(bright music) - Hey, folks, Jake Baldino here to talk about the best games of 2024, our Gameranx, picks and yes, we're here in the office we use sometimes. Last time we were here, the ceiling was leaking. Now, some of the lights aren't working, but the show must go on.
So if I look a little ghostly, that's the reason. But we have 10 games we're gonna talk about today. We used to do big award shows and stuff like that, but you know what?
We're Gameranx, what do we do here? We rank the games. All right, that was so stupid.
That was the dumbest thing I've ever said. In all seriousness though, we are keeping it simple. We got a good list of 10 or so games for you guys, some of our favorites of this year, and when I say our favorites, I say the Gameranx video team as a whole.
So not just me, but Daniel, Falcon, Kevin, Eric, Andrew, Juan, everyone behind the scenes, so don't just shoot the messenger here. This is our collective choices. Some of our words, our thoughts, and just think of it as game recommendations.
If you played these, great. If you hate them, sorry, let us know. Don't, I don't.
Still, a lot of cool games to talk about this year, so let's get started off with the first one. It is "Black Myth: Wukong. " Yes, we're giving "Black Myth" some recognition because it is just a fun, straighT-up action game that gets bigger and crazier as you go through it.
You know, the combat isn't like the most complex thing in the world, but it has really cool moments. The game has some incredible boss battles with really, really dazzling, flashy designs and memorable moments. And also just the fact that it's based on an old Chinese mythology, like Chinese classical novel "Journey to the West.
" That in and of itself is unique. We talk so much about remakes, sequels, reboots. This is just its own nice, genuine thing and it was really fun to just jump into that world, not really know a lot, and learn as you go.
The graphics are killer, the soundtrack is killer. It's just like a really good, lengthy, entertaining ride. Now the Gameranx Team's next pick is "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
" We want to give credit to this one 'cause this dropped very early in 2024 and it seems like a lot of people, a lot of places, a lot of outlets out there forgot about this one, But this is one of the best games to release this year. It's certainly a kick-ass Metroidvania-style game. It's technically kind of a return to form for "Prince of Persia," which had 2D platformer roots.
So what you have here is really good exploration, great 2D platforming, obviously some great Metroidvania-style gameplay, but also, some surprisingly tight combat and navigation. The movement, the controls, everything here is extremely tight and it just makes it thrilling and surprisingly challenging to play through. Look, I know the "Prince of Persia" brand at this point is kind of all over the place and Ubisoft is fumbling all over the place, but with these little, smart choices and these kind of smaller-style games, it just seemed like it was the right move for "Prince of Persia.
" I want a new "Warrior Within" as much as the next guy, but we really had a hell of a good time playing through this year. This was like the one of the most agreed-upon games on our list here. Next up on our list, the big Jeff Keeley game awards, they had a cutoff date for games releasing, so December games didn't really squeeze into their votes, but our show doesn't matter so we're counting new stuff like "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
" Is it a little bit of recency bias by us? Maybe, but Machine Games' newest their follow up from the Wolfenstein games is incredibly awesome. It's like an actually good movie tie-in game that captures the feel and essence of "Indiana Jones.
" It's also a surprisingly lengthy and deep game. There's a lot going on here. Really detailed, dense worlds to explore that don't feel like they're just filled with fluff or padding.
Everything here contributes to the story, the world building or just the feeling of "Indiana Jones," like the side quests kind of blend into the main quests and that's just really, really well done. Really simple stealth and hand-to-hand combat, yes, but incredibly satisfying with really good sound effects, visuals, physics, you get into all kinds of hijinks in this that just feel perfectly "Indiana Jones. " And we were just really, genuinely surprised by how solid and awesome this game really is.
And to bring it personal for a second, for me it's just what I love. It's a regular, old-fashioned, video game-ass video game. It's an adventure you play through, cool action, cool cut scenes, no microtransactions, no bullshit, and it's just fun.
Next up, this one might be on a left field for some of you, but consider it a big recommendation, "Balatro. " Can we get a hell yeah in the chat? - Hell yeah in the chat!
- Yeah, it's good. Is that why you didn't finish that video the other day? 'Cause you're addicted to the.
. . - [Person Off Camera] Okay, how about you (bleep) off?
- The game that probably ate up people's time the most here in 2024, believe it or not, was this simple little card game "Balatro" across Steam, mobile, PS5 versions. A lot of us here have dumped hundreds of hours into this and it seems like there's no end in sight. "Balatro" addicting, rogue-like gameplay has kept us all coming back to it all year, and we don't see ourselves slowing down anytime soon, and that's crazy considering it also hasn't had any major insane updates or anything like that.
It's just the raw gameplay is that good. From its addictive gameplay to the entrancing music and visual effects, there is so much to love about "Balatro" and we think at 110% deserves a spot on our Game of the Year list. Look, smaller games that, kind of games that look like mobile games, we dunk on them, but like we also show respect when they're solid and good.
