Topic: Share Your Personal GOTY 2024

This is a rare year where the only new release I have purchased is Vampire Survivors so it would be unfair to call it Game of the Year. I did enjoy my time with it, especially as it was only a few quid but by the time the Platinum was earned I was happy to put it away. Trying to be frugal this year so nothing new swayed me to get day 1 but a few added to my wishlist for later.

Spent a lot of time getting my backlog down this year but of the games that were new to me, my favourites were Aliens Dark Descent and Kingdom Come Deliverence. The former was greatly influenced by my love of the IP so I would say KCD is my personal Game of the Year. Lots of minor frustrations but overall very immersive and I was quite surprised by the level of writing. I will admit I haven't quite finished it yet, it's my most played game of the year but I had a bit of a gap from gaming right when I was getting near the end. I plan to finish it off closer to the release of the sequel so it's fresh in my mind.

@colonelkilgore OMG The Saboteur one of my favorite games of all time. I really hope we get a remake or remaster anytime soon but I don't think EA would ever think about reviving it.

Here are my GOTY this year.

Platinum: Like A Dragon - Infinite Wealth

Quoting what I wrote in the Push Square article:

My Game of the year would go to Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Simply put, it's the best Like A Dragon / Yakuza game ever.
In previous titles you always feel there was something a little bit underbaked. But with Infinite Wealth you feel like RGG finally perfectly cooked everything in the game.
From minigames to story and ending up with combat, it's simply great and no other game I played this year comes close to it.

Gold: Dragon Age Inquisition

I replayed the game and got the platinum trophy as I was getting myself ready for the long awaited sequel The Veilguard. And I was surprised by how the game still holds up pretty well even if it didn't get the new Gen treatment or even the PS4 Pro enhancements. The world is so gorgeous and awesome, loved the story and most of the companions too. Cassandra romance was peak and loved it. A lot of memorable High dragons fights. I thought Veilguard will top it but it couldn't.

Silver: The Last of Us Part 1 Remake
Believe it or not but I never played TLOU until this year. TLOU Part 1 is one of the best games I've ever played and I guess I'm lucky to play it nowadays while having a 7 years old daughter because I felt 100% emotionally connected with how Joel feels through the game. The gameplay was good although it's better in Part 2 but if I'll choose between both of them overall I would go with Part 1.

Great game overall.

Bronze: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

The game is better than the Remake in every aspect. I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the gorgeous world. Apart from the Queen's blood card game most of the Mini-games were really annoying especially if you're hunting the Platinum Trophy.

@Khwarezm89 yeah a sequel would be a dream come true… a remaster would be awesome too. As you say though, little chance of either unfortunately.

I'm going to have to add Indiana Jones as that is clearly a very, very good game. The more I play of it, the more I think it is right up there with the other titles people have mentioned as favourites from this year.

5. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6: This was the first time in a long time I really connected with a COD release. The gunplay, movement, map design, and Zombies are top notch this year. The campaign is incredibly well designed and one level in particular (without going into spoilers) scared me more than a lot of horror games ever have.

4. Path of Exile 2: Diablo 4 was a massive disappointment for me, so my isometric dungeon crawling itch had yet to be scratched. Enter PoE 2. From the jump, this game instantly tickled that part of my lizard brain that craves this type of game. PoE 2 is everything I wish Diablo 4 was. There are some issues that need to be ironed out but what I've played thus far has greatly impressed me.

3. Balatro: Holy hell, what a game. This game snuck up on me and hasn't released its grip on me since it came to PS5. Deceptively simple yet surprisingly deep, Balatro lures you in by presenting itself with a seemingly straightforward premise, beat the blind. This number starts small (500-1000) but quickly balloons into absurd and seemingly impossible numbers (10,000-100,000). Enter the unique multiplier feature. Crafting poker hands in tandem with joker cards and tarots that offer different conditions and modifiers to enable to reach these huge blinds. I constantly found myself saying "one more game" only to look at the clock and realize its 2 am and I should be in bed.

2. Baldur's Gate 3: I'm late to the BG 3 party (a year late) and holy *****, what a party it is. The characters, story, gameplay, and writing are to put it simply, peerless. What Larian studios has managed to accomplish here is nothing short of sensational. The amount of freedom and creativity afforded to the player is so smartly done that I'm at times speechless regarding what I'm able to do in the game's various scenarios. The sheer amount of content is staggering and puts other studios efforts to shame. All this and coupled that with the continued support, updates, mods, and QOL improvements makes BG 3 not just one the best games in recent memory, but one of the best games ever.

