGonna shout out Rise of the Golden Idol, amazing puzzle mystery game that tells its story and sets up its solutions in such brilliant hilarious ways. This series is as close to a spiritual successor to Obra Dinn as we can get so far. This new one I think tops the first one, is too bad it released so late in the year because it probably wonโt hit a lot of indie GOTY lists being created already.
Grant Henry
2024-11-22 16:58:35 +0000 UTCUFO 50. Heard you guys raving about it on the podcast and had to see for myself. I'm floored at how tightly designed each game is and the broad array of genres represented. Plus, it's such a love letter to retro gaming!
Griffin Schauer
2024-11-22 16:51:20 +0000 UTCmetaphor refantazio best jrpg in years, and best rpg of the year, as well as my goty.
eathdemon
2024-11-22 16:49:47 +0000 UTCArctic Eggs. Easily the most unique and interesting game I've played this year. Also has the perfect run-time and amount of content
Josh
2024-11-22 16:48:55 +0000 UTCNeed
Games Freezer
2024-11-22 16:43:44 +0000 UTCI played Skyrim for the first time ever this year....cor! What a game....Also perfect for Steam Deck players who want to wander around Skyrim whilst quarter watching some crap that my wife is watching on Netflix :)
Games Freezer
2024-11-22 16:43:05 +0000 UTCDrova: Forsaken Kin is one of the best games of 2024, the balance of scope combined with the sense of personality, individuality and craft is trouser-removingly saucy, and the fact that is around twenty quid on Switch at the moment means that you simply HAVE to play this game, if you donโt? Well..may the Deathfog take you!
Games Freezer
2024-11-22 16:40:51 +0000 UTCLike a Dragon Infinite Wealth. Not just to make Frank nod along but it is excellent. I really like the turn based combat so much I find it hard to go back to the older style.
Robert Rochelle
2024-11-22 16:34:17 +0000 UTCShadow of the Erdtree. Its sprawling, spiralling, lived-in environment was the most connected I've felt to a game world since Dark Souls. Weirdly, I basically understood the characters' stories all the way through. Oh and the gameplay is flawless.
Peadar Grogan
2024-11-22 16:26:50 +0000 UTCThis is definitely up there for me. Havenโt finished it yet but itโs been wonderful.
Michael Neely
2024-11-22 16:23:59 +0000 UTCSilent Hill 2
Paul Andrei
2024-11-22 16:16:09 +0000 UTCHands-down UFO 50 for me. I have already gotten addicted to at least 4 games in this collection. I have nearly 100 hours in it, and I don't even register among those who are more obsessed with it than I am. This is the greatest thing to hit video games in years.
Robert Ring
2024-11-22 16:14:44 +0000 UTCI must be close to 150h on my space age save and I'm about 50% done with the dlc (I did 3 planets and just started Gleba) Its a lot of game for so little money! ๐ฐ๐ฐ
Damon Perron-Laurin
2024-11-22 16:05:10 +0000 UTCHades II is very awesome, but I guess that will be a contender for 2025 :)
toupeira
2024-11-22 16:01:03 +0000 UTCAgree! I've got a friend I hadn't played together with since he aged out of ever beating me at madden. Now it doesn't matter if we both die all the time!
Brandon Saiz
2024-11-22 16:00:19 +0000 UTCThis doesn't count, but The Quarry. Awesome playthrough with my wife and I just find those co-op experiences end up overwhelming anything I played solo.
Chris Pelley
2024-11-22 15:59:33 +0000 UTCAstro Bot! An extremely well made & joyous game. When I was a kid playing Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot this is what I thought games would be like in the future.
Dan Reeter
2024-11-22 15:56:35 +0000 UTCNova Drift deserves a mention even if probably hardly anyone played it.
Selitha
2024-11-22 15:55:57 +0000 UTCFinal cut
John Barry
2024-11-22 15:52:44 +0000 UTCWhichever version of Skyrim Todd released this year!
Major Powers
2024-11-22 15:51:27 +0000 UTCPrince of Persia: The Lost Crown Incredible combat that lets you style on your enemies in the same way you would in a Devil May Cry Game. This way whether you're fighting a boss battle or a fodder enemy it is always a blast to fight some baddies. Also the art style is incredible, especially the way they mix-in 2D VFX with their 3D animations to create a cohesive whole. Traversal is also super fun. Sargon controls very well especially once you unlock the double jump and there are plenty of challenging platforming segments as well if that's your thing. Would highly recommend it if you like action games and/or metroidvanias!
shane tupler
2024-11-22 15:51:07 +0000 UTCIโve probably logged close to 200 hours on my space age save file and it only came out a month ago.
