Studio/publisher: Studio Zero, Atlus
The transparent nature of fantasy naturally aligns with metaphor, which Team Zero highlighted as the core theme in its sequel to the hugely successful Persona series. The game explores societal issues and the individuals who leverage fantasy not as mere escapism but as a means to envision a more equitable society. The relevance of this message is undeniable, with Metaphor embedding its themes in the finest Persona gameplay to date. Its combat demands deeper strategic thought compared to a title like Persona 5, yet it strikes a balance to illustrate precisely why you failed.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox, PC

Studio/publisher: Team Asobi, Sony
Team Asobi transformed PlayStation 5’s beloved mascot into one of the finest platform games of the 2020s. It’s a Super Mario-inspired journey through wonderfully imaginative levels where mechanics are refreshed frequently enough to maintain interest. Additionally, for those devoted to Sony over the years, the sheer number of characters Astro Bot integrates triggers nostalgia frequently. It is drenched in Sony culture, giving the impression of a marketing campaign by Sony. While this may be partially true, it stands as a superb platforming game.
Platforms: PS5

Studio/publisher: Billy Basso, Big Mode
Indie creator Billy Basso, by his own narrative, dedicated seven years to crafting Animal Well. That time could have been solely for refining its excellent controls, items, and stage design. However, the almost unimaginable depth of Animal Well renders it highly engaging, particularly for a game occupying less than 1 GB of storage. Just when you believe you’ve experienced it all, the game surprises with an additional 10 hours of hidden content.
Platforms: Switch, PS5, Xbox, PC

Studio/publisher: Camouflaj, Oculus Studios
The Arkham series has been dormant for some time, but its VR return is an unexpectedly elegant mode of adapting the combat, stealth, and navigation from Rocksteady’s originals into a more immersive form. Batman Arkham Shadow might seem like a replay of its predecessors, yet enough time has passed that engaging in combat feels rewarding. The bonus is that it’s complimentary for those acquiring a new Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S, even though it’s commendable as a standalone game.
Platforms: Meta Quest 3, Quest 3S

Studio/publisher: Atlus
Persona 3 has come in two incarnations: its initial release on PlayStation 2 and the Persona 3 Portable adaptation for PSP. For those who overlooked both, Atlus reintroduced the cherished JRPG with visuals and user interface updated to align with the newer Persona 5. The narrative remains a profound journey into humanity’s ways of confronting, denying, or accepting mortality. Numerous subtle enhancements distinguish it from the original 2006 version, providing the most contemporary way to grasp the enduring affection for this installment in the Persona lineage.
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5

Studio/publisher: Suspicious Developments
If the expectation was for Tactical Breach Wizards to blend Rainbow Six with XCOM, envision it instead as a fusion of Into the Breach and Shadowrun, seasoned with a significant dose of eccentric humor. It presents a clever, sharply crafted, and frequently amusing puzzle game featuring an ensemble of unconventional sorcerers and redefined fantasy clichés engaged in a spy thriller. Every level offers several pathways to success, avoiding the common puzzle-game trap of providing just one method to solve each puzzle.
Platforms: PC

Studio/publisher: Arrowhead Game Studios, Sony
The unforeseen multiplayer sensation of 2024 won over players with its fusion of precise shooter mechanics, a balanced live-service structure, and a satirical humor style influenced by Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 movie Starship Troopers. The game has managed to keep its players largely absorbed through the year. Even when changes in balance or small missteps cause debates, it remains the most captivating multiplayer game of 2024.
Available on: PS5, PC

Studio/publisher: Saber Interactive, Focus Entertainment
Space Marine 2 is a repetitive, hack-and-slash title with a silly plot and dull personas compensated by its superb minute-to-minute gameplay in an era filled with exploitative live service models. What makes the game noteworthy is its precise combat, which, on harder levels, emphasizes managing large crowds to avoid getting overrun. Additionally, there’s a three-player cooperative mode for the main storyline and extra side missions.
Available on: PS5, Xbox, PC

Studio/publisher: 11 Bit Studios
While the original Frostpunk pressed you to rescue a city at all costs, Frostpunk 2 presents an even tougher dilemma: Is endurance worth the sacrifice? Set in a desolate setting, it dives into the delicacy of democracy when individuals are driven to the limits of survival. The game is demanding, with its tutorial offering minimal guidance on achieving success. Instead, it underscores a stark reality: it’s impossible to satisfy everyone. As the steward, you’re required to build districts, gather food, and expand your city without sending your society into disorder. An emotionally intense city builder, this game doesn’t hold back.
Available on: Mac, PC, Xbox, PS5

Studio/publisher: Digital Eclipse, Atari
Tetris is enduring. If you’ve played one version, you’ve essentially experienced them all. However, if you wish to immerse yourself in a sizable piece of Tetris history within one compilation, Tetris Forever is an excellent selection. It allows you to enjoy 15 different Tetris variants and educates you about the intriguing history of the game. Digital Eclipse’s latest playable documentary includes an all-new Tetris Time Warp mode. For both long-time enthusiasts and novices, Tetris Forever has numerous surprises to offer—especially if you’re not well-versed in the game’s legendary origins. If you seek something more nostalgic, Nintendo has recently launched the classic NES and Game Boy versions of Tetris through Switch Online, albeit at an additional expense.

