Branching Path: James Galizio's Top 10 Games of 2024

As a seasoned gamer and a connoisseur of all things digital entertainment, I can confidently say that 2024 was a veritable smorgasbord of gaming delights! From the richly immersive worlds of AAA titles to the hidden gems nestled in the indie scene, this year has truly been a feast for gamers like myself.

Now, I must admit that despite my best efforts, there were a few games that slipped through the cracks due to unavoidable circumstances such as Final Fantasy XIV’s insidious grip on my free time or the uncontrollable urge to attend yet another gaming convention. But fear not, dear reader, for I shall not let these oversights go un rectified!

One game that particularly piqued my interest is S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl. I’ve heard whispers of its hauntingly beautiful landscapes and the tense, nail-biting gameplay it offers, and I simply cannot wait to immerse myself in that post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Another game that has me positively salivating is UFO 50, created by the mastermind behind Downwell. As someone who appreciates a good sicko puzzler, I can only imagine the mind-bending challenges that await me in this game!

And let us not forget Lorelei & the Laser Eyes, a title that has been lauded by fellow gamers for its unique blend of puzzle-solving and humor. With its quirky art style and witty dialogue, I can’t help but feel a pang of regret for not playing it earlier this year.

So, as we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome the promise of 2025, let us remember the countless hours of entertainment it provided us and raise a glass (or controller) in its honor. May our new year be filled with even more unforgettable gaming experiences and may we continue to celebrate the hard work and passion that goes into creating these digital masterpieces.

Oh, and one last thing: I’ve heard there are rumors floating around about a certain game called “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” coming out sometime soon. If it’s anything like its predecessor, I might just have to take a sabbatical from Final Fantasy XIV to make room for it in my life!

Just like Josh, despite the common perception that 2023 was a quiet year for games, I found it quite the opposite when it came to choosing my favorites. Indie games and “AA” releases really shone this year, joined by an abundance of “AAA” RPGs. There were numerous 2024 releases that I didn’t get around to playing – I have to admit, my addiction to raiding in Final Fantasy XIV is mainly to blame.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that 2024 has been an exceptional year for video games. Not only did I manage to compile a Top 10 list, but I was also fortunate enough to have a runner-up 10, which is a first for me! It’s not every day that you get to experience such a diverse and high-quality selection of games in a single year.

I find myself reminiscing about the countless hours spent exploring fantastical worlds, solving complex puzzles, and engaging in epic battles. The memories I made with friends and family through these shared experiences are priceless, and I can’t wait to revisit my backlog of games from 2024 for years to come.

But alas, even with the best intentions, there were still a few games that I wasn’t able to play this year. The list is long, but it serves as a reminder of the incredible variety and quality of games that continue to be released each year. I hope to have the opportunity to delve into these games in the future, and I eagerly await what 2025 has in store for the gaming community!

Ten Games That Didn’t Quite Make My Top Ten, But Rule Anyway (In no specific order)

Thrasher – This spiritual successor to 2016’s Thumper is a very different sort of game, but still an incredible use of VR – especially with hand tracking on the Quest 3.
Shadow Generations – I’ve always loved 3D platformers, and despite everything I found Shadow Generations to be my favorite of the year. If this side project’s quality is what we can expect from the next mainline 3D Sonic game, we’re in for a real treat.
Arctic Eggs – An absurdist puzzle game about frying eggs, sardines, cigarettes and all sorts of other things. I played this on my Steam Deck with the weird mouse controls hooked up to the gyro – which I absolutely recommend for the premier experience.
Mullet Madjack – A fast-paced, “boomer shooter” inspired speedrunning game that really gets the adrenaline pumping. A ton of fun, and unlike pretty much any other shooter on the market.
Dragon’s Dogma II – While I still stand by my original review, Dragon’s Dogma II doesn’t quite reach my final list – not that it’s any worse than what made the top 10, but rather in the end it didn’t stick with me quite as much as everything else on it.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess – The best way to describe this one, is it feels straight out of the PS2 generation; a real dead ringer for the types of projects Clover Studio would’ve made back in the day. Unsurprisingly, I liked it quite a bit.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail – I’ve lamented how Dawntrail has had what feels like an uneven start; but one benefit of that is that I am in fact a raiding sicko. I have been very well fed.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble – This is the best Super Monkey Ball since the original 2 games, and the first in a long time that actually feels like it even compares. I just wish it wasn’t exclusive to Switch; I’d love to play it at 120+ FPS on PC!
Unicorn Overlord – This isn’t on my main list for one reason only; I didn’t quite finish it. I got about halfway through the last region, and then put it down when another game for review came in. It’s an excellent RTS, and I hope to properly finish it in the near future.
Another Code: Recollection – I love that this exists – a full remake of both Another Code games, in one combined narrative. It’s just a shame that a lot of the character of the puzzles were lost in translation. It’s still great, but held back just enough to miss my main list.

