We have most but not all of our returning categories from last year, and also some more. Have a look below
The Multi Entry Communities
These entries focus on multiple games that stood out in the year that passed.
Best re-releases and collections
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
When this was revealed during a Nintendo Direct, it took everyone by surprise. All the classic Marvel and Capcom arcade collaborations in one collection with online play? It was what we had been wanting for so long. Add in Capcom’s first Marvel arcade game, The Punisher, and a load of extras and you have a recipe for fun.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics did not just Free Marvel as fans had wanted, it brought it back after the failure of Marvel vs Capcom Infinite. It reminded people why the games were so amazing and why we loved playing them even with how unbalanced they could do. Play these and let them take you for a ride.
Metamorphic Force
The second last beat em up Konami ever released in arcades, Metamorphic Force never received a home port until this year when it came to Arcade Archives. Now a wide audience has a chance to play the game and see why this brawler is so beloved, for its creativity and fun gameplay.
A mix of Altered Beast and previous Konami brawlers, Metamorphic Force felt different and still holds up well today. Check it out on Switch and PS4 to see for yourself why this is one of the best returns of the year.
Castlevania Dominus Collection
After two previous collections of Castlevania games covering the NES up to the GBA titles, it was only natural that a collection of the DS games would come as well. But this was no ordinary colllection, as the games were given overhauls to run on single screen systems and new implementations added to replace the touch screen features, finally letting the games be free to be enjoyed again. Fan favourite glitches were kept and even improved and a lot of bonus content was added, but that was not all.
Konami also included the Japanese arcade release of Haunted Castle ( more fair than the American release) and a new remake of the game by M2. Haunted Castle Revisited was everything fans could want from a classicvania, and showed the series is not done yet.
Tetris Forever and Tetris on NSO
Digital Eclipse had a banner year with some truly amazing releases, retro and otherwise. Tetris Forever is a new entry in Digital Eclipse’s Gold Masters series and not only collects multiple iconic Tetris games, but also comes with an interactive documentary about the history of the game and its various iterations. Tetris is one of the most iconic games ever made and having a collection of all these classic versions, with more still being added, is a thing of beauty indeed.
But that is not al as Nintendo has re released NES Tetris on Nintendo Switch Online along with Tetris DX. NES Tetris is one of the definitive versions of the game, and the one still used on the competitive scene and having it again on a modern system officially is very much appreciated
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story is another entry in Digital Eclipse’s Gold Masters series and contains multiple titles worked on by Jeff Minter. These shmups are some of the most unique and interesting, and while not every single one is a hit, most are worth playing. These are unlike any other shmup you may have played before, and hopefully DLC is added at a later time containing later gamers from Jeff Minter.
In addition, we have another interactive documentary that gives more insight into the development of the titles and Jeff Minter in general. This is something shmup fans will very much appreciate.
The Best Action Games
Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong was a game that had been hyped up for years and it seemed there was no way it could live up to its hype. But live jup to it, the game did, with a satisfying soulslike experience rooted in Chinese myth that felt refreshing and different. The gameplay was excellent with great controls. and the story was done well.
Black Myth: Wukong had a lot going against it, but it proved the doubters wrong. This is a game to play if you want something different
Iron Meat
Iron Meat is a modern arcade masterpiece and a truly a phenomenal arcade run and gun experience. There isn’t any slowdown or performance issues of any sort, even with as much action and enemies you have coming at you all at one time. The distinction that Iron Meat has over similar games is how tough and gory the game is.
As you traverse through levels you will mow down enemies from mutated meat puppets to menacing robot combatants. With amazing visuals and music that keeps you pumped, Iron Meat may be the best Contra style game all year, and that is in a year that had a new Contra game.
Warhammer 40 000: Space Marine II
After a long delay, we finally got to experience the continued story of Titus of the Ultramarines and the wait was well worth it. True to the series lore, brutal gameplay and an overall feeling of brilliance, Space Marine II is a game Warhammer fans have wanted and needed for a long time. In many ways it feels outdated, but in a good way, as it calls back to the pure adrenaline action games of the Xbox 360 and that is what we wanted.
