In February, a poker-themed roguelike card game launched with no extended hype cycle or years of marketing. It practically appeared out of nowhere and was a wonderful surprise. After years of anticipation, a new title from Bandai Namco will be out in 2025.
The wait for this highly anticipated sequel was long, but it is finally over. While there were initial nerves and cynicism surrounding “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” ahead of its December release, it turned out to be a really special game. It plays more like “Dishonored” than “Call of Duty.” The story DLC next year has fans hoping for a sequel.
2024 turned out to be an unexpectedly big year for Sega’s beloved antihero, Shadow the Hedgehog. Sega declared it the year of Shadow, which included a dedicated merch line, in-person events, mobile game crossovers, and a new game related to “Sonic Generations.” This all culminated in Keanu Reeves starring as Shadow in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” Seeing Sega do right by the character was easily one of the biggest surprises for fans this year. It looks like he will be part of the live-action movies in the future as well.
After years of anticipation, Rockstar finally brought the original “Red Dead Redemption” to PC. At last, players can enjoy this classic game at high framerates and long draw distances. Plus, mods can make it even better.
Good Old Games (GOG) made a significant commitment this year to focus on game preservation. They promised maintenance for a list of 100 games and intend to add more over time.
Unexpected gaming highlights of 2024
If they stick to it, this could set a new standard that other companies might follow. In 2024, fans finally got a mainline Zelda game that lets you play as Princess Zelda herself. “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” has been a bit divisive due to its magic-based gameplay, but fans had been asking for a Zelda-led game for ages.
Hopefully, this signals more to come in the future. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of PlayStation, Sony released an inspired PS5 update with themes based on the PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4. They even added a retro PS1 boot-up for the PS5, to great acclaim.
After Microsoft closed Tango Gameworks in May, fans were devastated. However, the story had a happy ending as another studio revived Tango Gameworks and brought back old talent to work on the next entry in the “Hi-Fi Rush” series. Sony’s latest PS5 exclusive was highly anticipated and did not disappoint.
Odds are you have played the fantastic platformer or at least heard about it—it is really good and one of the best games of 2024. Amazon’s adaptation of a beloved franchise caught everyone by surprise. The show earned 16 Emmy nominations and won two of them, proving that the franchise can thrive in live-action format.
One of the most pleasant surprises of 2024 has been publishers moving away from their own PC launchers. This shift has made it easier for players to manage and access their games, much to the community’s relief. Sure, 2024 had its share of struggles, but these bright spots made it a year to remember for gamers everywhere.