Max Goldstein
2024-11-22 15:43:22 +0000 UTCNeva, for best art game. Stunningly, beautiful visual design, compelling story, and Souls like boss experiences that donโt require tearing your hair out.
Max Goldstein
2024-11-22 15:42:18 +0000 UTCThe Pristine Cut, then?
Max Goldstein
2024-11-22 15:39:59 +0000 UTCCome to the Dark Side and try Factorio Space Age.
Max Goldstein
2024-11-22 15:39:03 +0000 UTCAnimal Well
NikitaGL
2024-11-22 15:31:32 +0000 UTCUnicorn Overlord, admittedly a niche genre, but a wonderful revitalization of the classic SNES game systems of Ogre Battle, mixed with some Fire Emblem and FF 12
Boris Reidel
2024-11-22 15:31:31 +0000 UTCFactorio: Space Age More than quintuple the variety of challenges/puzzles while remaining true to its roots AND improve on the basics and QOL features. Its a marvel of a game that birthed the factory genre and drastically improved on it once again. Best Virtual Crack Award
Damon Perron-Laurin
2024-11-22 15:31:27 +0000 UTCStellar Blade Not (just) because of perverted reasons
CraicPipe
2024-11-22 15:19:46 +0000 UTCSatisfactory 1.0, several hundred hours in and still so much or efficiency to drive.
Simon Curran
2024-11-22 15:17:12 +0000 UTCFinal Fantasy VII Rebirth Disclosure: The original FF VII is my favorite game of all time, so I inherently have heavy bias and recognize that. As such, I can go on about many of the elements that blew me away, from the music to the characters, from the combat system to the bonkers saga that is the Protorelic quest line, from having many iconic towns and locations fleshed out to the various regions of the world, this has catapulted to being my 2nd favorite game of all time, behind the original and ahead of Remake. Now I recognize some of the issues it has from the overwhelming amount of mini-games that vary in quality (but let's be honest, Queens Blood is the best game within a game Square-Enix has created in decades, and they did that with the Fort Condor mini-game from the Intergrade DLC), to the fact the ending pisses off many people when there's still another game to go (and highlights Rebirths biggest problem is the exact same as Remake: It's not overally welcoming to those who are not VII die-hards). And while I didn't mind all the open-world checklist stuff, I concede it's not for everyone and there's a LOT of it. However, no game since Remake has hit me with such strong emotions for such a length of time. I took off the first week of March and put 95 hours into it that week and still wasn't finished. By April 5th, I put in just shy of 200 hours total which included my first playthrough doing every possible in 125 hours, some post-game cleanup across 10 hours, and a 60 hour Hard Mode playthrough. The only thing I have yet to do is the final 10 hardest combat challenges but they beat me down too much. Overall, if it hasn't been apparent, there's no game I've loved more in the last nearly three decades.
Brandon K Gann
2024-11-22 15:15:55 +0000 UTCKunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess - a modern PS2 era type game in the best way possible.
guccimental
2024-11-22 15:15:00 +0000 UTCUFO 50 for sure!
Mitch McDonough
2024-11-22 15:13:22 +0000 UTCFactorio: Space Age (if Geoff can have a DLC, so can I, and this one's basically an entire game)
trismugistus
2024-11-22 15:10:45 +0000 UTCBalatro. I have it on Steam, Xbox and my phone. It's like digital crack.
Ronny Arild
2024-11-22 15:09:33 +0000 UTCDeep Rock Galactic: Survivor perfectly marries the gameplay of Vampire Survivors and Deep Rock Galactic for an addicting time
Aidan Tatman
2024-11-22 15:04:45 +0000 UTCUFO 50 is a masterclass in quantity and quality. A triumph of game design
SatelliteOfLove
2024-11-22 15:02:46 +0000 UTCPrince of Persia: the Lost Crown Some of the best and most in-depth side-scroller combat I've ever played, where every tool used for traversal and puzzle solving is also a tool that can be used in combat. And it's very pretty with gorgeous animations.