More than anything else though, Space Marine II is just a fun game that doesn’t try and be anything more than a fun game that is a good adaptation of Warhammer 40 000. The characters are what they should be, the lore is represented well, and there are humorous moments that are handled perfectly. Space Marine II may not be the all time greatest 40K video game ever, but that is only because the first two Dawn of War games set such a high bar, and even then Space Marine II feels like in some aspects it surpasses those games ( which yes are in a different genre, but that is besides the point). Warhammer 40 000 Space Marine II may be one of the most fun games I have played all year, and shows such a respect for not only the Warhammer 40 000 franchise, but also the fans and players who have waited a long time for Space Marine 2 to be a thing.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate
This is a neat isometric Roguelike beat em up that finally offers something different from the typical Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles beat em up we have received a few times. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate allows multiplayer, both local and online, for up to four players to join the fight together and this creates a fun take on the Hades–like subgenre of roguelikes thagt are becoming a thing now. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate encourages you to constantly try new things and not just rely on one playstyle, such as by making you unlock more uses of your dash and other things like this.
The result is a game that, while not perfectly balanced, has a lot going for it and is a blast in co-op. Definitely something for the turtles fans.
Honourable mention
I dont have fighting games on the list but Guilty Gear Strive deserves a mention for its continued content as an ongoing fighting game. There is consistent new content added both in terms of characters and modes, and even a new port for the Switch was announced. Arc System Works has done well here.
Best RPGS
Skald: Against the Dark Priory
Skald: Against the Black Priory was an absolute gem this year and one of the best RPGs I have played all year. Looking to the past for ideas for the future, we have a game that shows why those old classics were so beloved, and with modern touches, brings them into the modern day.
It needs to be said that SKALD: Against the Black Priory is a horror RPG full of mystery and eldritch horror tropes and you will be drawn in very quickly. That said, be prepared to read a lot of text just like in the classic age of CRPGs, except this time it is full of gory descriptions of creeping grotesque imagery, as well as conversations between the denizens you come across. The dialogue is handled with multiple-choice dialogue trees, where your choices and decisions will affect the plot in various ways. It is also possible to use your wits to survive in this world, using your dialogue and Lore stats to avoid combat, along with some familiar dice rolling mechanics.
Skald: Against the Black Priory gave us a Lovecraftian horror RPG that called back to classics like Ultima and has served not only as a treat for fans of the classics, but as a way for new players to get a taste of what they were like. The result was a complete success and a must play.
Unicorn Overlord
One of the best games of the year, Unicorn Overlord reminded everyone why Vanillaware is so beloved. The gameplay was deep, the visuals were incredible and the story was excellent. This was a tittle that satisfied strategy RPG fans and showed Vanillaware has devs capable of tackling any genre.
Unicorn Overlord takes an interesting approach to strategy gameplay. While it is ostensibly an RTS game in many ways, you’re still formulating party members in fighting units, equipping them, and managing their skills and abilities like you would with a turn-based strategy game. Additionally, you’ll be liberating towns and running errands to reinforce each area you’ve conquered. There are plenty of side quests too, so don’t expect to be resting on your laurels while your troops do all the heavy lifting. Gameplay breaks down into three main areas. First is exploration. The overworld is mostly open in your starting continent but some areas are guarded and you’ll have to level up to survive combat in them. You can walk into areas with stronger enemies and they’ll attack you until conquered, which means you should be wary of going too far, too fast. Second, you’ll need to commit to combat in some of those areas, entering either main or side quests where you’ll wrest control of towns and villages from Galerius’ forces. Finally, you’ll need to fulfill additional objectives to boost the strength of your conquered towns, mostly by finding items hidden all around the landscape.
There’s no question that Unicorn Overlord is a smashing success both in creating a new IP and in actual gameplay. This is the kind of game that strategy/RPG gamers are always hoping for, something that shakes up the genre while still staying familiar and true to form to welcome long-time players.
