Best so far in 2024 –

(10)

Animal good

It took about seven years to develop indie-dude Billy Basso’s latest gem, largely because he spent a long time working on his own game engine to perfectly capture the look he thought would best suit the concept. When we got to put our sweaty paws on Animal Well, we were impressed with how atmospheric it was, cleverly designed, cozy, detailed and, above all, retro in all the right ways.

(9)

Country House Gentlemen

If you are considering building a village in the Middle Ages, you will like Manor Lords. In this simulation, you will create a village and develop it into a grand city with forts, churches and houses. You will also lead troops in something similar to the battles in Total War. You must always think about when you fight and if you will fight. Your food producers are also your soldiers. With its beautiful graphics, depth of gameplay and addictive setup, it is one of the best strategy games of the year. What holds it back is that it is still in Early Access. It lacks some maps, buildings and types of soldiers. There is also a need for balance in the game. It’s something the developers are working hard on leading up to the launch of Title 1.0. Even though it is not yet finished, it is still a fantastic example of what indie developers can achieve with passion. That’s why it’s at number nine on our list.

(8)

Stellar sheet

Few gamers would turn down a tight, linear and explosive action fest. So when Stellar Blade was unveiled, we were hoping for something that could fulfill all those expectations, and what we ended up getting turned out to be as good as you could wish for in all those aspects. Leading the main character Eve through a variety of environments in a game that both borrowed and mixed from many fantastic inspirations turned out to be so good because the individual elements worked so well together. We were treated to an adventure that both felt familiar and managed to surprise at times, and while it didn’t break any new ground immediately, it was something very special mainly thanks to fantastic battles against the game’s powerful bosses.

Surprisingly, the adventure was also accompanied by a delightful pop soundtrack. That alone was one of the many elements that made the journey special. It also quickly became clear that we didn’t need to worry that the design would revolve around long legs and resilient females. On the contrary, these observations were quickly put aside when we were offered so many other things to entertain ourselves with. Being put to the test and fully mastering the combat system was just one of the many ingredients that allowed us to truly enjoy Stellar Blade.

It’s always nice to have brand new IPs among the best of the year and now that Eve has made a grand entrance, we hope that this is just the beginning and that we will see a sequel in the future.

(7)

V Rising

Sometimes games come out of nowhere that really surprise and slip in as editorial favorites. Such is the case with V Rising. We are talking about a consistently well-constructed and designed adventure, but one that has the guts to demand something of you as a player. You need to know what this is and, more importantly, what it is not. What we get is not just a Diablo clone, but an adventure that gives us truly in-depth opportunities to build and manage our own castle. In short, if you love Diablo gameplay but want something really special, then saddle up and become a dark ruler to build your own kingdom in V Rising.

(6)

Homeworld 3

There was at least one person on the editorial staff eager to return to the beloved Homeworld strategy series. It is especially clear that its ability to move through three-dimensional space has not been surpassed in the strategy genre. Blackbird Interactive managed to prove with Deserts of Kharak that they understand the brand. Homeworld 3 is truly a well-crafted title. With a gripping story, great music and improved game mechanics, it manages to enchant us once again. Its strength, like its predecessors, was not in the multiplayer mode, but in the campaign. The ability to use the environments as cover or transportation routes was also a welcome upgrade. By taking full advantage of the 3D environments, you can both ambush and surprise enemies from different directions. It is undoubtedly one of the more unique experiences of the year and a great strategy game, despite a lack of multiplayer content. That’s why it lands at number six in our list.

(5)

Balatro

If someone had predicted a few years ago that one of the best and most surprising games of 2024 would be a roguelike based on a classic French-English card game, many would probably raise their eyebrows in disbelief. But Balatro exists today, and we on the editorial staff have really come to love the whole concept of collecting more and better playing cards, as well as finding perfect combinations in a hugely entertaining version of poker that turns the rulebook into something new and exciting, while keeping the core intact. Midway through 2024, we’re struggling to find a title that stands out as much as LocalThunk’s card-based roguelike, which is why Balatro sails to a well-deserved fifth place on the list of the best games of the year (so far).

(4)

Lorelei and the laser eyes

Swedish adventure Lorelei and the Laser Eyes combines gameplay and storytelling in a unique way, allowing us to puzzle in ways we’ve never done before. The solutions are often as obscure as they are ingenious, and few games consistently provide such a sense of joy as this one. If you’re the type who likes trying to interpret texts, numbers and symbols to discover the secrets behind it all, and appreciate people like Hitchcock and Lynch, we can’t recommend Hotel Letztes Jahr enough. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a unique gaming experience that contributes immensely to broadening what gaming can truly be.

(3)

Eiyuden Chronicle: One Hundred Heroes

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is definitely one of the best games of 2024 thanks to its perfect combination of nostalgia and innovation. Created by the original developers behind the Suikoden series, the adventure offers a deep and engaging story with over a hundred unique heroes to recruit. Each has their own skills and backstories, adding variety, depth and personality. The graphics are a stunning mix of 2D sprites and 3D environments, creating a visually retro fireworks display. Motoi Sakuraba’s music also enhances the emotional atmosphere, and in the end, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a loving tribute to classic JRjapoan role-playing games, making it a must-have addition to your gaming collection.

(2)

Like a dragon: infinite wealth

It was clear early on that Infinite Wealth would be a unique game in the series. Not only is it the first adventure with the new name Like a Dragon, but it is also the first game set outside Japan and the first game developed, at least in large part, without the series’ creator. The result is a fresh, large and well-written adventure in which the series’ new and old protagonist cross paths numerous times to mark the beginning of something new in perhaps the series’ best adventure to date. In short, it is not something that fans of Japanese role-playing games should miss out on.

(1)

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

The first game in the remake series was already a phenomenal experience that we immediately rewarded with the highest rating. But if the sequel had been a similar game, it would not have been enough for the same verdict. With a new console generation and an adaptation of the open game world from the original, it simply took a lot more, but when we finally got the chance to sink our teeth into Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, it quickly became clear that all the improvements we had hoped for were indeed there.

The second adventure in the series proved to be filled to the brim with brilliant content. We were greeted by a host of engaging mini-games and a brilliant card game that caught our attention – a game that we hope gets even more love and development in the future. The game world in Rebirth was also huge and full of exciting secrets and unexpected surprises that made every moment a new adventure.

The story kept us gripped from beginning to end with its intrigue, twists and deep character developments. When it came time to review the game, there was no doubt that it deserved the highest rating. Now we can’t wait for the third game in the series, which we hope will exceed our already high expectations.