2024! It’s a year that happened, and games happened too! Well, a lot of media happened, but we’re here to talk specifically about games, and even more specifically, the games I loved.
This was my first year writing for The Punished Backlog, and it has been an absolute joy. David, Sam, Amanda, and the rest of the team have all been fantastic about taking in this wayward writer with strong opinions. In a year with a lot of personal ups and downs, and global ups and downs, they have been a beacon of joy. I thank you all for making this year way better than what it could have been.
(Editor’s note: awwww)
Now, done with the sappy stuff. On to the opinions!
Best Other Media of the Year!
- Anime: DanDaDan
- Manga: Daemons of the Shadow Realm
- Music Album: Kids in Glass Houses, Pink Flamingo (alt rock)
- Music Album: Kendrick Lamar, GNX (Hip-Hop)
- Mobile Game: Threes, developed by Sirvo (I have played every day for 10 years)
Gary’s Best Games of 2024
10. UFO 50
Not every game among the 50 games in UFO 50 is a winner. Honestly, close to half of them I will probably never open again (especially you, Velgress). But the bold direction and idea behind the Mossmouth-published collection speaks volumes in the games that do hit. 50 forgotten games from a video game console that never actually existed is a great idea, and a real love letter to the games that inspired the developers.
Games like Avianos and Campanella have hours of replay value baked into them. My friends and I have already begun to be competitive about Magic Garden, with high scores being posted back and forth. Not every game is a gem, but the diamonds really do shine.
9. Balatro
Everything that could be written about Balatro, the indie poker-like that has swept the world over, has been written. So I myself will suffice to say it’s great, I liked it, I spent a lot of time with it. Do I wish it was a little cleaner? Sure! Do I think the additions LocalThunk is making with new jokers and card backs are neat? Totally. Am I more excited by the idea of a Balatro expansion that brings in gin rummy instead of just poker? Now we’re talking. Balatro! It’s great!
8. The Rise of the Golden Idol
I wish I was better at The Rise of the Golden Idol. I love point-and-click adventures, and the twist on using the very words you discover in the world to solve mysteries is fantastic. The sharp writing and dynamic characters that made The Case of the Golden Idol a masterpiece all return in the sequel, with even more complex scenarios this time around. The cases themselves are intriguing and dense, requiring a ton of careful observation and listening.
…Which I am terrible at. BOY do I love this game, because I have spent hours staring at the screen, jotting random phrases into a notebook next to me, only for my housemate to solve the case for me in seconds. Luckily, if you’re like me and dense as a board, the hint system is amazing. The developers set up the hints to focus on two things: slowing the player down, and guiding them to an answer rather than just handing it over. Stuck on who actually threw a paint can at a car, causing an explosion? The game will make you breathe for a while before allowing you a hint, just to see if settling your brain will illuminate the answer.
Fans of brain teasers should absolutely give this series a shot. You will not be disappointed (by the game at least. You may be disappointed in yourself. God damn it).
7. Earth Defense Force 6
Early on in this year, this section would have been dedicated to Helldivers 2. I had a ball with the Starship Troopers-esque world and fun internations, especially with friends. But as time went on, a series of missteps when it comes to difficulty, weapon balance changes, and server load management caused my dedicated playing group to drift away from the game. The bones for something great are still there, but the grind became ridiculous.
At around the same time, a friend recommended we try out the newest entry in the Earth Defense Force series. I had been aware of the series for a long time, and always appreciated the complete insanity that seemed to be its core ethos. So, with nothing else to do, we gave it a shot.
Earth Defense Force 6, originally released in 2022, is what I want Helldivers 2 to be: absolute wall-to-wall insanity. Gone were the cooldowns and artificial difficulty spikes, replaced with splatter and joy. Playing a Wing Diver, I spend my time flying around the map, blowing away giant ants with a laser shotgun, flanking giant frog soldiers with a net grenade, or getting jettisoned by an ill-timed explosion. Is it the most balanced game in the world? Heavens no, nor the most polished. But EDF6 is joy incarnate, allowing players the ability to laugh at themselves and the world around them.
I could not tell you a lick of what is going on with the story, but I also just never cared. Anything to get me faster to shotgun blasts and having my soldier sing a marching song off-key with another solider. EDF6 is an absolute blast.
6. Mouthwashing
Every so often, a horror game focuses less on imaginary monsters and instead on the very realistic monsters of the world: people. Mouthwashing is all about the pitfalls of humanity, and what can cause folks to lose their morality. Some people are predisposed to it; others require intense circumstances to break. And some are monsters from the jump, just waiting for the right moments to strike.
There are no heroes in Mouthwashing. Only victims and their perpetrators in both large and small ways, human and societal. It’s been a few weeks since I played through Mouthwashing in one sitting, and I am still grappling with how I feel about the ending. No one wins, everyone loses. Society sucks.