HannahDT
2024-11-22 15:02:41 +0000 UTCAstro Bot & Balatro - has to be the best duo this year. One for adults, one for the kids. One for addicts of best-in-class platformers looking for the next hit, one for, well, addicts. One from a mega-corp Sony, and one from a basically single-dev studio. The Pepsi and the Cola of the year!
Ranter
2024-11-22 14:57:23 +0000 UTCLorelei and the Laser Eyes is so far my GOTY. When games require you to pull out the notepad to take notes, draw diagrams and try to make sense out of arcane messages, and most importantly actually take breaks for your mind to snap puzzle pieces together, it's magical
zky
2024-11-22 14:51:22 +0000 UTCI'm here to give Unicorn Overlord some love. More tactics, please!
Chroneus
2024-11-22 14:50:09 +0000 UTCHonestly, I think Helldivers is my Game of the Year. Between that, Space Marine 2, and Phasmophobia 'the boys' have been gaming good in 2024. Seriously, that's been one of the best thing in the last several years is having tons of great co-op experiences to have with my gaming group. SM2 was stellar but Helldivers keeps us coming back every single week. Helldiver 2, no doubt.
Steven Simmons
2024-11-22 14:46:43 +0000 UTCHades 2, even unfinished it's the most fun I've had with a game this year and am still experiencing new things over 80 hours in.
Brad Davis
2024-11-22 14:40:52 +0000 UTCHaven't played many 2024 games, but my pick HAS to be Mouthwashing, as it opened my eyes on what 'walking sims' can do with their narratives. Absolutely phenomenal writing and visuals
Cristian Raduta
2024-11-22 14:38:48 +0000 UTCPacific Drive
Marceli Wac
2024-11-22 14:37:21 +0000 UTCBalatro. Because Balatro.
Preston Chaderton
2024-11-22 14:37:06 +0000 UTCFlock! Beautifully zen interpretation of Hohokum in 3D, some of the most chill vibes you will see in a game this year.
Joey Jo Jo Jr
2024-11-22 14:36:12 +0000 UTCFelvidek! Itโs such a masterclass in game design - a small jrpg with no filler that you can finish in a few hours and enjoy every second of the journey. Unusual setting of medieval Slovakia, tons of charm and a banger soundtrack (seriously listen to the main theme)!
Balkanbear
2024-11-22 14:33:42 +0000 UTCNine Sols
ian harrison
2024-11-22 14:33:10 +0000 UTCThank Goodness Youโre Here!
Cameron Ladd
2024-11-22 14:32:52 +0000 UTCSame for me. Definitely Balatro. Why? Because it was the first game that managed to really hook me again. I rarely find the time and mind space for gaming these days and this game managed to get me to actually sit outside and use my Steam Deck.
Phoenix616
2024-11-22 14:32:25 +0000 UTCThank Goodness You're Here! Nice and short; didn't feel like work. Just a couple of hours of pure joy.
Mark Richards
2024-11-22 14:30:26 +0000 UTCFactorio Space Age! Incredible expansion to the base game that adds at least a full games worth of content. Lots of fresh ideas and new logistics problems as well as adding fun new toys that can reshape how you play the base game. Incredibly well designed for how in depth it can be.
Peter
2024-11-22 14:30:26 +0000 UTCI feel like a lot of the big tentpole games this year were really good but just short of great. The one big one that exceeded expectations for me was Destiny 2: The Final Shape.
Wraithzula
2024-11-22 14:30:15 +0000 UTCPS I haven't played UFO 50 but this seems to be getting criminally over looked in GOTY conversation!
Graham Walker
2024-11-22 14:29:38 +0000 UTCUtopia Must Fall - sublime retro vector arcade game
Ross McW
2024-11-22 14:29:28 +0000 UTCLike a Dragon Infinite Wealth. I haven't had as many memorable moments in gaming this year like I have in this game. And also haven taken the journey through all of the previous games returning me back to even the more memorable moments of the games I didn't enjoy (looking at Yakuza 3) I loved every minute of my 113+ hours with it.
Ken Lutz
2024-11-22 14:29:18 +0000 UTCThis is so hard. My heart says balatro but my head says animal well.... Fuck it BALATRO!!!!
