2024 has been a great year for gaming, offering gamers like us unforgettable experiences across all kinds of genres. From sprawling adventures to cosy simulations, this year’s best games delivered something special for everyone.
Paula’s Best Games of 2024
My list of the best games for the year includes a mix of indie and triple-A titles. 2024 was a great year for both indie and triple-A titles. Here are my picks of the Best Games of 2024. Let’s count down from ten to find out my favourite game of the year.
10-Europa
In Europa, you traverse a visually stunning terraformed moon, exploring its lush landscapes and awe-inspiring floating ruins.
The game emphasises freedom of movement, allowing players to glide gracefully through the skies while uncovering the secrets of an advanced, long-gone civilisation. Its calming atmosphere, breathtaking visuals, and thought-provoking narrative make Europa a great exploration game that captures the magic of discovery and is a game I really enjoyed reviewing.
9-Tiny Glade
Tiny Glade is an unusual game for me to like since it’s mostly design, and I’m not into design, but I did like it; in fact, I loved it. This sandbox creation game invites us to craft whimsical medieval dioramas without stress or timers. This game is all about simplicity and creativity.
Drawing walls, placing towers, and watching your creations animate with ivy and sheep adds a touch of magic. It’s a very cosy experience for anyone seeking a creative outlet, offering a peaceful retreat from the usual pressures of gaming.
8-Fabledom
Fabledom puts a charming storybook spin on my favourite city-building genre. You construct an enchanted kingdom by balancing resource management with magical twists like wooing royal suitors or fending off mischievous beasts.
The game’s endearing aesthetic and quirky sense of humour make it perfect for fans of strategy games who want something lighthearted and whimsical.
7-Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure imaginatively combines puzzle-solving and gameplay; it’s the best puzzle game I’ve played this year. The game’s unique, interconnected grid seamlessly combines movement, exploration, and combat.
When you move Jemma, the game’s protagonist, the world moves with her. Moving up shifts the vertical tiles in that row up and then wraps around to the bottom. Furthermore, moving left shifts the horizontal tiles in that row, and so on. It’s the ingenious puzzle mechanics that I liked the most in this game.
6-Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story
Set in the whimsical world of League of Legends, Bandle Tale is a cosy life simulation RPG where you take on the role of a yordle tasked with rebuilding Bandlewood after a catastrophic event.
Gather resources, craft items, and interact with familiar faces from the League of Legends universe in a game that combines heartfelt storytelling with delightful, low-stress gameplay. Its charming pixel art, quirky humour, and relaxing mechanics make it a perfect entry for newcomers and fans alike. I enjoyed Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story so much that I wrote a Tips and Tricks Guide for the game.
5-Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley
When I reviewed Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, a bug in the game prevented me from finishing my adventure. However, since then, the developers have updated the game and removed the bug, and Ive been able to finish it. If it hadn’t been for the bug I encountered during the review, I would have given the game our highest score of two thumbs up instead of I like it a lot.
Based on the beloved Moomin stories, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley takes you on a musical adventure to restore harmony to a fractured land.
Its hand-drawn visuals and soothing soundtrack complement a heartfelt narrative about community and care for the environment. By solving puzzles and using the power of music, players help the quirky inhabitants of Moominvalley while soaking in the game’s cosy atmosphere.
4-Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island
Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island reimagines Greek mythology as a heartfelt exploration of friendship and community. You play backpacker Alex, who befriends amnesiac gods stranded on a lush, mysterious island.
Using the Ambrosidex to locate treasures and mementoes, players restore the gods’ memories and uncover the island’s secrets. Its accessible puzzles, beautiful environments, and touching narrative make it a standout for fans of non-violent, story-driven games.
3-Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
Square Enix’s remake of Dragon Quest III, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, breathes new life into a beloved classic; DQ3 has always been my favourite Dragon Quest game from the series, so buying this version was a no-brainer. With its gorgeous blend of pixel art and modern 3D visuals, the game offers both nostalgia and innovation.
Updated mechanics, including the new Monster Wrangler vocation and expanded storylines, make this a must-play for fans of traditional RPGs and newcomers alike. It’s a love letter to the series and a reminder of why Dragon Quest remains one of gaming’s most enduring franchises.
2-NAIAD
I love NAIAD as it delivers an enchanting, meditative experience unlike anything else this year. Its serene visuals and soothing soundtrack create a deeply immersive atmosphere, perfectly complementing its simple yet captivating gameplay.
Guiding Naiad the water spirit through tranquil rivers, interacting with wildlife, and uncovering the subtle storytelling is so calming. The game’s environmental themes offer a gentle reminder of nature’s beauty and fragility. NAIAD stood out as an enjoyable and heartfelt artistic journey that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.
1- Top of the Tree: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
When Nintendo release a Zelda game, you can be sure that I’m going to be playing it. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom continues Nintendo’s tradition of delivering genre-defining adventures in the series. This latest entry sees Link and Zelda working together to uncover the mysteries of a shattered Hyrule.
With its intricate dungeons, gripping story, and stunning visuals, Echoes of Wisdom balances familiar mechanics with fresh innovations, creating an unforgettable experience. It’s a game that reminds us why Zelda remains one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history.
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