Available on: Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox, Xbox One, PC

Studio/publisher: Bioware, Electronic Arts
Bioware’s reentry to the realm of Thedas didn’t come without its share of unease. Despite its combat becoming monotonous and the storyline lacking impact, Veilguard delivers remarkable characters and a multitude of stunning locales to explore during its extensive gameplay duration. It’s more streamlined and action-focused—similar to Dragon Age II compared to Dragon Age: Inquisition—but it maintains BioWare’s hallmark: engaging and endearing companions.
Available on: PS5, Xbox, PC

Studio/publisher: GSC Game World
STALKER 2 faced a challenging debut. My editor experienced unexpected crashes when trying to run it on his PC. Despite persistent issues several months later, the game provides a profoundly immersive experience laced with an oppressive, relentless ambience. The gameplay retains a consistently tense atmosphere, even though the gun audio effects might seem lacking. This follow-up truly excels in its crafted sense of anxiety—every mission is filled with tension. You quickly grasp that no character is to be trusted, and the most effective strategy often involves taking a proactive approach in encounters—typically by shooting first and contemplating actions later.
Available on: Xbox, PC

Estudio/editor: Supergiant Games
Este año, la escasez de títulos emocionantes hizo de la llegada de Hades II un alivio bienvenido, incluso en su estado de Acceso Anticipado. Siendo la secuela del muy popular Hades de Supergiant, el juego conserva su jugabilidad central, al tiempo que introduce armas, habilidades y bendiciones nuevas muy radicales para combinar. Es frenético y a menudo extremadamente desafiante, pero el diseño de personajes excepcional de los desarrolladores, la escritura y la actuación de voz hacen que regresar después de una derrota sea un placer en lugar de una frustración.
Disponible en: PC

Estudio/editor: FromSoftware, Bandai Namco
El DLC de Elden Ring, Sombra del Erdtree, es tan expansivo que parece un juego totalmente nuevo añadido a la obra maestra original de FromSoftware. Con al menos 30 horas de contenido para explorar en una región densamente poblada, ofrece mucha diversión para los jugadores. Aunque Elden Ring ya es conocido por su dificultad, Sombra del Erdtree lleva los desafíos del “endgame” al extremo. Más allá de su naturaleza castigadora, el DLC ofrece más de lo que los aficionados aman de Elden Ring y algunos de los encuentros más inolvidables que FromSoftware ha creado.
Disponible en: PS5, PS4, Xbox, PC

Estudio/editor: Capcom
Hay algo excepcionalmente encantador en un RPG tan descaradamente torpe como Dragon’s Dogma II. Es un juego donde se recorre un mundo abierto extenso, se escala monstruos enormes y se los somete a golpes. De alguna manera, combina mecánicas de RPG de acción estilo MMO combinadas con el sistema de “peones” innovador y un enfoque para un solo jugador sin tambalearse bajo su propia ambición. Aunque la historia no es especialmente intrigante, la magnitud del juego es innegablemente impresionante—tanto que es difícil no maravillarse de que los desarrolladores en Capcom lograran llevarlo a cabo.
Disponible en: PS5, Xbox, PC

Estudio/editor: LocalThunk, PlayStack
Lo admito, no comprendía por qué Balatro se volvió un éxito viral casi de inmediato. Pero después de jugar unas pocas manos, rápidamente entendí qué tan simple, eficaz y adictivo puede ser el juego. Todo se centra en crear manos de póker para alcanzar la puntuación más alta. Cuanto mejor sea la mano, mayor será la puntuación; pero la novedad yace en la capacidad de modificar la baraja con cartas adicionales o aplicar multiplicadores con comodines, que puede que funcionen mejor con pares o escalas de un determinado palo. Es un juego directo que se puede jugar en cualquier lugar, pero se merece un lugar en esta lista simplemente porque el personal admite haberlo jugado más que probablemente cualquier otro juego aquí.
Disponible en: Switch, PC, Xbox, PS5, Android, iOS, Mac

Estudio/editor: Square Enix
La entrega de la Final Fantasy VII Remake, Renacimiento, va más allá de ser una expansión de los sistemas del primer juego o un viaje nostálgico para los seguidores del original de 1997. Mientras que las refinadas mecánicas de RPG de acción en Renacimiento son impresionantes, la construcción del mundo excepcional y el desarrollo de personajes realmente hacen que el remake resuene.
Disponible en: PS5

Estudio/editor: Nintendo Cube, Nintendo
La versión móvil ultraligera de Animal Crossing es infinitamente mejor sin la monetización depredadora de su forma original. A pesar de que el juego se lanzó originalmente en 2017, se siente como una experiencia completamente nueva con eventos de temporada que se extienden hasta el nuevo año. Actualmente con un precio de $10 durante este período “introductorio”, el costo aumentará a $20 después de enero.
Disponible en: Android, iOS