Branching Path: Bryan Vitale's Top 10 Games of 2024

Alright, listen here, mate! I’ve been a gamer for longer than I care to admit, and I’ve seen my fair share of RPGs that come and go. But let me tell you, there were three games in 2024 that truly stood out from the crowd.

First off, we have Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven. Now, I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical at first when they announced it – SaGa games can be a bit of an acquired taste, and I wasn’t sure if this one would be any different. But boy, was I wrong! This game took everything that makes SaGa great and turned it up to eleven. The battle system is challenging yet satisfying, the story is deep and engaging, and the art is absolutely stunning. It’s a game that demands your full attention and rewards you in kind.

Next up, we have Metaphor: ReFantazia – a JRPG that really knocked it out of the park. I’ve played my fair share of JRPGs over the years, but this one really stood out with its relatable characters and challenging themes. It’s not often you find a game that makes you think about the world around you and the choices you make in it, but Metaphor: ReFantazia does just that. The ending may not have been perfect, but the journey was well worth it.

And finally, we have SaGa 2024 – a remaster of an old classic that I played back in my day. I remember playing the original on my old SNES and being absolutely hooked. This remaster brought back all the nostalgia and then some. The updated graphics, smooth gameplay, and smart UI made it feel like a brand new game while still staying true to its roots.

All three of these games were absolute standouts in 2024, and I couldn’t recommend them enough to any RPG fan out there. So if you’re looking for something new to sink your teeth into, give one (or all) of these a try! And remember, as always, keep on gaming, my friend. Cheers!

Oh, and just between us, I’ve heard rumors that there might be a secret fourth game hidden deep within the code of these three games… but I couldn’t possibly confirm or deny anything like that, now could I? 😉

2024 was an incredibly busy year for RPG Site, as I struggled to keep up with the numerous releases. Kicking off in January with “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth“, the pace hardly let up. The year was overflowing with lengthy RPGs from beloved series like “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ” and newcomers such as “The Thaumaturge“. Summoning salutors in 1905 Warsaw was just one of the many memorable moments this year presented, with challenging battles in “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ” being another. Compiling a list from one to ten was surprisingly difficult.

2024 proved to be quite a difficult year on a personal note, but it’s been heartening to lend a hand to RPG Site in minor capacities. This connection to a pastime I deeply cherish and aspire to enjoy for the foreseeable future has provided me with some much-needed solace. And so, without dwelling on emotions or further preamble, here are my top ten games of 2024:

In a year that posed numerous personal challenges, I’ve found comfort in my involvement with RPG Site. As a lifelong enthusiast, I look forward to continuing this hobby for as long as possible. With that said and without any more fanfare, here are my top ten games of 2024:

Honorable Mentions

Dragon Age: The Veilguard – If The Veilguard had been released 6 or 7 years ago, it would have likely been my most anticipated game at the time. I almost feel like a stranger saying this in 2025, but if you asked a younger me who my favorite game developer was, the answer was likely Bioware. While Veilguard didn’t quite hit the mark for me, it still surprised me in some ways that keeps me hopeful for the franchise.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak – I had loved certain entries from the Sky and Crossbell games, but had lost a lot of interest in the Trails series over the last several years — but wanted to stay caught up nonetheless. I had heard a lot of good news about Kuro no Kiseki featuring a new protagonist in a new region of the world, and it turns out that positive word of mouth was largely correct. By shrinking the focus of the conflict with Almata and having a breath of fresh air with Van as protagonist, Daybreak has me excited for the next entry in the series for the first time in a while.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – It hasn’t been that long, but I had been longing for a return for a new 2D-style Zelda since A Link Between Worlds. On top of that, a new title with Zelda herself in a lead role seemed like just the sort of shakeup that I was hoping to see in last year’s Tears of the Kingdom. While some of the specific systems such as the Echo and Bond mechanics were misses for me, I still enjoyed some of that nostalgic exploration and dungeon-crawling that hasn’t been a focus of the other recent Zelda games. I hope the title was successful enough that we can hope to continue to see Zelda occasionally in the protagonist’s seat in future entries.

10) Mario & Luigi: Brothership

To begin with, the first pick on my list took me by complete surprise. Truth be told, I’ve never been a die-hard fan of the Mario & Luigi series of RPGs, finding only the initial two Paper Mario games appealing to me. Initially, I had no intention of playing Mario and Luigi: Brothership, but during my holiday travels, it served as a handy game for occasional play. As it turned out, I grew so fond of it that when it came time to compile this top ten list, I couldn’t bear to omit it – apologies to Dragon Age.