10) Destiny 2: The Final Shape

For quite some time, I’ve had a complex feeling towards Destiny 2, swinging between admiration and frustration. I was deeply engrossed in the game when Forsaken launched, playing diligently to stay raid-ready for upcoming content releases. However, the relentless grind eventually pushed me to take a break from it. Then came the Destiny Content Vault, making me believe I wouldn’t revisit the game again – that is, until last year when an unexpected opportunity to review Destiny 2: Lightfall presented itself. Now, I can confidently say that Destiny 2: The Final Shape is at its best, boasting a remarkable campaign guiding players on how to raid and a compelling narrative to complement it. It encapsulates everything Destiny 2 does exceptionally well, showcasing its peak performance.

It’s truly disappointing to witness the current situation at Bungie. The reason “The Final Shape” made this list is not just because of the expansion’s merits, but also as a way to honor all the employees – past and present – at Bungie who put in so much effort to create it. Regrettably, I don’t foresee myself revisiting Destiny in the future, and saying this fills me with sadness. However, I’m glad that Bungie managed to give the game a fitting conclusion; even though some mysteries will remain unsolved in the end.

9) Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club

Back in 2021, when I evaluated the Famicom Detective Club remakes, I found them enjoyable, yet I didn’t anticipate a genuine sequel in the series so soon after. I certainly didn’t expect one that would surpass those initial classics to such an extent. Similar to great murder mysteries, Emio – The Smiling Man doesn’t merely ponder who committed the crime; it delves deeper into exploring what factors led to the criminal’s actions. Consequently, the narrative presents as many questions as answers and doesn’t limit itself to investigating crimes in isolation.

1. The last scenes of Emio are eerily persistent and may linger in my memory for some time.

2. Although 2024 was a relatively quiet year for Nintendo, I genuinely believe they have produced one of their most daring releases to date with Emio. It’s reassuring to see such passion projects backed by the big N.

8) Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island

In my critique, I highlighted that The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island stands out due to its masterful revival of fundamental gameplay elements, without compromising quality or feeling like a diluted version of what fans were accustomed to. Essentially, Shiren the Wanderer focuses on the essentials and challenges players to examine every aspect of the Mystery Dungeon, including enemies, items, and their interactions. The reduced toolkit makes it more difficult, as players must adapt to having fewer resources readily available.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that the recent release of “Shiren the Wanderer” has truly captured my heart like no other game in this genre ever has. Having dabbled in some earlier installments from the series before its latest launch, I can confidently assert that this bold change they’ve made to the formula could have easily backfired, but instead it only served to make me more engaged with the game than ever before.

Being a long-time fan of the series and having played numerous games across various platforms over the years, I feel uniquely qualified to appreciate the sheer depth and attention to detail that this latest iteration offers. With its release on both PC and Nintendo Switch, it has never been more convenient for me as a gamer to immerse myself in the captivating world of Shiren and Koppa whenever and wherever I choose.

Whether you’re an old-timer like myself who’s followed the series since its humble beginnings or a newcomer embarking on your first journey with Shiren, this game is a must-play for anyone looking for an immersive, challenging, and rewarding adventure. So grab your controllers and join me in exploring the mysteries of this enchanting land – you won’t regret it!