We've awarded Game of the Year recommendations for mobile games and quirkier games before in the past, and "Balatro" is definitely the one this year. You might look at it and just think that's all it is, but give it a shot. There's a reason why so many people are hooked on this game.
Also, we all hate math here, and "Balatro" found a way to kind of make math fun. So I feel like that's it right there. Good job, guys.
Next up on our list is "Metaphor: ReFantazio. " Yes, a JRPG classic. That's what this thing is gonna be considered thanks to the folks behind it.
While it carries a lot of the energy and some of the design ideas of the "Persona" games that they made before, this is its own new thing, and I honestly think it's a really good jumping on point if you haven't played the "Persona" games, but you want to catch some of this creative team's energy. "Metaphor: ReFantazio" is a really, really creative and fun RPG that is lengthy, has a really, really incredible world, and some really cool characters, but also a story that actually tries to say some things. It actually attempts to do something a little bit more than just, what on the surface, looks like medieval fantasy, there's a lot more going on, but the visual style, their crazy over the top menus, cut scenes, all this crazy stuff.
The character designs, the enemy designs, the music, every single thing with "Metaphor" is 100% unique. And you'll notice there's a trend this year. Unique is kind of the thing we keep saying because we play a lot of games here, we check out a lot of games, and sometimes it's the stuff that stands out the most and really sticks in our brain, sticks in our memory that makes it all really worthwhile.
And "Metaphor" is definitely one of those examples. Next up on our list completely switching gears, "Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. " Well, I said that this year, the standout was very unique games, "Space Marine 2" is special in how it feels like a throwback.
It feels like something we'd play on Xbox 360 or PS3, just a straightforward, awesome sci-fi shooter adventure in third person. It's action packed, it's gory, it's over the top, and the campaign is incredible. For some of us here, it kind of served as a gateway drug into the "Warhammer 40,000," which that right there, I think the game deserves commendation alone.
But also the fact that not only a cool, fun, entertaining, kind of classic style single-player adventure campaign, but also some great multiplayer modes that we've kept going back to. - [Person Off Camera] "Warhammer 2" was so good that I went out and I bought "Warhammer" miniatures and have been painting them. - That's crazy.
Next up on our list, "S. T. A.
L. K. E.
R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. " Yep, we're going with this one.
It was one of our most anticipated and it's a shame that it launched in the state that it did, but even in its rough shape, it's still awesome. It's really hard to put down. I recommended it in the "Before You Buy," and even going forward, it's only gotten better.
We always find ourselves wanting to hunt down one more artifact or like one more stash. GSC Game Worlds here has really been also hard at work trying to fix the game, make it better, and I know sometimes we just really do not tolerate games that launch undercooked or half baked, but again, I think "S. T.
A. L. K.
E. R. 2" felt so good, even in its rough state that it was worth sticking through with, and some fans haven't even minded the bugginess at all because it's kind of what we expected.
But as we sit here talking about this, the 110 gigabyte 1. 1 update is installing in the background, which seems like it's also going to fix quite a lot of things. They've been listening to community and fan feedback and that's good.
Also, another big takeaway from "S. T. A.
L. K. E.
R. 2" is yes, it's a compelling, kind of hardcore style game that we don't see as often as we used to, but also the fact that it does feel like a good foundation for the future, for mods and crazy things to happen with this game. Because where the original games were like a lightning rod for that, we're hoping that "S.
T. A. L.
K. E. R.
2" has a bright future as well. It's cool, it's sweaty, it's definitely not for every player, but if you're a hardcore PC gamer, give it a shot. Next up, one you may not have heard of, it's called "Nine Sols.
" This is from Developer Red Candle Games, that some of us here have been following since their 2017 debut, "Detention. " Their other games were a little different, but this, their third title, is an intense, side-scrolling action game, heavily influenced by things like "Hollow Night" and "Sakura. " It's really good.
Somehow for their first action game, they nailed it. The combat is intense, the controls are really responsive, and the difficulty is, we'll admit, extremely high, but it always feels fair. The storytelling is more engaging than you usually get in this type of game.
The Tau Punk, quote unquote, setting is fascinating, the characters are charmingly written, and the bad guys are pretty hateable. The way it's all presented is fantastic too. The animated cut scenes, manga style story panels just are done with so much love and attention here that they don't feel cheap or rushed.
Also, the music is really good, and that helps when you're dying a million times and hearing it over and over again. It's that good. Like we said, this is a "Sakura" like, so parrying is the bread and butter, but it's so responsive, we never really felt like we were whiffing parries when we should be hitting them, and every death, and there were a lot of them, it felt like it was on us.
Like we said, it's hard, really hard, but it very rarely feels unfair or cheap. So overcoming adversity and finally beating a really tough boss is just really satisfying. Clearly, these guys get action games, and while on the surface it looks unconventional, man, when you dive into this thing, this is a full challenging video game meal.