The bond between us feels like a seamless progression of my past experiences with the series in Superstar Saga and Bowser’s Inside Story. Acquire, the new series developer, has managed to authentically translate the essence of the series into its 3D console-style presentation. All the fresh locations and Concordia’s new inhabitants seem like organic additions to this long-standing series. The storyline was a bit lengthy, but I would have preferred it in the Mushroom Kingdom. Despite these minor points, Brothership remains a solid recommendation for Mario RPG enthusiasts, which I never anticipated when it was announced in mid-2024.

9) SaGa Emerald Beyond

As a long-time video game enthusiast who has played countless titles over the years, I must admit that SaGa Scarlet Grace stands out as one of my most unexpected gaming gems. Despite not appearing on any of my top ten lists due to playing it later in life, this game caught me off guard because it was from a series I wasn’t familiar with. However, after hearing some fantastic word-of-mouth recommendations, I decided to give it a try and was immediately hooked.

The sequel, SaGa Emerald Beyond, seemed like the obvious follow-up, and it does indeed possess one of the best round-based battle systems ever created. Yet, it didn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessor for me. Despite this, I still have it installed on my PC because I find it incredibly enjoyable to play – even if the new framework didn’t resonate with me as much.

These two games are a testament to the power of word-of-mouth recommendations and the magic of discovering hidden gems in the vast world of video games. While they may not have made it onto my initial top ten lists, they have definitely left a lasting impression on me and are now considered some of my all-time favorites.

Emerald Beyond demonstrates an impressive game design where its robust battle system serves as a solid foundation, supporting the overall gaming experience. The varying character paths ensure continued freshness and engagement, even with reduced focus on other secondary systems. Surprisingly, not only is there one SaGa game included in this list, but two!

8) Ys X: Nordics

As a devoted follower of the Ys series, I’ve found myself in an unusual mix of affection and frustration. My journey began with the captivating titles, Ys Origin and Ys: The Oath in Felghana, which I encountered in the mid-2010s. These games left such a lasting impression on me that I held them to a high standard. Unfortunately, none that followed could quite match their brilliance – though Ys VIII came remarkably close.

The latest addition, Ys X: Nordics, offered a fresh approach that I believe largely paid off.

As a long-time fan of the Ys series, I must say that Ys X was a breath of fresh air for me after playing the previous three games. The shift from a party-based system to focusing on Adol and Karja was a welcome change, and the revamped Flash Step / Flash Guard systems made gameplay feel more dynamic and engaging than ever before. With challenging combat encounters and decent exploration and platforming, Ys X felt like a return to form for the series in many ways.

However, I couldn’t help but notice that the supporting cast and overall story still feel like afterthoughts. This is not unusual for the Ys series, as it has always been more focused on gameplay than narrative depth. But for someone who has followed Adol’s adventures since the original Ys, it would have been nice to see a more fleshed-out and engaging storyline.

That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed my time with Ys X and recommend it to fans of the series looking for a challenging and action-packed adventure. If you can look past the relatively shallow narrative, you’ll find a game that is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.

It’s unfortunate that the English release of Ys X was followed by a newer version, Ys X: Proud Nordics, so quickly. If it hadn’t been for this timing issue, I would still be suggesting Ys X: Nordics to long-time Ys series fans who may have lapsed. We’ll just have to wait and see how significant the enhancements in Ys X: Proud Nordics will be.

7) The Thaumaturge

Among all these games, I’d be utterly dumbfounded if I showed “The Thaumaturge” to my past gaming self. You see, I had zero background with Fool’s Theory, and honestly, the game didn’t pique my interest when it was first announced due to its atmosphere and setting. But now, it’s a whole different story!

Generally, I prefer games with a gameplay-centric approach, but The Thaumaturge managed to captivate me thanks to its rich setting, engaging voice acting, and well-developed characters, as well as its potential for classic role-playing experiences. However, the Clue system could use some improvement, as it tends to revolve more around finding objects on screen rather than deducing meaningful information or narrating events. Nevertheless, with an enjoyable combat system reminiscent of Paper Mario and a unique double-edged sword mechanic known as the Pride system, not to mention a story that seamlessly blends dark fantasy with an underused historical backdrop, The Thaumaturge is one overlooked game from this year that I would highly recommend for those seeking something fresh and different.

6) Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

In a shift from its traditional brawler format a few years ago, Yakuza: Like a Dragon opted for a turn-based RPG setup, a change that we appreciated at RPG Site. The game introduced an exciting new protagonist and offered a fresh perspective on a familiar gameplay style, which resonated with both longtime fans and newcomers alike. While the overall experience was charming, it had some initial hiccups: battles were too frequent yet unrewarding, character moves and jobs were imbalanced, and enemies evading your party’s attacks was consistently frustrating.