Graham Walker
2024-11-22 14:29:01 +0000 UTCTactical Breach Wizards Impeccably witty and compelling dialogue, surprising depth to the world building, and great characters each with their own arc (the anxiety dreams are a great touch). Visually stunning, great gameplay, loads of additional puzzles.
James Medd
2024-11-22 14:27:57 +0000 UTCYeah I completely agree with the filler. There are some real lows in the game (e.g. chickens ๐) but the characters and story really blew all those worries out of the water for me. That last 2 hours or so had me mesmerised.
MrChrystal
2024-11-22 14:27:16 +0000 UTCBalatro. Super clever. Hooked me and most played game on my Deck to date I think!
Dan Silverstone
2024-11-22 14:25:34 +0000 UTCNatsu-mon!! (technically 2023 but outside of Japan in 2024), just an unbelievably cozy and grounded game about being a kid, kind of like Totoro but in the medium of games. It's so bright and vibrant but also understated and sincere. It's pretty miraculously been able to momentarily disarm all the stress of life lately and just bring me into this peaceful place. Really recommend it
WillpowerSmith
2024-11-22 14:25:07 +0000 UTCLonely Mountains: Downhill - not new, but still the one I play the most and an amazing 'just one more go' game. Takes a bit to master, but incredibly satisfying once you get the hang of it. Loads of content, beautful low poly style, leaderboards to drive you nuts.
Ross McW
2024-11-22 14:24:59 +0000 UTCPacific Drive. The vibes are amazing.
sozasawy
2024-11-22 14:24:32 +0000 UTCI have been chugging away at this since day 1. There are some awful awful filler side-quests, probably some of the worst in the history of gaming. Herding chickens in Gongaga nearly killed me. But the characters, the story, the battles and some of the best side quests ever (chocobo racing, queensblood, Mt. Condor) really make it a GOTY for me.
Eamonn Slattery
2024-11-22 14:23:56 +0000 UTC**Animal Well**, rarely have I ever abandoned myself to a game world so completely
Ben Salvidrim
2024-11-22 14:23:42 +0000 UTCAs of this moment, my game of the year is Alone In The Dark. The combat definitely isn't great, but the absolutely stunning surrealist horror on display here is absolutely worth the price of admission. There's all kinds of time and space bending shenanigans going on, and the way the devs have made it work so seamlessly is just a treat to experience. This is one of those games where I can't recommend it to someone who is strictly interested in mechanics, but I strongly recommend it to people that are interested in story and atmosphere. Play it on an easier difficulty and just let the game take you on a wild ride. This is easily the best game in the series, and it's a goddamn shame that the developer was closed after the gaming media really did this game dirty. That being said though, I still have a few heavy hitters that have yet to release this year, and The Thaumaturge sticks out as one that I really think has the potential to take the top spot. The physical release is due for December 19th.
Matt Nicolaidis
2024-11-22 14:21:29 +0000 UTCLorelei and the Laser Eyes - I loved everything about it, clever puzzle design, beautiful visual aesthetic and soundtrack, great surreal narrative. Kind of a perfect game for me
Eric Hesson
2024-11-22 14:20:45 +0000 UTCShadows of Doubt! SciFi Noir Detective ImSim, made by a tiny team, with some of the most in-depth yet free-form detective crime-solving mechanics I've ever encountered. Plus, you can buy and customize apartments, or just sit around in dingy old bars and diners, drinking whiskey and listening to moody old jazz records, what more could you want?
Jam Ferguson
2024-11-22 14:20:41 +0000 UTCSatisfactory took 180 hours from me, that must have been good ;)
neuroflare
2024-11-22 14:20:40 +0000 UTCElden Ring : Shadows of the Erdtree. I hope it counts <3 The best of Elden Ring's flavor, with a denser and more vertical level design as the cherry on top. It gave me vibes from the Original Dark Souls. Though I could not finish it, because the last boss was way too hard for me. Life is too short to die 150 times on the same boss, especially when you have two kids. Apart from that, absolutly amazing stuff. I'm very curious about what From Software can do after that.
Jรฉrรฉmie Fabre
2024-11-22 14:20:29 +0000 UTCAnimal Well. A joy to play. I love a "notebook game" and this one was just slightly less obtuse than something like Fez
Cameron Frederiksen
2024-11-22 14:20:11 +0000 UTCMindblowing game, but it came out last year.
sozasawy
2024-11-22 14:20:10 +0000 UTCElden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree More content than most of the games I played this year and amazing to boot. This was definitely my favorite.