1. Dragon Age The Veilguard: This game proved to be divisive (in some ways valid and in a lot of ways unfairly) but by the time the credits rolled on my 1st playthrough (I played as a Mourn watch rogue), I had put 90 hours into it and immediately jumped into a 2nd playthrough (Antivan Crows Warrior) and have already clocked 60 hours. The combat is punchy and incredibly satisfying, the story is interesting (for the most part), the classes are fun and can be customized to fit multiple builds, the world you explore is varied and interesting, and the characters, both main and side, are awesome (special shout out to Manfred, Bellara, Emmrich, and Assan). The dialog can be.......clumsy at times but is overall fairly good and I found myself very invested in learning more about my companions and the surprising amount of depth I uncovered. This game will not get a fair shake in today's climate but I implore anyone to give this game a chance. It might surprise you.

@LordGlarc I've been on the fence of checking out Black Ops 6 now that I'm done with Indiana Jones and still have a few weeks left of my Game Pass subscription. It's very tempting as so many people, including you, have showered the game with praise.

Would you say that you need to play all the prior Black Ops campaigns to fully enjoy this one? I've played the first two Black Ops but not the third and fifth games (I believe the fourth one didn't have a campaign?).

Some great GOTY mentions here. I know this is a long post but a few games have jumped out to me as I’ve been following along, so I thought I’d respond about some of them:

@CaptD @BearsEatBeets Really interesting to see how Kingdom Come Deliverance has had a second life lately. Clearly the evangelizing of @Ravix has been successful. 😜 Rav has been telling me for the last couple years that I would love KCD. But I think the forthcoming sequel has really helped promote the first game, as well as some wisely placed steep sales. I picked it up for like $3 a couple months ago. If only there was a sale on free-time to play it.

@colonelkilgore Several of the older games on your list are really begging for a port to newer consoles so I can play them — Saboteur and Spec Ops The Line especially. I think I have the original Helldivers on PS4 and have flirted with booting it up several times.

@Ravix Besides KCD, I appreciate the shout-out for Jusant, which I have stashed on a list for when I am on the mood for an indie/AA experience. I have eyed DD2 in the recent sale, but I have so many other games right now. Eventually I plan to get to it too.

@PorkChopExpress Likewise, I know I’d like Still Wakes the Deep and Nobody Wants to Die. I think SWtD is on PS+ so I may get to it first, even though NWtD interests me more

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN I think your idea of playing Rise of the Ronin before Sekiro might be the approach I take. My next FromSoft game will be DS3, but maybe I’ll try RotR before playing ER. We’ll see.

@GirlVersusGame Definitely agree on Disco Elysium. Really great game that you’ll be thinking about for years to come. Congrats on Persona 5 Royal as well, which I wonder if it will be a gateway game for you to play more JRPGs. I have considered playing Spiritfarer so it’s good to see some approval for it.

@KyushuTrail TLoU2 is a game that has really grown in my mind since I played it. I liked it while playing it but the themes and messages have continued to haunt my thoughts (in a good way). You’ll probably be pondering it for a while. Kunitsu-Gami is really a game that has flown under the radar and although I haven’t played it, I think it sounds like it’s very unique. Other games you mentioned that I plan to play are RE8 and Sekiro. Death Stranding is one of my very favorite games from last gen and it’s really creative; I haven’t ever played a game quite like it.

@sorteddan We were definitely kindred spirits for Inscryption and Midnight Suns. Loved those. Have you considered trying your hand at Balatro to get your next card game fix? Also, Dead Space is on my short list to get to in 2025.

@xeofate Astro Bot, Metaphor, and Indiana Jones are all really esteemed hot games right now that I’d like to get around to eventually.

@Gremio108 Firewatch was really an engaging story experience and I’m glad people are still trying it out. A really great palate cleanser between larger games.

@Khwarezm89 Dragon Age Inquisition is a game I wouldn’t mind going back to. I’ve recounted before how I fell off it even when I was many hours deep. I just never have gone back all these years later.

@Herculean Thanks for bringing Immortality to my attention. I haven’t played Telling Lies or Her Story so I’m not sure if those are prerequisites? FF7 Rebirth is a game that seems to be moving further up my list to get to. I’m seeing some really positive things about it lately, after some lackluster impressions at launch. And since you mentioned it, this year might be the time I finally go back and retry Witcher 3. I’m seriously considering it.

@LordGlarc First off, welcome aboard to the Push Square forums! I enjoyed reading your list. Of course I’m completely with you on Balatro. Fantastic game. As for your other mentions, I really must join the Baldur’s Gate 3 hype train too. I’m debating whether to make it my next big epic 100 hr adventure or Witcher 3.

