Gaming in 2024 became a bit more vexing for me this year. As I’m mentioned several times before, my PS4 died, and my PC is now so old that it can’t keep up with newer games. So stuff like Elden Ring, Enotria, Lies of P, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns all gave me a big nope when I tried booting them up.
Now don’t worry, I’m planning to get a new gaming PC in 2025. Whether I get a PS5 is still up in the air, and depends a lot on me getting some new books out. But that’s a me problem, not a y’all problem.
Despite the hardware setbacks, I was still able to find these gems, which I am quite happy to share with y’all.
Vampire Survivors
I know, you’re thinking “What, again?” But listen, during this year Poncle put out a lot of free updates, and then they delivered two paid DLCs that were both digital love letters to two of my favorite games of all time, Contra and Castlevania. Hell, I still haven’t unlocked everything in Ode to Castlevania, but I have FINALLY found a vampire. You know the one I’m talking about, and if you don’t, it means you still need to play Vampire Survivors. There’s no reason not to. It’s cheap, it’s easy to play, and it will give your beady heart hundreds of hours of boundless joy. Don’t you want to be joyful? Shut up, you do. Now go get that game.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
I’ve played through the full campaign three times this year, which should already tell you how much I love it. I’m planning a fourth run, and so obviously a major part of its appeal is the multi-class feature, allowing me to create a character using the best traits of two classes, and in trying to find “the perfect build.”
But my love is also for the story telling, which is probably some of the most confident and joyful out of all the Borderlands games. The humor relies a lot less on stereotypes and punching down, something Borderlands and Borderlands 2 can’t claim. It even manages to make Claptrap enjoyable for me, and given how little I like that guy, I’d call that a miraculous accomplishment. Best of all, it’s a one and done affair, with no DLC to buy, no season passes, no loot boxes, or any other AAA bullshit. It’s just a good time that invites you and a few friend to get together for a few days of adventures in the world of Bunkers ‘N Badasses.
Islets
Let me get out the movie announcer voice for a second…ahem. In a world where Richard Scarry is a god, animals from the surface world have taken to airships as adventurers seeking to reunite four floating islands that previously were held together with magnets. This metroidvania wooed me with its cute characters and gameplay, but it really impressed me with its many, many accessibility features. No matter what skill level you are at as a gamer, Islets will tailor itself to your needs, making it a perfect game for beginners. But if you want to go hard core, oh, this game can also accommodate you and whip your ass from one island to the next. If you skipped this because it looked too twee and cutesy, believe me when I say, you need to give it a chance.
Dread Delusion
An RPG set in a futuristic apocalypse and based on PS One style graphics. Everything about this game said, “This is for you, Zoe!” I got to the end, and I was not disappointed. I mean, as an RPG, your choices don’t really change much in the world. But that world has a story to tell, and it is wonderfully weird and very compelling. If you looked at the graphics and said, “Meh, not next-gen,” please drop those pretenses and get in there for the story, and for a world unlike any you’ve ever seen before.
Shakedown Hawaii
An homage to old school GTA games, this is a joyously evil romp around an island trying to own everything. Featuring an older rich guy struggling to save his crumbling evil empire by way of extortion and shady business practices, the core loop of this game is shaking down businesses to force them into accepting protection. But the ways to go about that in each business are different, and there are a ton of side missions to keep the main story from ever feeling dull. It took me a little under 50 hours to see everything Shakedown Hawaii has to offer, but it was enough to convince me to keep it on the hard drive for another romp through its cartoonish world.
Neon Abyss
Sliding onto this list at the literal last minute is a procedurally generated rogue-lite dungeon shooter that does everything right to please me. It’s a twin-stick shooter that involves Greek mythology, a new set of modern titans that calls to mind American Gods, and boasts a whole lot of style in its world design and in its impressive chiptune-techno soundtrack.
Like many rogue-lites, it is possible to find a bad run, but I’ve ended far more runs feeling like a boss because so many of the gun and items can take a humble start and turn it into an epic adventure. Even more incredible? All this fun comes in at less than one gigabyte of files. So do yourself a favor and make a little room for this gem. I’ve got a good feeling you won’t want to erase it to make room for anything else.
With that, the list of top games for 2024 is done. I know it’s a lot more indie titles this year. As for the new year? Well, hopefully it’s something to look forward to. Speaking of stuff to look forward to, I still have to post my top Netflix picks (pix? Nah.) as well as a list of my favorite anime from Crunchyroll and Netflix.
I know this year’s output hasn’t been great, but I have a good feeling about 2025. Well, a good feeling about MY output for 2025. As for the year itself, we’ll just have to play it by ear. I’ll be glad to have y’all along for the ride, too.