In contrast to other games, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth effectively addressed most issues. Furthermore, the game skillfully handled a large group of characters for both protagonists, Kiryu and Ichiban. Interestingly, the transition to Hawaii seemed organic and suitable within the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series. As someone who’s been immersed in the mainline Yakuza/Like A Dragon series for several years, leading up to Infinite Wealth, the acknowledgment and celebration of past characters and moments was a profoundly moving culmination of countless hours spent with these characters.

I just hope Yonder Wealth (the creators) managed a more impactful conclusion for Ichiban’s narrative arc. Although I was relieved that the game didn’t neglect Ichiban and his companions as much as I initially anticipated, given the shared protagonist status with Kiryu, I still yearned for a more satisfying portrayal of Ichiban fully embracing his role within the series.

5) Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader

I’m really pleased I held off playing Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader for several months. Following RPG Site conventions and considering that Rogue Trader was released in December 2023, I’ve been looking forward to its 2024 launches. My decision to wait was partly influenced by the issues I encountered while playing Owlcat Games’ Pathfinder games at their initial release. I felt it prudent to wait for a few patches of improvement before diving in. As a result, Rogue Trader has become my favorite game from Owlcat so far.

Initially, I didn’t have any personal encounters or knowledge about the Warhammer 40,000 universe. I was apprehensive about diving into an RPG given my lack of prior understanding. Yet, Owlcat successfully created a captivating and immersive game that seamlessly incorporated essential elements of Warhammer within its narrative and gameplay mechanics. This was the first time in a while that I found myself needing to grasp such a vast world and setting, but Rogue Trader turned out to be an excellent starting point for someone unfamiliar with the universe.

Featuring an exceptionally diverse group of personalities, a moral structure distinct from any game I’ve encountered, tactical turn-based battles reminiscent of Wasteland 3, and a substantial multi-episode storyline, Rogue Trader makes for an excellent choice for those willing to explore new settings in the realm of turn-based CRPGs following Baldur’s Gate 3.

4) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Initially when the remake of Final Fantasy VII was unveiled in 2015, it’s safe to say that what sprang to mind for many fans was likely Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This game evoked vivid memories as it faithfully recreated iconic scenes such as Barret confronting Dyne near Corel, Red XIII discovering his past at Cosmo Canyon, and the entire Gold Saucer. From start to finish, the diverse locations and environments in Rebirth were nothing short of breathtaking, even surpassing my childhood memories of Midgar.

In my critique for the site, I realized later that I devoted an excessive amount of attention to the battle system in Final Fantasy VII Remake, as it’s what I find most appealing about both games in the trilogy thus far. The sequel, Rebirth, deepened this focus with a broader roster of playable characters and the addition of Synergy abilities. With its high-quality production values reminiscent of the classic Squaresoft, Rebirth predominantly captivated me by overwhelming my senses and ensuring my nostalgic glasses remained firmly in place. I hardly noticed the demanding post-game simulator battles, as I joyfully invested nearly 200 hours to finish all that Rebirth had to offer. Even the mini-games were a delight for me.

The main issue with Rebirth was that its climactic scenes at the Temple of the Ancients felt somewhat awkward and confusing. Despite fans and critics discussing the meaning behind the ending for almost a year now, I believe the conclusion was overly complex and didn’t meet the expectations of both traditional game enthusiasts and advocates of the Remake Trilogy. It’s clear that we won’t fully understand everything until the third part of the trilogy is released in the future.

3) Dragon’s Dogma II

The allure of Dragon’s Dogma II is hard to encapsulate in a brief synopsis. In 2016, I immersed myself for nearly 100 hours in the world of Dragon’s Dogma, a high fantasy setting that could easily be found in any Tolkien book. However, the environment left an indelible impression on me due to its unique qualities. For one, it was one of my first action RPGs where casting spells felt like performing genuine magical feats. Moreover, I spent countless hours trekking through Bitterblack Isle, a place that made me believe a sequel could be refined and elevated into something truly extraordinary.

In essence, the primary strength and critique of Dragon’s Dogma II lies in its focus on refining the concepts and motifs from the initial game instead of significantly expanding beyond it. The Pawn system, initially praised as innovative a decade ago, is back with minimal updates to functionality. Many familiar enemy types like cyclops and griffins make a return. However, there are some intriguing mechanics that set it apart, such as how side missions unlock new professions, the interaction between the beastren kingdom and human settlements, the enigmatic Sphinx storyline, and the integration of NPCs into various quests, including the main narrative. In summary, Dragon’s Dogma II is a collection of interesting ideas presented in a style that may require some time to grow on you.