Visions of Mana
Visions of Mana is a magnificent entry into the Seiken Densetsu/World of Mana series that brings it into the modern gaming era in a big way. Bringing everything fans loved about the previous entries and remakes, and having good connections to what came before, there is a clear reverence for the series that shows in the story. The excellent gameplay keeps you excited and the excellent world in Visions of Mana makes you want to explore endlessly. Visions of Mana is a must play for any RPG fan and shows that the Mana series still has a lot of potential for more great experiences.
It really must be noted how great the story of Visions of Mana is, and how well the characters are developed. You want to get to know these characters and follow their story and route for them, even as you realize not everything can end well. Both the main characters, and the secondary characters like the elementals stand out here, and even the villains shine, with some of the best in the Mana series. Every character has a well thought out story and their motivations and characterization feels like there is substance that serves the story well.
Still to play
Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
I didnt get a chance to play these this year. Maybe next year
Best Remakes and Remasters
Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered
Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered collects the two most famous entries in the Legacy of Kain franchise and gives us the definitive versions of these titles. Redone visuals, improved controls and hint systems to make it clear what to do really make these remasters stand out. But that is not all, as there is also access to the cut content, fan art, cosplay art, outtakes, lore material and more.
Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered was made for fans, by fans, with the project being led by well known names in the Legacy of Kain fan community. It is rare to see such love given to a game like this.
Haunted Castle Revisited
Haunted Castle is widely considered to be one of the worst entries in the Castlevania series, for a number of reasons. The sluggish movement, horrible difficulty ( which was worse in the west) and numerous other issues have caused many to regard it as the black sheep of the franchise, aside from its great music. Now, Konami and M2 have taken it upon themselves to rectify the situation by releasing a remake as part of the Castlevania Dominus Collection, known as Haunted Castle Revisited.
Haunted Castle revisited is not as extreme a remake as The Adventure Rebirth, but does change a few things that are evident right off the bat. The stages have been partially redesigned, and some of the more questionable aspects have been replaced, such as obstacles like the wall in stage 1 that flings bricks at you, which is now swapped for a new stage obstacle.
The best thing to say about Haunted Castle Revisited is that the game no longer feels unnecessarily unfair. It is still a hard game, but now the challenge feels fair and more in line with the classic games. Haunted Castle is something truly special. Beyond just the fact that it is the first new Castlevania game in a long time ( not counting Grimoire of Souls), but it provides proof of something else. Rather than focusing remakes on games considered all time classics, we should look to remakes of games that had potential but failed to live up to it, or games that were written off as duds before.
Star Wars Dark Forces Remastered
Star Wars Dark Forces Remaster understands that the core assets of the game are its biggest strength and Nightdive went out of its way to make sure the visual upgrade feels authentic to the original looks and that it still maintains a retro feel. Numerous quality-of-life features have also been added, such as new accessibility options, for those who require them. Getting the option to tone down some of the flashing lights was an exceptionally welcome feature, especially since photosensitivity has meant I can no longer play some classic FPS games, and the multitude of control features including gyro aiming all feel right. This is not even mentioning how Dark Forces Remaster comes with quite a lot of bonus content, such as concept art, design documents, reference footage filmed for cutscene animation, and more.
Dragon Quest III HD 2D
One of the most beloved JRPGs of all time. Dragon Quest III got a facelift this year, but the overall experience has been improved in general. Some new content to find, amazing music and visuals, and combat that feels amazing all contribute to a great feeling.
But it is the story that feels more fleshed out this time and the RPG elements have been modernized in ways that make the experience feel like it has more depth. This is definitely one to check out for fans of JRPGs, and while Dragon Quest III HD 2D was a long time coming, it was worth the wait.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Decades after its release, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door still holds up well, and the Switch remake has proven why so many consider it the shining star of the Mario RPGs. Some of the best writing, excellent combat and amazing music and visuals have allowed it to stand out even among the best of today’s games. While it would have been nice to have more new content, what we do have is still a fantastic update of a must-play experience.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is still an amazing game, and the updates have made it shine brighter than ever. The cast of characters is the best ever in a Mario RPG and this was a difficult game to live up to after.
