Unforeseen Gems: The Surprising Hits of 2024 in Gaming

A year ago, it seemed we had a clear idea of what the standout games of 2024 would be. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Tekken 8, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth all carried the indications of dependable, high-budget sequels poised to collect accolades by December. Numerous high-profile intellectual property titles were also on the way, such as Star Wars Outlaws and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which many would have assumed would dominate the latter half of the year. It felt as though one could already predict most of the Game of the Year nominees without even knowing the specifics of 2024’s release schedule.

However, as I review my personal favorites for 2024, it’s anything but foreseeable. My list is half-filled with indie games I hadn’t even heard of before entering 2024. The high-budget segment of my selections is even more astonishing, packed with unexpected moves from leading publishers that I could never have anticipated. This made 2024 one of my most cherished years for gaming in recent times — a year that appeared grim at first glance.

You’ll never see it coming

If you’re the type of gamer who only engages with AAA titles from well-known franchises or significant console exclusives, I can appreciate how 2024 might be regarded as a lackluster year. The last 12 months were riddled with letdowns that made it seem as if the industry was struggling. This trend began when Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League debuted in February, marking the onset of many big-budget failures throughout the year.

Although the year began strongly with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ubisoft stumbled multiple times with titles like Skull & Bones, Star Wars Outlaws, and XDefiant. A last-minute postponement for Assassin’s Creed Shadows pushed what was set to be the holiday season’s biggest mainstream title to 2025. Even games that enthusiasts expected to be contenders for Game of the Year, like Hellblade 2 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, received lukewarm responses.

Then there was Concord, a shooter that was intended to kickstart a new live-service era for Sony. Instead, it was discontinued just weeks after its launch. While looking at major publishers, there was unfavorable news in every direction. It was easy for players to succumb to despondency — and many undoubtedly did, expressing grievances about a year filled with “garbage.”

That weariness stems from a limited perspective, however. If you dig beneath the surface of 2024, you’ll uncover an exciting year replete with surprises. Sony may have stumbled with Concord, but it delivered two of the finest PS5 titles of this generation with Helldivers 2 and Astro Bot. The former entered the year with a subtle marketing campaign yet emerged as a certified multiplayer triumph. Astro Bot, conversely, was a revelation. It’s been ages since Sony targeted younger demographics, but its re-entry into the 3D platformer arena yielded a Game of the Year accolade. Stellar Blade was another unexpected triumph, crafting a successful action game from an entirely fresh IP from a Korean developer. None of these titles were similar to the anticipated PS5 masterpieces such as God of War Ragnarok and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

Publishers were at their most innovative, if not their absolute best, this year when they embraced risks. Capcom crafted a remarkably innovative new IP in Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. Nintendo revitalized niche franchises throughout the year, gifting us the outstanding Emio — The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club. The year’s top licensed game was the one that drew ridicule upon its announcement: Camoflaj’s incredible VR exclusive, Batman: Arkham Shadow. Even Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown posed a bit of a gamble for Ubisoft, shifting from its typical open-world mega-title to a more niche 2D Metroidvania.

When I ponder about the standout titles of 2024, it’s the smaller, unexpected gems that shine the brightest. At the top of that list is Balatro, the poker roguelike that became a phenomenon this year. I, and likely many others like me, had never heard of it before its release. After all, it was a minor indie venture by a sole developer. It concluded the year as a Game of the Year nominee, outshining franchise giants like Silent Hill 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

The list of similar titles continues extensively. Animal Well is another solo-developed project that made waves in 2024, providing the year’s premier 2D platformer. UFO 50 astonished players with what may be the most ambitious game released this year — and that’s quite a statement. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, 1000xResist, Arco, Mouthwashing, and numerous others filled year-end lists with instant classic indie titles that seemingly emerged from nowhere.

When examining the video game sector, it’s easy to only focus on the overarching landscape. Failures will inevitably stand out because they create compelling discussions in Facebook groups and Reddit threads. And when you’re solely concentrating on the most significant titles, it’s natural that you won’t witness much innovation or creativity on display. Certainly, a Ubisoft open-world game based on a reliable IP isn’t going to revolutionize the video game industry;

its objective is to generate substantial profits.

You should expand your view beyond a select few heavily promoted blockbuster games to grasp the authentic state of the current gaming environment. There, you’ll discover a domain brimming with innovation and bold moves at every tier — I mean, who could have anticipated a new Endless Ocean title releasing in 2024? Even if you struggle to uncover numerous fresh concepts in AAA games, you won’t have to search very hard to witness them in a vibrantly creative indie sector that has contributed to making 2024 one of the most remarkable years for gaming in recent memory.

Here’s my recommendation to alleviate your gaming discontent. If you’re someone who exclusively engages with the year’s most significant blockbuster titles, head to Metacritic’s catalog of the highest-rated games of 2024. Select something unfamiliar from the initial three pages, whether it be Shogun Showdown, Mullet Madjack, or Tactical Breach Wizards. Give it a try, then return and let me know if you believe video games have become excessively monotonous. If your response remains affirmative, that might be a “you issue.”