In simpler terms, “Dragon’s Dogma II” is ideal for fans who cherished the original game, missed it, and desired a familiar yet refreshed experience. Those unfamiliar with Dragon’s Dogma might find its unique aspects challenging or frustrating due to limited enemy variety. For those who recently played Dragon’s Dogma, the sequel might seem too similar. However, for me, it arrived at just the right moment and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

2) Metaphor: ReFantazio

I’m not overly fond of Atlus games, but I adore Persona 4 Golden and have replayed it several times on my Vita. I’ve only tried Shin Megami Tensei V thus far, haven’t delved into any Etrian Odyssey games, and Persona 5 Royal remains unfinished in my game library. I haven’t kept up with Project Re Fantasy, and when it was revealed as Metaphor: ReFantazio in 2023, I found it intriguing, but it didn’t immediately capture my interest.

As I delved deeper into understanding the unique aspects of Metaphor compared to the Persona series, my curiosity grew to explore Atlus’s latest creation. Initially, what drew me was the high fantasy setting, which seemed more alluring than the school environments in the Persona games. The concept of various races coexisting in a novel and alien society also captivated me.

Beyond this, Metaphor: ReFantazio appears richly layered, with its characters and their entanglements within the power struggle for the throne providing a deep sense of authenticity. The storyline is populated by diverse figures such as a nobleman wrestling with the moral dilemma of enacting his nobility in everyday life, an ex-spy grappling to let go of his ingrained biases, and the underprivileged aligning themselves with a despot just to gain visibility. It seems as though every aspect of this narrative has been meticulously crafted, offering complex conflicts without simple solutions.

In the culmination of Metaphor’s storyline, it effectively wraps up many of the themes and challenges presented throughout the game, making it a must-play for fans of role-playing games (RPGs) in 2024. If you appreciate JRPGs regardless of their flavor, consider giving Metaphor: ReFantazio a try – it’s an RPG that’s truly worth experiencing.

1) Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven

When fellow gamers at the RPG Site were discussing with me the essence of Romancing SaGa 2 as it was unveiled mid-year, I struggled to understand their enthusiasm surrounding the somewhat unexpected announcement. I had just completed SaGa Emerald Beyond and navigated through both SaGa Frontier Remastered and SaGa Scarlet Grace, so I felt I had a fair grasp of what defines a ‘SaGa game’. However, Romancing SaGa 2 was explained in ways distinct from my previous experiences with SaGa games.

From a written perspective, Romancing SaGa 2 might appear as if it could be challenging due to its design. Unlike most RPGs, it doesn’t stick to the traditional format of a fixed party with key storyline characters. Instead, it offers a retinue, which are more like moveable pieces on a chessboard rather than fully developed characters. Unexpectedly, large spans of time, such as hundreds of years, can pass without notice, and the player is then informed that a new ruler has taken power, necessitating the replacement and re-recruitment of an entirely new set of characters.

Instead of centering on a group sharing similar views, SaGa 2 frequently shifts its narrative to explore tales of locations or civilizations. While not an exact analogy, the structure leans towards having a rogue-lite feel, where each new emperor represents a chance to gather knowledge about the world, grow in power, and ultimately resolve a grand, ongoing conflict.

As a gamer, I’d say one major factor that sets Revenge of the Seven apart, even in a series like SaGa known for its acquired taste, is its strategic approach to simplifying some of the series’ unique quirks. It does this by smartly incorporating UI elements and making quest and gameplay progression clear, rather than hiding details behind an emergent narrative or gameplay. This might make it a bit more ‘game-like’, but I believe it’s a trade-off that truly enhances the experience.

Xeen’s work on this remaster is visually appealing, boasting robust character and environmental designs. Moreover, the game offers a gratifying sense of progression as players guide each emperor through their journeys, exploring new parts of the world, resolving local issues, and ultimately expanding their kingdom. This sets the main objective clearly from the outset. Although the battle system may not be as refined as those in Scarlet Grace and Emerald Beyond, it maintains enough intricacies to keep gameplay engaging throughout.

Among all the games listed, I strongly suggest Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven to anyone, whether they’re a SaGa fan, JRPG enthusiast, or neither. It stands alone and doesn’t resemble anything else, not even its own series. When you look at it as a whole, considering its clever but concise storytelling, an engaging gameplay experience, and the perfect level of difficulty, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven came out on top as my favorite game of 2024.

2025-01-04 10:57

Branching Path: Bryan Vitale’s Top 10 Games of 2024