It is a worthwhile story and experience to be had, but I will say this; the moments when it becomes a video game are very hit or miss. An ill-timed stealth sequence almost derails a fantastic package. But, with that in mind, I do recommend seeing what Mouthwashing hides behind its tongue. Be prepared for some—okay, a lot—of gross.
5. Astro Bot
More games should be like Astro Bot. (Sam wrote a whole op-ed to that effect!) Video games have long moved away from the mascot platformer, but here we are again: a mascot platformer that does it right. How? By keeping it simple, silly!
While many will say that the powers and gimmicks that each Astro Bot level is designed around keep it fresh and unique, I would argue that those gimmicks are successful because they are just window dressing over a solid gameplay loop. The powers are there to spice up the sharp platforming, that’s all. And each level is built around highlighting that strong platforming.
Some powers (the shrinking one in particular) are underused, while some are overused. That doesn’t matter. All that matters in Astro Bot is if the player is enjoying themselves. Whether that be through the barrage of nostalgia hits or secrets lurking behind every corner, Astro Bot just wants you to have fun. More games should keep that focus, and keep that scope in mind. Mascot platformers were beloved because of that keep-it-simple mantra. Let’s do that again.
4. PokéRogue
PokéRogue is the best story in a Pokémon game by far. PokéRogue is the most replayable Pokémon game by far. PokéRogue is the most difficult Pokémon game by far.
I was blown away by the level of craft and detail put into this fanmade project. Adding a roguelike structure to Pokémon is not a new idea for modders, but few have the attention to detail that the PokéRogue devs have brought.
When I first started messing with it earlier this year, PokéRogue only allowed players to start their runs with starter Pokémon, or Pokémon a player has caught or hatched. Now, you can jump in from day one and run any Pokémon you’d like (with some limitations). Want to blow through early battles with a level six Arceus? Go nuts! The shiny system is clever, increasing the likelihood of good drops through your run. That’s awesome, and means that many of my runs include a shiny Caterpie I hatched (luckily, I like Butterfree). Whatever style of player you are, PokéRogue has something for you. Plus, it’s free!
3. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
When Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown came out earlier this year, I was blown away by the quality. So blown away, I wrote a whole review about it!
The gameplay is tight and rewards experimentation and exploration. The Lost Crown also stands out this year as one of the best games because of its focus on fun at all levels. The story is simple and fun, though without a ton of teeth. The gameplay loops are easy to understand and inviting, asking players to try out everything at their own pace. There is no “wrong” way to play The Lost Crown, as long as everyone is focused on that fun.
2. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
I came late to the Like A Dragon series, as many people have. And like many people, my introduction was Yakuza 0, a prequel made before Yakuza 6 to help bring players into the vast franchise. Since I tried my hand at 0, I have enjoyed (but maybe not loved) the series. Still haven’t played 3-6, for example. But Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020)? I ate that game up. The blend of Dragon Quest and goofy heart the series is known for hit just right for me. New protagonist Ichiban Kasuga was a delight, and the story was deeply emotional.
Infinite Wealth continues the new direction of the Like a Dragon series while also spending a lot of time as a memorial to the past. While Ichiban is back as the protagonist, this game is for long-time hero Kiryu Kazuma. It is a celebration of his story and the series in general. I won’t say much more for sake of spoilers, but even as a rookie in this world, I cried a lot as we formally moved into the future.
Stepping away from the story, Infinite Wealth sharpens up the Job System introduced in Like a Dragon (2020) with even weirder classes. Things like Host and Chef are back along with new classes like Action Hero and Football Player. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio loaded the game with weird mini-games, including very good Pokémon and Animal Crossing parodies. The Animal Crossing one in particular ate more of my free time than I can say with good faith. Suffice to say, it’s good.
I can’t recommend anyone jump into Infinite Wealth without at least a passing knowledge of the series’ history. But what I can recommend is spending some time reading some wikis to get yourself to try this game out. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
1. Metaphor: ReFantazio
I didn’t think I would like Metaphor: ReFantazio, which seems silly to say in hindsight. After all, I love another JRPG series, Trails, and love the Persona franchise by Atlus. Why shouldn’t the new game from Atlus be my most anticipated game of 2024? Well, I wish I had a clearer answer beyond “vibes.” There was something about the presentation of Metaphor, the way the game was being discussed in the media, that just didn’t sit right with me.
I’m glad I ignored those weird vibes. Metaphor is a thoughtful step forward, dropping away some of the baggage of being a legacy series while keeping the bits of Persona I love. The characters are equal parts witty, thoughtful, and heartfelt. The story is sweeping and impactful. The world is vibrant and full, with interesting history layered on top of the political intrigue.
I loved Metaphor: ReFantazio. I loved the doofuses who support the main character in his journey for the throne. I loved the quiet moments of heroism and humanity. Once I began, all I wanted to see was what would come next for our favorite band of misfits. Helped by some of the best gameplay that P Studio has put forward and a good but maybe not great soundtrack (I still hear the rapping monk in my dreams), Metaphor is a special game. I am glad I ignored my gut.