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I would be glad to see more lists or game mentions about favorite games played this year. 😄

@LtSarge I would play Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2 as well as Cold War to get the full context. There's a lot of nuance you might miss without doing so.

@Th3solution Thank you! I should warn you, BG 3 is a time sink lol But so worth the investment.

I don’t exactly plays games too much outside of what I play with my brother. But personally what I own, my game of the year is Pokémon Yellow Version. Although it probably doesn’t count since it’s 25 years old. What I did like most from this year I got to play a bit of are:

1. Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution. I really enjoy these games. My brother is a huge fan so I get to experience them whenever he plays them. I occasionally take a turn myself.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Same as above really. I felt this game was very creative for how you can come up with solutions for everything.

3. Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO. We played this a bit. It’s definitely not perfect, but it was so much fun! Hopefully the DLC starts coming out soon.

I also really like Infinity Nikki, but it’s rather unplayable for me in its current state. I wanted to love Stellar Blade, but I just couldn’t really get much into it unfortunately.

@Th3solution
I have indeed thought about picking up Balatro. I have tried to not think about it and concentrate on the games I already have and want to play instead. And now with all the GOTY lists around I'm having to try really hard to avoid thinking about purchasing it!
Thanks though.

@sorteddan I’ve tried to be the same — that is, purchasing very few games and trying to focus on the backlog. Balatro was the only new release I bought all year, and actually I didn’t even “buy” it, I used my PS Stars credits and got it for free. The barrier to entry was really low! But it can become a big time sink, so save it for when you feel it will fit in to your schedule. It can be played in ver short gaming sessions though, so it’s quite flexible.

@GirlVersusGame Whst did you think of Final Fantasy XV? I assume that’s the one with the car you’re referring to. It’s actually one of the few mainline FF games that I have yet to play. It’s also one of the most divisive.

I haven’t played any Disgaea games before. I’m not sure if I would click with them.

I used to play a lot more JRPGs but have been leaning more toward Western developed games over the last two generations. But if you liked Persona then you have P3 and P4 which are great. And apparently Metaphor Refantazio is right there and basically a Persona game in everything but name, although I’ve not played it. The Trails of Cold Steel games are very Persona like in their approach if you want more of that. Of course there’s lots more FF games too, both old and new. One of my very favorite games is Nier Automata, so for a more action-based JRPG with a weird twist, try that. And not a weird twist like Doki Doki, but more of a cool futuristic and philosophical vibe with frenetic action combat. If you liked how Disco Elysium messed with your mind, then I think you’d like Nier from a narrative standpoint. 😄

I'm curious... Is gaming the one activity you and your brother do together @LavenderShroud hence why you don't play many games otherwise or are you just not that big of a gamer?

Either way it's an interesting list... Never thought I'd see someone put a Neptunia game as their number 1 of the year.

And hey if you played Pokémon Yellow for the first time this year I'd say it more then counts as your own personal game of 2024 long as you enjoyed it who cares when it released!

Mine's a... Very eclectic mix of games to put it mildly.

If I could I would put BGIII's first act at number 1 (I'm waiting til I'm fully recovered to resume playing and carry on from Act 2's beginning).

Also not putting Persona 3 Reload in this list as it is a very faithful remake of a PS2 title and Persona 3 is one of my favourite games of all time. There's no contest.

Astro's Playroom would also easily top this list but... I already have enough platformers on here as it is and everyone knows how good this is. I wanna highlight some more obscure games.

Anyway here's my list of my top ten games that I played this year regardless of when they actually released.

10. Superliminal

A perspective based, walking sim/puzzle game? (I dunno what you'd class it as). If I'd bought it I might've felt a little differently but as a PS Plus extra game and 3 or so hour long palette cleanser between bigger games? Yeah I enjoyed it and the perspective stuff was quite a unique gimmick.

8. Gravity Rush Remastered & Gravity Rush 2.

Much as I grumbled about Gravity Rush Remastered when I played it, I did enjoy my time with it (Helped I didn't have to rush through it towards the end like I did with GR2 thanks to my PS Plus sub running out). It very much relies on it's unique gravity shifting mechanic, world and atmosphere rather then telling a compelling or cohesive story though (And it's not even that long of a game).

GR2 meanwhile did a lot of things I wanted it as a sequel to do... Still had some rather odd quirks though in setting up it's story and retconned a lot of things from GR1. I also found the combat a bit more frustrating, especially against it's huge set piece bosses.