7) Granblue Fantasy: Relink

It was evident that Granblue Fantasy: Relink would likely find a spot on my list after I previewed it last year, especially when the Director mentioned that part of its inspiration came from Monster Hunter. If you’ve been following my writing for a while, you’d understand immediately what that meant to me. When I got the opportunity to try out the PC version before release, I jumped at the chance. The boss fights, playable characters, and overall gameplay in Granblue Fantasy: Relink were just what I was looking for, and I can’t wait to see if there will be any future expansions.

I should probably go back to do some of the new fights…

6) Metaphor: ReFantazio

I came to the conclusion that, no matter what transpired throughout 2024, Metaphor would wind up on my list by year-end. Yet, one of the most unexpected aspects of 2024 has been how exceptional Metaphor turned out to be compared to my expectations. This game offers a captivating storyline with a potent message, an outstanding Job system that ranks among the best in all RPGs I’ve ever played, and a battle system that skillfully combines the best elements of Atlus’ previous works. It’s almost impossible not to be enamored by Metaphor – and its placement on my personal list is merely a reflection of the outstanding games released this year that prevented it from being higher up.

Above all, Metaphor, along with every other release from Atlus this year, stirs up immense enthusiasm within me about their future projects. It seems that Atlus is poised for even greater successes, and I eagerly anticipate the amazing creations they will unveil in the coming years.

5) Batman: Arkham Shadow

2024 marked my return to Virtual Reality, during which I managed to play several games from my PlayStation VR1 backlog. Some titles like Deracine were so captivating that I wished I could delve deeper into their stories, but if there was one standout VR game of 2024, it’s undoubtedly this one. While I found the Batman: Arkham games generally enjoyable, they never left a lasting impression as they did for many others; however, Arkham Shadow is the first game in the series that has truly resonated on a deeper level. It masterfully combines elements from games like Arkham Asylum and seamlessly translates them into a VR experience, creating an immersive whole that surpasses its individual parts.

Experiencing Virtual Reality (VR) can be challenging to explain without someone actually trying it themselves, but I’ll do my best. The feeling of being immersed within a game instead of merely observing it intensifies the emotional impact of certain scenes in Arkham Shadow significantly. Instead of simply watching characters like Batman, Bruce Wayne, or Matches Malone, I become them and live through their experiences.

Moreover, Arkham Shadow is a game that skillfully employs VR as a medium to amplify its storytelling power. Adding an exceptional presentation, voice acting, and more, if you’re even slightly intrigued by VR technology, this 2024 release should be on your must-play list.

4) Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

As a long-time fan of the Final Fantasy series, I have to say that Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is not without its flaws, but it still manages to captivate me in ways few other games do. For every moment that makes my heart race with excitement, like battling an NPC with Queen’s Blood or participating in the Parade minigame, there are moments that remind me painfully of the game’s underlying imperfections. But despite these flaws, Rebirth has a way of keeping the same energy alive as the original Final Fantasy VII, which was never afraid to push boundaries and follow its own vision. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Rebirth embodies the spirit of the original game in a truly remarkable way. It’s a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring legacy of one of the most beloved RPGs of all time.

I’ll skip over the finer details. I found the battle system enjoyable, the updated character designs captivating, and even with any reservations – I can hardly wait for the next game in the trilogy. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth embodies everything I hope for in a Final Fantasy game.

3) 1000xRESIST

I won’t say much more than what Josh has already discussed about the game 1000xRESIST. It’s truly remarkable, and one of the standout titles of 2024. I strongly recommend you give it a try.

2) The Legend of Heroes: Kai no Kiseki – Farewell, O Zemuria

Expressing it differently: My experience with the Trails series has been quite tumultuous, but understating it would be an understatement. However, amid all the ups and downs, Kai no Kiseki stood out as one of the most impactful games I’ve played this year, boasting a cliffhanger that surpasses even those in Trails in the Sky FC and Trails of Cold Steel 3. In November, I shared my reasons for loving the game, and I stand by them now; what I can say about Kai is that it gives me confidence that Falcom has a clear vision for where the series is heading towards its end. I genuinely hope Western players won’t have to wait too long to play it; and while I’m disappointed and relieved, I won’t be witnessing the conclusion of Van’s story arc in 2025…

I don’t want another Cold Steel IV.