Now down to our final two, "Astro Bot. " "Astro Bot" is just a great throwback platforming game, celebrating the legacy of PlayStation, and yeah, leaning pretty heavily on that nostalgia, but also just being a damn good, family-fun-friendly platformer as well. The bosses, the level design, the creativity that goes into all of your abilities to progress through these levels are incredible.
The themed levels, from a haunted house to a casino, to a beach, to the new winter update, everything is just bursting with detail, love, and care. And again, it's a family friendly game, not something that we usually go for here, but this game has infected a lot of our households. The joy of video games has taken over, and you know what?
It should be a platformer game that does it because we don't get enough of these, and I'm still so annoyed that we barely have any, but I am so happy that "Astro" is out and it is good enough to really take the crown for some of these, at least in the modern gaming setting. If we're not getting a "Crash Bandicoot" again anytime soon, or a "Banjo Kazooie" or a "Crock," or a "Glover," whoever the hell, at least we have "Astro Bot. " Look, man, if you want your hardcore action games, you know you're playing your "Diablo," you're playing your "S.
T. A. L.
K. E. R.
," whatever, but sometimes, you just need that good childlike wonderment. Yes, that's probably not for everybody, but for us here, "Astro Bot" really hit. We had the Grinch heart inside of us and "Astro" helped that heart grow.
Is that what happened in the Grinch? Did he have a heart attack? I don't remember that movie.
And now one last game of the year pick for this year for our big list, it's "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. " Yes, like "Astro Bot" before it, there is a lot of nostalgia in this one. It's a big reason for this game.
Some of it is cheap, but a lot of it is also really, really well done if you're a "Final Fantasy" fan. But really, it's spending more time in this fully realized, actual real mid guard setting here. These lifelike characters, these lovable characters, these characters that you now get to spend even more time with really just makes this adventure feel worthwhile.
Yes, it's really massive and there is a little bit of a open world padding here and there, but it's an excuse to spend more time in this detailed "Final Fantasy" world, a world that a lot of us fell in love with back in the 90s, but now, back in a big new way. Obviously, there are improvements to the combat and the gameplay from "Final Fantasy VII Remake," another one we absolutely loved, but for us here, it was just a really good sequel, a really good continuation, and I mean especially, of course, the story. Remember, this isn't like a one-to-one remake.
Without spoiling anything, it is a really cool and clever re-imagining of certain concepts, and just how they take this franchise has been really interesting to see play out and we're excited to see where it goes next. It left us wanting more. The developers got to take risks, play with the story, play with the concepts.
We trusted them with that and we think they nailed it. And the fact that it gave our boy Zach, a ray of hope for a truly happy ending is really just the cherry on top. But that's all we'll say.
Those are our top 10 picks, our favorite games of the year. Again, if you weren't listening, it is "Black Myth: Wukong," "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown," "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle," "Balatro," "Metaphor: ReFantazio," "Space Marine 2," "S. T.
A. L. K.
E. R. 2," "Nine Sols," "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth," and "Astro Bot.
" But along with that, some bonus ones that we couldn't fit into our main list, some quick honorable mentions. "Animal Well. " "Animal Well" is probably the indie darling of the year and for good reason.
It's just incredibly well designed with a really, really unique, dreamlike world, hidden puzzles that have driven the community into a frenzy, and it's just a hell of a good time. I played it on Steam Deck. It rules.
Also for me personally, let me squeeze a VR game in here, "Batman: Arkham Shadow. " It's awesome. I know it's a Quest exclusive, that's a bummer, but this is a full on new Arkham game.
While we had a disappointment this year with "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League," we got a sequel essentially to "Batman: Arkham Origins," and they did an incredible job with it. Also, "Helldivers 2. " Look, for all the ups and downs the community and the developers had with changes, fixes, nerfs, anything like that, the time we spent with it, playing with friends was an absolute blast.
Time we're not gonna forget. But like I said, those are our 2024 Game of the Year picks. Like I said, this is the Gameranx team's picks.
We couldn't cover everything, but we loved a lot of games this year. If there was something we didn't include, we'd love to hear from you guys. Please be nice in those comments.
But along with that, thank you for another great year. Some of you have been watching us for six months, some of you have been watching us for 10 years almost. Either way, thank you very much.
We all really, really appreciate it. It puts food on our table, yes, but also we just have fun. Hopefully we provide you with some entertainment on your lunch break or doing the dishes or something like that, maybe inform your purchases.
I don't know, either way, thank you for being here with us. We're not going anywhere. 2025 seems like there's gonna be a shit-ton of games, so keep your eyes peeled, but for now, that's it.
From all of us here, thank you again. Clicking the like button helps us out, yes, but that's it. I'm gonna go to bed.
I'm Jake Baldino, pizza's on me.