But both games were a good time and Kat is just a wonderful protagonist through and through. I absolutely adore her and hope the rumours of an animated film, series or even a remaster of GR2 are true. After watching the two GR2 animated shorts I would totally be on board for this. More Kat please.

7. Inscryption

I will say I think the first act is the strongest act and it sorta lost itself from the incredible atmosphere and fun card game as it progressed but I still think about it every now and again.

6. Tinykin

A really neat 3D collectathon platformer (With all the characters being 2D sprites) with some light Pikmin mechanics. It was just pure fun honestly. Would happily play a sequel if it came about.

5. Sly Raccoon

Finally played it for the first time this year. The oft forgotten of the holy trinity that was the Sony PS2 platformers. (Jak, Ratchet and this for the uninitiated)

It's admitedly the weakest of the three for me but I still really enjoyed it and am looking forward to playing it's sequels which I hear wildly differ from it's simple level based structure.

4. Lost Ruins

This is a metroidvania and the first game I played this year. I don't know what to say really other then I just enjoyed my time with it, so much so that I got all three endings and plan on replaying it sometime next year with the additional modes I unlocked.

3. God Of War (2018)

I've only played two titles in the series. GoWIII and this... And there's no competition between them. GoW 2018 is miles ahead for me in terms of enjoyment.

I think I prefer Horizon ZD over this as my AAA Sony blockbuster first party titles but.... Surprisingly not by much. It finally humanised Kratos for me and I really enjoyed the journey.

2. Mass Effect 1

To be honest I just realised both my number 1 and 2 slots are filled by sci-fi games despite not being a huge fan of the genre. I never expected I would rate this game that highly either but... It surprised me.

Aside from most of the awfully designed side missions that send you to the same 4 or so bases (Even if they're on different planets) I had a surprisingly good time with it and thought it actually lived up to it's general praise.

I'm still mad I can't date Tali as Femshep though...

1. Gnosia

It's not a perfect game (Not by a long shot) but... It's the one game I started this year (Besides BGIII) and simply couldn't put down. One of the only games I got the platinum for. The artstyle is simply sublime that really makes the unique cast of characters stand out and I enjoyed the overall story & mystery.

It being a visual novel with a very basic gameplay loop your mileage will vary greatly on it.

@Jimmer-jammer You played a lot of new releases this year! Of your list, Astro Bot will probably be the first one I’ll get to, and then either RotR, Rebirth, or SH2. My backlog is so big that I might not get to any of them soon though! 😄

@HallowMoonshadow That is indeed an eclectic list! But interesting to read, for sure. The one that really jumps out to me (besides BG3 which I already have on my “To Do List” for 2025) is Gnosia. That’s very high praise for a lesser known game. I think I had heard about it but hadn’t given it much thought and I’ll definitely now keep an eye out for a sale or PS+ inclusion of the game. A good VN is nice to have in the library for when the mood strikes.

Also, what’s your plan in playing GoW Ragnarok and Mass Effect 2? I have both on my list to get to, hopefully this year depending how things go, so was wondering if we might end up playing them in proximity.

Ralizah was the one who had got me into trying Gnosia from a review he wrote ages ago in the review thread @Th3solution and admitedly it was mostly due to the artstyle alone. I loved Raqio's design in particular.

From what I understand it was a late cycle Vita game, then got ported to switch a few years back and only got ported to PS4/5 last Christmas I believe? And there's going to be an anime adaptation now apparently?

As for your question... Despite liking GoW 2018 quite I'm in no rush at all to play Ragnarok, it'll happen whenever I get round it (Probably 6 years from now or something knowing me ).

Mass Effect 2 though? I can see myself playing that next year for sure. I need to get back to BGIII first when I'm feeling better and I'd like to get round to actually starting Stellar Blade but otherwise I haven't got any plans in particular aside from purchasing Astrobot.

@HallowMoonshadow A little bit of both. I don’t play games a whole lot myself. I have an Xbox 360 I only played twice and haven’t touched in two years. I spend a lot of time with my brother though. He’s highly autistic, so I mostly just do whatever he is into. Lately we play games a little bit, but mostly just watch TV, a few months ago he was very into Lego so I did that with him. We also play cards on occasion. And yeah, I definitely loved Pokémon Yellow the most this year. Learning how to use glitches or sequence break was very satisfying.

@HallowMoonshadow Between BG3, Stellar Blade, and Astro Bot, you’ve got your hands full for a couple months. I’ve got several lined up as well to start the year. But maybe, just maybe, I’ll pick back up with my Renegade FemShep this year.