Biggest Surprises
Haunted Castle Revisited
While a collection of the DS games was expected at some point, no one expected this to be included as well. The first new Castlevania game in years, Haunted Castle Revisited corrected the mistakes of the original while creating something new that stood far above it. Now we just need more games like this from Konami.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
We wanted Marvel for a long time and we got it, but in a far better way than we expected. A collection of all of Capcom’s Marvel arcade games was amazing and the inclusion of The Punisher was extra special for many. These games are beloved by so many fans and to get a chance to play them again in a new collection and with various online modes? A dream come true!
Retro Realms
WayForward has released some amazing games over the years but them teaming with Boss Team Games to create two retro style action platformers based on Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead was unexpected to say the least. These two games, also sold as a double pack with crossover interaction, proved to be incredibly fun, especially the Ash vs Evil Dead game, and gave fans the chance to play great Mega Man inspired action platformers starring the characters from our favourite horror franchises.
The Rocky Horror Show Video Game
I do not think this was something anyone could have predicted. A new video game based on the iconic stage show ( not the movie adaptation) from the developer behind the AVGN games and Manos The Hands of Fate game and it managed to be a fun experience. I have to say that the rocky horror show game, may not have been what I expected, but was an overall satisfying experience, especially the recreation of the iconic music which is so well done here, and as mentioned. It is often tied to the actual gameplay segments in integral ways and this makes sense, considering how interactive The Rocky Horror Show is supposed to be with the audiences.
This was a surprise to be sure, but a happy one.
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
When Nintendo first released a teaser for Emio, no one knew what it was for or what to expect. The game turned out to be a new entry in the Famicom Detective Club series once again courtesy of veteran developer Mages. Much like previous entries in the series, this is a fairly linear visual novel with a focus on dialogue and character development. The game’s story sequences segue into the main game interface, a menu driven system that allows you to ask questions, present evidence, examine your surroundings, and perform various other tasks.
While the remakes of the first two Famicom Detective Club games were well received, the fact that it led to a new entry was a complete shock for many, but made so much sense in retrospect. This was the return of a darker storytelling form from Nintendo and more importantly showed that Nintendo is interested in reviving its classic IP once it sees fans like them. Now where is that Mysterious Murasame Castle reboot?
Best Indie Revival/Reinvention
Beyond Shadowgate
Beyond Shadowgate was an idea the team had for a sequel, but by the time it was made, the original team had moved on and were not involved with the project. This new version of Beyond Shadowgate was made by the original team using their original notes and designed as a true sequel to the game as it was on the NES. The TG CD plot is incorporated as well, but it has received a number of changes to bring things in-line with what the developers envisioned.
Beyond Shadowgate takes the best aspects of the classic Macventures series, but also incorporates some modern ideas. There are hints in the game to keep you on track, but you can ignore those if you want a true challenge, and there are other modern touches as well, but they do not get in the way of the experience.
Beyond Shadowgate more than lived up to the original experience, and after playing, I want more like this. Adventure games are still going strong and Beyond Shadowgate shows the genre still has a lot to give.
UFO 50
Remember the days of multipack cartridges boasting of multiple games like Action 52, that all turned out to be garbage? UFO 50 is a new take on that concept but this time it works so well. Set up as a collection of games from a fictitious company and leaving hints of a narrative as to what happened, there is much to enjoy in UFO 50. The games are varied across different genres and all play extremely well. Even if some may not be to your liking, there will be others that definitely will.
This was a collaborative effort from a variety of indie developers and I hope to see more like it in the future. This not only proves multipack games could be done well, but that with enough love and care, they can shine bright among the best.
Quest Master
Quest Master has released in Early Access and it has proven to be a better Zelda Maker than one Nintendo could hope to make. The ability to make your own dungeons has so much depth here, and new elements are constanty being added. You can even create your own action RPG to share with others and play it with friends.
