Editors' Picks Game of the Year 2024

It's that time of year when everyone at TheGamer goes to great lengths to influence, bribe, and intimidate their co-workers into playing their favorite games from the past 12 months. OK, maybe we're not bribing or intimidating. But we will definitely recommend.




No recommendation would be complete without a list of our games of the year. So this is mine. Every member of the editorial team will produce their own list. So you can check out everyone's top games of 2024, but clearly my game is the only one that matters, right? right.

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Planet Coaster 2

Planet Coaster 2 Kids in a floating ring win a pool with a slide tower in the background.

I have a soft spot for business sim games. It's the one on my couch that was created based on the hours I spent sitting and building theme parks, zoos, and hospitals when scratching that sim. Planet Coaster 2 is the latest game to fulfill that need.

Easy to pick up and play in as little or as long as you want, Planet Coaster 2 is an expanded and improved version of the original. By adding more customization options So you can obsess over building the perfect theme park in the early hours of the morning, or spend hours screaming into the void that you can't build a roller coaster that doesn't scare visitors to death.


Phoenix Springs

Orphans in Phoenix Springs

Proving that point-and-click games still have a place in 2024, Phoenix Springs offers a modern, modern puzzler for puzzle fans to try. The neo-noir style with hand-drawn art and animation is gorgeous. And this genre's inventory system, which lets you match ideas and clues in your mind, is especially clever. It's a must-play for puzzle fans.

Balatro

Play Club Flush level 18 with two Blue Seal 3s of Hearts in hand in Balatro.


I was very late to the Balatro hype train. In fact, I thought I would be spared its allure because I dislike card games too much and don't know anything about poker. Anyway, fast forward to November. I bought it on Steam and played it non-stop all day. The next day I bought it again on mobile so I could play it anywhere. I think it's safe to say it deserves a spot on this list.

Dragon Age: Veil

Lucanis in Dragon Age The Veilguard

Despite being a huge Dragon Age fan, I was up and down a lot about my feelings about The Veilguard before its release, unsure if it would live up to expectations. After playing I know it definitely didn't live up to my expectations. But that doesn't mean it's bad. It's just different.

Even though the battles, friends, and mechanics of the world aren't what we're used to, But it also gave us a great new chapter to the world of Dragon Age, giving us a new legend. Reveal secrets of the past And give us new companions to crave.


Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

Yoshiro chants the Goddess' Kunitsu-gami path.

Even though it's a Capcom game rather than an overlooked indie title. But I feel like Kunitsu-Gami is getting some attention this year. This may be because it is difficult to define. It's a mix of action, strategy, and tower defense. But that alone doesn't do it proper justice or explain how much fun it is. Even for people like me who don't like to play strategy games.

Although beautiful and enjoyable But it is heavily inspired by Japanese mythology and culture. And this can be seen in everything from small details to huge, hideous bosses coming at you.

H3: Statement of praise


Astrobot

Astro Bot menu showing Kazuma Kiryu's bot called Tattooed Dragon.

My platforming days mostly date back to the 90s in general, as there are so many other genres that I enjoy playing these days. But every now and then there's a new platformer that's so shocking that even I can't resist. Astro Bot is the platformer of 2024.

Partly because it has Like a Dragon's Kiryu as a VIP bot in it? Maybe. But it's still a fun game that feels like the best that modern platformers can offer. At the same time, it pays homage to PlayStation's history and makes us all feel a little nostalgic.

Dragon's Belief 2

The Arisen and the pawns in Dragon's Dogma 2


Sometimes it's all too easy to forget a game that was released earlier in the year. But several months later I still can't forget the hours I spent on my hilarious adventures in Dragon's Dogma 2.

The pawn system alone makes this worthy of being on this list. Their stupid moment falls off a cliff. Catch you in the middle of a fight Disgusting comments… Oh, and slaughter entire villages when they fall prey. Dragonsplague good times

Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templar: Reforged

Broken Sword Reforged has been Photoshopped to include platform icons in the chat bar.

My true picture is trying to convince anyone I meet to play Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars: Reforged on whatever platform they own. (You can read my full review here to be sure exactly how.)


Magnus Brothers in Metaphor ReFantazio

Metaphor is the second game I've ever given full marks to. So you can read my full review here. And read why GOTY should win. Then you can read this:

Metaphor is a really great JRPG. Make time for it. Sure, you might have to set aside close to 100 hours, but it's worth it.

Like a dragon: endless wealth

Majima from Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth plays Meg Pelliccio's GOTY.

The only thing that could beat the second game I ever rated perfect was the first game I rated perfect. As you can read here. Don't want to click but still wonder why you should play Infinite Wealth? In short, Majima is in there.


The longer version is a heartfelt love letter to the series and a bittersweet passing of the torch between protagonists Kiryu and Kasuka. It balances Kiryu's past and pays homage to everything that has come before the Yakuza series, while embracing the future of Kasuga and crew, and at the same time setting a new standard for every game that follows. Plus there's Majima too.

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Why should Balatro win a GOTY from The Game Awards?

TheGamer's EIC Stacey Henley explains why Balatro deserves the Game Of The Year award. Make sure to read Stacey's argument!: https://www.thegamer.com/why-balatro-should-win-game-of-the -year/

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