1) Nine Sols

As a dedicated fan, I must confess that despite my high expectations for Red Candle Games, I found myself harboring doubts about Nine Sols. After all, their signature style has been deeply rooted in crafting chilling, methodical horror games. Given the stark contrast between Nine Sols and their previous works, I was convinced that while I might find the game enjoyable, there would be certain aspects that needed a caveat or two; even if it turned out to be a good game, there’d be an underlying factor keeping it from reaching its full potential.

Instead, I’d like to mention that Nine Sols is likely one of the finest Metroidvania games I’ve encountered. Exceptional level design, extraordinary combat and boss battles, a stunning soundtrack, and a story that held my attention until the very end. Red Candle Games has previously produced excellent work, but with Nine Sols, they’ve surpassed my expectations. The gameplay may not appeal to everyone due to its focus on parrying, but for those who are open to it, they’ve crafted something truly exceptional, and without a doubt, my Game of the Year 2024.

Ten Games That Could’ve Been On My Top 10, And It Physically Pains Me That I Didn’t Play Them

However, you may wonder about the games released in 2024 that I didn’t manage to play. Interestingly, there were at least ten such titles. Despite playing as much as possible this year, some games slipped through the cracks due to my busy schedule and a strong affinity for Final Fantasy XIV. Here are the 2024 releases I’m still looking forward to experiencing:

S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl – I tried this out at launch, and liked it, but put it aside to wait for A-Life to get fixed. It’s now in a much better state, but I’ve still yet to return. Maybe soon?
TSUKIHIME: a piece of blue glass moon – Nasu, where’s my PC port? I’m not buying this on console when I know it’s coming! Nasu?
Dragon Quest 3: HD-2D Remake – This just came out when there were a couple other RPGs that were taking up my time. I really, really want to get to it soon! I’ve been waiting for it since finishing SFC Dragon Quest II years ago.
Super Mario Party: Jamboree – As far as I can tell, this is arguably the best Mario Party, and I would love to get around to playing it with some friends. I haven’t had the chance just yet, though.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – I’m a little more than halfway through this, as far as I can tell, and I’ve been enjoying it quite a bit! Yet another game that I just didn’t finish in time for the end of year list.
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine II – I don’t have anyone to play this co-op with, and I feel like it would’ve been a disservice to play it solo. It looks dope!
Persona 3: Reload – I didn’t want to choose between playing Persona 3 FES or Persona 3 Portable. Unfortunately there still isn’t a definitive version of the game; but at least this is closest?
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance – I didn’t want to play SMTV on Switch. This is 100% the definitive version, I just didn’t quite have the time to get to it.
UFO 50 – I have a sneaking suspicion this may have ended up my game(s?) of the year, if only I’d played it. I just recently found out the creator of Downwell worked on the project so I’m even more mad I’ve not touched it yet.
Lorelei & the Laser Eyes – I love me a good sicko puzzler. Everyone I know who has played it has done nothing but sing its praises; unfortunately there were so many other indie games that came out earlier this year, that I simply didn’t have the time to play it.

2024 has been a truly remarkable year for gaming, my dear friends! As a lifelong gamer and industry enthusiast, I can confidently say that this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the captivating RPGs to the innovative AA and Indie releases, I’ve felt like a kid in a candy store, constantly spoiled for choice.

I’m sure many of you share my sentiments – we’ve been well-fed indeed! But with so much excellent content released this year, I can see myself playing catch-up for months, even years to come. It’s been a challenging time for the industry, no doubt, but the sheer amount of hard work and creativity on display has made 2024 one of the best years for game releases in this generation.

As we look towards 2025, I can only hope that we continue to shine a light on the incredible talent and dedication that goes into making games. May the upcoming year be as fruitful and exciting as the one we’ve just left behind! Best of luck to all the developers, publishers, and fellow gamers out there – see you in 2025!

2025-01-02 01:27

Branching Path: James Galizio’s Top 10 Games of 2024