I have to say that Quest Master made it incredibly easy to develop and design levels and while I did not upload any myself due to feeling what I made was not good, I had experimented with designing some. There is an incredibly robust creation system here that feels more developed than some other games that have tried to take up this task, which is impressive considering this is still in Early Access. Building the dungeons is incredibly easy to do here, and can even be done fine using a controller. There is a wide combination of different terrains, tools, hazards, items and more that you can use to create your ideal dungeon, and you can even add stairs to go up and down through different floors and there is seemingly no limit to how many you can put in.
More content is coming soon, including a single player campaign, all of which combines to make this the best Zelda not made by Nintendo.
The One Entry Clubs
These next entries only focus on a single game each, because there is only one game I wish to talk about in each category.
Games That Are Good For Your Mental Health
Endless Ocean Luminous
Endless Ocean Luminous is one of the best games to play for dealing with anxiety and stress. I have been dealing with severe panic attacks for the last year and this is a game I am able to just play and lose myself in. in a relaxing way.
Unlike the second Endless Ocean, which added some action elements, Luminous goes back to the first game’s approach of just exploring the world. The Veiled Sea is shown to have a strange light that has a calming effect on the marine life, and even creatures that normally will attack people, are just calmly swimming here. This gives you the ability to swim with a Tiger Shark, and not have a sense of panic, which is extremely cool.
Endless Ocean Luminous goes for a relaxed approach to gameplay and that may not be for everyone, but this is perhaps the most therapeutic game released so far this year. Just playing for around fifteen minutes is enough to calm down after a serious bout of anxiety, and playing for an hour can do wonders for your mental well-being. There is something about just swimming around and seeing the majestic undersea world at your own pace that gives a feeling of calmness and has also managed to improve my sleep as well.
Games You Slept On
Frontier Hunter: Erza’s Wheel of Fortune
I know many bring up Prince of Persia the Lost Crown as a game people slept on this year, but the fact is so many have mentioned it that there is not much to say. What I do want to talk about it is Frontier Hunter: Erza’s Wheel of Fortune, another brilliant Metroidvania.
Best Games For All Ages
Princes Peach Showtime!
While it was not to everyone’s satisfaction, Princess Peach Showtime proved itself to be a great spinoff with potential and a must play for young gamers just starting out. Hardcore players may not have been impressed, but gamers with young kids who wanted to play with them sure were happy and so this lived up to the hype as far as I was concerned.
Far from being a simplistic platformer, Princess Peach Showtime! is a game that has so much on offer and stands out a among the best games Good-Feel has made for Nintendo ever. Etsunobu Ebisu’s return to the role of director was a welcome one and showed he still has his touch all these years later. Princess Peach Showtime! is an easy game to recommend, because both newcomers and experienced players will be able to enjoy it.
Nintendo and Good feel tried something different with this game and while not all of it landed, enough of it did. I want to see more like this and perhaps Peach can bring some of her guises into the next Smash Bros game.
Games That Were Better Than People Said
South Park: Snow Day!
South Park Snow Day has shown up on several worst games of 2024 lists and I do not agree with that. It may not have been amazing, but it was nowhere near as bad as people made it out to be, especially once more content arrived. Yes, the town feels less important and the visuals may not be what people wanted, but there is a lot of good as well.
The writing is already as strong as ever, with some clever callbacks and surprising connections to previous episodes, and the rougelite gameplay is well handled. You do not need to play this in multiplayer and the bots work fine under your control. Another thing the game heavily encourages is replays, which is a nice change from the previous games, especially as different runs through the game will give different levels ensuring no two runs are the same. These replays are fun even without friends to an extent but are much more fun when playing online
I feel the marketing did no favours to this game, giving players the wrong idea of what to expect. This was not South Park Fortnite like some people thought, but a game that is enjoyable in its own way.
And there we are. What stood out as the best of 2024 in gaming to you?