Nathanael Fuller (Polygon Wizard)
2024-11-22 14:15:20 +0000 UTC:/
Disco Cat
2024-11-22 14:14:59 +0000 UTCIndika
SparksV
2024-11-22 14:13:28 +0000 UTCPatreon doesn't stream the replies, if you already had the page loaded you couldn't see someone posted it right before you did.
Jonathan Cremin
2024-11-22 14:13:05 +0000 UTCTekken 8
Shell Comics
2024-11-22 14:12:50 +0000 UTCSilent Hill 2 (Remake)
Adam Marrs
2024-11-22 14:12:43 +0000 UTCWoW: War Within :-)
Jake
2024-11-22 14:12:11 +0000 UTCTactical Breach Wizards
AlbedoAlchemics
2024-11-22 14:11:42 +0000 UTCShady Knight - fast-paced first-person melee combat/platformer with a ton of creative movement options and a DMC style meter. You can kick and jump off just about anything, there's a grapple hook, and momentum-based slide-hopping.
Caelum Beckinsale
2024-11-22 14:11:05 +0000 UTCMaybe don't comment a game that has already been proposed ? Sorry We're Closed, because it's queer af silent hill, richer than it seemed in the demo.
Disco Cat
2024-11-22 14:11:02 +0000 UTCAstro Bot, 20 hours of delightful platforming and nostalgia, 20 hours and counting of easy to finish hard to master speed running shenanigans
Layton ONeil
2024-11-22 14:11:00 +0000 UTCslay the princess, not what I was expecting, but extensive and in depth, fully voiced with hand drawn art.
John Barry
2024-11-22 14:10:58 +0000 UTCFinal Fantasy VII Rebirth
MrChrystal
2024-11-22 14:10:03 +0000 UTCBalatro
Jonathan Cremin
2024-11-22 14:09:23 +0000 UTCUFO 50 - So much creativity and originality that it has enough GOTYs in it for years to come
Tyler S
2024-11-22 14:09:17 +0000 UTCAstro Bot - not only an immensly fun platformer which is an absolute joy to play, but also a celebration of decades of Playstation gaming.
guccimental
2024-11-22 14:09:10 +0000 UTCBlack Myth Wukong. It's better GoW than Ragnarok, it's better story than any souls, it's just a BEAUTIFUL game. Bosses, music, environments - stunning. And most important - first ever codex in any game that I actually read and enjoy. I even bought Journey to the West to dive deeper into lore, like a child that just learned to read and now ready to read it all
Nikita Nikishin
2024-11-22 14:08:36 +0000 UTCUFO50! The culmination of years of work from Mossmoth resulted in a masterclass of design with something that everyone can enjoy. The art, music, game design and little consistent details made this game a huge standout for me this year.
Owen McCormack
2024-11-22 14:08:31 +0000 UTCUFO 50, Ultimate value
Sam Norton
2024-11-22 14:07:53 +0000 UTCMore context: continuous updates from passionate developers. A game that keeps you going for tens if not hundreds of hours.
Xorinzor
2024-11-22 14:07:51 +0000 UTC1000xResist respect zone
Michael Neely
2024-11-22 14:07:40 +0000 UTCDragon Age Veilguard for being polished and a delightful return to form for Bioware
Midnight Oil
2024-11-22 14:07:26 +0000 UTCMetaphor: ReFantazio!! I found it absolutely captivating and loved the world, the style, the characters, the music, the combat, the mechanics, the _menus_, everything. absolutely one of my favorite experiences this year!
MyOnlyAlias
2024-11-22 14:07:23 +0000 UTCBalatro - simple premise, clever design, addictive gameplay, immaculate vibes. That is was done by mostly a single dev makes it that much more remarkable.
TSSpursy
2024-11-22 14:07:15 +0000 UTCHelldivers 2, because managed democracy is the only way
Lutz Hรผsing
2024-11-22 14:06:31 +0000 UTCMetaphor: ReFantazio
LoonAtLarge
2024-11-22 14:06:30 +0000 UTCSatisfactory
Quiz Kid Donnie Sith
2024-11-22 14:05:35 +0000 UTCItโs going to be Infinite Wealth for me!
MrKlausBecker
2024-11-22 14:05:25 +0000 UTC
